Peripheral concentration of progesterone and cortisol in plasma of the barki ewes and baladi goats during late pregnancy and post partum period

ABSTRACT

Plasma progesterone and cortisol levels were estimated at late stage of pregnancy and postpartum period in 6 Barki ewes and 11 Baladi goats. During the 15 days, pre partum low values of progesterone were detected with nonsignificant variation in both ewes and goats. However, during postpartum period [2-5 weeks], low values of progesterone were estimated with significant [P <0.05] between ewes and goats. Plasma cortisol concentration were significantly increased during the 15 days than 30 days pre-partum period for both ewes [p <0.05] and [p <0.01] goats. In the meantime, there is no significant variation in between ewes and goats in cortisol concentration during this period. A significant [p <0.05] increase in cortisol concentrations during the first week after birth for both ewes and goats was recorded. Moreover, significant variations [p <0.05] in cortisol concentration between ewes and goats were observed during pre-partum [30 days] and postpartum period [1-5 weeks]