dc.description.abstract | The aim of this study was to examine the short-term effect of intramuscular Tetracycline injection on blood, faecal and bone mineral homeostasis in boar goats in Mafikeng, South Africa. In order to achieve this objective, 10 goats (aged about 2 years) were placed into 5 different groups and used for the experiment. The treated groups were injected with Tetracycline at 10mg/kg dose, according to individual goat weight intramuscular while the control group was not injected. Blood and faecal samples were collected before 0 hour and at 3, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours intervals while bone samples were collected at 0 hour before the injection of Tetracycline and also at 3, 24, 48 hours post-treatment. Samples collected were analysed for Ca, Mg and P and measured in both groups of goats on serum, bone and faecal samples using the biochemical method / ICP MS/MS analysis machine. Results obtained showed an increase of calcium and magnesium concentrations in the serum and faeces of treated goats (over time) with significant differences (p<0.05) of concentrations compared to the control group. The results also showed no significant effect of Calcium in bones. However, there was an increase of Phosphorus (197.51mg/dl) and a decrease of Mg in bones. In addition, an increase in concentrations of Phosphorus was revealed in the study while Calcium and Magnesium showed a slight increase for the first 24 hours before decreasing (which could be explained by the fact that the injection of Tetracycline, triggered the mobilisation of cations such as Calcium and Magnesium to form the adduct or chelation, thus resulting in an increase in concentration in the serum. However, due to the low concentration of Tetracycline in the system, due to the single injection, free cations were excreted in the faeces and after 24 hours, the homeostasis regulated the system, thus controlling excretion to maintain the balance. It is, therefore, concluded that in the short-term, there is mobilisation of Calcium and Magnesium, especially from tissues to form adducts with Tetracycline, however, this requires high concentrations of Tetracycline in the system or repeated treatment and long periods of observations to effectively assess the impact on the system. | |