Abstract
Sows are highly prolific with insufficient nutrient intake during late pregnancy and lactation periods causing a severe catabolic condition. Antioxidant status and oxidative DNA damage were determined in blood samples collected during the course of gestation and lactation in multiparous sows (parity 3 and 4). Blood samples were collected from sows (n=5) at d 30, 60, 90 and 110 of pregnancy, d 3, 10, and 18 of lactation, and d 5 postweaning. Lymphocytes were isolated from the fresh blood and cryopreserved in each time point. Lymphocyte DNA damage was analyzed by alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) to determine the single and double strand brakes, plasma total antioxidant performance (TAP) using fluorometry and endogenous antioxidant by a HPLC system with UV detection. The comet assay showed lower (p<0.01) endogenous DNA damage at d 30 of pregnancy (21%) as compared with those of the other time points (38 to 47%). On the other hand, TAP was lower (p<0.05) during d 30 to 90 of pregnancy as compared with that of d 10 of lactation. Plasma α‐tocopherol concentration was lower (p<0.05) at d 110 of pregnancy as compared with d 30 of pregnancy. The current study indicates that there is a systemic oxidative stress during the pregnancy and antioxidant nutrients can be reduced in the mother pig during the end of the pregnancy and that oxidative DNA damage can be elevated during the pregnancy, which can be sustained until the end of lactation period.[Supported by CAPES 0635‐09, NCPC 09M69MF1, USDA 1950‐51000‐065‐08S]
Published Version
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