Poor placental traits reduce kid birth weight in young Saanen dams in the first parity

Abstract

Placental characteristics are the most important indicators of fetal growth and development that influence kid vitality. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of maternal parity on placental characteristics and birth-related traits in Saanen goats. The experiments were conducted on 41 singleton-bearing Saanen does, ranging from 1 to 4 years of age and classified according to first, second, and third parities. Birth weight, placental weight, placental efficiency, and cotyledon density were influenced by parity (P < 0.05). First-parity does had kids with significantly (P < 0.05) lower birth and placental weights than does of other parities, while they had significantly higher (P < 0.05) placental efficiency and cotyledon density. First-parity does had fewer (P < 0.05) large and total cotyledons than third-parity does. Cotyledon dimensions varied among parities (P < 0.05), while average cotyledon surface area and cotyledon efficiency were the lowest in the first-parity does (P < 0.05). The results suggest that younger dams in the first parity may alter placental characteristics and fetal development, resulting in a reduced birth weight from singleton gestations.