Changes in some hematological and biochemical parameters during prepartum and postpartum periods in female Baladi goats

Eight healthy Baladi female goats were used in this study to investigate the changes which may occur in some hematological and biochemical parameters during different physiological stages in female Baladi goats. Blood samples were collected before pregnancy, prepartum (4, 3, 2, 1 weeks before parturition), day of parturition and postpartum periods (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after parturition). Hematological parameters, plasma Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg as well as erythrocyte Ca, Mg, K and Na were recorded. The results obtained revealed that, during the last four weeks of pregnancy the erythrocytic parameters decreased without a significant change in Hb concentration. Then all these parameters markedly decreased during the postpartum period. The calculated indices revealed a significant increase in mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell volume (MCV) during the last three weeks of pregnancy (P<0.05 for MCH and P<0.01 for MCV). Leukocytes increased at the day of parturition and their relative distribution showed lymphopenia, eosinopenia and neutrophilia. Plasma Ca, Fe and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) concentrations markedly declined during late pregnancy, day of parturition and 3 weeks postpartum. Meanwhile, plasma Na and K concentrations declined close to and at the day of parturition. Plasma Mg concentration increased at 4, 3 weeks prepartum followed by a non-significant decrease. This decrease became significant (P<0.05) at the day of parturition. Erythrocytic Ca, Mg, Na and K concentrations decreased during the last three weeks of pregnancy, day of parturition and remained low 2 weeks postpartum. It can be concluded that late pregnancy, parturition and postpartum period are accompanied with marked changes in some hematological and biochemical parameters but female goats can adapt to marked variation in some important parameters during these physiological stages by different physiological mechanisms. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.