Hydrogen Water Improves Pregnancy Health in Goats and Baby Survival
- Authors
- Mushap Kuru, Mustafa Makav, Buket Boga Kuru, Fikret Bektasoglu, Murat Can Demir, Menekse Bulut, Duried Alwazeer
- Journal
- Research in Veterinary Science
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105208
- Study Type
- Goat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Turkey
- Health Condition
- Pregnancy Complications
- Body System
- Reproductive
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water seems to improve certain blood markers related to metabolism in pregnant goats and may lead to healthier kids, although it doesn't make the kids grow any faster.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water supplementation in pregnant goats reduced cholesterol and creatinine levels at delivery and was associated with improved survival and health in their offspring, though these improvements were not statistically significant.
Summary
Researchers gave pregnant goats hydrogen-rich water (water infused with extra hydrogen gas) for six weeks around the time of delivery, while a control group received regular water. The hydrogen-rich water group showed improvements in some blood markers related to metabolism and cholesterol levels at delivery. The offspring of goats that drank hydrogen-rich water had better survival rates and appeared healthier overall, though they were not heavier at birth or larger as they grew.
Practical Takeaway
This is an animal study in goats, not humans, so findings cannot be directly applied to people. The improvements in offspring survival and health were noted but not statistically significant, meaning they could have occurred by chance. Much more research, including human studies, would be needed before drawing any conclusions about hydrogen water's effects during human pregnancy.
Abstract
In this study, the effect of intaking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on the metabolic profile of Gurcu goats during the peripartum period and the survival/growth performance of kids were evaluated. Twenty-three pregnant goats were divided into two groups 21-23 days before the due date. Group 1 (G1, n = 10) was given HRW from day 21 before delivery until day 21 after delivery. Group 2 (G2, n = 13) served as the control. Blood samples were weekly taken from 21 days before delivery until 21 days after delivery. Hydrogen-rich water increased serum glucose concentration on the delivery day more than in G2 (P = 0.016). Hydrogen-rich water decreased serum total cholesterol (P = 0.02) and creatinine (P = 0.05) concentration at delivery. Group effect and time effect were significant in triglyceride (P 0.05). Beta-hydroxybutyric acid concentration an increased in both groups during the prepartum period, although there was no significance (P > 0.05). Hydrogen-rich water did not affect the birth weight and growth performance of the kids (P > 0.05), but it increased their survival rates and overall health, although there was no significance (P > 0.05). In conclusion, HRW may have an impact on the metabolic profiles during the peripartum period and have a positive effect on lipid profiles. Additionally, intaking HRW to goats during the peripartum period may improve the health and survival of kids and reduce their mortality. Keywords: Goat; Hydrogen-rich water; Lipid profile; Metabolic profile; Peripartum period; kid's survival and health.