Changes in oxidative stress parameters in healthy and diseased Holstein cows during the transition period in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in the Relationship Between Body Condition Score and Oxidative Stress in Periparturient Period Holstein Heifers

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of body condition scores (BCSs) on oxidative stress and thiol/disulphide homeostasis (TDH) in Holstein pregnant heifers during the transition period. A total of 36 healthy primiparous heifers in the 7th month of pregnancy, all approaching their first calving, were included in the study. The animals were allocated into three equal groups based on their BCS. The BCS measurements were performed 21 days pre-calving and on the 21st day post-calving. Pre-calving and post-calving serum levels of total thiol (TTL), native thiol (NTL) and disulphide (DSF) were quantified using standard techniques. The study revealed significant differences in BCS, TTL and DSF values among groups both pre- and post-calving (p < 0.05), whereas the changes in NTL values were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Overall, a decrease in BCS and NTL levels was observed, accompanied by an increase in TTL and DSF levels. Correlation analysis within groups indicated low-level relationships between changes in BCS and TTL, NTL and DSF levels. Consequently, regression analysis did not yield any statistically significant predictive models. The results showed a differential response between the loss of BCS and the oxidative stress during the periparturient period. The increased DSF levels observed during late pregnancy and early lactation indicate a deficiency in antioxidant substances in the animals. Therefore, supplementing the ration with a premix containing antioxidant substances during the transition period may provide significant benefits in terms of maintaining the BCS balance, animal welfare and herd health.

An investigation of antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of Taraxacum coreanum (white dandelion) in lactating Holstein dairy cows

Objective

The aim of this investigation was to examine the impact of Taraxacum coreanum (known as dandelion) (TC) and TC mixtures with milk thistle (MT) or Aspergillus oryzae (AO) as feed additives on the immune response, milk quality, and milk production in Holstein cows over 6 weeks of administration.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-two healthy Holstein dairy cows were provided 30 kg of total mixed ration (TMR) with no TC, 90 gm TC, 54 gm TC + 36 gm MT, or 54 gm TC + 36 gm AO 40% groups. The feed additives were supplied daily in two equal portions (per 45 gm) by topdressing the TMR for 6 weeks. Milk and blood samples were collected weekly.

Results

In the TC-treated cows (TC, TC + MT, and TC + AO groups), significantly lower peripheral blood white blood cell (WBC) counts at 6 weeks and milk somatic cell counts (SCCs) at 4-6 weeks of administration were observed. Concentrations of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) were notably elevated in cows treated with TC for 4-6 weeks, while levels of proinflammatory cytokines concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and chemokine (IL-8) were significantly reduced in TC-treated cows after 3-6 weeks of administration.

Conclusion

These results suggested that TC or a TC mixture with other medicinal herbs supplementations enhanced the serum antioxidative activities and, consequently, might suppress the adverse immune response due to lower serum TNF-α and IL-8 release supported by lower WBC and SCC counts.

Evaluation of blood minerals and oxidative stress changing pattern in prepartum and postpartum Achai and Holstein Friesian dairy cows

This research focused on evaluating blood mineral levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator of oxidative stress before and after giving birth in Achai and Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cows. Blood samples were obtained from a total of 50 cows representing both breeds on the third, second, and first week prior to calving, as well as on the day of calving (day 0). Subsequently, samples were collected on the 1-3 weeks postpartum to allow a comprehensive evaluation of blood parameters throughout the peripartum period. Results showed a significant (p < .01) decrease in serum zinc (Zn) levels on the day of parturition in both breeds. Additionally, HF cows exhibited higher (p < .01) Zn levels on week 2 before giving birth. Interestingly, blood selenium (Se) concentration increased (p < .01) in HF cows on weeks 2 and 3 after calving. In contrast, Achai cows showed a rise (p < .01) in blood Se on week 3 of parturition. Blood copper (Cu) levels were higher (p < .01) on weeks 2 and 3 after parturition in HF cows and on third week before parturition compared to Achai cows, where serum Cu remained high on week 1 of parturition. The findings indicated that blood magnesium (Mg) was higher (p < .01) on third week before parturition in Achai cows and on weeks 2 and 3 after parturition. Serum calcium (Ca) was higher (p < .01) in both HF and Achai cows on weeks 2 and 3 after parturition, and lower (p < .01) on third week before giving birth in both breeds. The mean blood MDA levels in Achai cows were lower (p < .01) on weeks 1 to 3 postpartum or 3 weeks before giving birth. In HF cows, serum MDA increased (p < .01) just before 2 weeks of parturition and remained elevated until 3 weeks of parturition. Thus, both breeds exhibited a similar pattern of mineral fluctuations; yet, Achai cows demonstrated greater resilience to oxidative stress compared to HF cows during the transition period.

