Serum metabolites, milk yield, and physiological responses during the first week after kidding in Anglo-Nubian, Angora, Baladi, and Damascus goats under subtropical conditions

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the level of certain biochemical variables reflecting the energy metabolic statuses during the first week of lactation in goats. A total of 120 Anglo-Nubian, Angora, Baladi, and Damascus does (30 does per breed) were used throughout 5 consecutive parities (30 does per parity) to investigate the effect of breed, parity, day of lactation, and their interaction on serum metabolites including total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, and transaminases. Blood samples were collected every other day during the first week of lactation. Baladi does had the greatest (P < 0.001) values in all measured biochemical variables followed by Anglo-Nubian [in total protein, globulin, and aminotransferase (AST)] and Damascus (in globulin and AST) and then Angora, which had the lowest (P < 0.001) values for all variables. Fifth parity exhibited the greatest (P < 0.001) values in all serum metabolites compared with other parities except for alanine transaminase (ALT) enzyme activity in which the greatest (P = 0.046) values were observed in the first and fourth parties. Serum concentrations of the measured variables increased gradually throughout the first day after kidding until the seventh day for total protein (P < 0.001), albumin (P = 0.013), globulin (P = 0.017), and cholesterol (P = 0.028) whereas serum glucose concentration exhibited an opposite trend. Serum concentrations of total lipids and enzyme activities of AST and ALT were not affected by day (P > 0.05) after kidding. Baladi goats had the least (P < 0.001) serum insulin concentration, which was associated (P < 0.001) with greatest serum glucose concentration. Serum triiodothyronine (T(3)) was inversely correlated (P = 0.032) with milk yield whereas greatest (P = 0.003) T(3) concentrations were associated with least (P < 0.001) milk yield recorded in Angora goats. Animal physiological responses and their indices were not affected (P > 0.05) by breed whereas both rectal temperature and coefficient of heat tolerance were affected (P < 0.001) by parity in an opposite direction. Baladi goats expressed an aspect of adaptability where their rectal temperature decreased and coefficient of heat tolerance increased with increasing parity number.

Trend analysis of plasma insulin level around parturition in relation to parity in Saanen goats1

“…Similar values were also observed in preprandial plasma of primiparous goats of different breeds during the first week after parturition (Anwar et al, 2012).…”

Plasma biochemical and minerals parameters in Arbia goats of a semi-arid region of North-Eastern Algeria during different stages of production

“…Similarly to our results, DONIA et al (2014) also revealed that during lactation the activities of ALT and AST were comparable with those before pregnancy. However, throughout the first week of lactation, AST and ALT were lower in Angora goats than in Anglo-Nubian, Baladi, and Damascus goats (ANWAR et al, 2012). In our study, ALT tended to increase significantly at the end of lactation, while its value was non-significant in comparison to before gestation and the dry period.…”

“…It is evident that the blood levels of various blood parameters can be used as criteria for diagnosis and prognosis of metabolic diseases, as well as for assessment of nutritional status (BALIKCI et al, 2007;KARAPEHLIvAN et al, 2007;TANRITANIR et al, 2009;BAGNICKA et al, 2014). However, in the last few years, many researchers have shown that the blood parameters of small ruminants are influenced by many factors such as age (MBASSA and POULSEN, 1991;ANTUNOvIC et al, 2017), geographical locations with different climates, gender, season, breed (AZAB and ABDEL-MAKSOUD, 1999;ANWAR et al, 2012;PICCIONE et al, 2012;DONIA et al, 2014;BAGNICKA et al, 2014;RIBEIRO et al, 2016), and the physiological stages of production (AZAB and ABDEL-MAKSOUD, 1999;IRIADAM, 2007;PICCIONE et al, 2011;DONIA et al, 2014;SADJADIAN et al, 2013). Several studies showed great variations in the levels of blood parameters between breeds of goats during the periods of pregnancy, parturition, and lactation (TANRITANIR et al, 2009;IRIADAM, 2007;WAZIRI et al, 2010;DARWESH et al, 2013).…”

Hematobiochemical profile in Surti goats during post-partum period

“…In general, red cell parameters decrease during gestation and remain low for a few weeks post-partum as has been observed in cows, mares, sows, ewes, and bitches [ 12 ]. However, a great variation in hematological parameters exists between various breeds of goat [ 13 ].…”