An Assessment of Pregnancy Induced Physiological Changes in West African Dwarf (WAD) Does at Different Stages of Gestation

Twenty pregnant WAD goat does were used to assess the effect of pregnancy induced physiological changes at different stages of pregnancy. Pulse Rate values ranges from 80.78±1.63 to 92.35± 1.47(BPM), showing significant (p<0.05) increases as gestation periods (months) increases. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also observed in respiratory rate during course of gestation and the values of 16.73± 0.43 to 18.95±0.59 were obtained. When rectal temperature 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 does, especially as the course of gestation increases in months.