Reference standards and the physiologic significance of the pregnant goat ( Capra hircus) as a human model in obstetrical research

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. A, Comparative physiology Vol. 88; no. 3; pp. 533 - 537
• Main Authors: Cissik, John H, Hankins, Gary D, Snyder, Russell R, Ehler, William J, Pierson, Wayne A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier B.V 1987; Elsevier
• Subjects: amniotic fluid; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; cerebrospinal fluid; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; goats; Goats - physiology; heart rate; Hemodynamics; Humans; Lung - physiology; Mother. Fetoplacental unit. Mammary gland. Milk; pregnancy; Pregnancy - physiology; Pregnancy, Animal - physiology; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Reference Values; Respiration; urine; Vertebrates: reproduction; Pregnancy; Animal model; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Goat; Artiodactyla; Obstetric; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0300-9629
• DOI: 10.1016/0300-9629(87)90076-4

1. 1. Amniotic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and urine chemistries; respiratory rate and arterial and mixed venous blood gases; heart rate, hematocrit, and cardiac output; and arterial, pulmonary artery, central venous and pulmonary wedge pressures were measured in 20 pregnant adult goats of 19.5–34 kg body weight. 2. 2. Arithmetic means, standard deviations, and coefficients of variation were calculated to develop reference values; in addition, the 95% confidence limits for ranges were established. 3. 3. Comparison of derived data with that from non-pregnant goats shows changes similar to those seen when examining pregnant and non-pregnant humans. 4. 4. These results indicate the pregnant goat is an acceptable model for human obstetrical research.