“Hormonal and Lipids Profile Responses to Physiological Status in Female West African Dwarf Goats

Abstract

A study involving 34 female (doe) West African Dwarf Goat (WADG) was conducted to investigate the hormonal and lipids profile in three different physiological conditions. The goats, reared under a semi-extensive management system, included does in pregnant, lactating, and non-pregnant physiological states. From the herd, 9 does were randomly selected (3 per state) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Blood sample was taken from each doe to assess key reproductive hormones (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), progesterone (PROG), and estrogen (E2)) along with growth hormones (thyroxine (T4), tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)) and lipids (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)). Statistical analysis revealed that reproductive hormones analyzed were statistically significant except for FSH and prolactin. Luteinizing hormone differed significantly (p<0.05), and progesterone and estrogen showed very high significance (p<0.001), with pregnant does having elevated values compared to lactating and non-pregnant does. Tri iodothyronine showed no significant differences (p>0.05), while thyroxine and TSH were significant (p<0.05). TC, LDL, and VLDL were not significant (p>0.05); however, triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were significant (p<0.05). Non-pregnant does had the highest TG (0.5533) and HDL (1.4433) levels, followed by pregnant does (TG: 0.3867; HDL: 1.41) and lactating does (TG: 0.3433; HDL: 1.2167). This study demonstrates how physiological states influence lipid and hormonal profiles in female WAD goats (does), reflecting their body's adaptive responses to maintenance and function across different phases of development and reproduction.