The effect of some drugs injection to pregnant heifers on blood antioxidant status.

The purpose of the trial was to establish the effect of the injection of the lysozyme dimer or vitamins connected with Se on the activity of chosen antioxidant enzymes and the total antioxidant status in pregnant heifers. Examinations were carried out during winter season in one farm on 21 heifers aged 22-24 months. Between the 21st and 14st day before expected parturition, seven heifers were once i.m. injected with antioxidants (Vitamin A-600 000 i.u.; Vitamin D3-200 000 i.u.; Vitamin E-1.5 mg/kg b.w., Selenium-0.022 mg/kg b.w.), and the next seven animals with lysozyme dimer (Lydium-KLP) at a dose of 0.02 mg/kg b.w. versus 7 non-treated control animals. Blood samples were taken before injection and then in hour 24 and 72 after injection, and between, the 7th and 14th day after calving. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx), glutathione reductase (GSHred) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured by colorimetric method with the use of Randox kits. The mean value of SOD activity 21-14 days before expected calving was 704.8 +/- 294.6 U/ml of whole blood, GSHpx 59222 +/- 23699 U/l of whole blood, GSHred 110.8 +/- 22.5 U/l and TAS 0.33 +/- 0.15 mmol/l of serum. These indicators did not change in the control group with the exception of a statistically insignificant decrease in SOD activity after parturition. Statistically significant increase in blood SOD activity was noted only in the first day after injection of vitamins combined with selenium. These antioxidants also caused an insignificant increase in blood GSHpx activity in 72 hour following the injection, and in the second week after calving (statistically significant). The injection of antioxidants or lysozyme dimer did not change the activity of blood GSHred. However, an increase in the TAS was found in hour 24 (non significant) and 72 (statistically significant) following the single injection of lysozyme dimer.