Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Measuring Liver Mitochondrial Oxygen Consumption and Proton Leak Kinetics to Estimate Mitochondrial Respiration in Holstein Dairy Cattle
Published on: November 30, 2018
Alpine and lowland grazing differentially alter the reproductive tract redox milieu and amino acid composition in
Daniel Chiumia1, Anna-Katharina Hankele1, Barbara Drews1
1ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Switzerland.
Abstract:
An alpine environment is unique due to pasture biodiversity, with an abundant content of natural antioxidant polyphenols. The present study investigated the effects of lowland and alpine grazing on the oviduct and uterine tissue redox status and amino acid concentrations in plasma and reproductive fluids. In the first experiment, heifers grazed on lowland (H-LOW: n = 13) and on alpine (H-ALP: n = 15) pastures. In the second experiment, heifers grazed on the same lowland (HS-LOW: n = 6) and on a different alpine (HS-ALP: n = 6) pasture. The abundance of mRNA transcripts for antioxidant enzymes in the oviduct (glutathione S-transferase alpha 2, glutathione synthetase (GSS)) and the endometrium (catalase, glutathione-disulfide reductase, GSS) was less (P < 0.05), and for glutathione peroxidase 4 in the endometrium greater (P = 0.006) in the H-LOW than in the H-ALP group. The abundance of mRNA transcript for catalase was less in the endometrium in the H-LOW than in the H-ALP (P = 0.001) group. Catalase and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 concentrations in the oviduct were greater in the HS-LOW than in the HS-ALP group (P < 0.05). Of 32 amino acids analysed, there were differences in concentrations in the H-LOW and H-ALP group of 13, seven and 15 in plasma, oviduct and uterine fluids, respectively (P < 0.05). Comparing the HS-LOW to the HS-ALP groups, there were 13, one and three amino acids in the plasma, oviduct and uterine fluids, respectively, that were differentially abundant (P < 0.05). The grazing systems had some effect on the redox status and amino acid patterns in reproductive tissues.
Related Concept Videos
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Tonicity in Animals
Tonicity in Animals
Amino Acid Catabolism

