An assessment of pregnancy induced physiological changes in West African Dwarf (WAD) does at different stages of gestation

Abstract

Twenty West African Dwarf does were used to assess the effect of pregnancy induced physiological changes in Pulse rate (PR), Respiratory rate (RR), Rectal temperature (RT) at different stages of pregnancy. The experiment was laid down in complete randomized design. . Result from the experiment shows that PR values ranges from 80.78±1.63 to 92.35± 1.47(BPM), showing significant (p<0.05) increases with gestation periods (months) increases. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also observed in RR during the course of gestation, with the values ranging from 16.73± 0.43 to 18.95±0.59 (BPM). When RT was measured during pregnancy, the result shows that pregnancy caused significant (P<0.05) increased in rectal temperature and the value increased with the course of gestation too, with values ranging from 39.33±0.25 to 41.22±.0.53. Thus, it was concluded that pregnancy induces physiological changes in PR, RR and RT in does, during gestation period with observable significant increase in values as the course of gestation increases in months.