Antioxidant levels, copper and zinc concentrations were associated with postpartum luteal activity, pregnancy loss and pregnancy status in Holstein dairy cows

• Published in: Theriogenology Vol. 133; pp. 97 - 103
• Main Authors: Nazari, Alireza, Dirandeh, Essa, Ansari-Pirsaraei, Zarbakht, Deldar, Hamid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15.07.2019
• Subjects: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Antioxidants - metabolism; Cattle; Chromium - blood; Copper - blood; Corpus Luteum - metabolism; Corpus Luteum - physiology; Dairy cow; Female; Fertility; Glutathione Peroxidase - blood; Insemination, Artificial - veterinary; Iron - blood; Postpartum Period - metabolism; Pregnancy; Reactive oxygen species; Superoxide Dismutase - blood; Trace Elements - blood; Trace minerals; Ultrasonography; Zinc - blood; Dairy cow; Reactive oxygen species; Trace minerals; Fertility; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.04.034

The role of oxidative stress in the control of female reproduction has not been fully elucidated in ruminants; however, it seems that antioxidants can make influence to the reproductive axis at different levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between antioxidant status and concentrations of trace minerals (chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn)) with postpartum luteal activity and fertility in Holstein dairy cows. The cows (n = 100, a parity range of 2–5, and a body condition score (BCS) of 3.0 ± 0.25, mean ± SEM) were assigned to the experiment at second week post calving. Ovarian follicular dynamics were monitored twice a week (from 3rd to 6th weeks post calving) by transrectal ultrasonography (US). Blood samples were collected twice weekly from the 3rd to the 6th weeks post calving at timed artificial insemination (TAI), and days 32 and 50 post AI to determine superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and trace mineral concentrations. There were associations between plasma concentrations of SOD, GPX, and TAC with postpartum luteal activity (PLA, P = 0.01) and ovulation (P = 0.03). Mean plasma SOD and GPX activities and TAC levels (U/mL) were greater in cows with normal luteal activity (NLA) than prolonged luteal phase (PLP) and anovulation (AO) cows, as well as in ovulated compared to AO cows (P = 0.03). Pregnant cows had greater levels of SOD, GPX, and TAC (U/mL) at TAI than non-pregnant cows (P = 0.01). Plasma Cu and Zn concentrations increased in pregnant compared to non-pregnant cows at TAI. In conclusion, antioxidant levels and Cu and Zn concentrations were associated with PLA and fertility. •The role of oxidative stress in the control of female reproduction has not been fully elucidated in ruminants, however, it seems that antioxidants can influence the reproductive axis.•There was an association between antioxidants and the onset of cyclicity.•The total antioxidant capacity (U/mL) were greater in cows with normal luteal activity compared to those having either a prolonged luteal phase or a short luteal phase.•Pregnant cows had greater plasma copper and zinc concentrations compared to non-pregnant cows at timed artificial insemination.•Antioxidant levels and Cu and Zn concentrations were associated with postpartum luteal activity and pregnancy loss as well as pregnancy status.