Abstract:
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.