Erythrocytic lipid peroxidation, activities of some antioxidant enzymes and osmotic fragility of red blood cells was studied in adult (>1 year) crossbred cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata. Twenty clinically healthy animals (group I) and 15 clinical cases (group II) of tropical theileriosis were selected. Cattle suffering from theileriosis had significantly higher (p<0.01) erythrocytic lipid peroxidation and osmotic fragility. Activities of antioxidant enzymes, viz. glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and glutamate peroxidase (GPx) were also significantly increased (p<0.01) in group II. However, superoxide dismutase and catalase did not show significant changes. The results indicated that infection with theileria led to increased oxidative stress to the animals, and even a significant rise in the activities of antioxidant enzymes. G6PD and GPx could not lower this oxidative stress. However, the increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes pointed towards the body's defence mechanism against lipid peroxidation during oxidative stress in theileriosis.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of prophylactic supplementation of vitamin E and Se on oxidative damage and antioxidant status. Fifteen healthy male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves between the age of 6 to12 months were divided into three groups of five animals each: Group I-control, group II-endotoxic shock group infused with lyophilized E coli endotoxin @ 5 µg/kg body wt, and group III-supplemented with vitamin E @ 250 mg and Se @ 7.5 mg, one month prior to induction of endotoxic shock. All the animals in group II and group III exhibited signs of endotoxic shock. When the endotoxic shock was induced, there was significant (p<0.05) increase in the circulating levels of malonyl dialdehyde MDA (an indicator of lipid peroxidation). In the supplemented group III the magnitude of formation of MDA was also less as compared to group II at every stage of study. There was significant (p<0.05) decrease in circulating levels of SOD, GSH-Px, Catalase and G-6-PD activity from the normal (0 h) value with passage of time. As a result of endotoxic shock, these values reached a lowest value, and then showed a tendency towards the 0 h value. Prophylactic supplementation with vitamin E and Se was successful in reducing the quantum of oxidative damage due to formation of free radicals because of endotoxic shock.

An investigation was made into the protein profile of colostrum/milk of ten Murrah buffaloes and of their ten buffalo calves during their first week of neonatal life to study the materno-neonatal transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig). Calves were pail fed 3.5 liter of colostrum and/or milk per calf/day exclusively from their dam. First blood sample from newborn calves was collected before colostrum feeding on the day of birth (day zero) and the sampling continued daily for seven days after colostrum/milk feeding. Colostrum/milk Ig and IgG values were 4.

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A study was conducted to monitor the changes in serum protein profile, cholesterol and blood glucose during endotoxic shock in buffalo calves and also to assess the role of prophylactic supplementation of vitamin E and selenium in alleviating the endotoxic effects. Fifteen male buffalo calves (6-8 months of age) were divided into three groups: Group I (control)-infused with 0.9% saline solution; Group II-infused with E. coli endotoxin at 5 µg/kg body weight in normal saline solution; Group III-supplemented prophylactically with 250 mg vitamin E and 7.5 mg selenium by i/m injections at weekly intervals for one month prior to the induction of endotoxic shock. The blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the induction of shock. Endotoxin caused a significant (p<0.05) hypoproteinemia from 3-12 h post infusion in group II but this hypoproteinemia was less pronounced and only from 3-9 h post infusion in vitamin E and selenium supplemented calves. Hypoglycemia was observed in group II from 3-24 h and blood glucose level returned to normal at 72 h. However hypoglycemia was mild in group III and blood glucose returned to normal at 48 h. Hypocholesterolaemia and hypoalbuminemia were found in both groups II and III but these changes were less pronounced in group III i.e. vitamin E and Se supplemented calves. Serum electrophoretic protein patterns of group III were quite similar to those of control group but animals of group II had different electrophoretic pattern. It was concluded that the antioxidant effects of vitamin E and Se prevent the liver against oxidative stress during endotoxic shock.