Thyroid and Lipidic Profiles in Nicastrese Goats (Capra hircus) during Pregnancy and Postpartum Period

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study aimed to provide data about thyroid and lipid profiles in 30 Nicastrese goats along different physiological periods: before mating, during pregnancy, and in early lactation. Total triiodothyronine and thyroxine were lower in pregnant and milking goats, while BCS was lower in pregnant ones only, and total cholesterol, triglyceride, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were in milking goats only. During pregnancy and lactation, total triiodothyronine was positively correlated with free triiodothyronine and total thyroxine. These results show that under similar environmental, nutrition, and management conditions, different physiological phases play a significant role in the thyroid and lipid profiles in Nicastrese goats. These endocrine and metabolic resources could contribute to the knowledge useful for the salvage of this endangered, local, native breed. ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine the thyroid and lipid profiles in 30 Nicastrese goats, along different physiological periods: before mating (nonpregnant goats), during the whole pregnancy (pregnant goats), and during postpartum and early lactation (milking goats). Blood samples were collected monthly from March 2020 to January 2021. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total and free triiodothyronine (T(3), fT(3)), and thyroxine (T(4), fT(4)) concentrations were measured using immunoenzymatic assay kits and serum lipid panels (triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (tCho)) by enzymatic colorimetric method; very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL Cho) was calculated. Pregnant and milking goats showed the lower T(3) (p < 0.0002) and T(4) (p < 0.0005) concentrations, with lower BCS (p < 0.001) only in pregnant ones. Milking goats showed tCho (p < 0.006) concentrations lower than nonpregnant ones, and TG and VLDL Cho (p < 0.001) lower than both pregnant and nonpregnant goats. T(4):T(3) and T(3):fT(3) were significantly and positively correlated in both pregnancy and lactation. Under similar environmental, nutrition, and management conditions, different physiological phases play a significant role in the thyroid and lipid profiles in Nicastrese goats. These endocrine and metabolic resources could contribute to the knowledge useful for the salvage of this endangered, local, native breed.