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Veterinary Sciences
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Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock
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Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 16324

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Stefano Cecchini Gualandi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sciences, Campus Macchia Romana, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Interests: animal welfare; homeostasis; livestock; oxidative stress; redox balance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Redox potential, defined as the balance between oxidants (or pro-oxidants) and antioxidants, is an increasingly investigated condition, including in livestock, to evaluate both physiological and pathological conditions. Oxidants, mainly derived from oxidative processes at the level of the cellular mitochondrial respiratory chain, are highly reactive oxygen- and nitrogen-carrying molecules, normally referred to as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS, collectively indicated as RONS). To prevent oxidative damage to macromolecules such as DNA, lipids, and proteins, with subsequent damage to either structural or functional properties, an appropriate antioxidant defense system (ADS) has developed in the cell. When redox homeostasis is disrupted and the ADS losses its ability to detoxify reactive intermediates or repair the consequent oxidative damage, animals can experience oxidative stress (OS).

The purpose of this Special Issue is expressed in the title, “Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock”. It aims to further the study of redox homeostasis in livestock, through the development of new methods or applications that allow better qualification of animal welfare, including through the relationship with other physiological parameters. Studies concerning the modulation of redox potential through either nutrition or farm management are also welcome. By focusing the study of redox balance not only on the organic fluids usually analyzed in redox homeostasis (blood, urine, saliva, seminal plasma) but also on other matrices (milk, eggs, meat), it is possible to broaden the knowledge to cover the quality of the derived products.

Considering the above, I invite you to share your recent findings through this Special Issue by sending your manuscripts on this topic.

Dr. Stefano Cecchini Gualandi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • animal welfare
  • antioxidants
  • oxidants
  • oxidative stress
  • redox homeostasis

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2650 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Cryopreservation of Bovine Ovarian Tissue by Analysis of Reactive Species of Oxygen, Toxicity, Morphometry, and Morphology
by Camila Bizarro-Silva, Larissa Zamparone Bergamo, Camila Bortoliero Costa, Suellen Miguez González, Deborah Nakayama Yokomizo, Ana Carolina Rossaneis, Waldiceu Aparecido Verri Junior, Mateus José Sudano, Evelyn Rabelo Andrade, Amauri Alcindo Alfieri and Marcelo Marcondes Seneda
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(11), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11110579 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 549
Abstract
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation has been widely investigated for preserving female fertility. In the present study, we aimed to compare the effects of three concentrations (1, 1.5, and 3 M) of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on the vitrification of ovarian tissue. The ovarian cortex was divided [...] Read more.
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation has been widely investigated for preserving female fertility. In the present study, we aimed to compare the effects of three concentrations (1, 1.5, and 3 M) of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on the vitrification of ovarian tissue. The ovarian cortex was divided into control and vitrified groups: (i) 1 M-DMSO, (ii) 1.5 M-DMSO, and (iii) 3 M-DMSO. Follicles from all fragments were analyzed for DMSO-induced deleterious effects, morphological and morphometric aspects, and concentration of reactive oxygen species. Additionally, the fragments were cultured to assess the integrity and return of follicular development post-vitrification. All DMSO concentrations resulted in a higher percentage of degenerated preantral follicles than before the cryopreservation process. After vitrification, the cryopreserved ovarian fragments showed similar percentages of intact follicles; however, the 3 M DMSO concentration differed from the control. Analyzing free radical production, we found that the 3 M DMSO concentration had higher levels of oxidative stress than the lower DMSO. After in vitro cultivation of the vitrified/warmed fragments, the 1 M DMSO concentration exhibited higher percentages of morphologically intact follicles than the other concentrations. Therefore, we suggest that bovine preantral follicles can be cryopreserved in situ with greater efficiency in 1 M DMSO. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock)
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16 pages, 1345 KiB  
Article
The Interplay between Oxidative Stress and Fatty Acids Profile in Romanian Spotted Cows with Placental Retention
by Sanda Andrei, Horațiu Rafa, Ioan Oroian, Oana Maria Cozma, Andreea Georgiana Morohoschi, Daria Antonia Dumitraș, Francisc Dulf and Cristina Laura Ștefănuț
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(10), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11100499 - 12 Oct 2024
Viewed by 898
Abstract
