ABSTRACT
The study aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D on redox balance, insulin resistance and its predicting value for subclinical pregnancy toxemia (SPT) in pregnant ewes. At four weeks pre-lambing, fifteen healthy pregnant ewes were divided into two groups, ewes with sufficient vitamin D (25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25VitD) (SVD, n = 9) and ewes with insufficient 25VitD (ISVD, n = 6). Blood samples were collected at 4 weeks pre-lambing using modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test for the estimation of various metabolites. The baseline glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), fructosamine, beta-hydroxy butyric acid (ß-BHA), calcium, phosphorus concentration and total oxidant status (TOS) did not differ significantly between the two groups, however, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly (p = 0.031) low in ISVD ewes. Area under the curve for glucose, insulin, elimination rate of glucose and peak insulin also did not differ significantly between the two groups. Correlation analysis revealed, positive association of 25VitD with fructosamine, calcium and TAC, and negative correlation with NEFA and TOS. Subsequent blood sampling at 2 weeks pre-lambing and at lambing showed significant difference in NEFA (p = 0.001), ß-HBA (p = 0.001), and fructosamine(p = 0.012) between the two groups. A significant time x group interaction was observed in NEFA (p = 0.019), ß-HBA (p = 0.031), and fructosamine (p = 0.026) concentration. The NEFA concentrations were increased and fructosamine decreased at 2 weeks pre-lambing and at lambing along with significantly increased ß-HBA at 2 weeks pre-lambing in ISVD compared to SVD. Taking 0.8 mmol/L ß-HBA as the cut off limit for SPT, ISVD ewes had higher odds of developing SPT two weeks prior to lambing (OD 16.00; p = 0.042) and at lambing (OD 10; p = 0.077). This study concludes that 25VitD significantly influence redox balance and energy profile and serves as a valuable predictor for SPT in pregnant sheep.
