Impact of Oxidative Stress on Dairy Animals

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of Animal health markers associated with oxidative stress in dairy cows during the lactation period. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between increased sources of oxidation and reduced antioxidant mechanisms. During metabolic processes body produces free radicals which are neutralized by antioxidants. On the other hand, too many free radicals produced can interfere with cell regeneration and repair, which over time can lead to accelerated aging and the development of certain diseases. Prolonged exposure to high levels of pro-oxidant factors can lead to structural defects at the mitochondrial DNA level and functional changes in number of enzymes and cellular structures leading to aberrations in gene expression. Therefore, many attempts have been made to restore this “balance” by providing antioxidants to animals to prevent the negative effects of these free radicles produced by the body tissues. Oxidative stress is a disease driver or an epiphenomenon; which deteriorates the condition in body and the use of antioxidants treatment may prevent some degree of oxidative stress from occurring, which could play an important role in controlling inflammation and cellular defense mechanism.