The influence of parity on bone alkaline phosphatase during the transition period in Saanen goats

There is still much vagueness about changes in bone metabolism during pregnancy and lactation in small ruminants. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in BALP activity during pregnancy and lactation, as well as the effect of parity on bone formation in goats. The research was conducted on 35 goats of Saanen breed which were divided into 3 groups based on the number of previous deliveries (primiparous, biparous and multiparous goats). Blood samples were obtained 15 days before and 15 days after delivery. Differences between the study groups were tested by Student’s t-test, and the correlation by Pearson’s Rank Order test. In primiparous goats BALP activity was significantly lower (P<0.001) 15 days after delivery compared to the activity measured 15 days before delivery. In biparous and multiparous goats there were no statistically significant differences in BALP activity pre- and post- delivery. There was also only a statistically significant difference in BALP activity between the primiparous group and bi- and multiparous groups of goats. There was a statistically significant negative correlation (r = -0.88 ; P<0.001) between BALP and age in all goats. Results demonstrated active bone formation in late pregnancy and early lactation, especially in primiparous goats, indicating an increased bone turnover during the transition period while parity did not have an impact on bone formation.