Oxidative status and acute phase response of sows during transition period

The transition phase from late gestation to early lactation (day -10 to day +10) is considered one of the most critical periods for health and productivity in pigs [1].The metabolic adaptations during the transition phase could in turn result in altered oxidative/ antioxidative status, which influences the ability of sows to produce milk and, in turn, affects the growth of their piglets [2].During the puerperium, physiological events like an increase in myometrial activity, subsequent relaxation, and dilatation of the cervix and the caudal part of the birth canal during expulsion occur which increase the acute phase proteins (APP) in serum [3].Serum CRP is an APP that is considered a marker of early stages of MMA (mastitis, metritis, agalactia) in transition sows [4].The suboptimal ABSTRACT: The present study was conducted in pregnant sows to evaluate the oxidative status and inflammatory markers during the transition period.Blood samples were collected from sows on the days -30, -10, -3, 0, +3, and +10 of farrowing.Markers of oxidative status such as malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydroperoxides (LHP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated.Lipid hydroperoxide levels significantly increased, while TAC and GSH levels significantly decreased on days 0 and +3 compared to day -30 of farrowing.The highest activity of SOD was observed on day -10, while GST activity was at its peak on day 0. Before farrowing, glutathione peroxidase was the active peroxidase enzyme; catalase was more active after farrowing.C-reactive protein (CRP) levels increased significantly during the transition period compared to day -30 of farrowing.Depleted levels of antioxidant molecules after farrowing emphasize the significance of antioxidant supplementation to maintain the increased antioxidant enzyme activity.Elevated serum CRP levels during the transition period indicate the risk of development of metabolic disturbances like mastitis, metritis, and agalactia in transition sows.