Alterations in plasma sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) during different days of pre-pubertal male and female black Bengal kids

Abstract

ABSTRACT Blood samples (5 mL/animal) were collected from male (n = 50) and female (n = 50) black Bengal goat kids to evaluate the alterations in plasma Na, K, Ca and Fe during pre-pubertal growth phase. The plasma sodium concentration significantly (P < 0.01) decreased with the advancement of age in both male and female kids. Plasma K did not differ significantly between age group and sex. There was a significant (P < 0.01) increase in plasma calcium level. There was no significant alteration in iron levels during different days of pre-pubertal period in the kids of both sexes. Baseline data of plasma Na, K, Ca and Fe levels in black Bengal kids of either sexes during different days of pre-pubertal growth stage generated in this study will be required to calculate mineral requirements in goats during growth phase. It can be recommended that during ration formulation for goat kids in early growth stage, mineral levels do not need to be adjusted based on sex, as sex had no influence over the above said minerals. In addition, the net Ca requirements for growth increase and Na requirements decrease as the animals grow.