Body condition and blood metabolite characterization of alpaca (Lama pacos) three months prepartum and offspring three months postpartum

This study characterized body condition, blood metabolites and neonatal growth patterns from alpaca 90 days pre- and postpartum at the Kampenaike Research Station in Punta Arenas, Chile. Forty-two multiparous alpaca were maintained on pastures consisting of primarily Festuca dolicophylla and Poa pretensis during the experiment (early spring to late summer). Body weight (BWT) and body condition scores (BCS) were recorded and jugular blood samples obtained from dams bi-weekly and from their crias on days 0, 1, 3, and 7, and bi-weekly during the experiment. Plasma samples were analyzed for glucose, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), creatinine, electrolytes (Na, K, Cl and Ca), and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Pre- and postparturient BWT was different (81 kg versus 72 kg, P < 0.05), while BCS was constant at 3.2. Dam glucose increased (P < 0.05) from 7.4 mmol/l prior to parturition to 12.7 mmol/l at parturition, decreasing and stabilizing by day 7–7.0 mmol/l. PUN decreased (P < 0.05) from 6.9 mmol/l prepartum to 4.0 mmol/l at day 1, increasing to 5.4 mmol/l at day 8 to >35. Creatinine decreased (P < 0.05) from 140.6 to 107.0 mol/l at day 7, then increased to 120.2 mol/l at >day 35. Blood electrolytes were affected by parturition, most notably calcium changes attributed to lactation. Cria weights increased from 8.3 to 25.0 kg (195 g per day ±0.005 S.E.M.). Cria blood glucose, PUN, and creatinine concentrations were 10.1, 6.9 mmol/l, and 298.8 mol/l, respectively at birth, decreasing (P < 0.05) to 8.1, 5.1 mmol/l, and 122.9 mol/l, respectively, by >day 35. Data illustrate the effects of parturition on dam blood metabolite and electrolyte concentrations and changes that occur in the neonatal alpaca, demonstrating metabolic adjustments occurring between 7 and 14 days of age. © 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.