Protein, enzymatic and mineral indicators of clinical and subclinical pregnancy toxemia during the transitional period in dairy goats

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of clinical and subclinical pregnancy toxemia (PT) forms on the dynamics of blood metabolites, composing the protein, enzymatic and mineral profiles of dairy goats during the transitional period. 111 multiparous dairy goats were used in this research. The animals were raised under an intensive system. Experimental groups (n=3) were created using the βHB blood concentrations as a cut-off point. The G1 or control group (n = 40), G2 or subclinical PT group (n = 39) were established when least one of the experimental assessment times presented βHB values between 0.8 mmol/L and 1.6 mmol/L; whereas G3 or clinical PT group (n = 32), which at any of the experimental assessment times of βHB values were higher than 1.6 mmol / L when verified and also presented clinical signs of PT. The animals were evaluated on the 30th , 20th and 10th day ante-partum (dap), at parturition and on the 10th, 20th and 30th day postpartum (dpp). Total proteins (TP), albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Gamma glutamiltransferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), amylase, phosphorus, chloride and calcium, sodium and potassium ions were measured. The analysis of variance (F Test) was performed in order to investigate the effects and interactions between group and assessment times. Clinical and/or subclinical disease during the transitional period resulted in an increase of phosphorus and potassium concentrations (P<0.05), while a decrease in total protein, albumin, globulin, and ionized calcium values was observed (P<0.05). No statistical effect of PT on urea, creatinine, AST, GGT, CK, amylase and sodium was observed (P>0.05). Except the ionized calcium and phosphorus, the levels of all the metabolites were influenced (P<0.05) by late pregnancy, parturition and lactation. The occurrence of the subclinical form was higher than the clinical form during the transitional period. Among the all variables studied, mineral profile were those that suffered alteration resulting from PT, highlighting the ionized calcium. Attention is drawn to the magnitude of the impact of disease on these components interfering in animal health.