Placental traits and maternal intrinsic factors affected by parity and breed in goats

Abstract

The relationship between placental traits and maternal intrinsic factors of Saanen, German Fawn and Damascus goats was investigated. Data was collected from 93 goats. The results of the study demonstrated that there were positive correlations between placental weight (PW) and cotyledon number (CN) ( r = 0.498, P < 0.01), cotyledon weight (CW) ( r = 0.880, P < 0.01), cotyledon density (CD) ( r = 0.538, P < 0.01), cotyledon width (CWI) ( r = 0.500, P < 0.01) cotyledon length (CL) ( r = 0.414, P < 0.01) and cotyledon density (CD) ( r = 0.278, P < 0.05). CN was negatively correlated with placental efficiency (PE) ( r = −0.421, P < 0.01) and CD ( r = −0.325, P < 0.05). While expulsion of placenta, right teat length and cotyledon length were affected by parity of doe ( P < 0.05) birth weight (BW), CN, right teat diameter (RTD), left teat diameter (LTD), CD, and CL were affected by breed ( P < 0.01). Breed × parity was found significant both for expulsion time of placenta and left teat length (LTL) ( P < 0.05). Damascus goats had a significantly longer duration of licking and grooming events than others. Saanen was more likely to require birth assistance compared to the German Fawn.