Relationship between late embryonic mortality and the increase in plasma advanced oxidised protein products (AOPP) in dairy cows

Abstract

The involvement of protein oxidation in embryonic mortality (EM) has been poorly investigated in cows. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) are markers of protein oxidation generated by activated neutrophils and involved in inflammation. The aim of this work was to study AOPP in cow plasma and their relationship with late EM. The outcomes of 158 artificial inseminations (AI) were examined in 72 cows, which were classified ex post on the basis of blood progesterone and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein concentrations and clinical confirmation of pregnancy into the following categories: (1) positive (AI+, resulted in pregnancy, n=58), (2) negative (AI-, did not result in pregnancy, n=86) and (3) embryonic mortality (EM, n=14). Plasma protein fractions, malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione and AOPP were measured at AI (Day 0) and on Days 15, 28, 35, 45 and 60. MDA was significantly higher in EM than AI+ and AI- animals on Day 45, and than AI+ animals on Day 60 (P<0.05). Mean plasma AOPP concentrations were significantly higher in the EM group (P<0.01) and the ratio of AOPP:albumin was significantly higher in the EM group on Days 15, 28, 45 and 60 (P<0.05). Based on the temporal pattern of the AOPP:albumin ratio, we propose that oxidative stress is implicated in and may possibly be a cause of EM.

Plasma oxidative stress biomarkers and progesterone profiles in a dairy cow diagnosed with an ovarian follicular cyst

“…In humans, AOPP increase has been associated with several immuno-inflammatory markers and they have been proposed as an exquisite marker of OS correlating with monocyte activation (Witko-Sarsat et al 1998). The prolonged half-life of AOPP allows an indirect reflection of the intensity of the OS (Santulli et al 2013) and has been reported to be elevated in dairy cows with embryonic mortality (Celi et al 2011). The AOPP level was elevated at 9 h and this may have been associated with the development of the cyst in cow 1258; however, this cannot be concluded definitively from the results of this study.…”

“…It is plausible that OS plays a crucial role in the cause and progression of a number of reproductive events and can influence the reproductive axis at different levels. For example, previous studies have shown that OS is associated with embryonic loss (Celi et al 2012;Celi et al 2011) and that OS has a role in the pathogenesis of follicular cystic ovarian disease (Rizzo et al 2009). Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the plasma concentration of progesterone and OS biomarkers that were measured in cow 1285 diagnosed with an ovarian follicular cyst.…”

The use of digital infrared thermography and measurement of oxidative stress biomarkers as tools to diagnose foot lesions in sheep

“…Albumin is a free radical scavenger but it is also the predominant oxidised protein contributing to AOPP formation (Celi, 2011b). Indeed, concentrations of AOPP can be associated with embryonic losses and are considered an indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress in dairy cows (Celi et al, 2011(Celi et al, , 2012. The lack of differences in albumin and AOPP concentrations between HG and FL affected rams may reflect the mild level of lesions observed in this study.…”

Investigation into omocysteine, vitamin E and malondialdehyde as indicators of successful artificial insemination in synchronized buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis)

“…EM and P groups showed similar levels of MDA. Celi et al (2011) observed an increase in MDA concentrations in dairy cows suffering from late embryonic mortality (on 45 and 60 days after AI). These differences could be related to the different times when embryo mortality occurred.…”