The influence of body condition score on serum metabolite profiles in Boer does before and after parturition

In goats, during the puerperal period, a lack of energy is one of the most frequent causes of sudden metabolic changes and the consequent reproductive disorders. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of the body condition on the serum profile of metabolites such as: total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), glucose (GLU) and beta-hydroxybutirate (BHB) in Boer goats during late pregnancy (Day 120), at parturition (Day 0) as well as on Days 30 and 60 after parturition. A total of 15 female Boer goats (does), from a commercial farm in north western Croatia were used. The body condition status of the goats was established using the standard protocol for scoring. Based on the body condition score (BCS), each doe was categorized into one of three groups: group 1 (n = 5) or obese does with BCS >= 3.50-5.00, group 2 (n = 5) or medium does with BCS >= 2.75<3.50 and group 3 (n = 5) or thin does with BCS <2.75. The concentrations ofserum TP, ALB, TG, CHOL, GLU and BHB were measured spectrophotometrically. On Day 120 of pregnancy the level of TG was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the obese does than the medium does. The levels of TP or CHOL were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the obese than in the thin does on Day 30 and Day 60, respectively, following parturition. The recorded changes in the metabolites tested could be of significance for monitoring the metabolic status of goats during intensive production, and of practical interest for preventing/ controlling economic losses in goat breeding.