Plasma biochemical and minerals parameters in Arbia goats of a semi-arid region of North-Eastern Algeria during different stages of production

The aim of this study was to investigate the variations in concentrations of blood parameters during different stages of production in Arbia goats, reared traditionally in semi-arid regions of North-Eastern Algeria. Ten does (12 +/- 0 months old) were chosen from one farm. Blood was collected once from each doe before gestation, at 6.87 +/- 4.61 days prepartum (late gestation), in the 3rd (early lactation), 8th (mid lactation), 12th (late lactation), and 16th weeks of lactation (end lactation), and during the 2nd week of the dry period. Plasma glucose (Glu), cholesterol (Chol), urea, creatinine (Creat), triglycerides (TG), total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin (Glb), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Ca, Pi, Fe, Mg, Na, K, and Cl were measured. Plasma levels of Chol were not significantly affected by the productive stage of the Arbia goats. During late gestation, TG and Creat recorded the highest levels. Compared to late gestation, urea and K increased, and AST activity decreased significantly in late lactation; Glu, Alb, TP, and urea increased significantly at the end of lactation and Fe increased during mid lactation. During lactation, plasma levels of Pi, Mg, Na, and K did not change, but Glu and Fe decreased significantly at mid lactation, TG decreased, and Creat increased at early lactation; TP, Glb, and AST activity decreased in late lactation, while ALT, urea, Ca increased, but Cl decreased during end lactation. Compared to the dry period, Glu, Alb, ALT, AST, Na, and K decreased, Creat, and Glb increased significantly before gestation; TG and Creat increased, and Alb and AST activity decreased significantly during late gestation. In conclusion, determination of blood parameters is necessary for better control of the health and nutrition of Arbia goats.