A serial evaluation of electrocardiographic indices and cardiac arrhythmias during pregnancy, lactation and dry periods in Saanen goats

Abstract

SummarySamimi, A. S., J. Tajik, S. M. Aghamiri & A. Karimi, 2018. A serial evaluation of electrocardiographic indices and cardiac arrhythmias during pregnancy, lactation and dry periods in Saanen goats. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 21, No 1,[59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66] Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lactation, pregnancy and dry period on electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters and cardiac arrhythmias in the Saanen goat. A total of twenty female adult clinically healthy Saanen goats 3 years of age with a body condition score of 3.5 and average weight of 30.2±2.20 kg were randomly selected. The whole duration of the study (8 months) was divided into four periods including dry and non-pregnant (P 1 ), 2 months pregnant (P 2 ), 4 months pregnant (P 3 ), and lactating (P 4 ) periods. In late pregnancy and lactation periods, the amplitudes of P, QRS and T waves were significantly higher compared to other periods (P<0.01). P-R, Q-T and R-R intervals in late pregnancy were significantly shorter and heart rate was significantly higher than those in other periods. Sinus arrhythmias were the only irregularity observed on the ECG traces and were diagnosed in 30%, 15%, 20% and 35.25% of the goats in P 1 , P 2 , P 3 and P 4 , respectively. There were no significant difference in configuration of ECG waves and cardiac arrhythmias among different periods. Based on the results of the present study, it was concluded that although no cardiac morphological changes have been reported in goats during the lactation, late pregnancy and dry periods, significant changes in ECG parameters were observed in base-apex lead in Saanen goats during late pregnancy and lactation periods. The physiological cardiac arrhythmias and variations in ECG parameters observed during different periods in the current study can be used as a base to achieve more accurate diagnoses of heart diseases using ECG.

Effect of different transportation period on body weight loss, hematological and biochemical stress responses of sheep

“…An animal will be experienced of transportation at least once in their lifetime for one of the purposes of selling, slaughtering, fattening or breeding in sheep production systems (Zhong et al, 2011). The handling, uploading, fasting, confinement, vibration, downloading, changing light condition, poor air quality and mixing of unfamiliar group are kinds of potentials stressors during transport that may cause of physiological stress and behavior changes in sheep (Grandin, 1997;Cockram et al, 2000;Saeb et al, 2010;Samimi et al, 2018). Moreover, Maria et al (2003) and Adzitey (2011) reported that duration and distance, loading density, weather and road condition can be listed as some stressors in livestock during transport.…”