Effect of parity on non-esterified fatty acid, oxidant/antioxidant status, and zinc and copper levels around periparturient period in Beetal goats of Himalayan Region.

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of parity and physiological status on non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), oxidative stress, and zinc and copper levels among the Beetal breed of goat. Thirty dual-purpose Beetal goats reared under the semi-intensive system were selected and based on parity were divided into three groups with 10 animals each viz. Early parity (EP;≤2 parity), mid parity (MP; 3-6 parity), and late parity (LP; ≥7 parity). Blood samples were collected 3 weeks and 1 week pre-kidding followed by 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-kidding for the estimation of NEFA, oxidant (malondialdehyde [MDA], antioxidant (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione [GSH], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], and glutathioneS-transferase [GST]), and zinc and copper levels. Significant (p < 0.01) increase was observed in NEFA and MDA levels as the goats approached kidding and continued till 2 weeks post-kidding in MP and LP and 1 week post-kidding in EP goats. Significant decrease in SOD (p < 0.05), CAT (p < 0.05), GSH-Px (p < 0.01), GSH (p < 0.01), and GST (p < 0.05) activities were observed as goats approached kidding and continued to decrease up to 2 weeks post-kidding. Zinc and copper levels showed a significant decline from 3 weeks pre-kidding to 2 weeks post-kidding in MP and LP and 1 week post-kidding in EP goats. A significant effect of parity was observed on MDA (p < 0.05), GSH (p < 0.05), and GSH-Px (p < 0.05) activities only; however, parity × sampling time interaction was observed in all the parameters. Findings highlight a different metabolic, trace mineral (zinc and copper), and oxidative response around the periparturient period in Beetal goats, with the EP goats, responding first to increased metabolic and oxidative stress and also first to recover from oxidant/antioxidant imbalance.