In this study we determined the effect of insulin injection and /or short fasting on the induction of
pregnancy toxemia in Zariabi goats. Eighteen twin-bearing Zaraibi goats (around 130 days of
gestation) were divided into control group (Group C, n = 6) fed ad labtium, feed deprived only
group (Group A, n = 6) and feed deprived with insulin injection group (Group B, n = 6). Clinical
signs of pregnancy toxemia appeared after 24 and 72 h in group B and A, respectively. Refeeding
and 50 ml of 500 gm dextrose /l were injected after appearance of the clinical signs every 12 h for
two successive doses. Plasma concentrations of glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate were significantly (p
< 0.01) decreased by 24 and 36 h respectively in group-A, and these variables were significantly
decreased by 12 and 24 h in group- B. Concentrations of glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate were
returned to the control levels (p > 0.1) at 48 h of refeeding and injection of dextrose in both
experimentally induced groups. There was significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the length of gestation
in both experimental groups (A & B) than that of control one. The lengths of gestation were 140.3 ±
1.1, 139.2 ± 0.8 and 149.1 ± 1.4 days in group A, B and C, respectively. Simple protocol of short
fasting combined with insulin injection can induce pregnancy toxemia and this protocol might be
used for valuable studies for pregnancy toxemia in twin-bearing Zaraibi goats.