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Changes in Blood Glucose, Plasma Non-esterified Fatty Acids and Insulin in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Goats

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Abstract

The blood glucose and the plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and insulin concentrations were estimated in jugular blood samples from 18 Alpine×Beetal and Sannen×Beetal goats during pregnancy and compared with samples from non-pregnant goats and from goats during the periparturient period. The blood glucose levels in the pregnant goats rose to a peak of about 60±1.36 mg/ml at 42–56 days and then declined to about 46±2.37 mg/ml at 112–126 days. In non-pregnant goats, the blood glucose levels were significantly (p<0.01) higher than in pregnant goats, except between days 42 and 70 (59±1.36 mg/ml). On the day of kidding, the levels declined significantly (p<0.01), increasing again thereafter. The plasma NEFA concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant goats from days 56 to 126. The NEFA concentration increased on the day of kidding, followed by a transient fall by day 3. The plasma insulin concentration was usually higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant goats, except between days 56 and 70 and from day 126 onwards. The insulin concentration fell late in pregnancy, but there was a transient increase 2 days after parturition. The blood glucose and plasma NEFA concentrations can be used as indices of nutritional status during pregnancy in goats.

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Khan, J., Ludri, R. Changes in Blood Glucose, Plasma Non-esterified Fatty Acids and Insulin in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Goats. Tropical Animal Health and Production 34, 81–90 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013798114081

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013798114081

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