Effect of undernutrition on progesterone concentration during the early luteal phase and mid-gestation in goats
Mani, A.U.; Watson, E.D.; McKelvey, W.A.
Veterinary Record 136(20): 518-519
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7660551 Document Number: 441907
British Saanen and Toggenburg females aged 2-3 years which had been randomly allocated to one of two groups which were fed 25% (feed-restricted group; n=18) or 100% (adequate feed group; n=13) energy and protein requirements for maintenance were mated after oestrus synchronization. Progesterone concentration was measured in blood samples collected on day 1 to 10 and 51 to 60 after oestrus. After day 60 females receiving adequate feed and 9 of 18 feed-restricted females were pregnant. During the early luteal phase plasma progesterone concentrations varied widely among individual goats and there was no significant difference in concentrations between groups or between goats in the feed-restricted group that were subsequently pregnant or not. In mid pregnancy, plasma progesterone concentration was slightly but significantly higher in the feed-restricted goats compared with those on adequate feeding. No reason for this high concentration was determined.