(1) Background: Retained fetal membranes (RFM) in cattle negatively impact reproduction, calving intervals, and health. This study examined OS markers and fatty acid profiles in Romanian Spotted cattle, comparing cows with normal parturition to those with RFM. Over 9 weeks, serum samples were [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Retained fetal membranes (RFM) in cattle negatively impact reproduction, calving intervals, and health. This study examined OS markers and fatty acid profiles in Romanian Spotted cattle, comparing cows with normal parturition to those with RFM. Over 9 weeks, serum samples were collected from 22 cows (7 with RFM, 15 normal) at intervals before and after parturition. Placental tissues were also analyzed. The aim was to identify OS biomarkers that predict RFMs, track changes over time, and assess their impact on the placental fatty acid profile. (2) Methods: Samples were analyzed for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Placental fatty acids were profiled using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. (3) Results: SOD and CAT activities increased in cows with retained fetal membranes (RFM) before parturition (SOD: p < 0.001, RFM 404.601 ± 20.941 vs. NP 339.101 ± 44.911; CAT: p < 0.01, RFM 121.132 ± 14.831 vs. NP 96.070 ± 2.397), indicating OS. However, significant decreases during labor suggested weakened antioxidant defenses. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) peaked during parturition in RFM cows (p < 0.0001, 38.780 ± 3.727 vs. 11.150 ± 1.555), signaling heightened stress. Additionally, MDA levels increased before parturition (p < 0.001, RFM 8.424 ± 1.894 vs. NP 3.807 ± 0.484), confirming lipid peroxidation. RFM cows also exhibited higher levels of saturated fatty acids and lower monounsaturated fatty acids, pointing to metabolic stress. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the role of OS and fatty acid imbalances in RFMs, suggesting potential strategies to improve reproductive outcomes by managing OS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock)
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12 pages, 1982 KiB  
Article
Effect of the Season on Blood Changes of Oxidative Stress Index in the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo (Bubalis bubalis)
by Giovanna De Matteis, Susana Flores-Villalva, Emanuela Rossi, Maria Chiara La Mantia, Roberto Steri, Vittoria Lucia Barile and David Meo Zilio
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(3), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11030116 - 4 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2099
Abstract
Studies in cattle have shown that high temperatures increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing an imbalance between ROS and the ability of antioxidant systems to detoxify and remove the reactive intermediates. As such studies remain limited in buffalo, the effect [...] Read more.
Studies in cattle have shown that high temperatures increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing an imbalance between ROS and the ability of antioxidant systems to detoxify and remove the reactive intermediates. As such studies remain limited in buffalo, the effect of temperature on oxidative stress was investigated through the oxidative stress index (OSi). Blood samples were collected from 40 buffaloes over 12 time points distributed over two years (2021, 2022). Samples were taken monthly during the hot and cold seasons. Plasma free oxygen radicals were determined using the d-ROMs test (Diacron, Italy), modified for a microplate procedure, and the results were expressed in arbitrary Carratelli Units (U.CARR). Plasma antioxidants were determined by using the BAP test (Diacron) in a dedicated spectrophotometer (Carpe Diem Free, Diacron). The OSi parameter was calculated as d-ROMs/BAP × 100. Temperature and humidity were recorded daily during the trial to calculate the Temperature Humidity Index (THI). For statistical analysis, year and season and their interactions were included in the model. The results of this study showed for the first time the effect of season on the oxidative stress in buffalo. The minimum and maximum THI values for the hot and cold season recorded during the experimental period were 79.27 ± 2.20 and 63.42 ± 3.20, respectively. Levels of d-ROMs and BAP were affected by the seasons (133.0 vs. 145.1 U.CARR, p = 0.0189, and 2489.19 vs. 2392.43 mml/L, p = 0.033, in the hot and cold season, respectively). A significant year × season interaction was found both for d-ROMs and BAP (p = 0.06 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Moreover, OSi was affected by season, showing a growing trend from hot to cold season (5.35 vs. 6.17, p < 0.0001), but, interestingly, it was unaffected by annual variation. Therefore, Osi could be considered a better and independent marker of oxidative status in buffalo, with respect to the evaluation of single determinations of d-ROMs and BAP. Lastly, there were no differences in the plasma 25OHD levels between seasons; concentrations were 12.24 and 10.26 ng/mL in the hot and cold season, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock)
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17 pages, 1539 KiB  
Article
The Extract of Angelica sinensis Inhibits Hypoxia–Reoxygenation and Copper-Induced Oxidative Lesions and Apoptosis in Branchiae and Red Blood Corpuscles of Fish
by Jiao Long, Pengyan Yang, Yihua Liu, Xiaoru Liu, Huatao Li, Xiaoyu Su, Ting Zhang, Jing Xu, Gangfu Chen and Jun Jiang
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11010001 - 19 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2892
Abstract
The study explored the effects of Angelica sinensis extract (AsE) on oxidative lesions and apoptosis in branchiae and red blood corpuscles in hypoxia–reoxygenation (HR) and Cu-treated carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). After feeding trial for 30 days, the carp were exposed to [...] Read more.
