Introduction

The detection of a disease in the animal is based on a good history, obvious clinical signs and para clinical experiments. The Para clinical examinations are important for confirmation of a disease and have great value for diagnosis of some chronic or subclinical forms of a disease. An important part of such examination depends on measurements of serum constituents; electrolytes, non-electrolytes and enzymes. Because of the central role of serum constituents in the body homeostasis and the close relationship between serum constituents and their tissue concentrations, much information regarding the body’s response to disease can be obtained by measuring these factors in the blood serum of the animal. Hence, to comparing a suspected serum specimen, a normal value of the special factors in the blood serum of the animal is needed and because of the normal values in a species may vary according to variants like breed, age, sex or environment, it seems that the data values in such variants should be gathered separately. The present study deals with the measurement of some non-electrolytes in the normal Raini goat in Iran. Raini goat is the most important cashmere variants in Iran that have great economic wealth for cashmere precious. This breed is seen in the south-east of Iran, Kerman province.

Materials and Methods

The Raini goats are kept in the Institute of Agricultural Jehad Research in Rain, Kerman. This is the only registered farm in Iran and the goats have the same maintenance, veterinary care and nutritional management at this Institute.Raini goats divided in two genders and four age groups(<12 months,12-23 months,24-35 and >35 months).After blood taking, Serum harvested immediately and sent to the laboratory for measurement of serum biochemical’s of Glucose, Urea, creatinine, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, total Protein and Albumin. The commercial kits (Pars-Azmun, Tehran, Iran) and Cobas Mira autoanalyser were used to measurements. Statistical analysis carried out by t-student test and analysis of variance(ANOVA) and significant values were tested by Duncan test.

Results

Table 1 shows the mean biochemical factors in blood serum without respect to sex or age. Table 2 and 3 show these factors with respect to sex and age groups respectively. There is significant difference between two genders in creatinine ,cholesterol and total protein values and as age goes, the value of glucose, cholesterol, total protein and albumin have significantly decrease but the creatinine and urea have significantly increase in serum(P<0.05).

Figure 1

Table 1: Biochemical factors in blood serum of Raini goat of Iran

Figure 2

Table 2: Biochemical factors in blood serum of Raini goat in two genders

*values have significant difference (P<0.05)

Figure 3

Table 3: Biochemical factors in blood serum of Raini goat in different age groups

Discussion

The mean concentration of glucose of this study was 3.78± 0.74mM/L(2.22-6.38mM/L).There is no significant difference between genders whereas as age goes, the concentration decreased, so that goats with less than a year old had significant 59.more concentration(4.62±1.03 mM/L).The most important role of glucose is to supply 60.the energy demand of the animal. The concentration of glucose in the blood normally 61.is regulated by the hormones but it is influenced by several other factors as well.

The concentration of glucose in the normal goat is at the range of (2.78-3.89
mM/L( 63.Benjamine 1989,Coles 1986 and Smith 2002).Kaneko(1989) reported
the range of 64.2.78-4.16 mM/L)for glucose. Experiments of Sharma et al (1990)
on Pashmina Cheghu-goats showed lower concentration of glucose than to the
otherbreeds (2.59±0.17mM/L) with no significant difference neither in the sex
nor in the age.Measurments of Bennis et al(1991) and Castro et al (1977) on
Moroccan Sahara and Pygmy goats, showed values of 38.1±1 mM/L)and
6.39± 0.62 mM/L respectively. They suggested that males have more glucose
level than females and as age goes, the concentration will be increased.
Mbassa et al(1993) reported the value of 71.3.8± 0.65 mM/L for glucose in
Landrace Danish goats and suggested that young goats have higher level than
adults and there is no significant difference for different sexes.

The concentration of glucose in this study is close to the measurements of the

other breeds. The most of sources, like present study, claimed no significant
difference between genders and young goats have more glucose concentration.
The mean urea concentration in the present study was 15.08±3.8 mM/L(6.07-
23.92 mM/L).There is no significant difference between genders and the
concentration was more significantly in the two last age groups(24-35 months
and >35 months).

