3.1. Hematological parameters
Mean values of hematological variables investigated in relation to lairage time are shown in Table 1. These results showed that differential RBC count and HGB concentration were significantly influenced by lairage time. Compared with the group without rest, the number of red cells and HGB concentration decreased in the lairage groups (P < 0.05). However, no differences were found among different lairage groups. The HCT values were similarly reduced as lairage time increased. The HCT values in the 24 h lairage group decreased nearly 13% compared with 0 h group.