Cord and jugular blood acid–base and electrolyte status and haematobiochemical profiles in goats with naturally occurring pregnancy toxaemia

This study was carried out to investigate umbilical cord and jugular blood acid–base and electrolyte status and haematobiochemical profiles in goats with normal parturition and in those with naturally occurring pregnancy toxaemia (PT). Fifty does, divided into two groups, were used. The first, control group, was comprised of 20 clinically healthy pregnant does. The second, diseased group consisted of 30 pregnant does suffering from PT. Jugular and umbilical vein blood samples were collected from each doe. In both samples, blood gas parameters including pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), oxygen partial pressure (PO2), bicarbonate (HCO3), total carbon dioxide (TCO2), base excess (BE), oxygen saturation (SO2), sodium, potassium, chloride and lactate were determined immediately after collection. Compared to the jugular blood values in the controls, the blood pH, PO2, BE, HCO3, TCO2 and SO2 were lower in the goats with PT (P < 0.01). However, the PCO2 and anion gap were higher (P < 0.05). Compared to values in the cord blood of the controls, the blood pH, PO2, SO2, BE, HCO3 and TCO2 were lower in the goats with PT (P < 0.01), although the PCO2, anion gap, potassium and lactate were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The jugular and cord blood acid–base and electrolyte status and haematological and biochemical profiles in this study could be used as a reference for goats with normal birth and in goats with PT.