An investigation of blood selenium concentrations of goats in New York State.

The goal of the current study was to determine the range of blood selenium concentrations in goats in New York State that were fed adequately supplemented diets. Blood samples from mature, juvenile, and neonatal goats from commercial farms, 2 dairy and 2 meat producers, were analyzed via graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Feed samples were analyzed by using inductively coupled argon plasma optical emission spectroscopy to confirm that dietary selenium concentrations were adequate. The ranges of blood selenium concentration obtained were 9.1-49.9 microg/dl for mature goats, 7.6-37.5 microg/dl for juveniles, and 9.7-40.7 microg/dl for neonates.