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Acute-phase proteins in pregnant goats: a longitudinal study
Michał Czopowicz1,2,3,4, Olga Szaluś-Jordanow1,2,3,4, Marcin Mickiewicz1,2,3,4
1Laboratory of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland (Czopowicz, Mickiewicz, Witkowski, Markowska-Daniel, Kaba).
Summary
Serum amyloid A (SAA) levels significantly increase in pregnant goats, peaking at kidding. Haptoglobin (Hp) levels remained unchanged, indicating SAA as a potential pregnancy biomarker in does.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Reproduction
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) are acute-phase proteins.
- Understanding their dynamics during pregnancy is crucial for animal health monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in SAA and Hp concentrations in goats throughout pregnancy.
- To assess the potential of SAA and Hp as pregnancy biomarkers in does.
Main Methods:
- Competitive ELISAs were used to measure SAA and Hp concentrations.
- Blood samples were collected from pregnant goats and a control group of males over seven time points.
- Data were analyzed to compare concentrations between groups and across different stages of pregnancy.
Main Results:
- SAA concentrations significantly increased in pregnant goats from the second month until kidding, with peak levels at kidding.
- Hp concentrations showed no significant changes during pregnancy or between pregnant and control groups.
- SAA levels at kidding were influenced by parity, being highest in does during their third and fourth pregnancies.
Conclusions:
- SAA is a sensitive indicator of pregnancy in goats, with levels rising significantly as gestation progresses.
- Hp is not a reliable biomarker for pregnancy in goats.
- Parity affects SAA concentrations at kidding, suggesting a complex interplay between physiological state and reproductive history.
