Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis during Preruminant, Transitional and Ruminant Age Groups in Reference to The Serum T3, T4 and Cortisol in Assam Hill Goat (Capra hircus)

Abstract

The present study was conducted in the Assam Hill Goat (Capra hircus) a local variety of Goat of Assam, to investigate the Hair Tissue Mineral patterns (estimated by ICP-OES) during three important metabolic stages viz, preruminant (0-3weeks), transitional (3-8weeks) and ruminant (above 8 weeks) age groups. Various hair minerals estimated in the present study were compared during the preruminant, transitional and ruminant age groups. The Ca content was found to be significantly lower in the preruminant age groups compare to the other age groups and maximum in the ruminant age groups. K was found to be synergistically related with Ca. Cr, Cu. Hair Na did not show any significant changes during the three age groups. Fe, K, Mg and Zn content of hair of Assam Hill Goat showed significantly higher values in ruminant age groups and the mean concentration of these elements in the hair showed an increasing pattern with the advancement of age. Various important mineral ratios were compared in the present study. It was found that Na:K, Na:Mg were found to be significantly lower in ruminant age group than preruminant and transitional age groups and with advancement of age there was decrease in the values of ratio. The serum T 3 and T 4 and cortisol as found to be significantly higher during preruminant age group than transitional and ruminant age groups. Ratios like Na:Mg, Na:K and Ca:K can be correlated with the serum cortisol and thyroid hormone respectively may be indicative of the activity of the adrenal and thyroid gland as well as the metabolic activity. The mean values of Ca:K, Zn:Cu and Fe:Cu showed an increasing pattern with the advancement of age and Ca:Mg ratio showed lower values in ruminant age groups than preruminant and transitional age groups.