This study assessed the physiology, pathology and carcass hygiene of dairy goats. In group 1, for the copper test, dairy goats were fed one of three diets containing added amounts of copper sulfate at 0, 150, 300ppm, respectively. In group 2, for the lead test, dairy goats were fed one of four diets containing added amounts of lead acetate at 0, 10, 100, 1000ppm, respectively. In group 3, dairy goats served as a control group and did not receive lead or copper supplement. Samples were collected regularly to perform the various analyses. Results in this study can be summarized as follows: Roughage intake increased not only with 10 and 100 ppm lead supplements, but also with all dosages of copper added in the diets. Concentrate intake significantly decreased when diets were supplemented with 1000 ppm lead. Milk production was not statistically altered despite the large variation among treatments. In addition, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in 1000 ppm lead treated and 300 ppm copper treated groups significantly increased. No significant levels of milk contamination were found in the goats fed various amounts of lead and copper. Regardless of the dosage, milk content remained within acceptable levels. Moreover, the lead and copper content of feces increased with an increase in dietary dosage. In the 1000 ppm lead supplement group, the amount of lead residue found in the liver, tibia, vertebrae and kidneys markedly increased. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were also found in hepatic cells. Vacuolization, necrosis, regenergation and megalokaryocytes were found in the liver sections of goats taking a 1000 ppm lead diet. Furthermore, no significant residue in muscular tissue was detected.
This study assessed the physiology, pathology and carcass hygiene of dairy goats. In group 1, for the copper test, dairy goats were fed one of three diets containing added amounts of copper sulfate at 0, 150, 300ppm, respectively. In group 2, for the lead test, dairy goats were fed one of four diets containing added amounts of lead acetate at 0, 10, 100, 1000ppm, respectively. In group 3, dairy goats served as a control group and did not receive lead or copper supplement. Samples were collected regularly to perform the various analyses. Results in this study can be summarized as follows: Roughage intake increased not only with 10 and 100 ppm lead supplements, but also with all dosages of copper added in the diets. Concentrate intake significantly decreased when diets were supplemented with 1000 ppm lead. Milk production was not statistically altered despite the large variation among treatments. In addition, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in 1000 ppm lead treated and 300 ppm copper treated groups significantly increased. No significant levels of milk contamination were found in the goats fed various amounts of lead and copper. Regardless of the dosage, milk content remained within acceptable levels. Moreover, the lead and copper content of feces increased with an increase in dietary dosage. In the 1000 ppm lead supplement group, the amount of lead residue found in the liver, tibia, vertebrae and kidneys markedly increased. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were also found in hepatic cells. Vacuolization, necrosis, regenergation and megalokaryocytes were found in the liver sections of goats taking a 1000 ppm lead diet. Furthermore, no significant residue in muscular tissue was detected.