Influence of Preconception Body Weight and Pregnancy Types on Oxidative Stress Responses of Periparturient Tropical Goats, and Their Kids Body Weight During the Hot-dry Season

Abstract

The influence of preconception body weight and pregnancy types on the oxidative stress responses in periparturient tropical goats, and the effects on their kid’s growth during the hot-dry season was evaluated. The goats were grouped based on climatic adaptation into Savannah climate-adapted (SCA) and humid climate-adapted (HCA) and further based on pregnancy types into singleton- and twin-bearing. Their body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and oxidative stress biomarkers were determined at preconception and once weekly peripartum.  Malondialdehyde during the parturition was higher n singleton- and twin-bearing SCA than during the pre- and postpartum periods. Glutathione peroxidase was higher in twin-bearing HCA than singleton-bearing SCA goats at week 3 prepartum. In all pregnancy types, preconception BW and BMI positively correlated with the dam’s BW at different periparturient stages. Preconception BW of the singleton-bearing SCA goats and the BW of the kids from birth until 3rd week postpartum positively correlated. Oxidative stress responses peaked during kidding in SCA goats regardless of the pregnancy type. The preconception BW and pregnancy type had no influence on the oxidative stress responses of the goats, however, the kids weight gain was positively influenced.