Evaluation Relationship of Blood Mineral Elements Values with Mineral Elements and Quality of Cashmere in Raeni Goats in Different Seasons

Raeni goats are one of the most important livestock that produce cashmere and because of high price of produced fiber and high goat population local herds in Kerman province have high economically valueable. This experiment was done to determine relationship between cashmere traits and important minerals such as copper, zinc and sulfur in blood and cashmere. Eight males (1.5year) and 16 females (1.5 and 1.5 year) Raeni goats were selected. To determine season effect and yearly cashmere growth, totally 216 fiber samples were taken during two six months intervals (May to Nov.) and (Nov. to May) annual fiber growth from nomadic (herd 1), rural (herd 2) and breeding station flocks. Samples of blood, soil, range forage, animals ration (hand feeding), and surface and deep water in four seasons were taken. Results indicated that staple length was influenced by goats kept in two different methods in traditional and station flocks during first six months and overall year term growth, and there was significant difference (P0.001). Average cashmere diameter was affected by sex and rearing methods. Cashmere percentage in two six month intervals were influenced by sex (P0.05). Cashmere strength of goats kept in different methods were significantly difference (P0.05). Staple strength in annual growth of goats kept in station, rural and nomad herds were 2.64±0.3, 1.31±0.3 and 1.31±0.3 grf/tex, respectively. Amounts of copper (6.43 ± 0.2 and 6.59 ± 0.3 ppm), zinc (126.15 ± 3.4 and 129.02 ± 3.4 ppm ) and sulfur (2.87 ± 0.1 and 2.79 ± 0.1 %) of cashmere fibers were not influenced by sex of goats. The amount of zinc in cashmere fibers of female goats 1.5 was significantly (P0.05) high. Cashmere fibers of goats kept in station had more copper (P0.05), whereas zinc and sulfur amounts of cashmere fibers of rural and nomad flocks were more than station flock. Significant (P0.0001) variation was found in cashmere sulfur content (2.8 ± 0.05 %). Amounts of sulfur, copper and zinc in soil of station and rural area were 1.92 ± 0.08 and 2.02 ± 0.07 %, 21.36 ± 1.7 and 18.19 ± 1.7 ppm and 2.52 ± 0.2 and 1.87 ± 0.2 ppm respectively and there was significant difference (P0.01). Amount of zinc in range forages and animals ration of four season had significant difference (P0.01). There was a negative correlation between cashmere percentage and blood sulfur content. There was a negative correlation of cashmere strength with amount of sulfur and zinc in cashmere and blood and blood copper content. The correlation between cashmere fiber zinc and cashmere percentage, sulfur and copper content of cashmere were significantly positive. It is concluded that minerals of soil and plant in studied regions and various seasons had differences, which in some cases can supply required elements of livestock and in some cases needs to be supplemented. Due to negative relationship between some elements available in blood and cashmere with cashmere quality, it is necessary to be carried out more studies to determine the best and the most desirable amounts in ration of goat.