Peripheral plasma protein and progesterone profile in brown savannah goat

Abstract

Experiment was done to determine total protein (TP) in eight multiparous Brown Savannah goats between two weeks preparturm and seven weeks post-partum. The mean value of plasma total protein, 8.17 ± 0.62 gm% obtained two weeks before parturition was higher than normal range of 6.0-7.5 gm% for caprine species. However, at 5^th week postpartum, the plasma protein value rose to 8.25 ± 0.79 gm% (P<0.05). The value latter dropped to 7.7 ± 0.56 gm% and this was maintained till the end of the study. The preparturm and postpartum plasma protein values were significantly different (P<0.05). Peripheral plasma progesterone, which is an indication of commencement of ovarian activity, was also evaluated in eight multiparous goats for eight weeks postpartum. Plasma progesterone concentration was low for the first 10 days. Subsequently, the level increased gradually towards the end of the 2^nd week postpartum. The value rose to 0.1 ±0.02 ng/ml in the 3^rd week and dropped to 0.03 ±0.7ng/ml in the 4^th week, but later increased to 0.16 ±0.23 ng/ml by the beginning of the 6^th week. After the 6^th week, the value dropped to 0.06 ±0.06 ng/ml and was maintained at this level till about eight weeks when it further dropped to a very low level of 0.01 ±0.01 ng/ml, this variation is statistically significant (P<0.05).

Keywords: progesterone, prepartum, postpartum, plasma protein, goats

Tropical Veterinarian Vol. 23(1) 2005: 14-17