Major Minerals in Blood of West African Dwarf Goats During Lactation

Twenty adult West African dwarf (Fouta djallon) does about 2 yr old and weighing from 23 to 28kg were kept for two 18-wk lactations. Blood samples were obtained once weekly from 2 to 18 wk of lactation except in the 1st wk after parturition when samples were every other day for chemical analysis. Blood serum from the 2nd to the 18th wk contained the following averages (mg/100ml) with standard deviations: calcium 10.52, 1.47; phosphorus 7.43, 1.0; magnesium 2.99, .42; (meq/liter) sodium 140.10, 3.83; and potassium 4.99, .45. In blood during the 1st wk after parturition they were 8.46, .40; 6.05, .12; 3.74, .12; 147.72, .63; and 6.28, .25. Trends increased with advance in lactation except for magnesium and potassium, which decreased.