Abstract :
The aim of the present work was to monitor the effect of a high versus a low diet on the
metabolic and hormonal profiles of dairy goats and the progeny. Starting from the last
month of pregnancy, 14 goats were randomly allocated to two groups: Low Diet (LD) and
High Diet (HD) that received a diet that covered 80% and 140% of their energy requirements,
respectively. Blood samples were taken fromall goats, at −4, −3, −2, −1, 0 (partum), +1, +2,
+3, +4, and +5weeks fromdelivery. Blood sampleswere collected from goat kids on the day
of birth prior to colostrum feeding (week 0) and then at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks of age. Blood
samples were assayed for their content of: urea, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein,
albumin, calcium and inorganic phosphorus, globulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA),
beta-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA), insulin, free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4),
leptin and prolactin (PRL). Kids’ live weights (LW) and growth rate were not affected by
maternal nutrition. Milk yield was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the HD goats. A significant
(P < 0.001) effect of time was noted on plasma glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin
and phosphorus concentrations. Concentration of plasma NEFA,BHBA, triglycerides and calcium
were significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) higher in the
LD goats than those in HD goats. Plasma insulin and PRL levels were higher in the HD goats
than those in LD goats (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Plasma leptin level were lower
on the day of partum (P < 0.05). Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were higher in
the HD kids than those in LD kids (P < 0.01) while plasma NEFA and triglycerides concentrationswere
higher (P < 0.05) in the LD kids than in the HD kids. Plasma leptin concentrations
increased (P < 0.001) soon after kids began suckling but its values were not influenced by
the dietary treatments. The thyroid hormones increased over time and their values were
significantly higher in HD kids than those in LD kids at week 5. Our results showed that
perinatal nutrition affects goats’ and kids’ metabolic and hormonal profiles; however this
did not have an effect on foetal and kids’ growth. Nutrient restriction during pregnancy
shifted nutrient partitioning towards the uterus to sustain foetal growth. This homeorhetic
adaptation was continued during early lactation; however, it was not sufficient to sustain
milk production.
