Haematological and Chosen Biochemical Parameter Assessment of the Antioxidant System in Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) Blood in Early and Late Pregnancy

Marek Kulka; Joanna Kołodziejska-Lesisz; Justyna Bartosik; Maciej Klockiewicz; Włodzimierz Kluciński

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2022-0044

Haematological and Chosen Biochemical Parameter Assessment of the Antioxidant System in Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) Blood in Early and Late Pregnancy

J Vet Res. 2022 Aug 30;66(3):421-426. doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2022-0044. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Authors

Marek Kulka¹, Joanna Kołodziejska-Lesisz¹, Justyna Bartosik², Maciej Klockiewicz², Włodzimierz Kluciński¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
² Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in haematological parameters and the antioxidant system in the early and late pregnancy of red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Material and methods: Blood samples were collected from 30 red deer females 50 days after impregnation and 40 days before calving. Complete blood counts and stained blood smears were assessed. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) activities, glutathione disulphide (GSSG), total glutathione, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, uric acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, cholesterol levels and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured.

Results: The haematological characteristics of blood collected in the third trimester showed higher haemoglobin levels, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (P < 0.05) and a lower mean cell haemoglobin concentration (P < 0.05) in comparison to samples collected on the 50^th day after mating. Activity of CAT and MDA, LDL, and triglyceride levels were lower while GR, GSSG, total glutathione, total protein and BHB levels were increased in blood samples drawn in the third trimester compared with the first trimester blood samples. There were no changes in SOD, PON1 activities, TAS, bilirubin, albumin, HDL, cholesterol or uric acid concentrations.

Conclusion: Red deer's compensatory mechanisms facilitate its optimal adaptation to seasonal changes evidenced by mild pronounced haematological disturbances and an effective antioxidant system during pregnancy.

Keywords: antioxidant system; haematology; red deer.