Concentrazione plasmatica di T3 e T4 totali in capre Angora in lattazione: effetti della supplementazione con favino (Vicia faba minor)

Total plasma thyroid hormones in lactating angora goats: effects of supplementation with horse bean (Vicia faba minor) - Thyroid hormones affect hair follicular development as well as fibre growth in postnatal life. Plasma thyroid hormone concentrations may be affected by diet manipulations. Blood samples were taken from December to April from 22 Angora goats, grazing natural pasture and fed mixed hay ad libitum. Since parturition (early January) 11 goats (T) were supplemented with 300g/head/d horse bean. Total plasma T3 and T4 concentra-tions were higher in T lactating goats in comparison with controls. Weight gains of kids from T goats were higher than control ones, likely due to an improved milk production. Further re-searches are needed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation on mohair produc-tion, both in goats and kids.