Age related changes in serum biochemical profile of Saanen goat kids during the first three months of life

To determine serum biochemical profile in Saanen goats' kids from the birth until 3 months of age and comparison with that of adult Saanen goats, whole blood specimens were collected from 19 clinically healthy Saanen goat kids (female: 14, male: 5). The first blood specimen was obtained between 24-48h after birth and this continued to 10 +/- 2, 28 +/- 2, 56 +/- 2 and 84 +/- 2 days of age. Plasma fibrinogen and serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphate, iron, zinc, copper, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, glucose, urea, creatinine, triglyceride, cholesterol, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. The concentration of globulin was obtained by subtracting albumin from the total protein. Although the results showed significant age related changes for most measured variables except triglyceride (p<0.05), there were significant differences between sampling times for all variables (p<0.01) except for zinc, inorganic phosphate, and triglyceride. The results of the present study indicate that for most biochemical variables except potassium, albumin, zinc and iron, specific age related reference values are essential for proper interpretation of laboratory results during the first three months of life.