Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Correlations between serum mineral content and cashmere traits in Raeini goats

M. Shamsaddini Bafti A D , M. Salehi B , S. M. Seyeed Moumen C and M. Ezatkhah A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Kerman Branch, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organisation (AREEO), Kerman, Iran.

B Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organisation (AREEO), Alborz, Iran.

C Animal Science Research Department, Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Centre, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organisation (AREEO), Kerman, Iran.

D Corresponding author. Email: m.shamsaddini@rvsri.ac.ir

Animal Production Science 57(8) 1665-1673 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15284
Submitted: 5 June 2015  Accepted: 28 April 2016   Published: 3 May 2017

Abstract

It has been long established that the right balance in trace elements is required to ensure animal health and optimal growth. Hair is particularly rich in trace elements such as sulfur and it has been proposed that the quality of fibres derived from hair may be influenced by the amount of trace elements present. In this study, we evaluated the quality and mineral content of Raeini goat cashmere over the course of 1 year. Potential factors that can influence the mineral content of cashmere were further considered, including sex, age, seasons, herd variables and serum trace elements. Twenty-four male and 48 female Raeini goats were selected and a total of 216 fibre samples were taken during two 6-month intervals of annual fibre growth from nomadic, rural and breeding station flocks. In addition, samples of blood, soil, range forage, animal ration (hand feeding), and surface and deep water from four seasons were also obtained. The results indicate a positive correlation between cashmere percentage and zinc content. In addition, we also observed a negative correlation between cashmere tenacity and its zinc, sulfur and serum copper content. These results provide new insights into the factors affecting cashmere quality, and will aid in designing new studies for determining the best combination of factors that lead to optimal cashmere quality.

Additional keywords: herd, mineral elements, physical characteristics, staple length, strength.


References

Aditia M, Sunarso S, Sevilla CC, Angeles AA (2014) Growth performance and mineral status on goats (Capra hircus Linn.) supplemented with zinc proteinate and selenium yeast. International Journal of Science and Engineering 7, 124–129.
Growth performance and mineral status on goats (Capra hircus Linn.) supplemented with zinc proteinate and selenium yeast.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ansari-Renani H (2013) Cashmere quality of Iranian goat breeds. Media Peternakan 36, 1–5.
Cashmere quality of Iranian goat breeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ansari-Renani H, Mueller JP, Rischkowsky B, Seyed Momen S, Alipour O, Ehsani M, Moradi S (2012) Cashmere quality of Raeini goats kept by nomads in Iran. Small Ruminant Research 104, 10–16.
Cashmere quality of Raeini goats kept by nomads in Iran.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

ASTM (2001) ‘Standard test method for diameter of cashmere and other animal fibres by microprojection. D2130.’ (American Society for Testing Materials: West Conshohocken)

ASTM (2005) ‘Standard test method for tensile strength and breaking tenacity of wool fiber bundles 1 in.(25.4mm) gage length. D1294.’ (American Society for Testing Materials: West Conshohocken, PA)

Chun-hua G, Jun Z, Kang-ning W (2007) Studies on the contents of mineral elements contents in alpine grassland in Nakchu Prefecture of Tibet. China Herbivores 2, 15–18.

Edwards AC (2010) Soil sampling and sample preparation. In ‘Trace elements in soils’. (Ed. PS Hooda) pp. 39–51. (A John Wiley and Sons, Ltd: Wiltshire, UK)

FAO (2014) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome.

Fujihara T, Serra A, Serra S, Orden E (2006) Mineral nutrition of grazing goats in Luzon island, Philippines. Bulletin of the Faculty of Life and Environmental Science Shimane University 11, 19–34.

George F, Haenlein W (1999) ‘Recent advances in mineral of goats.’ (Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture: DE, USA)

Grace ND, Lee J (1992) Influence of high zinc intakes, season and staple site on the elemental composition of wool and fleece quality in grazing sheep. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 35, 367–377.
Influence of high zinc intakes, season and staple site on the elemental composition of wool and fleece quality in grazing sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXkvFChtro%3D&md5=e4859815a530c9923b1992c5cad5addeCAS |

Hajer II, Ishraga GI, Shamat AM, Aisha A, Eisa SH (2014) Mineral profile of sheep and goats grazed natural pasture in Nyala Locality, Western Sudan. Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences 15, 53–61.

