Restricted feeding of goats during the last third of gestation and trans-generational effects on plasma progesterone in their female offspring

Feeding levels can vary in goat farms for several reasons. Underfeeding of gestating dairy goats can occur and may influence fetal follicle development and future reproductive performance in their offspring. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of restricted feeding during the last third of gestation on some reproductive parameters in female offspring (F1). Two feeding groups were formed using 60 Alpine and Saanen dairy goats to produce the F1 female offspring. The control group (C, n = 30) was fed to requirements. The restricted group (R, n = 30) was given the same diet, but the quantity corresponded to 50% of the amount given to the C group between -8 and -4 weeks, 60% between -5 and -4 weeks, 70% between -4 and -3 weeks and 80% from -2 weeks to parturition. Estrus was synchronized at 7 months of age in female F1 goats born to C (n = 17) or born to R goats (n = 15) with a progestagenimpregnated sponge and prostaglandin F2α and eCG injections, and the goats were inseminated. Serial blood samples were collected over this period. After mating, plasma progesterone rose more slowly to reach a maximum plateau concentration in females born to R goats compared to females born to C goats (P < 0.05). The lag time was approximately 2 days. There was no difference in dam F0 prolificacy (C, 2.4 ± 0.6 vs. R, 2.1 ± 0.8, P > 0.05), length of gestation (C, 151 ± 2 days vs. R, 151 ± 2 days) and kid mortality rate (mummified fetuses, stillbirth or death in first 48h) between the groups. However, birth weight was lower in R kids compared to C kids (4.0 ± 0.11 kg vs. 4.5 ± 0.10 kg, P = 0.007). In conclusion, maternal feed restriction during late pregnancy modified progesterone patterns after insemination in female offspring, although there was no effect on reproductive success.