摘要
In goats （Capra hircus） and other ruminants cholesterol is naturally produced in liver and intestinal walls. It is also acquired from supplemental food. Cholesterol is a source of energy and is a precursor of steroid hormones, bile acids and also required for normal cell function. The level of serum cholesterol is generally lower in goat breeds as compared to other cattles. The present study was conducted to estimate level of serum cholestrol in goats （both male and female） commonly reraed in three areas of Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan viz; Ghizer, Baltistan and Hunza-NagarRandom samples of blood were taken from 440 goats （181 male and 259 female） and serum was obtained by centrifugation. Quantity of cholesterol in mg deciliter＂l of serum was determined by analyzing the serum using Micro-lab 300. Distrci wise comparison showed that cholestrol level in the samples from the three districts was highly significant. While the differences between the gender （male and female goats） from the same district were non-significant at P 〈 0.05. Ghizer breed is suggested to be better for human consumption because it had the lowest chlestrol level. The paper aslo discuss the effect of pastures feeding on the level of cholesterol in the serum of goats. Present findings will help formulate better strategies for the imporvement of goat breeds in the area.
