Regulation of glucose level during late pregnancy and onset of lactation in Egyptian female Baladi goats

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the hormonal regulation of blood glucose level during late pregnancy and onset of lactation in Egyptian female Baladi does. Seven healthy female Baladi goats were used to study glucose levels and its hormonal regulation during late pregnancy and early lactation. Blood Samples were collected at late pregnancy (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, weeks, and one day before parturition); day of parturition and early lactation (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after parturition). Plasma cortisol, insulin and glucose were determined. The obtained results revealed that plasma cortisol remained low during late pregnancy and then increased significantly (P<0.05) one day before parturition then decreased on the day of parturition and remained low for one week after parturition. Cortisol level increased markedly at 2, 3 and 4 weeks after parturition. Plasma insulin remained low at 6, 5, 4 and 3 weeks prepartum. A significant increase was noticed at 2 weeks, 1 week and one day before parturition. Insulin concentrations decreased markedly on the day of parturition, then increased (P<0.05) during the postpartum period. Plasma glucose concentrations remained low during late pregnancy then increased at one day before parturition, on the day of parturition and remained elevated during postpartum period. It could be concluded that late pregnancy and early lactation in does were accompanied by significant changes in plasma cortisol, insulin and glucose concentrations. Glucose levels during late pregnancy and early lactation are highly correlated with cortisol and less correlated with insulin. The results obtained point out justification of administration of cortisol. This will help in treatment of pregnancy toxaemia in does and ensure good health during the very demanding physiological states of late pregnancy and early lactation.