Determination of dynamic thiol-disulfide levels in dairy cattle with foot disease

Abstract

Foot diseases are among the top three causes of economic loss in dairy cattle. Recent studies show that oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of foot diseases. There is no study determining the dynamic thiol-disulfide levels in dairy cattle with foot disease. This study aimed to determine dynamic thiol-disulfide levels in foot diseased and healthy dairy cattle. Demographic information about the animals, and clinical findings of foot diseases and lameness were presented. In the Foot Disease Group, native thiol (P<0.01), total thiol (P<0.05), disulfide (P<0.01), disulfide/native thiol (P<0.01) and disulfide/total thiol (P<0.01) results were found to be significantly higher than in the Control Group. Native thiol/total thiol (P<0.01) was found to be significantly higher in the Control Group than in the Foot Disease Group. As a result, statistically significant increases in thiol-disulfide levels were determined in foot diseased dairy cattle. It was shown that the thiol-disulfide balance was impaired. This study is the first to determine thiol-disulfide levels and thus changes in thiol-disulfide homeostasis in healthy and foot diseased dairy cattle. With further studies, oxidative stress changes that occur as a result of foot diseases can be better understood and the use of antioxidants as a part of treatment evaluated.