Shittu, O.O., Okwelum, N., Famakinde, S.A., Odeyemi, J.A., Toviesi, D.P., Yussuff, M.A., and Oluwatosin, O.A. |
ABSTRACT
The physiological changes at different stages of gestation in twelve artificially-inseminated West
African Dwarf
goats aged 2 to 4 years, with live weight ranging from15-26 kg indigenous to the humid zone of
Southwestern Nigeria were investigated for 5 months between 4th March, 2016 and 25th July, 2016.
Does were raised semi- intensively throughout the duration of the experiment and were allowed to
graze in paddocks sown mainly with (Chloris gayana and Bracharia ruzizensis). Supplementary
concentrate feed at 4 % body weight dry matter basis daily was also given. Rectal temperature,
pulse rate and heart rate in pregnant does were monitored once in two weeks for five months
throughout the gestation period in the rainy season (March- July). Data obtained were analyzed by
method of least squares analysis of variance (SAS, 2003) with the physiological parameters as the
dependent variables and stages of gestation as independent variables. Stages of gestation had a
highly significant effect (P<0.001)>on all the physiological parameters measured. Rectal
temperature was highest in the 5th month of gestation with the mean value of 39.28 ± 0.140C. On the
other hand, heart rate value was highest in the 1st month of gestation with a mean value of 106 ±
3.75 beats per minute. Pulse rate also recorded the highest value in the 1st month of gestation
with a mean of 56.33± 0.80 pulses/min. It was concluded that since West African dwarf goats undergo
physiological stress during gestation especially within the 1st and 5th months of gestation, care
should be taken in handling and management of pregnant does during these stages of pregnancy to
avoid stress which could lead to abortion and stillbirths
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