Trace Elements in Medicine (Moscow)
2017, 18(2): 17–27
ORIGINAL PAPER

SERUM MINERAL LEVELS IN GOATS OF VARIOUS PHYSIOLOGICAL STAGES IN THE DRY AND WET SEASONS IN CENTRAL TRINIDAD

A. Mohammed1*, Angelisah Khan1, Indira Pargass2, Puran Bridgemohan1, A.E. Edwards1, H.S. Stewart2, F.G. Youssef3, Shenese Sieuchand1

1 The University of Trinidad and Tobago, Faculty of Biosciences; Agriculture and Food Technology, Caroni North Bank Road, Centeno Arima, Trinidad 2 Clinical and Systemic Pathologist School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mt. Hope, Trinidad, West 3 Retired Senior Lecturer, Department of Food Production, University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies

DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2017-18-2-17-27 

ABSTRACT. A study was conducted to evaluate blood serum macro and micro-mineral concentrations of 158 goats, regarding season, farm and physiological stage. Samples were collected in the late dry (April – May) and late wet (November – December) seasons of Central Trinidad. Blood samples were collected from the state owned Sugar Cane Feeds Centre and three private farms of the Cunupia, Chaguanas and Couva locations of Central Trinidad. Samples were collected from growing (6-12 mths), dry pregnant (mainly late), early lactating (up to 8 wk) and dry non-pregnant goats (1-3 yrs). In goats, lower serum P (p<0.001) was found in the dry than the wet season, whereas Mg (p<0.001) and Zn (p<0.01) were lower in the wet season. Lower Ca (p<0.001) was observed in goats in the wet season than in the dry season. Significant variations also occurred among farms for serum P, Mg, Na and Cu in goats (P<0.001), and also for Ca, K and Zn in goats (p<0.01). Percent of serum Mg Below Critical Level (BCL) was 64% for Mg (<18 mg/l) in goats of the Sugar Cane Feeds Centre. Also 79 and 60% of Cu (<0.5mg/l) and Zn (<0.6 mg/l) were BCL in goats at the Couva farm. Significant variations among physiological stages occurred for serum P and K in goats (p<0.01), and also Zn in goats (p<0.001) respectively. Forage Mg and Mn were lower (p<0.001) in the wet than the dry season, whereas P was lower (p<0.001) in the dry season. Significant variations also occurred among locations for forage Ca (p<0.001), Mg (p<0.001), Cu (p<0.05) and Zn (p<0.001). In the dry season, the order of serum minerals likely to limit production was P, Cu, Mg and Zn in goats. In the wet season, the order of serum minerals was Cu, Zn, Mg, Ca and P in goats. In both the dry and wet seasons, the order of forage minerals probably limiting production was Na, Cu, Mg and Zn, respectively. Regarding farm location, the serum minerals of major importance probably limiting production was Mg at the Sugar Cane Feeds Centre, and Cu and Zn at the Couva, respectively. The low serum mineral concentrations probably of physiological importance were Ca in non-pregnant and lactating goats; P, Cu and Mg in pregnant and lactating goats, and Zn in lactating goats. Although the levels of mineral deficiencies found were mainly marginal, findings implied that growth, feed intakes and milk yields were probably being affected while some animals may have been prone to metabolic disorders.

KEYWORDS: goats; mineral concentrations; season; farm; physiological stage.