Comparative Analysis of Birth Weight of Kids and Placental Traits in Singleton and Multiple Pregnancy of Malabari Goats

Background: Malabari goats are a prolific breed where litter size significantly influences foetal growth and neonatal outcomes. Placental development plays a crucial role in determining nutrient transfer efficiency and, consequently, birth weight of kids. Understanding the relationship between placental characteristics and birth weight in singleton and multiple pregnancies is essential for improving reproductive efficiency, neonatal survival and management strategies in goats. Methods: The study was conducted during the period from 2022 to 2025 on 50 Malabari goats maintained at the University Goat and Sheep Farm, Mannuthy. The animals were divided into two groups: Group I (singleton pregnancies, n = 25) and Group II (multiple pregnancies, n = 25). Foetal membranes were collected immediately after parturition and evaluated for various placental parameters, including placental weight (PW), placental efficiency (PE), number of cotyledons, cotyledon length (CL), cotyledon width (CWi), cotyledon depth (CDe), cotyledon density (CD), cotyledon efficiency (CE), total cotyledon surface area (TCSA) and average cotyledon surface area (ACSA). Birth weight of kids was recorded and statistical analysis was performed to compare the parameters between the two groups. Result: Singleton pregnancies exhibited significantly higher birth weight of kids compared to multiple pregnancies (2251.60±86.89 g vs. 1974.40±82.34 g; P less than 0.05). Placental traits such as placental efficiency (9.05±0.35 vs. 7.50±0.52), cotyledon number (76.92± 1.94 vs. 67.12±1.91), cotyledon density (0.31±0.01 vs. 0.25±0.01), cotyledon depth (0.31±0.01 vs. 0.26±0.01 cm) and cotyledon efficiency (6.01±0.28 vs. 5.16±0.25) were significantly higher in singleton pregnancies (P less than 0.05 to P less than 0.001), indicating greater placental efficiency. In contrast, multiple pregnancies showed significantly higher cotyledon length (3.42±0.02 vs. 2.16±0.01 cm), cotyledon width (2.57±0.03 vs. 1.27±0.02 cm) and average cotyledon surface area (5.81±0.02 vs. 4.93±0.01 cm²) (P less than 0.001), reflecting compensatory placental adaptations. Placental weight and total cotyledon surface area did not differ significantly between the groups. Overall, singleton pregnancies were associated with more efficient and denser placentas supporting higher birth weight, whereas multiple pregnancies compensated through increased cotyledon size.