Metabolic and endocrine indicators in male goats differing in genetic propensity to consume juniper.
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AbstractWe sampled Spanish goats selected for their propensity to consume above (H) or below (L) the population average for proportion of juniper/monoterpenes in the diet (as determined by fecal near infrared spectroscopy) to determine the effect of juniper/monoterpenes on metabolic/endocrine indicators in adult male goats (Y: 2-year-old and O: 3-5-year-old). Body weight (kg) and serum samples were collected from 20 animals [n = 5 of each age (i.e. length of exposure to monoterpenes) and juniper consumption combination] maintained solely on pastures inhabited by juniper. Differences in serum analytes between groups were determined by analysis of variance. Body weight was not different between juniper groups (~71.1 3.4 each) but was greater in O (76.0 3.7) than Y (66.3 1.9). Glucose (mg/dL) was numerically higher (P = 0.15) in H (82.3 7.3) than L (69.5 3.8) and in O (81.9 1.9) than Y (69.9 2.3). Serum urea nitrogen (mg/dL) was 10.5 1.0 in both H and L (P < 0.1) but was significantly higher (P > 0.004) in O (12.9 1.3) compared to Y (8.2 0.5). NEFA (mEq/L) was significantly higher (P > 0.02) in H (0.33 0.04) than L (0.26 0.02), but not in O (0.30 0.04) versus Y (0.29 0.03). Total globulin (g/dL) was significantly higher (P > 0.007) in L (4.34 0.35) than H (3.40 0.16), and in O (4.29 0.38) than Y (3.45 0.12). Gamma glutamyl transferase was significantly higher (P > 0.0001) in H (59.2 2.1) than L (44.3 2.2), and in Y (55.3 2.9) than O (48.2 3.2). Length of exposure (via advancing age) and preference for juniper may incur a cost of fitness in goats selected for higher than average consumption of monoterpenes.
