The aim of the study was to determine plasma levels of vitamin C and reduced glutathione (GSH) in sows between the day 14 prepartum and day 14 postpartum. The study involved twenty-four sows of three breeds - Polish Large White (PLW), Polish Landrace (PL) and PLWxPL aged 1-3 years. All the animals were from one closed-cycle production farm. The mean vitamin C level on days 13-14 prepartum reached 0.49 ±0.19 mmol/g of protein and decreased significantly (P<05) at 24-48 h postpartum to 0.33 ±0.19 mmol/g of protein. On days 6-7 and 13-14 postpartum, the vitamin C level further decreased to 0.17 ±0.006 and 0.15 ±0.007 mmol/g of protein, respectively. The mean GSH level on days 13-14 before delivery was 0.071 ±0.009 mmol/g of protein and decreased significantly (P0.05) at 24-48 h before delivery to 0.062 ±0.018 mmol/g of protein. In this period, the mean GSH level was similar to that observed during the first 24-48 h postpartum. On day 6-7 after delivery, the level of GSH reached the values observed on days 13-14 and 6-7 prepartum. On days 13-14 postpartum, the level of GSH was found to be 0.115 ±0.029 mmol/g of protein and was significantly higher (P<0.001) compared to that on days 13-14 prepartum. The findings suggest that porcine levels of vitamin C and glutathione decrease during the periparturient period, which may lead to a decreased antioxidant defence system and an imbalance in redox homeostasis.
The effect of vitamins E, C and ß -carotene supplementation in sows on the parameters of antioxidative/oxidative status during the postpartum period was investigated. Twenty four primiparous sows, divided into two groups (experimental and control), were included in the study. After the half-way point of pregnancy until farrowing, each experimental sow received feed supplemented twice a week with 200 mg of vitamin E and 1000 mg of vitamin C, and additionally, 70 mg of ß-carotene were administered via intramuscular injection, on day 14 and day 7 before farrowing. The control group was not supplemented. Blood samples were collected before supplementation (gestational day 57-58), 48 hours and 7 days after parturition. The following antioxidative and oxidative parameters were measured using spectrophotometric methods: glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), vitamin C, vitamin E, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and sulfhydryl groups (SH groups). In supplemented sows the erythrocyte activity of GSH-Px and CAT was found to be significantly higher on day 7 after farrowing and the activity of SOD was significantly higher at 48 hours postpartum, compared to the control group. The concentration of vitamins C and E in plasma of the supplemented group was found to be significantly higher and the content of TBARS was found significantly lower at both postpartum measurement points, compared to the control group. The content of SH groups was significantly higher on day 7 postpartum, compared to the control group. The study findings indicate that supplementation of pregnant sows with vitamins E, C and ß-carotene in the second half of pregnancy has beneficial effects on the antioxidative/oxidative balance in the postpartum period by increasing the antioxidative potential and reducing lipid and protein peroxidation.
The objective of the studies was to determine the level of spermagglutinin in blood sera of cows of multiple ineffective inseminations. The studies were performed on 219 cows and 12 heifers of the black-and-white breed. The titre of spermagglutinins was checked by the use of the Deo and Roy the microagglutination test. The titre of agglutinins was defined as a lowest blood dilution in which agglutination could be recorded. In the present paper a positive results is titre of 1:32 or higher. Most sera have titres from 1:32 to 1:64. High titres were found (> 1:128) in cows of multiple inseminations (3 or more inseminations). The results obtained indicate a correlation between the titre of spermagglutinins in blood and the number of inseminations. Just after 3-4 ineffective inseminations antibodies against bull semen appear at titres that cause fertility disturbances (titres of 1:32 or higher). It is justified to demand that cows after 2 ineffective inseminations should be thoroughly examined for causes of infertility and they should be properly cured before another insemination is applied.
The number of somatic cells was determined by the California Mastitis Test using Mastirapid (TOK) and the Whiteside test in 5049 samples of milk from milk purchasing sources (PSM) and in 185 samples of milk at street commerce (sold at street markets’ by individual farmers). The hygienic quality of milk was evaluated by the reductase test using resasurine. Whiteside test showed that 64.0% of milk samples from milking by hand, 69.2% of samples from machine milking and 68.1% of milk samples from street commerce contained more than 500 000 somatic cells per one ml. The TOK showed an increased number of somatic cells in 21.3% samples of milk from milking by hand, 30.4% of samples from machine milking and in 37.8% milk samples from street commerce. Only 51.0% samples of milk from milking by hand, 36.2% from street commerce and 33.6% of samples of milk from machine milking were qualified to the 1st class. It was found that the milk from the milk purchasing sources from more than 60.0% of the herds contained an increased number of somatic cells and that in 30.0% of the herds this increase was very clear. These data suggest that in such herds mastitis was present at least in one cow.
The aim of the study was to determine the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the uterine tissues of bitches with pyometra. The uterus from 11 bitches with pyometra and from 18 healthy bitches, which had undergone sterilisation (controls), were used. The activities of enzymes were determined in uterine tissue homogenisates using spectrophotometric methods. Lower GSH-Px activities in the uterine tissues of bitches with pyometra indicate deteriorated capacities of cells to protect against ROS and suggest possible involvement of oxidative stress in the aetiology and pathogenesis of pyometra. Further studies, however, are required to thoroughly elucidate this issue.