Five healthy baladi female goats and their newborn kids were used in this study. Blood samples were collected before pregnancy, prepartum (4, 3, 2, 1 weeks before parturition), day of parturition and postpartum period (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after parurition) as well as from newborn kids before and after colostrum ingestion and at 1 and 2 weeks of age. Serum copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co) were determined in the does. Meanwhile, total serum protein and fraction of serum protein were estimated in does and their newborn kids. The results obtained revealed that, serum Cu and Mn concentrations decreased during late pregnancy and continued to decrease until 3 weeks post-partum. Meanwhile, serum Se concentrations decreased at 2, 1 week before parturition and remained low until 1 week postpartum. Serum Zn concentrations decreased during late pregnancy, then markedly increased at the day of parturition, followed by non significant decrease during postpartum period. Serum Co concentrations decreased during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy, day of parturition and remained low 4 weeks postpartum. Concerning total serum protein concentrations of does, the present study revealed significant decrease during late pregnancy followed by non significant increase during 3 weeks postpartum. Significant increase will be reported at 4 weeks postpartum. Serum -globulin concentrations was significantly decreased during late pregnancy followed by significant increase on the day of parturition and during postpartum period, whereas -globulin was significantly increased during late pregnancy and postpartum period. Serum -globulin concentrations were significantly decreased during late pregnancy and remained low until 3 weeks postpartum. Colostrum ingestion in newborn kids caused marked increase in total serum protein concentrations. This effect was apparently due to absorption of -globulins and -globulins from the gut. Serum -globulin was markedly increased after colostrum ingestion followed by a significant decrease at 1 and 2 weeks of age.
It can be concluded that late pregnancy and onset of lactation were accompanied by marked changes in the levels of trace elements as well as total serum proteins and serum protein electrophoretic patterns. In addition total serum protein and protein electrophoresis showed marked changes in newborn kids after colostrum ingestion.
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