Authors : Alessandro Zumbo , Ambra Rita Di Rosa , Stefania Casella and Giuseppe Piccione
Abstract: The course of some haematochemical parameters sensitive to variations due to lactation in Maltese goats during the second and the fourth lactation has been investigated. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, -hydroxybutyrate, total protein, urea, calcium, phosphorus values were determined in Maltese goats during lactation in two different groups. The purpose was to determine if there are sustained modifications in the levels of these parameters due to lactation between two groups and within groups. Twelve goats were divided into two groups, each consisting of 6 subjects: group A aged 14 months at the second lactation and group B aged 22 months at the fourth lactation. Through a simultaneous monitoring equipment and a blood collection by means of a jugular venipuncture, some parameters were assessed for each subject on the following experimental conditions: at 30th, 60th, 90th, 120th and 150th day after parturition. The Bonferroni�s test was applied to determine statistical significances within each group and between groups, respectively. With regards to lactation stage, statistically significant differences were observed for all the studied parameters within each group whereas no statistically significant differences were observed between group A and B. These results suggest that lactation curve is responsible for the changes in concentration of the parameters under investigation.
Alessandro Zumbo , Ambra Rita Di Rosa , Stefania Casella and Giuseppe Piccione , 2007. Changes in Some Blood Haematochemical Parameters of Maltese Goats During Lactation . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 706-711.