Lipid peroxides and antioxidants in serum of neonatal calves.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between oxidative stress and antioxidants in neonatal calves after birth.


METHODS
Sera from 6 healthy Holstein-Friesian cows and 7 of their newborn calves were obtained at various intervals after birth.


METHODS
Lipid peroxides in serum of cows and their newborn calves were estimated by measuring concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). The antioxidative activities of neonatal sera were evaluated by measuring their superoxide-scavenging activities, ferroxidase activities, and the concentration of bilirubin-associated albumin.


RESULTS
Concentration of TBARS in neonatal sera within 1 day after birth was significantly higher than concentrations > or = 2 days after birth and concentrations in serum of the dams. In contrast, antioxidative activities of neonatal sera, evaluated on the basis of superoxide-scavenging activities, ferroxidase activities, and concentration of bilirubin-associated albumin 3 hours after birth, were significantly lower than antioxidative activities in sera of the dams.


CONCLUSIONS
Susceptibility of calves to oxidative stress during the neonatal period may be explained by the immature defense system against superoxide radicals.
Inanami
O
O
Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Shiga
A
A
Okada
K
K
Sato
R
R
Miyake
Y
Y
Kuwabara
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood*; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000378:metabolism; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D012709:Serum Albumin; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D002570:Ceruloplasmin; D001663:Bilirubin