Determination of hemato-biochemical biomarkers, associated risk factors and therapeutic protocols for pregnancy toxemia in beetal goats

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the risk factors, alterations in blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), hemato-biochemical biomarkers for earlier detection of pregnancy toxemia (PT) and comparative efficacy of therapeutic protocols in Beetal goats. A total of (N=100) goats between 120-150 days of gestation were examined. Goats having BHB >3 mmol/L were considered positive for PT by employing Freestyle™ Optium Kit. Risk factors parity, age, body weight, number of fetuses, grazing and housing, were significantly (P<0.05) associated with incidence of PT. Packed cell volume (PCV), WBCs, neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes were significantly higher in affected animals. Total protein and albumin were low while ALT, AST, ALP, GGT creatinine and BUN were significantly elevated. Twenty-four diseased goats were divided into two groups. Animals in group A were administered with 10% dextrose and propylene glycol orally, twice a day (BID) for three days. Whereas, in group B aforementioned treatment was supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg/SC recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST), once a day (OID). Treatment efficacy was 75% and 83.3% in group A and B, respectively. Significant improvement in BHB, hemato-biochemical parameters were observed in goats receiving rbST. This study highlighted the significance of risk factors and hemato-biochemical biomarkers for earlier diagnosis of PT. Treatment with rbST, 10% dextrose and propylene glycol had significant effect on improvement of hemato-biochemical parameters in PT in Beetal goats.