Vol. 9, Special Issue 3, Part A (2025)

Goats (Capra hircus) play a crucial role in the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers, particularly in developing countries. Betaine, a naturally occurring compound, has been recognized for its role in methyl donation, osmo-protection, and stress resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary betaine supplementation on hematological parameters, specifically Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), in male goat kids. Eighteen non-descript male goat kids (4-5 months old, 8-9 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to three groups: T₁ (control), T₂ (betaine @ 2 g/animal/day), and T₃ (betaine @ 4 g/animal/day). The experiment spanned four months, during which blood samples were collected at intervals (days 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120) for hematological analysis. Results showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in MCV in the T₃ group compared to the control, suggesting betaine’s potential role in red blood cell size regulation. While MCH values decreased over time across all groups, statistical analysis indicated no significant differences (p>0.05) between treatments. MCHC values exhibited a notable increase in betaine-supplemented groups (T₂ and T₃), with T₃ demonstrating the highest values, suggesting an enhancement in erythropoiesis and hemoglobin synthesis.