Total antioxidant capacity of bovine spontaneously released and retained placenta

The comparison of pro- and antioxidative parameters in plasma and placental tissues during early phase of placental development in cows

Physiological balance between pro- and antioxidative processes is crucial for placentation and further development of fetus and placenta. Parameters of pro- and antioxidative profile may serve as markers of proper course of pregnancy. The aim of study was to assess whether the balance between pro- and antioxidative parameters during placentation phase in bovine placenta is maintained. Placental and blood samples were collected from healthy, HF, pregnant (2nd-3rd month) cows (n = 8) in slaughterhouse and in farm, respectively. Formylokinurenine and bityrosine content were measured spectrofluorimetrically in blood plasma and tissue homogenates while metabolites of lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity, SH groups and activity of antioxidative enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) were determined in examined tissues by spectrophotometry. Western blotting was used to confirm the presence of enzymatic proteins in placenta. Results: Local profile in tissues was more pronounced than general profile in blood plasma. Activities of antioxidative enzymes were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 2nd compared to 3rd month of pregnancy in maternal part of placenta while prooxidant parameters showed opposite relationship. Obtained results showed significant differences when compared to data from non-pregnant animals or time of parturition. Further studies are necessary for elucidation of placentation phase in cows.

Retention of placenta on physiological, hematological, biochemical and endocrinological profiles in crossbred cows under tropical island ecosystem

A study was carried out to assess the effect of retention of placenta (ROP) on hamatological, physiological, antioxidant and endocrinological profiles in crossbred cows under tropical island ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Each six number of cows was selected which were affected with ROP as group 2 and without ROP as group 1. These cows were in same parity in same locality with similar type management. Both the group of cows delivered healthy live calves normally and the cases were diagnosed as ROP when it failed to expel after 24 h of parturition. The ROP was removed manually as per standard procedure with aseptic measures. These affected cows were treated successfully and allowed to nurse the calves. Physiological profiles such as rectal temperature (RT), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR) and skin temperature (ST) were measured. Blood samples were collected, analysed for hematological profiles and serum separated, analysed the antioxidant profiles such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and free radical such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and hormone profiles such as estradiol 17β (E2), progesterone (P4) and cortisol (CORT) were estimated. The result revealed that the crossbred cows of ANI with ROP suffered severe anaemia. The ROP affected animals were shown significantly low level of antioxidant profiles and higher MDA level than the unaffected animal groups. Similarly endocrinological profiles revealed the affected animals were having significantly higher level of CORT, P4 and lower level of E2 than unaffected crossbred cows. It was concluded that the ROP in the present study was due to anaemia, lack of antioxidants, over production of free radicals and disturbances of endocrinological profiles.

Patterns of protein glycosylation in bovine placentomes as a function of gestational age and in retained versus non-retained placenta

The formation of placenta at the beginning of pregnancy and its separation at parturition require not only deep remodelling of extracellular matrix, which mainly consists of proteins conjugated with sugar moieties, but also the cooperation with cells from both maternal and foetal parts of placenta. The aim of the study was to compare the patterns of selected conjugated proteins with sugar moieties between pregnant and term placenta as well as between released and retained placenta in cows. Placental samples from healthy pregnant cows (3-5 months of pregnancy) were collected at a slaughterhouse (n = 6), and parturient samples were collected during caesarean section at term and retrospectively divided into retained (n = 6) and released (n = 6). The pattern of selected sugar moieties conjugated with proteins was detected by use of lectin blotting with Phaseolus Vulgaris leucoagglutinin, Maackia Amurensis and Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry). The comparison and analysis of obtained band patterns showed differences between their number, molecular weight and abundance related to the intensity of staining. Samples from 3 to 4 months showed similarities, while at the 5th month, clear differences were visible in all 3 lectins, which were used in this study. Samples from retained/released placenta expressed significant differences in PHA-L and SNA pattern in the foetal part. Obtained results indicate that the development of placenta related to extracellular matrix and accompanying cells from both sides of placenta shows dynamic changes during pregnancy. Moreover, in the case of animals with the retention of foetal membranes the patterns of proteins conjugated with sugar moieties are altered, suggesting that the changes in extracellular matrix metabolism can be involved in the attachment and detachment of the placenta in cows.

