pH, Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen, Hemoglobin and Plasma Electrolytes in Blood of Pregnant Goats and Their Fetuses

Abstract

The blood of 23 pregnant goats and their fetuses at 68 ± 2, 102 ± 2 and 139 ± 2 days of gestation was studied in regard to pH, blood gases, hemoglobin and electrolytes. The pH of maternal blood is higher and the pCO₂ lower than that of the fetus. Oxygen saturation in the fetus drops toward term. Hemoglobin in the fetuses rises but does not reach adult levels at 139 days. Total determined electrolyte concentration is always higher in the maternal animal, although the difference becomes smaller as term approaches. Determined cations exceed determined anions in the maternal animals by about 3.5 mEq/l. At all stages of gestation studied there is a net deficit of determined anions in the fetus as compared with the mother, resulting largely from lower concentrations of protein and lactate. As protein rises toward term this deficit decreases but at 139 days still amounts to over 6 mEq/l. The net deficit of determined anions at 139 days in the fetus compared with its cation total is almost 9 mEq/l.