Hussein H, Staufenbiel R (2012) Variations in copper concentration and ceruloplasmin activity of dairy cows in relation to lactation stages with regard to ceruloplasmin to copper ratios. Biological Trace Element Research 146, 47–52.
Variations in copper concentration and ceruloplasmin activity of dairy cows in relation to lactation stages with regard to ceruloplasmin to copper ratios.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XjslehurY%3D&md5=617a736312015f77fcac8a629e1c855fCAS |

Jackson ML, Barak P (2005) ‘Soil chemical analysis: advanced course.’ (Parallel Press: University of Wisconsin Madison Libraries: WI, USA)

Jia W, Jia Z, Zhang W, Wang R, Zhang S, Zhu X (2008) Effects of dietary zinc on performance, nutrient digestibility and plasma zinc status in Cashmere goats. Small Ruminant Research 80, 68–72.
Effects of dietary zinc on performance, nutrient digestibility and plasma zinc status in Cashmere goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Malakouti M (2007) Zinc is a neglected element in the life cycle of plants: A review. Middle Eastern and Russian Journal of Plant Science and Biotechnology 1, 1–12.

McGregor BA (1998) Nutrition, management and other environmental influences on the quality and production of mohair and cashmere: A review with particular reference to Mediterranean and annual temperate climatic zones. Small Ruminant Research 28, 199–215.
Nutrition, management and other environmental influences on the quality and production of mohair and cashmere: A review with particular reference to Mediterranean and annual temperate climatic zones.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McGregor B (2004) Quality attributes of commercial cashmere. South African Journal of Animal Science 34, 137–140.

McGregor B (2007) Cashmere fibre crimp, crimp form and fibre curvature. International Journal of Sheep and Wool Science 55, 106–129.

McGregor B (2014) Variation in the softness and fibre curvature of cashmere, alpaca, mohair and other rare animal fibres. Journal of the Textile Institute 105, 597–608.
Variation in the softness and fibre curvature of cashmere, alpaca, mohair and other rare animal fibres.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McGregor B, Butler K (2008a) Cashmere production and fleece attributes associated with farm of origin, age and sex of goat in Australia. Animal Production Science 48, 1090–1098.
Cashmere production and fleece attributes associated with farm of origin, age and sex of goat in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McGregor B, Butler K (2008b) The effects of cashmere attributes on the efficiency of dehairing and dehaired cashmere length. Textile Research Journal 78, 486–496.
The effects of cashmere attributes on the efficiency of dehairing and dehaired cashmere length.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXnsVOrsbc%3D&md5=5b61211d43751a82f65bba5ae2165b52CAS |

McGregor B, Tucker D (2010) Effects of nutrition and origin on the amino acid, grease, and suint composition and color of cashmere and guard hairs. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 117, 409–420.
Effects of nutrition and origin on the amino acid, grease, and suint composition and color of cashmere and guard hairs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXlt1Cqs7g%3D&md5=8c15208b1dd333c36be7d2fa5a038e20CAS |

Páleníkov I, Hauptmanová K, Pitropovská E, Páleník T, Husáková T, Pechová A, Pavlata L (2014) Copper metabolism in goat–kid relationship at supplementation of inorganic and organic forms of copper. Czech Journal of Animal Science 59, 201–207.

Qi K, Lu CD, Owens FN, Lupton CJ (1997) Sulfate supplementation of Angora goats: metabolic and mohair responses. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology 70, 280–281.

Reis P, Sahlu T (1994) The nutritional control of the growth and properties of mohair and wool fibers: a comparative review. Journal of Animal Science 72, 1899–1907.

