Plasma unesterified fatty acid and triacylglycerol concentration of the goat (Capra hircus) during pregnancy and lactation

Hematobiochemical profile in Surti goats during post-partum period

Aim:

The study was undertaken to find out the changes in hematobiochemical profile in post-partum Surti goats.

Materials and Methods:

The present study was conducted on 40 Surti goats out of which 20 goats who had undergone recent parturition acted as treatment group and 20 non-pregnant animals comprised control group. Blood samples were collected from the treatment group on 0, 7, 14, 21, 30, and 45 days post kidding and once from the control group. Blood samples were analyzed for hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count, and biochemical metabolites such as total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose, and urea.

Results:

Hb level was the highest on the 45^th day and lowest on the day of parturition. Significantly low level of Hb, PCV, and lymphocyte was found on 0 day and significantly high level was found on the 45^th day. TEC was also low on the 0 day and high on the 45^th day post kidding, but the difference was non-significant. Mid-sized cells and granulocyte percentage decreased significantly from 0 to 45^th day post-partum. TP, albumin, and urea were found to be lowest on 0 day and highest on 45^th day post-partum. Urea concentration increased parallel to TP indicating an increase in urea production with catabolism of protein. The globulin concentration also increased from 0 to 45^th day post-partum, but the difference was non-significant. TC, TG, and NEFA were the highest on 0 day and lowest on the 45^th day post-partum. Decrease in TC and TG from 0 to 45^th day post-partum indicates that the animals utilized the lipids for the supply of energy for milk production. High level of NEFA acts as an indicator of negative energy status but in the present study, the high glucose level on 0 day indicates that the animals were in positive energy status. The glucose concentration decreased up to 14^th day post-partum and then started increasing from 21^st day onward.

Conclusion:

Hematobiochemical parameters are indicative of health status of animals. Significantly low values of Hb, PCV, and TLC during first 2 weeks post-partum are indicative of stress. Catabolism of protein occurred during 2 weeks post-partum, as observed from increase in urea concentration. Decrease TGs and high level of NEFA during the transition period are suggestive of utilization of lipids for the supply of energy. High glucose level on 0 day indicates that the animals were in positive energy status.

Metabolic profile and oxidative status in goats during the peripartum period

The aim of this study was to monitor the metabolic profile and oxidative status in goats during the peripartum period. A blood sample was taken from 10 Red Syrian goats on days −21, −3, +1, +14, and +28 from delivery. Samples were assayed for glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, and reactive oxygen metabolites, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), leptin, urea, non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations. Blood glutathione peroxidase activity decreased during the postpartum period and its values were significantly (P < 0.05) lower on days 14 and 28 postpartum. Albumin levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower on days −3, 1 and 28 from delivery compared with day −21. Plasma urea levels significantly (P < 0.001) decreased starting from day −3 from delivery. No effect of time from delivery was noted on reactive oxygen metabolites, non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, calcium and inorganic phosphorus, insulin and leptin concentrations and superoxide dismutase activity. Plasma concentrations of fT3 were significantly (P < 0.01) higher on days 14 and 28 compared with days −21, −3 and 1 from delivery. Plasma levels of fT4 were significantly (P < 0.01) lower on days −3 and 1 from delivery. Plasma insulin-like growth factor-I values slowly decreased during the postpartum period and its values were significantly (P < 0.05) lower on day 28. This study indicates that goats experienced moderate oxidative stress during the peripartum period.

Insulin resistance of hind-limb tissues in vivo in lactating sheep

1. The effects of varying the plasma insulin concentration by infusion while maintaining euglycaemia by infusion of glucose on nutrient arterio-venous differences across the hind-limb and mammary gland in lactating and non-lactating sheep were investigated. 2. Insulin infusion increased the glucose arterio-venous difference across the hind-limb; this effect of insulin was decreased by lactation, suggesting that lactation induces insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. 3. Lactation increased but insulin infusion decreased the plasma concentrations of acetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids. 4. Insulin infusion decreased the arterio-venous differences of acetate and hydroxybutyrate across the hind-limb; this effect of insulin is probably indirect, resulting from the decrease in plasma concentrations of these metabolites. 5. Infusion of insulin had no effect on the glucose arterio-venous difference across the mammary gland, but did decrease the oxygen arterio-venous difference. 6. The results suggest that lactation results in insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, at least with respect to glucose utilization; this should facilitate the preferential utilization of glucose by the mammary gland.