Both spontaneous vaginal delivery and elective caesarean section influence neonatal redox status in dogs

Abstract

Background:The influence of birth mode on redox balance is unknown in dogs. We aimed to compare antioxidant activity and oxidative stress of puppies born by elective c-section or vaginal delivery. Methods: Twenty-one bitches were elected for spontaneous vaginal delivery (n = 10) and elective cesarean section (n = 11) groups, considering only the first and last puppies born. Neonatal oxygen saturation, lactatemia, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity; marker of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]) and protein oxidation were analysed at birth, 1 h, 12 h, 24 h and 72 h. Results: C-section newborns had lower oximetry at birth and 1 h. Lactatemia was higher in the last vaginal delivery puppies and higher at birth, and 1 h. Regardless of birth mode, last puppies had hyperlactatemia at birth. Vaginal delivery puppies had higher TBARS, while protein oxidation was higher in csection, mostly in last puppies. C-section puppies had higher GPx activity, whereas GSH concentration decreased overtime. Surgically born puppies had lowering SOD between 12 h and 72 h. Conclusions: Vaginal delivery enhances lipid peroxidation, counteracted mostly by GPx. Conversely, c-section triggers protein oxidation, acutely scavenged by SOD and GSH, thus puppies are less exposed to the negative consequences of oxidative stress.

Topics in the routine assessment of newborn kitten vitality: Apgar score, reflexes and complementary assessments

“…However, further studies are needed to examine cardiorespiratory maturity in newborn cats compared with dogs. In cats, a higher SpO 2 than that in dogs 29,31 was observed in both groups, possibly due to their higher RR and HR.…”