Background Biochemical, hematological, and vital parameters are important indicators of health status, growth, and physiological adaptation in young ruminants. However, breed-specific longitudinal data for Gurcu goat kids raised under traditional management conditions are limited. The primary objective of this study was to longitudinally evaluate age-related changes in selected biochemical, hematological, and vital parameters in healthy Gurcu goat kids, while sex and birth type were assessed as secondary modifying factors during postnatal growth. Methods Twenty clinically healthy Gurcu goat kids, including 10 males and 10 females, were followed from 1 to 11 months of age. The study population included 10 single-born and 10 twin-born goat kids, with five animals in each combined sex-by-birth type subgroup. Blood samples and vital measurements were obtained at six sampling points: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 months of age. Selected biochemical, hematological, and vital parameters were evaluated longitudinally according to age, sex, birth type, and combined sex-by-birth type subgroups. Results Age-related variation was the predominant finding across the evaluated parameter groups. Time significantly affected most biochemical variables, most evaluated hematological parameters, and all three vital parameters, indicating marked physiological variation during postnatal growth. Representative time-related effects were observed for RT (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.45), PR (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.62), and RR (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.44). In contrast, sex- and birth type-related differences were more limited and were detected only in selected parameters at specific sampling months. Significant group × time interactions were observed in selected biochemical parameters, including Ca (P = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.34), Phos (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.41), Crea (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.43), AST (P = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.27), and GGT (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.51). These findings show that subgroup differences were stage-dependent rather than constant throughout the postnatal growth period. Conclusions The main contribution of this study is the provision of breed-specific longitudinal baseline data for healthy Gurcu goat kids raised under traditional management conditions. Age should be considered the primary factor when interpreting biochemical, hematological, and vital parameters in growing Gurcu goat kids, whereas sex and birth type should be regarded as additional, parameter-specific modifiers. Because of the relatively small sample size and single-farm study design, further studies with larger populations raised under different environmental and management conditions are needed to confirm and expand these findings.

Longitudinal changes in selected biochemical, hematological, and vital parameters in Gurcu goat kids: effects of age, sex, and birth type

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2026年7月28日

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Yusuf Umut Bati,
Mert Sezer,
Enes Akyüz,
Mushap Kuru

摘要

Background

Biochemical, hematological, and vital parameters are important indicators of health status, growth, and physiological adaptation in young ruminants. However, breed-specific longitudinal data for Gurcu goat kids raised under traditional management conditions are limited. The primary objective of this study was to longitudinally evaluate age-related changes in selected biochemical, hematological, and vital parameters in healthy Gurcu goat kids, while sex and birth type were assessed as secondary modifying factors during postnatal growth.

Methods

Twenty clinically healthy Gurcu goat kids, including 10 males and 10 females, were followed from 1 to 11 months of age. The study population included 10 single-born and 10 twin-born goat kids, with five animals in each combined sex-by-birth type subgroup. Blood samples and vital measurements were obtained at six sampling points: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 months of age. Selected biochemical, hematological, and vital parameters were evaluated longitudinally according to age, sex, birth type, and combined sex-by-birth type subgroups.

Results

Age-related variation was the predominant finding across the evaluated parameter groups. Time significantly affected most biochemical variables, most evaluated hematological parameters, and all three vital parameters, indicating marked physiological variation during postnatal growth. Representative time-related effects were observed for RT (P < 0.001, η_p² = 0.45), PR (P < 0.001, η_p² = 0.62), and RR (P < 0.001, η_p² = 0.44). In contrast, sex- and birth type-related differences were more limited and were detected only in selected parameters at specific sampling months. Significant group × time interactions were observed in selected biochemical parameters, including Ca (P = 0.002, η_p² = 0.34), Phos (P < 0.001, η_p² = 0.41), Crea (P < 0.001, η_p² = 0.43), AST (P = 0.03, η_p² = 0.27), and GGT (P < 0.001, η_p² = 0.51). These findings show that subgroup differences were stage-dependent rather than constant throughout the postnatal growth period.

Conclusions

The main contribution of this study is the provision of breed-specific longitudinal baseline data for healthy Gurcu goat kids raised under traditional management conditions. Age should be considered the primary factor when interpreting biochemical, hematological, and vital parameters in growing Gurcu goat kids, whereas sex and birth type should be regarded as additional, parameter-specific modifiers. Because of the relatively small sample size and single-farm study design, further studies with larger populations raised under different environmental and management conditions are needed to confirm and expand these findings.