The results of the present study suggest that supplementation with alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and ascorbic acid might partially account for the hormonal and enzymatic stress marker profile observed during habitual training activity of professional basketball players.

Professional basketball players of the First Spanish League (ACB) are highly trained athletes performing high training loads and competition sessions. As intense physical activity has been suggested to increase free radical production, we examined the effects of a vitamin antioxidant mixture on the degree of oxidative stress in these athletes. Subjects received either 600 mg alpha-tocopherol, 1,000 mg vitamin C and 32 mg beta-carotene, or a placebo over 32 days during a regular competition season. Plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C, beta-carotene, retinol, lipoperoxides (LPO), and the total antioxidant status (TAS) were analysed before and after treatment. Lipoperoxide plasma levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the vitamin antioxidant supplemented group. The LPO/TAS ratio decreased about 15.3% in this group indicating a reduction in oxidative stress. Vitamin C dropped dramatically (p < 0.03, mean 15.4 micromol/L) in the placebo group leading to a marginal plasma vitamin C concentration (from 11 to less than 28 micromol/L). The results of this study suggest that the administered vitamin antioxidant mixture decreases oxidative stress and avoids the development of a marginal vitamin C status in professional basketball player during habitual training.

This study was conducted to assess the changes in some indicators of oxidative status during pregnancy and lactation in sheep of different parity. Dorset x Suffolk ewes were classified by number of parity: 1, 2 and ≥4. They were sampled before pregnancy and on the first, second, third, and fourth months, then on day 143 of pregnancy, as well as on day 5 after birth and after one month of lactation. Antioxidant capacity was found to have two reductions, the first during the second month of pregnancy and the second on day 5 of lactation. Susceptibility to lipid oxidation decreased with an increased number of parturitions. A reduction in lipid oxidation was observed on day 143 of gestation relative to the other samplings during gestation and lactation. Total glutathione peroxidase activity increased when the two reductions in antioxidant capacity took place. Ascorbic acid decreased during lactation and gestation; the lowest values were recorded in the third month of gestation. It is concluded that susceptibility to lipid oxidation decreases with the number of parturitions and that in ewes, during gestation and lactation, there is a mechanism that prevents lipid oxidation involving changes in antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase and ascorbic acid.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the reproductive efficiency and antioxidant status of ewes supplemented with two levels of vitamin C during oestrous synchronization and early gestation. Sixty-three ewes were allocated to three treatments, namely T0: control group; T1: 3 g vitamin C coated with ethylcellulose (Rovimix C ® , powder); and T2: 6 g vitamin C coated with ethylcellulose. The ewes received the dietary supplementation during an oestrus synchronization period and lasted until 18 days after breeding. The occurrences of oestrus, gestation, fecundity and prolificacy were measured. Blood samples were collected at various stages to determine antioxidant capacity and oxidative state, and progesterone, glucose and insulin concentrations. Percentage occurrence of oestrus and gestation was analysed using the Chi-Square test, prolificacy and fecundity by GENMOD, and blood tests by the PROC MIXED procedure. It was recorded that the concentration of vitamin C in plasma increased with the supplementation of 3 g and 6 g vitamin C. The antioxidant capacity was higher in T1 than in T0 and T2. Lipid oxidation, and glucose, insulin and progesterone concentrations were not affected. It is concluded that supplementation of 3 g vitamin C during oestrous synchronization and early gestation does not modify the reproductive responses of the ewes. However, the concentration of this vitamin in the blood increased and improved the antioxidant capacity of the animals.

Objective: To establish an inclusion recommendation for choline (herbal or synthetic) in fattening lambs’diet based on productive performance and blood metabolites.Design/Methodology/Approach: A literature review was carried out of herbal and synthetic choline supplementation in the diet of fattening lambs.Results: The addition of protected choline chloride (50% purity) in the lamb’s diet should be less than 2.5g/kg DM in order not to cause a detrimental effect on the productive performance. On the other hand, the inclusion of herbal choline in lambs’ diet should be greater than 6 g/kg DM to have positive effects on body gain and feed conversion.Study Limitations/Implications: It is necessary to establish the requirement for choline in fattening lambs because studies where choline is supplemented show that the contribution of conventional ingredients is insufficient.Findings/Conclusions: The inclusion of herbal (6 g/kg DM) and synthetic (2.5 g/kg DM) choline in lambs’ diet improves body weight gain and modifies energy metabolites