Effect of physiological status and parity on metabolic and trace element profile of crossbred Rambouillet sheep of Himalayan region

Association of vitamin D status with redox balance and insulin resistance and its predicting ability for subclinical pregnancy toxemia in pregnant sheep

The study aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D on redox balance, insulin resistance and its predicting value for subclinical pregnancy toxemia (SPT) in pregnant ewes. At four weeks pre-lambing, fifteen healthy pregnant ewes were divided into two groups, ewes with sufficient vitamin D (25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25VitD) (SVD, n = 9) and ewes with insufficient 25VitD (ISVD, n = 6). Blood samples were collected at 4 weeks pre-lambing using modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test for the estimation of various metabolites. The baseline glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), fructosamine, beta-hydroxy butyric acid (β-BHA), calcium, phosphorus concentration and total oxidant status (TOS) did not differ significantly between the two groups, however, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly (p = 0.031) low in ISVD ewes. Area under the curve for glucose, insulin, elimination rate of glucose and peak insulin also did not differ significantly between the two groups. Correlation analysis revealed, positive association of 25VitD with fructosamine, calcium and TAC, and negative correlation with NEFA and TOS. Subsequent blood sampling at 2 weeks pre-lambing and at lambing showed significant difference in NEFA (p = 0.001), β-HBA (p = 0.001), and fructosamine(p = 0.012) between the two groups. A significant time x group interaction was observed in NEFA (p = 0.019), β-HBA (p = 0.031), and fructosamine (p = 0.026) concentration. The NEFA concentrations were increased and fructosamine decreased at 2 weeks pre-lambing and at lambing along with significantly increased β-HBA at 2 weeks pre-lambing in ISVD compared to SVD. Taking 0.8 mmol/L β-HBA as the cut off limit for SPT, ISVD ewes had higher odds of developing SPT two weeks prior to lambing (OD 16.00; p = 0.042) and at lambing (OD 10; p = 0.077). This study concludes that 25VitD significantly influence redox balance and energy profile and serves as a valuable predictor for SPT in pregnant sheep.

Effect of parity on non-esterified fatty acid, oxidant/antioxidant status, and zinc and copper levels around periparturient period in Beetal goats of Himalayan Region

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of parity and physiological status on non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), oxidative stress, and zinc and copper levels among the Beetal breed of goat. Thirty dual-purpose Beetal goats reared under the semi-intensive system were selected and based on parity were divided into three groups with 10 animals each viz. Early parity (EP; ≤2 parity), mid parity (MP; 3-6 parity), and late parity (LP; ≥7 parity). Blood samples were collected 3 weeks and 1 week pre-kidding followed by 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-kidding for the estimation of NEFA, oxidant (malondialdehyde [MDA], antioxidant (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione [GSH], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], and glutathione S-transferase [GST]), and zinc and copper levels. Significant (p < 0.01) increase was observed in NEFA and MDA levels as the goats approached kidding and continued till 2 weeks post-kidding in MP and LP and 1 week post-kidding in EP goats. Significant decrease in SOD (p < 0.05), CAT (p < 0.05), GSH-Px (p < 0.01), GSH (p < 0.01), and GST (p < 0.05) activities were observed as goats approached kidding and continued to decrease up to 2 weeks post-kidding. Zinc and copper levels showed a significant decline from 3 weeks pre-kidding to 2 weeks post-kidding in MP and LP and 1 week post-kidding in EP goats. A significant effect of parity was observed on MDA (p < 0.05), GSH (p < 0.05), and GSH-Px (p < 0.05) activities only; however, parity × sampling time interaction was observed in all the parameters. Findings highlight a different metabolic, trace mineral (zinc and copper), and oxidative response around the periparturient period in Beetal goats, with the EP goats, responding first to increased metabolic and oxidative stress and also first to recover from oxidant/antioxidant imbalance.