The study explored the effects of Angelica sinensis extract (AsE) on oxidative lesions and apoptosis in branchiae and red blood corpuscles in hypoxia–reoxygenation (HR) and Cu-treated carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). After feeding trial for 30 days, the carp were exposed to HR and CuSO4. The results indicated that dietary AsE increased the durative time, decreased the oxygen consumption rate, suppressed ROS generation and cellular component oxidation, decreased enzymatic antioxidant activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in red blood corpuscles and branchiae in carp under hypoxia. Moreover, dietary AsE avoided the loss of Na+,K+-ATPase, metabolic and antioxidant enzyme activities, ROS generation and cellular component oxidation, as well as the increase in caspase-8, 9, and 3 activities in the branchiae of the carp and inhibited ROS generation. It furthermore avoided the loss of Na+,K+-ATPase and metabolic enzyme activities, the decrease in GSH levels and hemoglobin content, the increase in the activities of caspase-8, 9, and 3 and the increase in the levels of cytochrome c and phosphatidylserine exposure in the red blood corpuscles of Cu-exposed carp. The present results suggested that dietary AsE improved hypoxia tolerance and inhibited HR or Cu-triggered oxidative lesions and apoptosis. Therefore, AsE can be utilized as a natural inhibitor of Cu and HR stress in fish. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock)
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11 pages, 4959 KiB  
Article
Analytical Validation of Two Assays for Equine Ceruloplasmin Ferroxidase Activity Assessment
by Stefano Cecchini Gualandi, Tommaso Di Palma and Raffaele Boni
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(10), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10100623 - 18 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1805
Abstract
Ceruloplasmin (Cp) assessment in biological samples exploits the oxidase activity of this enzyme against several substrates, such as p-phenylenediamine (p-P), o-dianisidine (o-D) and, most recently, ammonium iron(II) sulfate (AIS). Once developed in humans, these assays are often [...] Read more.
Ceruloplasmin (Cp) assessment in biological samples exploits the oxidase activity of this enzyme against several substrates, such as p-phenylenediamine (p-P), o-dianisidine (o-D) and, most recently, ammonium iron(II) sulfate (AIS). Once developed in humans, these assays are often used in veterinary medicine without appropriately optimizing in the animal species of interest. In this study, two assays using AIS and o-D as substrates have been compared and validated for Cp oxidase activity assessment in horse’s plasma. The optimization of the assays was performed mainly by varying the buffer pH as well as the buffer and the substrate molar concentration. Under the best analytical conditions obtained, the horse blood serum samples were treated with sodium azide, a potent Cp inhibitor. In the o-D assay, 500 µM sodium azide treatment completely inhibits the enzymatic activity of Cp, whereas, using the AIS assay, a residual analytical signal was still present even at the highest (2000 µM) sodium azide concentration. Even though the analytical values obtained from these methods are well correlated, the enzymatic activity values significantly differ when expressed in Units L−1. A disagreement between these assays has also been detected with the Bland–Altman plot, showing a progressive discrepancy between methods with increasing analytical values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock)
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11 pages, 293 KiB  
Article
Feeding Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) or Exogenous Xylanase Improves the Blood Lipid Profile of Broiler Chickens Fed Wheat-Based Diets
by Vasil Radoslavov Pirgozliev, Stephen Charles Mansbridge, Isobel Margaret Whiting, Kristina Kljak, Artur Jozwik, Judith Maria Rollinger, Atanas Georgiev Atanasov and Stephen Paul Rose
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(9), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10090587 - 21 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1975
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the impact of dietary black peppercorn (BP) and xylanase (XYL) alone or in combination on growth performance, dietary energy, nutrient digestibility and blood lipid profile when fed to male Ross 308 broiler chickens from the ages of 7 [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine the impact of dietary black peppercorn (BP) and xylanase (XYL) alone or in combination on growth performance, dietary energy, nutrient digestibility and blood lipid profile when fed to male Ross 308 broiler chickens from the ages of 7 to 21 d. A wheat-soy-based basal feed that was formulated to be 0.42 MJ lower in metabolizable energy (ME) was mixed. The basal feed was then split into four batches, with the first batch set aside as the basal control; the second batch was supplemented with freshly milled BP; the third batch was supplemented with XYL; the fourth batch was supplemented with both BP and XYL, as in the previous two batches. Each diet was fed to eight pens, with two birds in a pen, following randomization. Feeding BP reduced bird growth and most of the digestibility coefficients but increased blood high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05). Dietary XYL increased bird growth, dietary ME and nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05). In addition, XYL increased hepatic carotenoids and coenzyme Q10, but reduced blood low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05). There were no BP by XYL interactions (p > 0.05) observed. Further research is needed to identify the optimum level of BP in broiler diets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock)
13 pages, 1483 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Flowers’ Antioxidant Properties and Antibacterial Activities against Different Staphylococcus Species Associated with Bovine Mastitis
by Gülten Ökmen, Daniela Giannetto, Francesco Fazio and Kutbettin Arslan
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(6), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10060394 - 11 Jun 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3024
Abstract
Mastitis is one of the most considerable and costly diseases for dairy herds, and Staphylococcus spp. is known to be the main causative agent. Although antibiotics are widely used in the treatment of mastitis, this can cause both antibiotic residues in milk and [...] Read more.
