Circulating 17-β-estradiol (E₂), progesterone (P₄), and cortisol concentrations of 30 non-pregnant, pregnant, and lactating Nicastrese goats carrying single or twin fetuses were evaluated. E₂ and P₄ were higher during pregnancy and lower in non-pregnancy. In mothers with twins, P₄ was higher in mid-gestation and E₂ lower at >50–70 d of lactation. Different physiological conditions induced a temporal relationship with the endocrine profile in Nicastrese goats.

The redox potential of goat kid serum was evaluated, applying spectrophotometric assays intended for both clinical and research studies that can be automated on clinical auto-analysers, thus allowing rapid and inexpensive data collections. Although several correlations were shown, the results obtained with different assays can be strongly different depending on the method and technology of each assay. The present results can be useful to verify whether animals are experiencing oxidant status.

We investigated stress parameters and behaviours of goat kids from dairy type (Saanen and Maltese) and indigenous (Hair and Gokceada) breeds during 10-week fattening. Dairy kids did not express behavioural or biochemical stress responses during the study. Especially in the last 2 weeks of fattening, Gokceada kids were less successful in coping with a confined environment. It is concluded that indigenous breeds, especially Gokceada kids, are not appropriate for intensive fattening in a pen.

This study aimed to investigate relationships between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations and some body trait measurements and climatic factors with respect to prepubertal goat kids. It was found that there was a significant relationship between IGF-1 concentrations and growth characteristics of the goat kids, and IGF-I concentrations of the goat kids were significantly influenced by climatic factors.

The influences of breed, sex and age on seasonal fluctuations in haematological variables (HVs) of goat kids were evaluated. Breed and age variations in HVs of goats were more pronounced during the hot-dry season. The seasonal fluctuations in HVs were more dramatic in kids of Sahel goats, and in younger and male kids of both breeds. Haematological changes induced by the cold-dry season were clearly distinct from those of hot-dry and rainy seasons.