Reza-Yazdi K (2002) The effect of different levels of inorganic sulfur on the performance of Raeini growing goats. PhD thesis, University of Tarbiat Modares, Iran.

Saghi DA, Shiri SA, Nikbakhti M (2007) Study on cashmere quality and hair percentage of black goat of southern Khorasan for stable development of agriculture. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 6, 397–398.
Study on cashmere quality and hair percentage of black goat of southern Khorasan for stable development of agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Salehi M, Asadi-Fozi M, Mirhadi A, Afshar M, Johnson E, Gaafar O (2010) Environmental factors affecting fleece traits in Raeini cashmere goat. Sultan Qaboos University Research Journal-Agricultural and Marine Sciences 15, 15–19.

Salehi M, Lavvaf A, Farahvash T (2013) Fleece traits and important physical properties of hair fibers in Lori goats. Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science 3, 797–801.

Sanchez FG, Tiarks AE, Kranabetter JM, Page-Dumroese DS, Powers RF, Sanborn PT, Chapman WK (2006) Effects of organic matter removal and soil compaction on fifth-year mineral soil carbon and nitrogen contents for sites across the United States and Canada. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36, 565–576.
Effects of organic matter removal and soil compaction on fifth-year mineral soil carbon and nitrogen contents for sites across the United States and Canada.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XlvVOktbg%3D&md5=00db5f301eb5fb4b6e00924c277d38d0CAS |

Saxena K, Ranjhan S (1980) Effect of cobalt and copper supplementation on the ruminal pH, total nitrogen, ammonia and TVFA concentration in Hariana [Haryana] calves. The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 50, 21–25.

Suttle NF (1991) The interactions between copper, molybdenum and sulphur in ruminant nutrition. Annual Review of Nutrition 11, 121–140.
The interactions between copper, molybdenum and sulphur in ruminant nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXlsFOlsb4%3D&md5=a921d95b64b1cf90f5f4054ee1006e2fCAS |

Tehrani AM (2008) Recent progress in the evaluation of the mineral needs of goats. Animal Sciences Research 121–126.

Underwood E, Suttle N (2010) ‘The mineral nutrition of livestock.’ (CABI Publishing: Oxfordshire, UK)

Vázquez-Armijo JF, Rojo R, García RM, López D, Salem A-FZM, Domínguez IA, Pescador N, Tinoco JL (2010a) Effect of season on serum copper and zinc concentrations in crossbred goats having different reproductive status under semiarid rangeland conditions in Southern Mexico state. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 14, 331–335.

Vázquez-Armijo JF, Rojo R, Salem A, López D, Tinoco JL, González A, Pescador N, Domínguez-Vara IA (2010b) Trace elements in sheep and goats reproduction: A review. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 14, 1–13.

Xin Q, Yao JG, Yang ZS, Lu XL, Liu XN, Zhang CX, Ren YS, Yue WB (2010) Effects of dietary copper concentration and sources on growth performance, fiber production and quality in Kelan cashmere does. Journal of Shanxi Agricultural University 3, 249–252.

Yan L, Zhou G, Zhang F (2013) Effects of different grazing intensities on grassland production in China: A meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 8,
Effects of different grazing intensities on grassland production in China: A meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zhang W, Wang R, Zhu X, Kleemann DO, Yue C, Jia Z (2007) Effects of dietary copper on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and fiber characteristics in Cashmere goats. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science 20, 1843–1848.
Effects of dietary copper on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and fiber characteristics in Cashmere goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXlsFSnsA%3D%3D&md5=b6c9ea61a1ed53fddb1bd7b29fa572f8CAS |

Zhang W, Zhang YS, Zhu XP, Wang RL, Jia ZH (2011) Effect of different levels of copper and molybdenum supplements on performance, nutrient digestibility and follicle characteristics in cashmere goats. Biological Trace Element Research 143, 1470–1479.
Effect of different levels of copper and molybdenum supplements on performance, nutrient digestibility and follicle characteristics in cashmere goats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhsFSis7rN&md5=a53cbab12b6d55d4969c220378486499CAS |