Serum Chemical Values of Korean Native Goats from Birth to Maturity

한국재래산양(韓國在來山羊)의 성장(成長)에 따르는 혈청화학치(血淸化學値)의 변동(變動)

Although considerable research has been done on the blood chemistry of domestic animals, little work has been made of the changes associated with age. Moreover, the records about physiology of the goat were not much available in Korea, and a comprehensive survey of the blood values of the Korean native goat has not been made. The object of the present investigation was to make good this deficiency and to suggest standards for the blood chemical values of Korean native goats from birth to maturity. The goats were kept under average farming conditions in Korea. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at birth, at one and four days, at one, two, three and four weeks, and at two, three, six, nine and twelve months of age. The results obtained in this work were summarized as follows: 1. The highest concentration of serum glucose was observed at birth and it decreased gradually until three months of age, showing a steady state thereafter. 2. The concentration of total serum protein was a little higher at one day of age than at birth and showed a steady state until seven days of age; then it decreased slightly at two weeks of age and recovered at three weeks of age and showed a steady state until twelve months of age. The concentration of serum albumin was increased a little at one day of age and revealed a steady state thereafter. The concentration of serum globulin showed three phases - a fall during the first two weeks to reach minimum, a rise to the fourth week, and a fall at two months of age, showing a steady state thereafter. The lowest value of albumin fraction was observed at birth, then the value increased gradually until three months of age and revealed a stealer state thereafter. The highest value of globulin fraction was observed at birth, then the gradual decrease of the value was seen until three months of age; thereafter the value showed a steady state. 3. Albumin/globulin ratio was the minimum at birth, then it increased to reach a maximum at two weeks of age and decreased a little thereafter. 4. The concentration of total serum cholesterol showed a gradual increase during the first three months and fell to reach adult revel at six months of age. 5. Urea nitrogen in serum decreased during the first week to reach a minimum, then it increased at three months of age, and showed a fell to mature level at six mouths of age. 6. The concentration of serum creatinine was not affected by age. 7. The concentration of total serum calcium was a little higher during the first two weeks than the other period during the first year of life. 8. The concentration of serum inorganic phosphorus showed a gradual rise to reach a maximum and a gradual fall to reach adult level at nine months of age. 9. No significant sex differences of serum chemical values were recognized.