Oxidative stress and its significance in the pregnancy pathogenesis in dairy cows

Abstract

Abstract The lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant defence system indices in red-and-white dairy cows with the pregnancy pathology development - gestosis and with its physiological course - were investigated. The study objects were the Druzhba breeding plant (Voronezh region) animals with average annual milk production of 6,5 – 6,7 thousand kg. For the experiment, two groups were formed, the first (n=18) consisted of animals with gestosis clinical manifestations, the second (n-12) - animals with a pregnancy physiological course. The animals’ clinical condition was assessed using conventional methods. An increase in the malondialdehyde content in the animals’ blood with pathology, an increase in the catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity were found. The antioxidant defence non-enzymatic link components content - vitamin E and vitamin C - was reduced. With clinical gestosis, a decrease in the content of progesterone, testosterone, estradiol-17 β and cortisol in the blood plasma was noted, which indicates a fetoplacental complex functional insufficiency. Thus, oxidative stress arising against the imbalance background in the system “lipid peroxidation - antioxidant protection” is one of the factors determining the gestosis pathogenesis. The study results enhance the processes understanding occurring during the pregnancy pathological conditions development and will be useful in choosing prevention and therapy effective methods.