Hematological and biochemical parameters in the indigenous Croatian white goat in relation to age

Abstract

The aim of the research was to determine the age-related hematological and biochemical parameters in Croatian white goats in a traditional Mediterranean production system. The 36 lactating Croatian white goats were divided into three groups with 12 goats each, according to age: group I (1-2 years old), group II (3-5 years) and group III (>5 years). The mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (334 g/L) and lymphocytes (73.71%), as well as the concentration of iron (Fe 25.17 μmol/L) in the blood were higher, while the concentration of urea (3.86 mmol/L) was lower in group I compared to group III. The results of the present study are the first published blood analysis (hematological and biochemical parameters) for the Croatian white goat breed, and can be useful for understanding the metabolism and health status of this breed of goats, which helps in their conservation, promotion and breeding improvement.