Flaxseed oil reduces oxidative stress and enhances brain monoamines release in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

This study was performed to investigate the biochemical effect of flaxseed oil on oxidative stress and brain monoamines release in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Sixty male albino rats were divided into following four groups (15 for each group): control group, flaxseed oil group, diabetic group, and flaxseed oil-treated diabetic group. Serum glucose, insulin, pentosidine, plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), and plasma total antioxidant capacity were estimated. Brain neurotransmitters, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) were also determined. The mean values of serum pentosidine and plasma AOPP showed a significant decrease in treated diabetic group as compared to their values in the diabetic group. Also, brain neurotransmitters levels were improved after treatment with flaxseed. Brain MDA and NO were increased significantly in the diabetic group, while they were significantly decreased after treatment. Brain NO and brain MDA had a significant positive correlation with pentosidine, AOPP, and neurotransmitters. We concluded that flaxseed oil supplementation may be useful in the treatment of brain dysfunction in diabetes.

Effects of Different Amounts of Supplemental Selenium and Vitamin E on the Incidence of Retained Placenta, Selenium, Malondialdehyde, and Thyronines Status in Cows Treated with Prostaglandin F2α for the Induction of Parturition

The incidence of retained placenta (RP) in cows increases in cases of parturition induced by prostaglandin F2α . We analyzed the effects of different doses of supplemental selenium and vitamin E on the incidence of RP, blood selenium, plasma thyronines, and malondialdehyde concentration. Thirty-three clinically healthy, multiparous Holstein-Frisian cows were assigned to 3 groups and supplemented with a single intramuscular injection of sodium selenite (SS) and tocopherol acetate (TAc) between days 250 to 255 of gestation: control-unsupplemented; group A-10 mg SS + 400 mg TAc; group B-20 mg SS + 800 mg TAc. Parturition was induced using PGF2α not before day 275 of gestation. The RP incidence was reduced from 66.7% in the control to 38.2 and 30.8% in groups A and B, respectively. Blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity in treated groups were significantly higher compared to control, with no significant difference between groups A and B. Plasma malondialdehyde in group B was significantly lower than that in control and group A, while thyronines levels were not affected. Comparison of RP and non-RP cows, independently of supplement treatment, revealed higher blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity and lower MDA and thyroxine in non-RP animals, while triiodothyronine level did not differ.

Isolation, characterization, and hepatoprotective effects of the raffinose family oligosaccharides from Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch

This study was aimed to isolate and characterize the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RGOs) from a novel plant source of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, and further evaluate whether RGOs can attenuate CCl4-induced oxidative stress and hepatopathy in mice. HPLC analysis showed that RGOs were mainly composed of stachyose (61.7%, w/w), followed by 23.7% raffinose and 7.1% sucrose. Administration of RGOs orally daily in mice for 21 days significantly reduced the impact of CCl4 toxicity on the serum markers of liver damage, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total-cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG). RGOs also increased antioxidant levels of hepatic glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and ameliorated the elevated hepatic formation of malonaldehyde (MDA) induced by CCl4 in mice, which coincided with the histological alteration. These findings exhibited the potential prospect of RGOs as functional ingredients to prevent ROS-related liver damage.

Comparison of antioxidative/oxidative profiles in blood plasma of cows with and without retained fetal placental membranes

Ante- and postpartum antioxidative/oxidative profiles in blood plasma of cows with and without retained placental membranes (RFM) were investigated. Twenty-two healthy pregnant cows were included in the study. Seven animals out of 22 suffered from RFM. Blood samples were obtained at 4, 3, 2, 1 weeks and 5 days antepartum (a.p.), at parturition and 1, 3, and 5 weeks postpartum. The following antioxidative parameters were measured using spectrophotometric methods: total antioxidant activity (TAC), β-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and ceruloplasmin. The oxidative profile was based on the content of intermediates and end products of lipid and protein peroxidative processes which were measured by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric methods. The examined parameters revealed a dynamic profile within the experimental period. The highest antioxidant and oxidant activity was noted at 2 and 1 week a.p. with a drop towards parturition suggesting the presence of oxidative stress during this time period and an apparent appropriate metabolic response of the macroorganism. Except for TAC and vitamin A, the contents of oxidative and antioxidative blood constituents did not differ between cows with and without RFM. A TAC and vitamin A by time interaction indicated higher antepartal concentrations of TAC and vitamin A in cows without RFM than in cows with RFM suggesting a possible role of antioxidative/oxidative imbalances in the aetiology of RFM.