Effect of Dystocia on Level of Antioxidants and Interleukins in Iraqi Cows

Abstract

Background: Dystocia is one of the most important and prevalent reproductive disorders which causes considerable economic losses to the cattle industry due to calf morbidity and mortality as well as reducing of cow fertility, milk production, and survival.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the association of dystocia to the level of antioxidants and some anti-inflammatory markers.

Materials and methods: Totally, 90; 45 dystocia and 45 normally delivered, adult cows were selected from different areas in Al-Qadisiyah province. The samples of venous blood were collected and centrifuged to collect the sera that tested by specific-species quantitative ELISA to measurement of antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX), lipid peroxidase (MDA) and anti-inflammatory markers (IL-1 and IL-6).

Results: Overall, the dystocia cows were showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in concentrations of CAT (1.529 ± 0.23 ng/ml), GSH-PX (5.422 ± 0.617 ng/ml), SOD (499.611 ± 53.142 pg/ml) and IL-6 (18.367 ± 1.57 pg/ml); while, significant elevation was seen in levels of MDA (222.111 ± 14.579 ng/ml) and IL-1 (114.433 ± 4.779 pg/ml) when compared to values of normally-delivered cows [CAT (4.149 ± 0.136 ng/ml), GSH-PX (14.927 ± 0.306 ng/ml), SOD (1184.056 ± 108.584 pg/ml), IL-6 (42.711 ± 1.631 pg/ml), MDA (53.661 ± 4.165 ng/ml) and IL-1 (36.161 ± 1.272 pg/ml)].

Conclusions: For our knowledge, this represents the first Iraqi study investigate the concentrations of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory markers in cows experiencing dystocia suggesting their importance in reproductive outcomes. However, the role of antioxidants and interleukins in the pathogenesis of dystocia is complex and multifaceted area of research. The continued investigation of the antioxidants and interleukin signaling pathways, their interactions with other factors, and the development of targeted therapeutic strategies hold great promise for improving the management and outcomes of dystocia.