Blood Acid-Base Balance of Istrian Goats

The aim of the research was to determine of acid-base balance in the blood of Istrian goats during summer season and compare with the other breeds of goats in Mediterranean environment. The research included 21 Istrian goats average age 4 years. Feeding of goats was with pasture and when returned to stable were fed a grain mixture (0.3 kg/goat/day) and meadow hay (ad libitum). In the blood of goats concentrations acid-base indicators (blood pH, BE(efc), blood gas analysis: partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), total pressure of carbon dioxide (tCO2), as well as electrolytes: Ca2+, Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3- - bicarbonate) as well as total protein and albumin concentration were determined. Afterwards, anion gap (AG), strong ion differences (SID), z-values, weak anions and cations (ATOTtp and ATOTalb), strong ion gap (SIGtp, SIGalb) and unmeasured anions (XA) were estimated. Indicators of acid-base balance in blood of Istrian goats did not differ compared to reference values, except blood pH value (7.32) which was at lower limit of reference values, and higher values of pCO2 and tCO2 (11.49 kPa and 28.8 mmol/L) possibly related to pulmonary ventilation due to higher air temperature during summer season.