Impact of redox status of donor cows before superovulation treatment on in vivo embryo production

This study investigated the relationship between oxidation and antioxidation parameters before superovulation (SOV) treatment and embryo recovery in donor cows. The relative redox status of the 61 donor cows was evaluated based on the median values of diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) measurements (d-ROMs of 100 U.CARR; BAP of 2413  µ mol L- 1 ) before SOV treatment. Following this, the animals were divided into four groups: cows with low d-ROMs but high BAP were assigned to the "LH" group ( n = 11 ), cows with high d-ROMs and BAP were assigned to the "HH" group ( n = 20 ), cows with high d-ROMs but low BAP were assigned to the "HL" group ( n = 10 ), and cows with low d-ROMs and BAP were assigned to the "LL" group ( n = 20 ). Embryos were collected from superovulated cows 6 d after artificial insemination. The percentages of fertilised, transferable, and Code-1 embryos were significantly higher ( P < 0.05 ) in the HH group than those in the HL group. The HH group had the highest mean values for all embryo recovery results. Our results suggest that the redox status of donor cows before SOV treatment affects embryo recovery, as cows with high levels of both oxidative and antioxidative status have better embryo production.

Abomasal infusion of essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid during late pregnancy and early lactation affects immunohematological and oxidative stress markers in dairy cows

Oxidative stress and inflammation, as natural parts of metabolic adaptations during the transition from late gestation to early lactation, are critical indicators of dairy cows' metabolic health. This study was designed to investigate the effects of abomasal infusion of essential fatty acids (EFA), particularly α-linolenic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on plasma, erythrocyte, and liver markers of oxidative stress in dairy cows during the transition period. Rumen-cannulated German Holstein cows (n = 38) in their second lactation (11,101 ± 1,118 kg milk/305 d, mean ± standard deviation) were abomasally infused with one of the following treatments from d -63 antepartum until d 63 postpartum (PP): CTRL (n = 9; 76 g/d coconut oil); EFA (n = 9; 78 g/d linseed plus 4 g/d safflower oil); CLA (n = 10; isomers cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA; 38 g/d); and EFA+CLA (n = 10; 120 g/d). Hematological parameters as well as markers of oxidative status were measured in plasma, erythrocytes, and liver before and after calving. Immunohematological parameters, including erythrocyte number, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, leukocytes, and basophils, were affected by time, and their peak levels were observed on the day after calving. The oxidative stress markers glutathione peroxidase 1 and reactive oxygen metabolites in plasma and erythrocytes were both affected by time, exhibiting the highest levels on d 1 PP, whereas β-carotene, retinol, and tocopherol were at their lowest levels at the same time. Immunohematological parameters were only marginally affected by fatty acid treatment in a time-dependent manner. As such, lymphocyte and atypical lymphocyte counts were both significantly highest in the groups that received EFA at d 1 PP. Moreover, EFA supplementation increased the mean corpuscular volume and showed a trend for induction of mean corpuscular hemoglobin compared with the CLA group during the transition period. The PP mean thrombocyte volume was higher in the EFA than in the CLA group (except for d 28) and both EFA and CLA reduced number of thrombocytes and thrombocrit at distinct time points. Hepatic mRNA abundance of markers related to oxidative status, including glutathione peroxidase (GPX-1) and catalase (CAT), was lower (P < 0.05) in EFA-treated than non-EFA-treated cows at d 28 PP. Dairy cows at the onset of lactation were characterized by induced markers of both oxidative stress and inflammation. Supplementing EFA and CLA had minor and time-dependent effects on markers of oxidative stress in plasma, erythrocytes, and liver. A comparison of EFA supplementation with CLA or CTRL showed higher immunohematological response at d 1 PP and lower hepatic antioxidant levels by d 28 PP. Supplementation with EFA+CLA had only a minor effect on oxidative markers, which were more similar to those with the EFA treatment. Altogether, despite the time-dependent differences, the current findings show only minor effects of EFA and CLA supplementation in the prevention of early lactation-induced oxidative stress.

