Reference Values of Oxidative Stress Parameters in Adult Iranian Fat-Tailed Sheep

The present study was performed on 111 adult clinically healthy Iranian fat-tailed sheep from both sexes (28 male and 83 female). Blood concentrations of oxidative stress parameters viz. malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were determined. The reference values for oxidative stress parameters of adult clinically healthy Iranian fat-tailed sheep were as followed: MDA 0.53-0.60 mmol/l, SOD 948.65-1011.50 U/gHb, CAT 1834.29-1915.63 U/gHb and GPX 191.67-196.52 U/gHb. There were no significant differences in oxidative stress parameters among animal of the two sexes

Relationships Between Thyroid Hormones, Serum Trace Elements and Erythrocyte Antioxidant Enzymes in Goats

Thyroid hormones might be able to regulate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) enzymes. The role of thyroid hormones in metabolic pathways and antioxidant enzyme activities are well known in many species. Nevertheless, there is no report describing probable relationship between thyroid hormones status, erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and serum profiles of trace elements. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between these parameters in Iranian native goats. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 50 clinically healthy Iranian native goats under aseptic conditions during 6 consecutive days of summer. The serum was analyzed for serum profile of thyroid hormones, trace elements, SOD and GPX activity. There were no significant differences in serum thyroid hormones, serum levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), selenium (Se) and antioxidant enzymes on different days (P>0.05). There were significant correlations between triiodothyronine (T3) and GPX (P<0.05; r=0.203) and thyroxine (T4) and GPX (P<0.05; r=0.312). There was no significant correlation between other parameters

Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on thyroid function of clinically healthy dogs

IntroductionVitamin D has diverse effects on different organ functions. This study evaluated the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on thyroid function of healthy dogs by repeated assays of thyroid hormones (including total and free T4 and T3) as well as TSH levels during a 6 week-period.MethodsEight healthy adult male dogs received vitamin D3 supplements at the dose of 50 IU/kg BW per day. Venous blood samples were collected on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 of the experiment.ResultsSix-week vitamin D3 supplementation statistically increased serum T4 levels [F (1.89, 13.2) =8.39 and p = 0.004]. Serum T4 levels on days 28 and 42 were significantly higher than the baseline (day 0) (p &lt; 0.05). There was also a statistically significant effect of duration of supplementation on serum fT4 levels, [F (1.63, 11.4) = 12.53, p = 0.014], although the difference was only significant between days 0 and 42. Changes in serum levels of T3 and fT3 were non-significant. TSH levels showed a significant decrease during the whole time of the study [F (1.17, 7.02) = 26.4 and p = 0.001]. On days 14, 28 and 42 this parameter was statistically lower than day 0. Changes in serum T3/T4 during time were not statistically significant. However; the fT3/fT4 ratio showed a downward change during study [F (1.77, 8.87) = 5.18 and p = 0.035]. The fT3/fT4 ratio on day 42 of the experiment was significantly lower than day 0.DiscussionVitamin D3 supplementation to healthy dogs is associated with a time-dependent change in thyroid hormone profile (increased serum T4 and fT4) which are probably mediated at the thyroid gland level as shown by the negative feedback on serum TSH concentrations. These findings pave the road for future studies on the plausible effects of this vitamin on thyroid function of hypothyroid dogs

Serum profiles of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in Caspian horses during different seasons

Minerals play an essential role in the normal vital process. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are the most abundant minerals. Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone play a key role in regulation of their homeostasis as well. The aim of this study was to evaluate calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone on 30 Caspian horses of Guilan Province (south of the Caspian Sea) in two different seasons. So that, 15 stallions and 15 mares were sampled at the age groups ≤ 3 years and > 3 years, respectively. Fasting blood samples were collected twice, in August and January 2015 from jugular vein of horses. Serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were measured by colorimetric methods, while 25(OH)D3 and parathyroid hormone were measured by ELISA. The calcium (11.50 vs. 14.25 mg dL-1 ), magnesium (2.13 vs. 3.72 mg dL-1 ) and vitamin D (1.66 vs. 2.48 ng mL-1 ) levels were lower in winter than in summer (P < 0.05). The Caspian horses had higher phosphorus (4.52 vs. 3.26 mg dL-1 ) in winter than in summer (P < 0.05). Effect of sex on the measured parameters was not significant. Effects of age on the calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels were not significant, but ≤ 3 year - old horses had higher phosphorus (4.63 vs. 3.15 mg dL-1 ) than > 3 year - old ones (P < 0.05). The vitamin D level of mares was higher (3.10 vs. 1.43 ng mL-1 ) in summer than in winter (P < 0.05). Effects of sex, season, age and their interactions on parathyroid hormone were not significant. In conclusion, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and parathyroid hormone levels in Caspian horses were within their physiological range, but vitamin D was low without any signs of deficiency. The Caspian horses had lower calcium, magnesium and vitamin D levels in winter than in summer

Changes in Serum Acute Phase Reactants, Inflammatory Mediators and Gangliosides in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) with Retained Yolk Sac

Twenty-two 2-week-old Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) with retained yolk sac have been assessed using validated standard procedures to quantify the serum concentration of the acute phase reactants (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A), inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, gamma interferon) and gangliosides (total sialic acid, lipid bound sialic acid and protein bound sialic acid). The present findings show that the concentrations of all measured parameters in diseased birds were significantly higher than the control group. Inflammation following yolk sac infection/retention leads to stimulation of the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, acute phase reactants and gangliosides. Among the study variables, lipid bound sialic acid had the most obvious change, so it is the most sensitive parameter

Intermittent Photoperiod Schedule does not Influence Brain and Serum Melatonin and Selected Serum Antioxidant Enzymes Activity in Broiler Chickens

This study evaluated the effect of the intermittent light program on serum and brain melatonin concentrations, antioxidant enzyme activities, and homocysteine concentration in broiler chickens. A total of 60 one-day-old broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were distributed in three light-proof controlled rooms (20 chicks per room). All birds were reared in continuous light until 3 days of age. Then, chicks were treated as follows: 1) intermittent lighting program (1L: 3D cycles), 2) continuous lighting program (24L), and 3) nonintermittent restricted lighting program (8L: 16D). At day 42 of age, sera and brains were collected from all chicks of each group (at the end of the dark phase for groups 1 and 3). Serum and brain melatonin concentrations were not affected by the different photoperiod schedules. Serum glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activity as well as homocysteine concentration were also similar between different treatment groups. In conclusion, intermittent lighting program during the rearing period does not affect serum and brain melatonin levels as well as antioxidant status at the end of the dark phase in broilers