Impact of parity on carcase and metabolic markers associated with oxidative stress during uterine involution in periparturient goat

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the impact of parity on tissue mobilisation, metabolic response, oxidative stress and reproductive tract traits during the peripartum period. Nineteen goats with singleton pregnancies were grouped into nine nulliparous (NU) and 10 multiparous (MU). The animals were followed from the fifth week before delivery to the fourth week after delivery. Does, kids and milk production were weighed; the loin muscle depth area, subcutaneous loin, kidney fat thicknesses, size of the uterus and haemodynamics of the uterine artery were measured by ultrasound. Placenta was weighed and the cotyledons were counted and measured. Plasma was assayed for total protein, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glutamic-oxaloacetic acid transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic acid transaminase (GPT), glutathione peroxidase and β-hydroxybutyrate. MU showed a greater live weight loss (+8%) and longer period of body mass loss (+12 days). Milk production was higher in MU and their kids were heavier at birth with greater weight gain. No differences in the effect of parity were found for uterine diameter and placental weight, while the NU goats had a larger cotyledonary surface. Additionally, MU goats had higher levels of glucose, GPT, GGT, cholesterol, total protein and glutathione peroxidase. In MU females, there was a greater muscle mass mobilisation throughout the peripartum period and a superior replacement of adipose tissue after delivery (+1.3 mm). Therefore, MU females appear to have better tissue mobilisation and productive performance dynamics, although parity does not affect uterine involution in goats.