LIVER TRIACYLGLYCEROL CONCENTRATIONS AROUND PARTURITION IN GOATS WITHEITHER PREPARTUM RESTRICTED OR FREE-ACCESS TO FEED

The hypothesis was tested that goats allowed ad libitum access to feed during the dry period develop higher post partum hepatic triacylglyce rol concentrations than do goats given a restricted amount of feed dur ing the dry period. Goats in their second or more pregnancies were eit her given a restricted amount of hay, maize silage and concentrate (n= 5) or had free access to this feed mixture while the composition was k ept constant (n=11). After parturition both groups were allowed adlibi tum access to feed. Postpartum liver triacylglycerol concentrations, a s measured in liver biopsies, were significantly raised in the goats a llowed ad libitum access to feed during the dry period. The increase i n liver triacylglycerols was associated with slightly higher plasma co ncentrations of non-esterified fatty acids but lower serum 3-hydroxybu tyrate concentrations. The feeding regimen during the dry period did n ot significantly influence post partum liver glycogen concentrations a nd serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, and insulin. The increase in post partum liver triacylglycerol concentrations in the goats allowed ad libitum access to feed instead of a restricted ration during the dr y period, was associated with a significant rise in serum alkaline pho sphatase activities, whereas other liver function and cell damage indi cators in serum, i.e. aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenas e, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, and bilirubin, were unchanged. Feed intake after parturition tended to be higher in the goats allowed ad l ibitum access to feed during the dry period but milk production was si gnificantly raised. It is concluded that ad libitum feeding during the dry period raises post partum liver triacylglycerol concentrations in goats, but under the conditions of the present experiment the increas e had no clinical significance and was less pronounced than that seen by others in cows under comparable conditions.