Association of parity, fecundity and body condition score with blood serum concentration of some metabolites during pre and post parturient period in German Improved Fawn goats

The aim of present study was to study the effect of parity and fecundity On the body condition score and blood serum concentration of metabolites (beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides) during the pre and post parturient period in German Improved Fawn goats. Forty goats (primiparous (n = 18) and multiparous (n = 22) were used in the study. Blood sampling were done 4 times for each goat, starting 20 days before expected parturition, after parturition, and on the 20th and 40th day of lactation. Blood samples were collected by jugular puncture. In the obtained blood serum concentrations of metabolites were determined by the standard method of absorptive spectrophotometry. The total concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate and triglycerides in goat blood serum was not different within the category of body condition score, but the level of glucose was significantly lower in intermediate and fat goats and the level of total cholesterol was higher (P<0.05) in fat goats. The number of kids per doe and parity did not influence the total concentration of metabolites in goat blood serum. At the beginning of lactation and during lactation, the mean values of body condition score in goats were decreased (P<0.05). The concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate was the highest immediately after parturition and the lowest 40 days after parturition. Levels of glucose were higher after parturition when the levels of total cholesterol were lower. Only the concentration of triglycerides in the goats' blood sera did not differ. Some blood serum parameters and body condition scoring can be useful for evaluation of the nutritive and health status of dairy goats.