Effect of age and reproductive state on phosphatase enzymes and steroid

Abstract

Healthy female goats (290; 145 of Barbari breed and 145 of Jamunapari breed) of different ages, viz. 0 (birth), 30, 90, 180, 270–300, 330–360 days, pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal (1 week after oestrus), managed under semiintensive system of production were used to evaluate and compare the alkaline and acid phosphatases enzyme activity and estrogen and progesterone steroid hormones profile. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was the highest at birth in both the breeds. The alkaline phosphatase activity decreased as age of goats increased. While the activity of alkaline phosphatase increased at pre-pubertal age in Barbari breed, it did not increase in Jamunapari breed. The activity of alkaline phosphatase in Jamunapari breed at pre-pubertal age was lowest. Low level of alkaline phosphatase activity might be the cause of delayed maturity in Jamunapari goats. Acid phosphatase activity was highest at birth in Barbari goats and at 3 months of age in Jamunapari goats. The lowest values of acid phosphatase were observed at pre-pubertal age in both the breeds. The values of alkaline phosphatase activity increased at pubertal and post-pubertal ages in both the breeds. In Barbari and Jamunapari goat breeds, the estrogen level was high at birth. Thereafter, it decreased abruptly and remained low up to pre-pubertal age. At puberty, the estrogen level was maximum in both the breeds. The progesterone level was highest at birth in Barbari and Jamunapari goat breeds. Thereafter it decreased and remained low till pubertal age. It increased and obtained the highest level at post-pubertal age or one week after oestrus. Estrogen (+0.13) and progesterone (+0.30) showed significant positive correlation with alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity. A nonsignificant association of acid phosphatase was observed with estrogen (–0.04). A significant positive correlation of acid phosphatase with progesterone (+0.19) was observed.