TITLE:
Exploratory Study on Relationship among Body Weight, Body Condition Score and Some Blood Biochemical Parameters of Non-Descriptive Goats in Mzimvubu Local Municipality: A Case of Santombe Village
AUTHORS:
Siza Mthi, Nkululeko Nyangiwe, Francisca Rumosa Gwaze, Mandla Yawa, Thobela Louis Tyasi, Sive Tokozwayo, Tanki Thubela, Mlungisi Selby Jansen, Sindisile Goni, Thamsanqa Khetani, Luxolo Qokweni, Soul Washaya, Busiswa Guza, Mlungisi Magwaza, Bekikaya Brilliant Mbangi, Thandile Ndobeni
KEYWORDS:
Blood Metabolite, Communal Goats, Nutrition Status
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.11 No.4,
October
8,
2021
ABSTRACT: Body weight is a crucial trait that aids farmers in
decision-making regarding vaccinations, feeding, marketing and selection during
the breeding programs. The study was conducted to investigate the effect of sex
and age on body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and some blood
biochemical parameters (BBP) and to determine the correlation amongst BW, BCS
and BBP of non-descriptive goats at Santombe communal farming system. Blood
samples were collected from 33 apparently healthy goats (27 females and 6 males)
aged 6 - 8 tooth with a mean BW (32.62 ± 11.39 kg) while BCS (3.17 ± 0.39) was
taken by means of palpating the lumbar area, sternum and the ribs. The BCS was
rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being emaciated and 5 being extremely fat.
The blood samples were analyzed using Cobas intergra 400 plus chemistry
analyzer, Roche for biochemical parameters such as total protein (TP), urea,
cholesterol (Chol), magnesium (Mg), phosphorous (P) and calcium (Ca) with mean
values of 72.79 ± 5.84 mg/l, 2.76 ± 1.16 mmol/l, 2.08 ± 0.40 mmol/l, 1.09 ±
0.09 mmol/l, 2.30 ± 0.49 mmol/l and 2.45 ± 0.12 mmol/l respectively. Sex and
age had significant effects on BW, BCS and some biochemical parameters. The BW
and BCS for males were significantly higher than for females. Correlation
results indicated that BW had a positive relationship with BCS (r = 0.677), TP
and BW (r = 0.400), Chol and BCS (r = 0.4025) and Mg and TP (r = -0.075). Age
and sex had significant influences on BW, BCS and some blood biochemical
parameters. Consideration of the factors can aid in determining the accurate
diagnosis of the nutritional status of goats.