Effect of parity in serum biochemical and antioxidant parameters in dry pregnant and non-pregnant lactating cross bred HF cows

Introduction

The physiological status of farm animals can be evaluated by assessing the serum biochemical parameters, and in addition it may be used as a diagnostic tool for analyzing productive and reproductive disorders. Thus, the serum biochemical parameters are helpful in diagnosing various metabolic disorders resulting in economic losses to farmers [1] . Pregnancy is characterized by increased metabolic demand owing to the requirements of the growing foetus [2] and favours oxidative stress due to the imbalance between antioxidant defense system and oxidant production [3] . Metabolic stress is associated with negative energy balance that occurs in the postpartum period and during peak lactation resulting in metabolic consequences [4] . Discrepancies in serum biochemical parameters do occur between different parities [5] and in a dairy herd, the lactation and dry period are two important physiological states considered to influence the serum biochemical parameters in cows because of differences in demand and supply of nutrients [6] . Hence, in the present study, the serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant status were assessed in lactating and dry pregnant cows of second and third parity to assess the physiological difference in subsequent parity.

Materials and Methods

All chemicals used were of analytical grade. Chemicals for antioxidant assay were purchased from M/s Merck chemicals, Mumbai, India. The commercial diagnostic kits for Glucose, Total Protein, Albumin, Total Cholesterol, Triacylglycerol, Creatinine, Aspartate aminotransferase, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus were purchased from Span Diagnostics.

Thirty-two cross bred HF cows in a farm of 100 animals were randomly selected based on lactation and pregnancy status and grouped into four groups. Non-Pregnant Lactating animals of second and third parity served as Groups 1 and 2 respectively. Dry Pregnant animals of second and third parity served as Groups 3 and 4 respectively. The blood samples (5 mL) were drawn by venepuncture from the jugular vein into vacuum blood collection tubes. Serum was separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 15 min. Serum biochemical parameters were analysed using commercial diagnostic kits using Spectrophotometer Hitachi 6300. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and reduced glutathione levels were assayed as per the standard methods [7, 8] . The data obtained were analysed using one-way ANOVA using SPSS software version 29.0. Results are presented as means with standard error.

Results and Discussion

Concentrations of different serum biochemical parameters and AST activity are depicted in Table 1. Serum glucose concentration was significantly elevated in lactating cows of third parity compared to dry pregnant cows of the third parity and no significant difference was observed between dry pregnant and non-pregnant lactating cows of second parity. Similar results were observed by Sarker et al. [9] . However, Peterson et al. [10] reported that glucose was higher in dry cows than lactating cows in winter due to differences in type of feed available to dry cows relative to lactating animals and also reported that glucose increased with age. In the present study among the lactating cows, serum glucose concentration increased non-significantly in third parity cows compared to second parity. Cattaneo et al. [11] stated that postpartum negative energy balance was more severe the during the second lactation and plasma glucose was lower. Glucose level of third lactation often reflects energy status.

Serum Total Protein concentration was significantly decreased in lactating cows of third parity compared to dry pregnant cows of third parity and in case of second parity cows its level was decreased non-significantly in nonpregnant lactating cows compared to the dry pregnant cows. It is similar to the findings of Peterson et al. [10] and Sarker et al. [9] . Bobbo et al. [12] reported that the older cows had greater total protein and globulin concentrations, while albumin concentration seemed to be not particularly affected by age. In the present study globulin concentration was maximum in third parity pregnant cows compared to all other cows. No significant difference was observed in levels of Albumin and Albumin: Globulin. Serum Triacylglycerol concentration was significantly elevated in dry pregnant cows of second and third parity compared to lactating non-pregnant cows of second and third parity respectively. This finding is similar to that of B. Pysera and A. Opalka [13] and Yamamoto et al. [14] and the decrease in triacylglycerol after calving is attributable to the increased demand of mammary gland for the lipids [15] . Serum total cholesterol levels were elevated non significantly in lactating cows compared to dry pregnant cows in both the parity, which may be due to the requirement of cholesterol for steroid hormone synthesis [15,16] . No significant difference was observed statistically in the serum creatinine and AST activities between the groups. Serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations were similar between the groups. However, serum magnesium concentration was significantly elevated in non-pregnant lactating cows of third parity compared to dry pregnant cows of third parity and no significant difference was observed between dry pregnant and non-pregnant lactating cows of second parity. Similarly Hagawane et al. [17] and Jagtap et al. [18] observed no significant difference in magnesium concentrations between pregnant and nonpregnant lactating animals. [19] and Prabhakaran et al. [20] and International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research https://www.biochemjournal.com increased level in GSH could be due to a compensatory response to the increased stress during pregnancy. However, SOD level was significantly elevated in Dry Pregnant cows of third parity compared to all other groups. The current findings are similar to thos of Prabhakaran et al. [20] and G. Singh et al. [19] . It is attributable to protection against oxygen toxic radicals [21] .

Conclusion

Hence in the current study significant changes were observed in Serum Glucose, Total Protein, Magnesium and SOD levels in third parity cows of Lactating non pregnant cows and Dry pregnant cows which is not evident in second parity cows and in other parameters.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgmentWe thank our Dean, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Udumalpet for kind support in conducting this study utilizing the facilities in the college.

References

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