Evaluation of serum mineral status and hormone profile in goats and some of their inter-relations

Aim: The present study was carried out with the objective to estimate the serum mineral status, and hormonal profile of goats in Kashmir valley. Materials and Methods: Thirty female goats (n=30) were selected randomly from three districts (ten from each district) of Kashmir valley. Serum minerals were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and hormones by 125 radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique using gamma scintillation counter (I calibrated), at Nuclear Research Laboratory, IVRI, Izatnagar. Results: Mean±SE value of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) was 10.46±0.76, 5.12±0.31, 2.11±0.24 mg/dl respectively, whereas copper (Cu,) iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co) was 0.548±0.094, 1.548±0.173, 0.864±0.211 and 0.027±0.003ppm, respectively. Non-significant (p<0.01) difference was found in the serum mineral concentrations between and within the goat of different districts. Serum mineral concentrations in goat were in slightly deficient range. Mean±SE value of serum estrogen (E ) in pg/ml, progesterone (P ), triiodothyronin (T ) and tetraiodothyronin (T ) in ng/ml of goat was 2 4 3 4 19.35±0.45, 1.37±0.141, 1.16±0.163 and 31.09±1.15, respectively. Steroid and thyroid hormone levels were towards the lower side of the normal range. Wide variations were noted in the correlations between serum minerals and steroid and thyroid hormones indicating diverse interrelations between minerals and hormones. Conclusion: Most of the animals showed deficient serum mineral status. Mineral deficiency affects hormone status and impairs production potential of animals. Based on these findings supplementation of mineral to goat of Kashmir valley is imperative.