Urea provides a non toxic means for excretion of ammonia generated by amino
acid catabolism and the intestinal micro flora. Urea production occurs almost
exclusively in the liver, and liver failure is frequently associated with a
decrease in urea. Some situations like dehydration or renal failure may produce
increase of serum urea(Carlson 2002).

Kaneko(1989) reported the value of 3.57- 7.14 mM/L for urea in the normal
goats. Benjamine (1989) and Smith (2002) suggested urea concentrations of 7.64-
22.92 mM/L and 7.64-15.28 mM/L respectively. Measurements of Behera et al
(1993)on Black Bengal goats revealed a range of 12.37-20.50 mM/L for
them. According to Castro et al (1977) the mean urea concentration in Pygmy
goats was 17.80± 3.13 mM/L. Mbassa et al(1993) and Gray et al (1988)
reported the mean value of 5.34± 2.29 mM/L and 7.40 mM/L respectively in
Landrace Danish goats and cross-bred goats. Several reports supported that
urea concentration is lower in young goats than to adults and there is no
significance difference between genders(Castro et al 1977,Deangelino et al
1990,Mbasa et al 1993,Bennis et al 1991,Otesile et al 1992).

The urea concentration of this study has wider range than the measurements of
the other breeds. Most of sources, in agreement with present study, suggested no
significant difference between genders and young goats have lower urea
concentration.

This study showed that the creatinine concentration is 86.63± 26.52 µM/L(17.68-
167.96 µM/L)and the concentration was significantly more in the last
group(>35 months).The male goats had significantly more concentration
than females.

The absolute muscle mass and level of physical activity may influence of
creatinine serum concentration. In ruminants creatinine is a more reliable
indicator of alterations in renal function than urea.
Kaneko(1989),Benjamine(1989) and Smith(2002) reported the
concentration of 88.4- 159 µM/L for creatinine in normal goats.
According to Behera et al (1993) the creatinine concentration in Black
Bengal goats was 45.97- 83.98 µM/L. In experiments of Sharma et al
(1990) on Pashmina Cheghu- goats the mean concentration of creatinine
was 157.35±7.07µM/L and although the goats of less than 6 months had
significantly lower amounts than to adults, there was no significant
difference between two genders. Bennis et al (1991) reported the mean
concentration of 35.36± 13.54 µM/L in Spanish goats and significant
increase in concentration of females. Mbassa et al (1993) reported the
value of 66.6± 15.8 mM/L for Landrace Danish goats. They suggested that
the amount of creatinine is significantly lower in goats of less than 6
months than to adults and males have more concentration. According to
Castro et al (1977) the mean concentration of creatinine in goats of
Saopaolo was 99.01± 39.78 µM/L and the amount was significantly more
in males and also in adults. The absolute muscle mass and level of
physical activity may influence of creatinine serum concentration. In
ruminants creatinine is a more reliable indicator of alterations in renal
function than urea.

The concentration of creatinine in this study is close to the measurements
of the other breeds. Several sources, like this study, reported significantly
more creatinine concentration for males, although some studies support
more values for females.The most sources, like present study, suggest that
the adult goats have more creatinine concentration.

In the present study, the mean value of triglyceride was 0.46± 0.13
mM/L(0.13- 0.84 mM/L).Neither sex nor age did not affect on the
concentration.

Storage of excess energy as fat is crucial to animals in which fat mobility
plays an important role. During periods of negative energy balance, tissue
fat is mobilized to free fatty acids, non-esterifies fatty acids and
glycerol for use as energy in the liver. Triglycerides eventually leave
the liver as very low-density lipoproteins, which are
phospholipids cholesterol, triglyceride and apoprotein. Increase in serum
triglyceride and sometimes in cholesterol occurs mainly in
horses. Increase in triglyceride in sheep and goats is seen in pregnancy
toxemia although does seem to be more resistant to the
disease(Carlson 2002).

There is few studies on triglyceride concentration of goat breeds
Bennis et al (1991) reported the value of 0.30± 0.24 mM/l in Spanish
goats with no effect of sex. Marcos et al(1990) showed that the least
amount of serum triglyceride in the cow is during the mid-lactating
period.

