Insulina e IGF-1 plasmatici in capretti angora in accrescimento

Plasma Insulin and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 in growing Angora kids. Plasma insulin (INS) and total insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrrations were assayed in 20 Angora kids from weaning (90 dd) till 155 dd of age. At birth, ten of their mothers were supplemented with horse bean (Vicia faba minor), as well as the respective kids from weaning, occurred at 90 d of age (group S). All the animals were fed with grass pasture and mixed hay. At the end of the trial S group had improved live weight (LW), BCS and fibre quality. Plasma INS (0.11 ± 0.03 ng/mL, overall mean ± SE) and IGF-1 concentrations (232 ± 13 ng/mL) were not affected by the diet. INS values correlated with LW (P < 0.05)and BCS (P < 0.01). IGF-1 concentrations negatively correlated with increasing age and LW (P < 0.01), and were higher (P < 0.01) in males than females. It is concluded that systemic INS and IGF-1 do not seem to be involved in the better growth and mohair production observed in S kids. Key words: angora goat, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, nutrition.