Ovarian Inactivity in Traditionally Raised Indonesian Bligon Goats: Association with Microminerals

AbstractThis study was aimed to investigate the ovarian activity and its association with serum micromineral level in Indonesian Bligon goats. The observations were conducted on non-pregnant Bligon goat does, 2–3 years old, with poor to moderate body condition (Body Condition Score, BCS 1–3 on a scale of 5), reared traditionally, and slaughtered in a slaughterhouse in Yogyakarta Indonesia during the period of April – August (dry season). All animals did not show any gynecological and systemic disease. Before slaughtering, venous blood samples were taken for blood chemistry. After slaughtering, the ovaries were immediately removed for examination of the follicles and the corpus luteum. Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in serum were analyzed by Atomic Absorbent Spectrophotometry. There were 9 animals with inactive ovaries (IO). As a control, 16 animals with active ovaries (AO) were observed. The IO animals had serum Zn level of 2.30 ± 1.17 ppm, while AO had a significantly higher one, 3.64 ± 1.68 ppm (p < 0.05). The serum Cu level in the IO was 0.55 ± 0.13 ppm, while the serum Cu level in AO tended to be higher, namely 0.62 ± 0.19 ppm (p > 0.05). The IO had BCS of 1.56 ± 0.39, while the AO had a higher BCS of 2.50 ± 0.58 (p < 0.05). It could be concluded that ovarian inactivity in Bligon goats with poor body condition had a close association with microminerals Cu and Zn metabolism. It is necessary to pay attention to nutritional aspect of this animal to improve its reproductive and productive performance as well as health condition.