@article{MAKHILLRJANS20082327605,
    title = {Daily Cortisol Profile in Lactating and Non-Lactating Dairy Goats (<I>Capra hircus</I>)},
    journal = {Research Journal of Animal Sciences},
    volume = {2},
    number = {3},
    pages = {72-77},
    year = {2008},
    issn = {1993-5269},
    doi = {rjnasci.2008.72.77},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1993-5269&doi=rjnasci.2008.72.77},
    author = {L. Alvarez and},
    keywords = {Cortisol,goats,cortisol daily profile,diurnal,nocturnal},
    abstract = {The objective of the present study was to determine the daily plasma cortisol pattern in domestic lactating and non-lactating goats. In a total of 12 multiparous goats (6 lactating, 6 non-lactating), 4 daily blood samples were taken over the course of 12 days, beginning at different times, in order to cover two, 24 h periods. Lactating  goats  were  at their 4th month of lactation and were hand-milked daily at 07:30-08:30 h since parturition. Repeated measures ANOVA, Tukey-Kramer and student&#8217;s t-tests were used, considering diurnal (07:00-18:00 h) and nocturnal hours (19:00-06:00 h) as well as the condition of lactation. Higher levels of cortisol (45 nmol L <SUP>1</SUP>) were found during diurnal hours, followed by important and sustained decreases (6-16 nmol L <SUP>1</SUP>). A  pair  of  smaller  peaks appeared between 23:00-24:00 h, followed by a decrease that was maintained until 06:00 h, at which time high levels of cortisol returned (26 nmol L <SUP>1</SUP>). Daily average cortisol values were similar between lactating (16.6±1.8) and nonlactating goats (16.5±1.8; nmol L <SUP>1</SUP>; p&gt;0.05). Diurnal cortisol was higher (p = 0.003) than nocturnal (19.6±1.9vs. 13.5±1.1 nmol L <SUP>1</SUP>). Daily cortisol levels are similar between lactating and non-lactating domestic goats at their fourth month of lactation and cortisol levels undergo significant changes during the day, with higher concentrations in diurnal compared to nocturnal hours.}
    }