Serum vitamin B ₁₂ levels in omani goats

Blood and faecal samples were studied from 200 Omani goats of both sexes and various age groups, within five different regions in Oman. Survey questionnaires were undertaken on each goat. The serum vitamin B ₁₂ values ranged from 105 to >2000 pg/ml, with a mean value of 723.1 pg/ml and a 95% confidence interval of 61-1507 pg/ml. Kids in the age group 1-3 months showed significantly lower levels of serum vitamin B ₁₂ than the older animals. Varying levels of serum vitamin B ₁₂ were found in different regions of Oman and on farms within the same region. Goats maintained on commercial feed showed higher levels of serum vitamin B ₁₂ than those maintained on pasture or fed on household leftover food, as commonly practised in Oman. Coccidial counts were highest in animals with lower levels of serum vitamin B ₁₂. The results of this study indicate that there is a wide range of serum vitamin B ₁₂ levels in Omani goats and suggests that younger animals, with lower levels of serum vitamin B ₁₂, might be more susceptible to vitamin B ₁₂ deficiencies than older animals.