Small ruminant lentivirus-infected dairy goats’ metabolic blood profile in different stages of lactation

Abstract The study aims to determine the differences in metabolic parameters in blood serum between asymptomatic animals with small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) and uninfected goats. Pearson correlations were also estimated between biochemical parameters. The study included 26 goats which were divided into SRLV-infected and SRLV-free groups. Blood samples were taken at four points of lactation (days 14, 45, 85, and 240, reflecting perinatal period, early lactation, the peak of lactation, the end of lactation). Hepatic, kidney, bone, cardiac, pancreatic, lipid profiles and CRP concentrations were analyzed. Choline esterase (CHE), calcium (Ca*), creatine kinase (CK), and triglyceride (TRI) levels differed between groups, on day 240 (p≤0.05). Some parameters varied during lactation, with similar patterns observed in both groups. Mainly positive correlations between biochemical parameters were observed in the SRLV-free and SRLV-infected groups both within organ profiles and between them. CRP was not correlated with any biochemical parameters in the SRLV-free group but was negatively correlated with parameters of the liver, kidney, cardiac, and lipid profiles in the SRLV-infected group. The correlations suggest that SRLV may affect the kidneys, liver and heart, even in asymptomatic animals. Some differences were found between asymptomatic SRLV-infected and SRLV-free goats in the last stage of lactation; however, the nature of these changes requires further detailed studies.