Antioxidant and Free Radical Status in Cows With Puerperal Paresis

The article presents the results of a study conducted to evaluate the antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation in postpartum paresis in cows. The object of the study is cows, aged from 4 to 8 years, with an average live weight of 490 kg. To assess free radical oxidation, the level of malondialdehyde, the enzymatic link of antioxidant protection – superoxide dismutase activity, ceruloplasmin activity, non–enzymatic link of antioxidant protection - alpha-tocopherols, total oxidative activity, and antioxidant activity were determined. The subclinical form of puerperal paresis was characterized by a relatively low activity of lipid oxidation against the background of a decrease in the activity of the enzymatic link of antioxidant protection (superoxide dismutase by 16.86%, ceruloplasmin by 2.03 times) and non-enzymatic (vitamin E by 1.32 times) in comparison with the control. In clinical puerperal paresis, there was a significant increase in the level of malondialdehyde by 31.98% and a decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase by 31.98%, ceruloplasmin by 2.59 times and vitamin E by 1.54 times compared with healthy cows. The total antioxidant activity in the experimental groups was lower by 6.55-18.94%, and the total oxidative activity was higher by 4.43-9.99% when compared with the control.