The purpose of the study was to obtain values of acid-base balance and basic biochemical parameters in neonatal kids of the White Shorthaired goat depending on colostrum intake. The research was focused on changes in acid-base balance parameters and basic biochemical parameters in neonatal kids before and two hours after colostrum intake. Total of 66 blood samples were taken from 33 neonatal kids. Blood pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), bicarbonate concentration (cHCO3 -), base excess (BE), oxygen saturation (cSO2), total carbon dioxide (TCO2), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl-), glucose (Glu), lactate (Lac), creatinine (Crea), hematocrit (Hct) and haemoglobin (Hgb) were measured. There were no statistically significant differences in acid-base balance parameters such as pO2, pCO2, TCO2, cSO2 and biochemical parameters such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, lactate between the two groups - before colostrum intake (group BF) and after colostrum intake (group AF). There were statistically significant differences in acid-base balance parameters such as pH, BE, cHCO3 - between these groups. Differences in acid-base values of pH, BE and cHCO3 - were statistically significant (p˂0.05). Differences in biochemical values of creatinine and glucose were statistically significant (p˂0.05). Differences in values of hematocrit and haemoglobin were statistically significant (p˂0.05). The present results are important for veterinary practice and can improve the neonatal care especially for impaired kids.

The study was conducted on 26 male, 30 days-old goats, separated from their mothers, divided into two equal groups: I - control and II - experimental, consisting of 13 animals each. All animals were fed with milk replacer, experimental group received additionally 50 g/kg body weight, additive of HMB, for 60 days. The following features were analyzed: body weight, daily increases of body weight, as well as hematological and biochemical blood features. Differences in body weight were found, between experimental and control group, after 60 days of experiment 0.57 kg (p≤0.01). The daily weight gain of experimental animals was higher in comparison with control group. Significant differences were also noted in results of hematological and biochemical blood parameters. Experimental animals showed a higher level of red blood cells as well as number of lymphocytes in comparison with the control group, (p≤0.01).Significant changes were also observed in the level of triglycerides, inorganic phosphorus and protein between both groups. The acid-base balance parameters and ionogram, showed a higher pH level (p≤0.05) HCO – act., HCO – std., BE, ctCO , O sat, K+, Cl– (p≤0.01), while the anion gap (AG) and Na+ were significantly lower in control group (p≤0.01).

The research was conducted on 40 young alpine goats (kids) divided into two groups. First group consisted of 20 kids demonstrating clinical signs of muscular dystrophy. Second group was a control and consisted of 20 animals that received intramuscular injection (2ml per animal) of vitamin E and selenium preparation containing in 1ml 50 mg of tocopherol acetate, 0.5mg of sodium selenite and solvent on 2nd day of life. The kids were clinically examined and blood for laboratory analyses was sampled three times from day 5 of their life in 10 day intervals. In addition, six 24 days old kids demonstrating clinical signs of muscular dystrophy and six control kids were subjected to biceps femoris biopsy.

Serum total protein, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol as well as AST, CK and LDH were determined in all the animals. In addition, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was determined in whole blood and serum concentrations of selenium and vitamin E were determined in 6 kids from each group. Total lactate dehydrogenase activity and its separation into isoenzymatic fractions were determined in the collected biopsy material. The muscle samples collected were additionally subjected to histopathological examination consisting of HE staining and HBFP staining to detect necrotic muscle fibers.

Symptoms of muscular dystrophy began to appear in the first group between 17 and 23 days of age and included tremors of the limbs, poor posture, stilt gait and increased time of laying. The control animals did not show any symptoms of the disease during the experiment. Hypoproteinemia, hypoglycemia, cholesterol reduction and elevated triglycerides level associated with lipolysis of adipose tissue have been found in the sick kids. A significant decrease in selenium, vitamin E and activity of glutathione peroxidase levels was observed in the kids with symptoms of muscular dystrophy. The activity of AST, CK and LDH was significantly higher in the animals with symptoms of the disease as well. Five isoenzymes were obtained in the electrophoretic separation of lactate dehydrogenase into isoenzymatic fractions in the muscle tissue. LDH4 and LDH5 isoenzymes were dominating, and a significant increase in LDH5 fraction of the sick animals was also observed. Histopathological examination of muscle samples from sick animals revealed changes characteristic for the presence of Zenker necrosis.