Monitoring progesterone level and markers of oxidative stress in blood of buffalo-cows with impaired fertility

ABSTRACT

Buffaloes are mainly reared in small holder farms and suffer from a lot of stressful conditions such as mal-nutrition, high milking, bad hygiene, parasitic infestation and pollution. In order to investigate the possible relationship between oxidative stress and fertility in buffaloes, studies were carried out on buffalo-cows at Lower Egypt Governorates. Case history was corded and the general health status were investigated. Gynecological examinations were carried out and blood samples were taken from normal cyclic and animals have impaired fertility due to inactive ovaries, delayed puberty, endometritis, repeat breeding, retention of placenta and cystic ovaries. Serum samples were used for assaying progesterone level [ELISA], total antioxidant activity and lipid peroxide [Malondialdehyde]. Samples of heparinized whole blood were used for colorimetrically determination of glutathione reduced and selenium[Graphite atomic spectrophotometry], hemoglobin derivatives [UV spectrophotometry] electrical conductivity [conductivity meter] and intrinsic viscosity [viscosity meter]. Values of these markers were compared to those of normal cyclic animals. The obtained results indicated that the serum progesterone level varied due to the type of affection. Total antioxidant activity [serum] glutathione reduced and selenium [blood] values are decreased, while, malondialdehyde [serum] value is increased in buffalo-cows showing impaired fertility. Also, hemoglobin derivatives tend to decrease in the affected animals, especially the oxy- and carboxy derivatives. Electrical conductivity in the examined buffalo-cows shows little changes due to impaired fertility. While no appreciable change was observed in the intrinsic viscosity in cases of impaired fertility as compared to control. It was concluded that there is a tight relationship between oxidative stress and impaired fertility in buffalo-cows under the Egyptian conditions