Maternal Performance and Hematobiochemical Adaptations of Barbari Goats Fed High-Nutrient Diets Across the Periparturient Period

Bhardwaj, A., Kumar, A., Roy, D., Tripathi, A., Gupta, A., Kumar, A., Singh, A.K., Singh, R.K., Kumar, A., Tiwari, R. and Kapil, S. 2025. Maternal performance and hematobiochemical adaptations of Barbari goats fed high-nutrient diets across the periparturient period. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 25: 345–358. The transition from late gestation to early lactation represents a critical physiological window characterized by high nutritional demands and metabolic stress. This study evaluated the effects of a strategically augmented high nutrient diet across peripartum period on body weight dynamics, feed intake and health status in Barbari goats. The twenty-four pregnant female Barbari goats of 30 days pre-partum after being properly confirmed via mating history and ultrasonography were randomly assigned to four groups (n=6); control group without (cNN) and three treatment groups tNH, tHN and tHH with concentrate supplementation at 15g/kg metabolic body weight strategically over and above the basal diet during pre, post- and throughout (i.e. both pre- and post-partum) period of 60 days feeding trial, respectively. The result indicates a significant improvement in average daily gain (ADG) with a high nutrient diet for both the pre- and post-partum periods. Pre-partum ADG was markedly higher (P<0.05) in groups receiving late-gestation supplementation (tHN: 91.37g; tHH: 90.91g) compared to non-supplemented groups (cNN: 71.70g; tNH: 70.62g). Following parturition, groups receiving lactation-phase supplementation (tNH and tHH) achieved rapid weight recovery (ADG about 25 g/d), whereas non-supplemented groups experienced persistent negative gain (ADG about -4.5 g/d). While absolute dry matter intake (DMI, g/d) remained comparable across groups, significant differences (P<0.05) were observed when intake was expressed relative to body weight (g/kg BW/d) or metabolic body weight (g/kgW0.75/d). Hematological profiles (RBC, WBC) and liver function indices (total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) remained within the physiological normal range for all does. Serum glucose levels were slightly elevated in supplemented groups, reflecting improved energy balance. Although periodic variations were observed in serum proteins (total protein, albumin, and globulin) around the day of parturition, no adverse effects on health or metabolic status were detected. It can be concluded that supplementing high nutrient concentrate diet at 15 g/kg metabolic body weight in Barbari goats during the peripartum period effectively takes care of the nutritional stress and facilitates superior pre-partum weight gain and accelerates post-partum recovery without altering absolute dry matter intake or compromising maternal health.