The influence of number of calvings on postpartum calcium levels in Majorera goats in a semi-intensive system dairy farm

Abstract

Puerperal hypocalcemia is a very common disease in cattle but it has not been extensively studied in goats. It is characterized by a decrease in plasma calcium levels due to the failure of compensatory homeostatic mechanisms after calving. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the number of calvings on postpartum calcium levels in Majorera breed goats in a semi-intensive system dairy farm. Serum samples were randomly collected from 54 goats within 48 hours after calving. The samples were grouped by the number of calvings: 1st (n=12), 2nd (n=9), 3rd (n=8), 4th (n=6), 5th (n=9), and 6th (n=10). Data were analysed by ANOVA. Subclinical hypocalcemia (< 8 mg/dL) increased with the number of calvings and was present in 16.7%, 33.3%, 75%, 83.3%, 100%, and 90% of first to sixth calving goats, respectively. None of the animals exhibited clinical signs. The results of this investigation provide insight into the presence of postpartum subclinical hypocalcemia in this breed and establish the significantly increased risk associated with the number of calvings.