Vol. 43, No. 1, 1999
THE FERRIC-REDUCING ACTIVITY OF PLASMA IN DAIRY COWS AT DIFFERENT LACTATION STAGES
Mudroň, P., Kováč, G., Konvičná, J.
University of Veterinary Medicine
Komenskeho 73
041 81 Kosice
The Slovak Republic
Summary
The objective of the present study was to compare plasma antioxidative activity between dairy cows at different lactation stages. Three groups of dairy cows were included in the trial: I - dry cows (n = 5), II - <1 month after calving, III - >2 months after calving. The following blood parameters were determined: aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, urea, cholesterol, free fatty acids, ketone bodies, acid-base balance, and tocopherol. The plasma antioxidant activity was analysed by the FRAP (Ferric-Reducing Ability of Plasma) method. The lowest values of the antioxidant activity were found in the dry dairy cows. This group was also low in plasma tocopherol and showed an energy deficiency. In conclusion, the values of the plasma antioxidant activity reflected the metabolic status of animals studied and could possibly be used in the assessment of the antioxidant status of animals.
Key words: total antioxidant activity; FRAP; dairy cows
References
Folia Veterinaria / 1999