Gestational variations in the biochemical composition of the fetal fluids and maternal blood serum in goat

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the values of some metabolites, ions, and enzymes in maternal blood serum and fetal fluids in relation to pregnancy stage in singleton pregnant goats. Gravid uteri of goats were collected from local abattoirs. The allantoic and amniotic fluids as well as maternal blood samples were collected. Fetal age was determined according to crown–rump length by applying the age estimation formula that previously was presented for goat. The pregnancies were divided into five stages as: stage I (0–30 days), stage II (31–60 days), stage III (61–90 days), stage IV (91–120 days), and stage V (121 days to term). With the progress of pregnancy, the biochemical levels of fetal fluids and maternal serum changed as follows: there was a rise of total protein, urea, and creatinine concentrations in fetal fluids and serum; the level of glucose in serum, potassium, and ALK in fetal fluids and calcium and phosphorus in allantoic fluid increased; triglyceride and sodium contents of fetal fluids and serum decreased; glucose in fetal fluids, AST and LDH in serum and allantoic fluid, potassium and ALT in serum, and calcium and phosphorus in amniotic fluid and serum dropped; the values of AST, ALT, and ALK in amniotic fluid remained unchanged; and the levels of cholesterol and LDH in amniotic and allantoic fluids were constant in the whole gestation periods. The serum cholesterol value showed a significant decrease from stages 1 to 2 of pregnancy. But, it was not significant from stages 2 to 5 of gestation.