title: Serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bitch.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the different phases of the estrous cycle in the bitch, in order to establish their physiological values. 56 healthy mixed-breed bitches were enrolled at this purpose and divided into 4 groups, standing on the different phases of the estrus cycle. Blood samples were collected in all groups and serum ROS concentrations were determined. Proestral concentrations were statistically higher than anestral ones, and statistically lower than those found in estrus (p<0.001). The highest concentrations of ROS were detected at estrus, that is, in the peri-ovulatory period. This sharp increase in ROS concentrations is related to the acute inflammatory process underlying ovulation and to the increase in immune and metabolic activities, cytological changes and myometrial contractility promoted by the high levels of estrogens. In diestrus, the mean concentration of ROS decreases. This reduction did not show any statistically significant difference with the mean value observed in proestrus. In this phase, in fact, the high concentrations of progesterone, exerting an antioxidant and immunodepressive effect, justify the lower mean concentration of ROS detected. In anestrus, the lowest concentrations of ROS were observed, for the reduced metabolic and endocrine activity occurring in this phase of the estrous cycle. In conclusion our results establish the physiologic levels of ROS during the estrous cycle in the bitch and reflect the endocrine morphologic and metabolic changes occurring during it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Roscino
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minoia
authors.forename: Carmelinda
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trisolini
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spedicato
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mutinati
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pantaleo
authors.forename: Felicita
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jirillo
authors.forename: Raffaele L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sciorsci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D004971:Estrus / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011374:Progesterone