Investigation of steroid hormones, stress biomarkers, and energy metabolism in hyperketonemic goats.

Abstract

Hyperketonemia is a metabolic disease that generally occurs in the advanced stages of pregnancy in goats and sheep, often in the last 6-week period. During this period, the adrenal glands and placenta secrete various hormones to regulate metabolism. Excessive or insufficient secretion of these hormones can pose a vital threat to metabolism. In the study, 30 Hair goats from various farms in Bingöl province were examined during the last six weeks of the prepartum period. Goats with pregnancy toxemia are included in the hyperketonemia group (n = 20) while healthy goats presenting serum beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) < 0.8 mmol/L are allocated to the control group (n = 10). Biochemical parameters and steroid hormones related to energy metabolism and liver functions were analyzed. In the hyperketonemic group, levels of 1,4-delta androstendione (p = 0.001), 11-deoxycortisol (p = 0.003), aldosterone (p = 0.035), cortisol (p = 0.019), and corticosterone (p = 0.031) were higher compared to the control group, while levels of 17-OH progesterone (p = 0.020), 17-OH pregnenolone (p = 0.022), estradiol (p = 0.025), and progesterone (p = 0.037) were found to be lower. BHBA (p = 0.001) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) (p = 0.001) concentrations were found to be higher in the hyperketonemic group compared to the control group. Glucose (p = 0.001), triglyceride (p = 0.003), and VLDL (p = 0.003) levels were found to be higher in the control group compared to the hyperketonemic group. The observed changes in the levels of steroid hormones including 1,4-delta androstenedione, 17-OH pregnenolone, 17-OH progesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, estradiol, and progesterone indicated that hyperketonemia is a disorder that impacts both stress markers and the endocrine system in goats.