Act of delivery is supposed to be connected with antioxidative/oxidative imbalance not only in female but also in her newborn. The aim of the study was to compare antioxidative/oxidative profile of cows and their newborns in blood, colostrum and milk during early post-partum period. Twenty-five healthy pregnant cows and their newborns were included into study. Blood and colostrum/milk samples were obtained immediately after parturition, 24, 48 h as well as 6 and 12 days post-partum. Parameters of antioxidative defence including total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as parameters of lipid (LPI) and protein (SH) peroxidation intensity were determined spectrophotometrically. Obtained results indicated dynamic changes in values of examined parameters during time of experiment, which were significantly marked between 24 and 48 h post-partum, and the relationship between mother and her newborn. All parameters except for GSH-Px were markedly higher in blood of newborns as in their mothers. Moreover, TAC and GSH-Px in colostrum were lower as in blood of mothers and their newborns during first 24 h and showed opposite relationship later on. LPI was higher in colostrum as in plasma of mothers and their newborns during first 48 h, while SH was lower in colostrum as in plasma of examined animals. Values of antioxidative parameters increased significantly within examined period of time, while the content of SH groups tended to decrease and lipid peroxidation intensity fluctuated. Dynamics in changes of examined parameters may suggest temporary imbalance in antioxidative/oxidative status and adequate answer of organism to current challenge resulting from overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Present study may bring new knowledge into studies of post-parturient and post-natal period in cows and calves and may help preventing from diseases of this period.
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