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Lipid peroxides and antioxidants in serum of neonatal calves
1Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Objective:
To examine the association between oxidative stress and antioxidants in neonatal calves after birth.
Sample Population:
Sera from 6 healthy Holstein-Friesian cows and 7 of their newborn calves were obtained at various intervals after birth.
Procedure:
Lipid peroxides in serum of cows and their newborn calves were estimated by measuring concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). The antioxidative activities of neonatal sera were evaluated by measuring their superoxide-scavenging activities, ferroxidase activities, and the concentration of bilirubin-associated albumin.
Results:
Concentration of TBARS in neonatal sera within 1 day after birth was significantly higher than concentrations > or = 2 days after birth and concentrations in serum of the dams. In contrast, antioxidative activities of neonatal sera, evaluated on the basis of superoxide-scavenging activities, ferroxidase activities, and concentration of bilirubin-associated albumin 3 hours after birth, were significantly lower than antioxidative activities in sera of the dams.
Conclusions:
Susceptibility of calves to oxidative stress during the neonatal period may be explained by the immature defense system against superoxide radicals.