The effect of vitamin E treatment on selected immune and oxidative parameters in Kivircik ewes suffering from transport stress

Abstract

Animal welfare targets a life free of unfavourable feelings such as pain, suffering and stress, and the lack of any response to stress in animals is considered an indicator of welfare. Metabolic changes occur in animals depending on the severity of the stress (Avcı et al., 2008). Humoral immune responses in sheep are indicative of relative stress caused by both physical and emotional changes (Caroprese et al., 2006). It was reported that stress affects living life and productivity, causing negative consequences such as lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation and DNA mutations in cells and eventually reduced meat quality (Avcı et al., 2008). On the other hand, the oxidant-antioxidant balance may be disrupted in favour of free radicals as a result of the increase in enzyme activities such as lactic acid, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase as well as the increased levels of epinephrine and other catecholamines due to stress (Çetin et al., 2011). Sedatives, dopamine, opioids, central nervous system depressants, hormonal drugs, vitamins, minerals and amino acids are widely used to reduce the physiological and biochemical effects of stress in pets (Avcı et al., 2008).

Effects of Transportation on Blood Indices, Oxidative Stress, Rumen Fermentation Parameters and Rumen Microbiota in Goats

“…However, there are also inconsistent reports. Erdem et al [ 23 ] reported a significant enhancement in serum GSH-Px and SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) activities in ewes after 4 h transport at 80 km/h. The reason for this discrepancy may be related to the different transportation time.…”

Vitamin E supplementation improves post-transportation systemic antioxidant capacity in yak

“…Among them, MDA decreased significantly with VE injection. MDA is the last product of lipid peroxidation [33,34]. Plasma MDA concentration has been widely used in biology and medicine as the most common biomarker to evaluate lipid peroxidation [35].…”

Zoonotic Disease Risks of Live Export of Cattle and Sheep, with a Focus on Australian Shipments to Asia and the Middle East

“…Some nutritional strategies are available to limit these effects: in Turkish sheep transported long distance, vitamin C supplementation increased immunocompetence [ 54 ]. No benefit of providing supplementary vitamin E on stress responses of transported ewes has been detected [ 55 ].…”