Effect of Butaphosphan and Cyanocobalamin on the Metabolic Profile, Oxidative Stress, Trace Minerals and Prophylaxis of Ovine Pregnancy Toxemia

Abstract

Abstract The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin (BTC) on the metabolic profile, oxidative stress and trace mineral profile in cross bred ewes and its effect on the prophylaxis of ovine pregnancy toxemia (PT). A total of 48 ewes were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of sixteen ewes. High dose BTC (HBC): Ewes were given 0.2ml BTC/kg body weight, S/c weekly from 6 weeks prelambing to lambing. Low dose BTC (LBC): Ewes were given 0.1ml BTC/kg body weight, S/c weekly from 6 weeks prelambing to lambing. No BTC (CON): Ewes were given 0.2ml normal saline /kg body weight, S/c. weekly from 6 prelambing to lambing. A significant effect of treatment was observed on non esterified fatty acid (NEFA; p < 0.01), beta hydroxy butyric acid (β-HBA, p < 0.01), fructosamine (p < 0.05) and oxidative stress indices (OSI; p < 0.05) with less in NEFA, β-HBA, OSI and more fructosamine levels in HBC followed by LBC. No significant of treatment and treatment×time interactions were observed in glucose, protein, albumin, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total antioxidant capacity, calcium, phosphorus, cobalt, and copper levels however a significant difference was observed along the sampling time in all the three groups. While there was no significant effect of treatment on triglyceride, aspartate amino transferase, total oxidant capacity and zinc levels, a significant treatment×time interaction was observed. Taking 0.8mmol/l β-HBA as the cut off limit for subclinical PT, at four week before lambing, the effect of BTC in the prophylaxis of PT was higher in LBC (OR: 11.66; p < 0.05) compared to HBC (OR: 5.44; p > 0.05), however from three weeks onwards only HBC ewes showed significant effect of the BTC in the prophylaxis of PT at 3 weeks prelambing (OR; 5.57; p < 0.05), at 2 weeks prelambing (OR: 9.53; p < 0.01), at one week prelambing (OR: 6.60; p < 0.05) and at lambing (OR: 5.57; p < 0.05). In conclusion, there was a positive effect of BTC treatment on the energy metabolism in pregnant ewes and it helped in the amelioration of oxidative stress and hence can be used in the prophylaxis of pregnancy toxemia.