Peripartal hormonal changes in Alpine goats: a comparison between physiological and pathological parturition

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Reproductive Physiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Peripartum hormonal profiles in goats are crucial for understanding parturition.
• Previous studies have described hormonal patterns in normal goat births.
• Comparative hormonal analysis between physiological and pathological parturition in goats has not been previously reported.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate peripartum plasma hormone profiles (progesterone, estradiol-17β, 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α), cortisol) in Alpine goats.
• To compare hormonal differences between goats experiencing physiological and pathological parturition.
• To establish precise hormonal patterns for normal goat parturition.

Main Methods:

• 31 pregnant Alpine does were monitored around parturition.
• Blood samples were collected every 12 hours from 7 days pre- to 7 days post-delivery.
• Plasma hormone levels were analyzed using radioimmunoassay (RIA).

Main Results:

• Hormonal concentrations in normal parturition confirmed and refined existing data for goats.
• Goats with pathological parturition (dystocia, retained placenta) exhibited significantly higher peripartum cortisol levels at delivery and 12 hours post-delivery compared to physiological parturition.
• No significant differences in progesterone, estradiol-17β, or 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α) were found between the groups, potentially due to individual variability or small sample size in the pathological group.

Conclusions:

• Elevated peripartum cortisol levels in pathological parturition suggest increased physiological stress in goats with dystocia or retained placenta.
• The study provides a more precise hormonal baseline for normal goat parturition.
• Further research with larger sample sizes may be needed to detect subtle hormonal differences in pathological parturition.