THE BLOOD COMPONENTS SODIUM, POTASSIUM, C ALCIUM, CHLORIDE AND PHOSPHATE IN AFRICAN DWARF GOAT IN COMPARISON TO LITERATURE DATA WITH REFERENCE TO OTHER GOAT BREEDS AND SHEEP

African dwarf goat is a major meat supplier in West and Central Africa n regions. The breed, however, is present not only in its natural habi tat but has an increasing international importance as an experimental animal. It differs from many other animal species, in that only scarce information so far has come out of investigations on anatomic, physio logical and other characteristics. An account is given in this paper o f sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and phosphate levels in blood p lasma as well as on effects of age, reproductive status and season. Th ese findings were compared to literature data on conditions in normal- growth goat breeds and sheep.