109 Metabolic and endocrine indicators in male goats differing in genetic propensity to consume juniper

Abstract

Abstract We sampled Spanish goats selected for their propensity to consume above (H) or below (L) the population average for proportion of juniper/monoterpenes in the diet (as determined by fecal near infrared spectroscopy) to determine the effect of juniper/monoterpenes on metabolic/endocrine indicators in adult male goats (Y: 2-year-old and O: 3-5-year-old). Body weight (kg) and serum samples were collected from 20 animals [n = 5 of each age (i.e. length of exposure to monoterpenes) and juniper consumption combination] maintained solely on pastures inhabited by juniper. Differences in serum analytes between groups were determined by analysis of variance. Body weight was not different between juniper groups (~71.1 ± 3.4 each) but was greater in O (76.0 ± 3.7) than Y (66.3 ± 1.9). Glucose (mg/dL) was numerically higher (P = 0.15) in H (82.3 ± 7.3) than L (69.5 ± 3.8) and in O (81.9 ± 1.9) than Y (69.9 ± 2.3). Serum urea nitrogen (mg/dL) was 10.5 ± 1.0 in both H and L (P > 0.1) but was significantly higher (P < 0.004) in O (12.9 ± 1.3) compared to Y (8.2 ± 0.5). NEFA (mEq/L) was significantly higher (P < 0.02) in H (0.33 ± 0.04) than L (0.26 ± 0.02), but not in O (0.30 ± 0.04) versus Y (0.29 ± 0.03). Total globulin (g/dL) was significantly higher (P < 0.007) in L (4.34 ± 0.35) than H (3.40 ± 0.16), and in O (4.29 ± 0.38) than Y (3.45 ± 0.12). Gamma glutamyl transferase was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in H (59.2 ± 2.1) than L (44.3 ± 2.2), and in Y (55.3 ± 2.9) than O (48.2 ± 3.2). Length of exposure (via advancing age) and preference for juniper may incur a cost of fitness in goats selected for higher than average consumption of monoterpenes.