Dietary Supplementation of Chestnut Tannins in Prepartum Dairy Cows Improves Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms Interacting with Thyroid Status

Cows in the peripartal period undergo changes in thyroid hormones and are susceptible to lipomobilization and/or oxidative stress. The addition of chestnut tannins as polyphenolic compounds in the diet may improve feed efficiency and prevent oxidative stress-related health disorders in transition cows. However, the relationship between chestnut tannin supplementation and thyroid function, which plays an important role in metabolic regulation, has not been investigated in dairy cows. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chestnut tannin supplementation during the close-up period on thyroid status and to evaluate the interaction between thyroid hormones and oxidative stress biomarkers in prepartum dairy cows. Forty multiparous Holstein cows were fed either a diet containing chestnut tannins (CNTs, n = 20, 1.96 g chestnut tannins/kg feed, dry matter) or a non-supplemented diet (CON, n = 20) during the last 25 ± 2 days of gestation. Blood samples were collected on the first day of study (before chestnut tannin supplementation) and d 5 before parturition to measure hormonal and oxidative stress indices. Serum concentrations of T3 (p = 0.04) and T4 (p = 0.05) were higher in CNT cows than in the CON group on day 5 before parturition. Thyroid status of CNT cows was associated with higher serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC, p < 0.01), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, p = 0.03) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx, p = 0.01), and reduced glutathione concentration (GSH, p = 0.05). Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were lower (p = 0.04) which was associated with lower aspartate aminotransferase (AST, p = 0.02), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, p = 0.01) activities in the CNT than in the CON group. Estradiol and progesterone did not differ between CNT and CON cows. Chestnut tannin supplementation improves antioxidant protection, prevents oxidation-reduction processes, reduces the degree of liver cell membrane damage, and protects thyroid tissue from damage, allowing higher T3 and T4 synthesis. Considering the importance of the thyroid hormone status before parturition, mechanisms of thyroid hormone regulation in CNT-supplemented dairy cows require more detailed investigations.

Nutrient intake, digestibility, and serum metabolites in dairy cows fed diets differing in starch concentration with palmitic acid or stearic acid supplementation postpartum

The present study determined the effect of supplementing palmitic acid (PA) and stearic acid (SA) on the nutrient intake, digestibility, and serum metabolites of dairy cows fed two different starch levels during the postpartum period. Forty-four multiparous Holstein cows were used in a completed randomized block based on their parity and previous milk yield. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 arrangement with two dietary starch levels (HS: 260 g/kg of diet dry matter (DM) vs LS: 210 g/kg of diet DM) and two fat supplements rich in PA or SA at 15 g/kg of diet DM. Increasing the starch concentration of the postpartum diet improved organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), and starch intake. Moreover, HS diets resulted in higher apparent digestibility of OM and CP but lower starch digestibility than LS diets. Feeding HS diets increased fecal starch output compared with LS diets. There was starch levels and FA supplements interaction for serum albumin and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), with higher concentrations in HSSA and LSPA compared to HSPA and LSSA. Significant correlations between performance and blood metabolites were observed in weeks 3 and 4. In week 3, a negative correlation was observed between serum TAC with milk protein (r =  - 0.51) and lactose percentage (r =  - 0.49) in the HS diet. However, non-esterified FA was correlated with the fat to protein ratio in the LS diet (r = 0.54). Moreover, in week 4, serum TAC was negatively related to the body condition score of the cows fed LS diet (r = 0.50), while there was no relationship for cows fed HS diets. In conclusion, feeding HS diets to postpartum cows increased nutrient intake and the digestibility of OM and CP compared with LS diets. The addition of SA to the HS diet may be more beneficial than PA in improving the oxidative status of dairy cows in the postpartum period.

