Influence of starvation and transportation on serum galanin and hematobiochemical parameters in goats

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of starvation and transportation on hematological parameters and serum concentrations of galanin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL-cholesterol in goats. On the first day, first and second blood samples from ten Cashmere (Raini) goats (5 males and 5 non-lactating and non-pregnant females) were prepared before food and water deprivation at 8:00 a.m. (T1) and 3 h after food and water deprivation (T2) at 11:00 a.m., respectively. On the second day, third and fourth blood samples were collected before transportation at 8:00 a.m. (T3) and 3 h after transportation (T4) at 11:00 a.m., respectively. Final blood samples were taken 24 h after arrival (T5). No significant difference was found between the male and female goats in the measured serum parameters, except galanin. Serum concentration of galanin showed a significant increment due to the starvation followed by a decrement in males and an increment in females. Food and water deprivation caused a significant increment in neutrophil and band cell counts besides a significant decrement in lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts. Transport stress caused a significant decrease in packed cell volume (PCV) and white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts as well as a significant increment in neutrophils and band cells counts. It seems that besides interspecies difference, the condition of transportation was the main cause for the controversial findings about its effects on physiology and health of animals.