An evaluation of Nesfatin–1 levels in Awassi sheep according to the type of birth

Abstract

The physiological process of birth can cause stress in animals because it affects many mechanisms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the type of birth on the Nesfatin–1 level and to explain the relationship with oxidative stress parameters in Awassi breed sheep. The study included a total of 60 sheep with a singleton birth in 3 groups: as Group 1 (n:20) including animals that had a normal birth, Group 2 (n:20) that had a difficult birth (dystocia), and Group 3 (n:20) including sheep that gave birth by caesarean section. Blood samples were taken from the sheep in all the groups within 10 min of the birth, for the measurement of Nesfatin–1, total antioxidant capacity (TAS), and total oxidant capacity (TOS). The data obtained were examined with One–Way Variance Analysis, and relationships between the data with the Pearson test. Statistically significant differences were determined between the groups in respect of Nesfatin–1, TAS, TOS, and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels (P<0.001). The Nesfatin–1, TOS, and OSI levels were determined to be lowest in the normal birth group and highest in the caesarean birth group (P<0.001). The TAS level was highest in the normal birth group and lowest in the caesarean birth group (P<0.001). A significant negative correlation was determined between Nesfatin–1 and TAS (r=-0.932, P<0.001), and a significant positive correlation was determined between Nesfatin–1 and TOS, and between Nesfatin–1 and OSI (r=0.957, P<0.001; r=0.960, P<0.001, respectively). These results demonstrated a significant difference in Nesfatin–1 level according to the type of birth. Therefore, Nesfatin–1 could be a new biomarker in the determination of oxidative stress in sheep according to the type of birth, and it was concluded that one of the interventions that would decrease oxidative stress after dystocia and caesarean births would be to provide an increase in endogenous Nesfatin–1 because of its antioxidative property.