Effect of oxidative status on the occurrence of haemolactia in dairy cows after calving

Introduction

Dairy cows may infrequently give milk tinged with blood after calving, which is a condition termed haemolactia. Economic losses for dairy farmers are caused by cases of haemolactia because of the condemnation of such milk, potential contamination of good bulk tank milk with haemolactic milk, and need for veterinarian intervention. This study was performed to elucidate the oxidative status of dairy cows with haemolactia during the peripartum period.

Material and Methods

Plasma glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase concentrations along with serum vitamin A, C and E concentrations were determined as indices of oxidative stress. The sampled dairy cows comprised two haemolactic (n = 11 and n = 6) and two non-haemolactic (n = 11 and n = 6) groups.

Results

On the first day when haemolactia was identified in colostrum (at mean 2.1 days after parturition), a significantly increased concentration of plasma MDA was noted in the haemolactic group. During the prepartum period, low levels of serum vitamin E were continuously observed from prepartum week 4 to the parturition day but only in the haemolactic group.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that continuous low levels of serum vitamin E in the prepartum period may play a pivotal role as a requisite factor in the onset of haemolactia after calving.

Regulatory effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on the oxidative stress and histone acetylation induced by porcine circovirus type 2

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) exists widely in swine populations worldwide, and healthy PCV2 virus carriers have enhanced the severity of the infection, which is becoming more difficult to control. This study investigated the regulatory effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on the oxidative stress and histone acetylation modification induced by PCV2 in vitro and in mice. In vitro, PNS significantly increased the scavenging capacities of superoxide anion radicals (O2•-) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and reduced the content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced by PCV2 in porcine alveolar macrophages (3D4/2). In addition, PNS decreased the protein expression level of histone H4 acetylation (Ac-H4) by increasing the activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) in PCV2-infected 3D4/2 cells. In vivo, PNS enhanced the scavenging capacities of •OH and O2•- and reduced the content of H2O2 in the spleens of PCV2-infected mice. PNS also reduced the protein expression level of histone H3 acetylation (Ac-H3) by reducing the activity of histone acetylase (HAT) and increasing the activity of HDAC in the spleens of PCV2-infected mice. PCV2 infection activated oxidative stress and histone acetylation in vitro and in mice, but PNS ameliorated this oxidative stress. The research can provide experimental basis for exploring the antioxidant effect and the regulation of histone acetylation of PNS on PCV2-infected 3D4/2 cells and mice in vitro and in vivo, and provide new ideas for the treatment of PCV2 infection.

Serum Vitamin D Is Associated with Antioxidant Potential in Peri-Parturient Cows

Dairy cows experience increased oxidative stress during periods of transition such as at the cessation of lactation and around the periparturient period, thus increasing disease risk. Despite routine supplementation of transition cow diets with certain vitamins in an attempt to mitigate oxidative stress, there is no currently available data directly linking vitamin supplementation with antioxidant potential (AOP) in transition cows. The objective of this study was to determine the association between serum vitamins and biomarkers of oxidative stress in healthy cows. Blood samples were collected from 240 cows at dry off (DO), close up (CU), and 2-10 days post-calving (DIM2-10). Blood samples were analyzed for vitamins (A, D, E), β-carotene, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and AOP. Spearman correlations and mixed linear regression models were used to assess associations between vitamins and measures of oxidant status. Vitamin D concentrations were positively associated with AOP at the CU and DIM2-10. Based on the positive association with AOP, additional in-vitro studies were conducted that showed vitamin D mitigated barrier integrity loss in endothelial cells during oxidative stress. These results indicate for the first time that vitamin D may have a role in promoting antioxidant potential in transition dairy cows.