Mastitis is one of the most considerable and costly diseases for dairy herds, and Staphylococcus spp. is known to be the main causative agent. Although antibiotics are widely used in the treatment of mastitis, this can cause both antibiotic residues in milk and the risk of antibiotic resistance occurrence in bacteria. Thus, in recent years, researchers have focused on alternative treatments for this disease and plants extracts are investigated for this purpose. Pomegranate is widely used as a dye, ornament, and medicinal plants in the industry, and the species has a particularly high economic value in Turkey. This study aims to investigate in vitro the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the pomegranate flower’s extracts against different Staphylococcus species associated with bovine mastitis. To this aim, pomegranate flowers were collected from different regions in Turkey and extracts were prepared with three different solvents (methanol, ethanol, and water). The retention factor values of the ethanol extract were determined by thin-layer chromatography. The antibacterial activity tests were carried out via the disk diffusion method. In addition, the extracts were tested against the stable DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) free radicals for antioxidant activity. Four retention factors (0.79, 0.67, 0.58, and 0.33 points) were found for the ethanol extract. The methanol extract showed the highest inhibition zones against coagulase-negative Staphylococcus-37 (CNS-37) and S. aureus-18. The lowest MIC was 6500 μg/mL. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in methanol extracts. As a result, the extracts of pomegranate flowers showed a high antioxidant and antibacterial potential against the examined mastitis pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock)
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Review

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14 pages, 553 KiB  
Review
Impact of Chlorella vulgaris Intake Levels on Performance Parameters and Blood Health Markers in Broiler Chickens
by Ana R. Mendes, Maria P. Spínola, Madalena Lordelo and José A. M. Prates
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(7), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11070290 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1435
Abstract
This systematic review examines the effects of cumulative Chlorella vulgaris intake levels on broiler chickens, focusing on growth performance and systemic health markers. The review establishes a clear relationship between cumulative C. vulgaris intake and significant outcomes in poultry nutrition and health through [...] Read more.
This systematic review examines the effects of cumulative Chlorella vulgaris intake levels on broiler chickens, focusing on growth performance and systemic health markers. The review establishes a clear relationship between cumulative C. vulgaris intake and significant outcomes in poultry nutrition and health through a detailed analysis of various studies. The correlation analysis revealed that cumulative C. vulgaris intake levels ranging from 0.8 to 718 g/bird influenced growth rates and feed efficiency, following sigmoid models. Specifically, intakes of approximately 20 g/bird maximized final body weight (R2 = 0.616, p < 0.001), cumulative body weight gain (R2 = 0.627, p < 0.001) and daily weight gain (R2 = 0.639, p < 0.001). The feed conversion ratio also improved with increasing C. vulgaris intakes up to this level, although this was non-significant (R2 = 0.289, p = 0.117). In addition, similar cumulative C. vulgaris intake levels impacted plasma health markers in broilers, leading to reductions in triacylglycerols and cholesterol and improvements in immunoglobulin levels. These findings underscore the importance of carefully calibrated C. vulgaris supplementation strategies to optimise poultry growth and health without adverse effects. Future research should focus on refining C. vulgaris dosing guidelines and further exploring its long-term effects and mechanisms of action to enhance poultry health and production sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment of Oxidant and Antioxidant Status in Livestock)
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