The cholesterol concentration in the present study was 1.54±0.36
mM/L(0.51-2.79 mM/L).The females had significantly more
concentration(3.67±0.56 mM/L)and the concentration was more in the
two last age groups(24-35 months and >35 months) .Several sources
reported the value of 2.07- 3.36 mM/L for cholesterol in goat(Kaneko
1989,Benjamine 1989, Coles 1986 and Smith 2002). Sharma et al
(1990) on Pashmina Cheghu goats reported the mean value of 3.75±
0.31 mM/L.They suggest that the concentration increases as age goes
and females have significantly more amounts. Experiments of Mbassa
et al(1993) on Landrace Danish goats resulted in the mean value of
2.33± 0.84 mM/L with no significant difference between genders but
the amounts had decreasing as age goes. Deangelino et al (1990)
reported the value of 2.36± 1.02 mM/L in goats without any
significant difference among different ages.

The range of concentration of cholesterol in this study is wider than
to the measurements of the other breeds. The effect of the sex and age
on the cholesterol value is controversial, however, this study showed
that both of them can affect on this value in the Raini goats.
Proteins plays an integral role in numerous physiologic
processes. Because of the central role proteins play in the body’s
homeostasis and the close relationship between plasma proteins and
tissue proteins, much information regarding the body’s response to
disease can be obtained by measuring total plasma protein and its
fractions, albumin, the globulins and fibrinogen. When a
dysproteinemia is suspected, evaluation of total plasma/serum protein
concentration,the albumin to globulin ratio, serum protein
electrophoresis and plasma fibrinogen concentration are indicated. Age
is an important consideration when interpreting plasma protein
concentration. Through colostrums absorption, passive transfer of
immunoglobulin causes a rise in the total protein concentration of the
newborn. Adult protein concentration remains relatively stable(Smith
2002).

The mean concentration of total protein in the present study was
70.80± 6.9 g/L (60-97g/L).The value had significant difference
between genders(80.03±7.2g/dl and 75.7± 6.6 g/L in male and female
respectively) and the concentration was more in the first age
group(<12 months).

The concentration of total protein in normal goat reported in 64-70
g/L,60-75 g/L and 64-79 g/L by Kaneko(1989), Radostits(2000) and
Benjamin(1989) respectively. According to Castro et al (1977) the
mean concentration of total protein in Pygmy goats was 73± 7g/L and
there was no significant difference between genders but the
concentration significantly went more as age goes. Sharma et al
(1990) in study on Pashmina Cheghu goats reported the mean value
of 76± 2.2 g/L with significant difference between genders and
different ages so that, more concentration is in males and adult
goats. Mbassa et al(1993) in study on Landrace Danish goats reported the
mean value of 58± 7g/L with no significant difference between
genders but there was significant difference in age and adults had
more concentration. Deangelino et al (1990) suggested that the total protein
concentration in young goats is significantly lower than adults.
The concentration of T.protein in this study is in agreement with results
obtained by the other studies. Most of sources, unlike present study, claimed
no significant difference between genders but most of them, like this study,
reports that adult goats have more concentration.

The mean concentration of albumin in this study was 34.5± 4.7g/L(23-51
g/L)without significant difference between genders but the two last age
groups(24-35 months and >35 months) showed significant lower
concentration. Kaneko(1989),Smith (2002) and Benjamin(1989) reported
the albumin concentration of 27- 39 g/L in normal goats. According to
Deangelino et al (1990) the mean concentration of albumin in goats of
Saopaolo was 28± 5.4 g/L without significant difference in various
ages. According to experiments of Castro et al (1977) the mean albumin
concentration in male Pygmy goats(36±4 g/L) was significantly more than
females(31± 6 g/L). However, Bennis et al (1991) reported that the
albumin concentration is significantly more in female Spanish goats.
The concentration of albumin in this study is nearly close to the other
studies. Most of sources suggest no significant difference between genders.
The more concentration of albumin in the lower age may be due to age
effect.

Conclusion

This study showed that the means pertaining of examined factors were
nearly close To the mentioned values for the other breeds. However there
are some findings that are not in agreement with the same in the other
breeds like the mean and the range of cholesterol concentration and the
difference of total protein between genders in the Raini goats. Normal
value of measurable factors in different breeds should be gathered
individually, to best compare the suspected specimens, although there may
be some similarities among the measurements of different breeds.

Acknowledgment