Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoprotein and Progesterone Concentrations during Pregnancy Failure in Bedouin Goat from the Southwest of Algeria

Abstract

Thirteen female Bedouin goats living in arid land of Algeria Sahara desert were used in this study. These goats were pregnant but they sustained an abortion because of unidentified causes. None of the goats showed any signs of general disease. Plasma concentrations of caprine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (cPAGs) and progesterone (P4) were determined during pregnancy using radioimmunoassay. The cPAGs concentration was undetectable (<0.8 ng/ml) throughout the first 2 weeks of gestation. From week 3 after mating, cPAGs concentration was detectable with significant individual variations (p < 0.05) reaching a maximum secretion (436.1 ng/ml). Throughout gestation, cPAGs concentration remained relatively constant but decreased few days before abortion, on an average of 9.2 ± 1.2 days (n = 11), except for two females where the concentrations decreased later (1-2 days before abortion). One or two peaks of cPAGs concentrations (in 4/13 and in 9/13 females, respectively) have been measured few weeks before abortion (77-124 days after mating), when a decline of cPAGs was detected. The P4 concentration increased after mating, and was high from the first week till the end of pregnancy. The P4 concentration (9.1 ± 0.9 ng/ml) decreased rapidly (<0.5 ng/ml) after 4 ± 0.7 days (n = 6) or 9.4 ± 1.6 days (n = 7) before abortion. A positive relationship (p < 0.01) was found between P4 and cPAGs concentrations during gestation. Results indicate that cPAGs and P4 measurements can be used for monitoring gestation and for abortion prediction.

Cezayir Bedevi Keçisi (Capra hircus)’nde Atretik Ovaryum Folikül Morfolojisi ve Aktif Kaspaz-3 İmmunolokalizasyonu

“…This breed acquires its importance from its perfect adaptation to the harsh environmental conditions of its biotope [1] . This has been confirmed by various ecophysiological and metabolic studies [2][3][4] . Considering the paramount importance for this community, goat's production level must be maintained properly by increasing fertility and conception rate [5] .…”

Endocrine, energy, and lipid status during parturition and early lactation in indigenous goats native to the Algerian Sahara

“…Several ecophysiological and metabolic studies have demonstrated their adaptive physiological characteristics to arid areas. Indeed, in these animals, the reduction of water turnover and glomerular filtration rates is observed [1], and high levels of placental pregnancy-associated glycoproteins are produced, which maintain gestation [2].…”

“…Our laboratory has conducted several studies on this local breed, focusing on its reproductive endocrine ecophysiology and pathophysiology [2][3][4][5][6] and endocrine and metabolic response in the Saharan environment [7,8]. Recently, the performance of lactating goats based on relationships between milk yield and udder morphological traits was investigated [9].…”

Milk production and its relationship with milk composition, body and udder morphological traits in Bedouin goat reared under arid conditions

“…Bedouin goat has also low metabolic requirements and can reduce its energetic metabolism and digest low quality diet during food restriction periods (Silanikove, Tagari, & Shkolnik, 1993). Furthermore, Bedouin goat has higher concentration of caprine Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins, reflecting a strategy of adaptation for maintaining a pregnancy under arid conditions (Charallah, Amirat, Sulon, Khammar, & Beckers, 2009), and after kidding, it ensures the survival of its offspring by maintaining its milk production in such environment. In fact, Bedouin goat living in Negev desert and Eastern Sinai showed a high daily milk yield and was able to maintain its milk production unchanged after 2 days of dehydration Shkolnik, Maltz, & Gordin, 1980).…”