Erythrocyte potassium, sodium and GSH concentrations of Saanen and Turkish hair breeds of goats

Abstract

Biochemical variation of three genetic markers, namely erythrocyte potassium (K-e), erythrocyte sodium (Na-c) and erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) in sixty Saanen and Turkish Hair Goats was analysed. The potassium and sodium concentrations were determined by flame photometry. The level of GSH in erythrocytes was determined by the DTNB method. The frequencies of the mentioned loci have been calculated and compared with some of the goat breeds studied so far by other authors. Our results indicated that there were bimodal distributions in K-e and GSH concentrations in Saanen goat breeds, whereas there was only GSH polymorphism in Turkish Hair Goats. The distribution of K-e concentrations Suggested the presence of high-K/low-K (HK/LK) polymorphism, based on the predetermined dividing value of 50 meq/L of K-e concentration in erythrocytes of Saanen Goats. Both types are shown to be controlled genetically by an autosomal locus with two alleles HK and LK, with HK being dominant over LK. While majority of the Turkish Hair Goat population (93%) had low (GSH(h)) or 'deficient' erythrocyte GSH concentrations (<50 mg/100 mL erythrocyte), Saanen breeds (93%) had high (GSH H) erythrocyte GSH levels. Relationships between the parameters were also evaluated. In Saanen Goats, erythrocyte K-e and Na-e values exhibited positive correlation with the total monovalent cation concentrations (K-e + Na-e) while in Turkish Hair Goats only K-e value showed correlation with the same monovalent cations.