Effects of Gestation and Lactation on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant System in Sheep

Abstract

Pregnancy is accompanied by increased energy demands of many body systems. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is proportional to the rate of oxygen consumption. Therefore, a concomitant increase in the activity of antioxidants during pregnancy could be expected (Mover-Lev and Ar., 1997). Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a major breakdown product split off from lipid peroxides (Mihailovic et al., 2000). The antioxidant systems protect the cells against lipid peroxidation which is the basis of many pathologic processes (Bray and Bettger, 1990). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) are metalloenzyme, and important initial component in the cellular defense against oxygen toxicity (Fridovich, 1986). Glutathione peroxides (GPx) are enzymes that catalyze the reduction of organic hydroperoxides or hydrogen peroxide by glutathione (Knapen, 2000). Antioxidant vitamins like E, C and A protect the cells from damage against free oxygen radicals. The present study examined the level of MDA and antioxidative substances such as SOD, GPx, GSH, vit E, C, beta-carotene, retinol, during the gestation and, lactation period of sheep.