Postpartum Relationship of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A between Placenta, Blood and Colostrum in Cows and their Newborns

Abstract

Carotenoids are lipophilic compounds which are involved not only in scavenging reactive oxygen species but also in many important biochemical processes. Periparturient period is supposed to be connected with oxidative imbalance which can be detected in blood of mother and newborn. Colostrum contains antioxidants which should protect newborn from stressful conditions. The aim of present study was do evaluate the relationship of beta carotene and vitamin A concentration between placenta, blood and colostrum of cows and blood of their newborns. 12 pregnant, healthy cows and their newborns were included into study. The concentration of beta carotene and vitamin A were detected in homogenates of placental tissues obtained immediately after parturition as well as in blood of mother and newborn and colostrum. Additionally blood and colostrum samples were collected 24 hours after parturition. The determinations were performed by use of spectrophotometric method at 325 and 453 nm. The concentration of beta carotene was significantly higher in fetal as in maternal part of placenta. Plasma level significantly decreased during 24 h after parturition in cows but significantly increased in calves. Colostrum level remained relatively stable during examined time. The concentration of retinol was significantly higher in fetal as in maternal part of placenta. Plasma levels, significantly higher in cows as in calves, increased significantly during 24 h after parturition in mothers but remained unchanged in newborns. Colostral concentrations increased significantly during examined period of time. In conclusion, dynamic changes in carotenoid concentrations in placenta, blood of mother and newborn as well as in colostrum that occur during 24 h after parturition may indicate the importance of antioxidative defence at this time both for cow and calf.

Study on the Relationship between Liver Parasitic Infections and Serum Vitamin A and β-Carotene Status in Cattle

“…It has already been demonstrated that liver detoxification systems and antioxidant defense capabilities have been extensively involved in the trematode induced liver injuries, such as fasciolosis and dicroceliosis (24). Then, in absence of these stores, an injury to the liver will result in fibrosis and hepatic disease (28,29). It seems that lower levels of β-carotene could enhance hepatic cells damage when there are pathologic conditions in the liver, as observed in the present study.…”

The effect of a negative energy balance status on β-carotene availability in serum and follicular fluid of nonlactating dairy cows

“…Regardless of the significant reduction in follicular bC, we could not substantiate this negative effect in plasma bC in our undernutritioned NEB cow model. It is important to mention that, compared with the NEB status in the present study, the periparturient metabolic state in lactating dairy cows is more complex and bC can be reduced due to several factors: (1) loss of bC in colostrum and milk (Calderón et al, 2007;Kankofer and Albera, 2008), (2) low-quality forages during the dry period with lower bC concentrations in the diet (Calderón et al, 2007), (3) health problems such as liver steatosis (resulting in disturbed bC redistribution and metabolism; Jorritsma et al, 2004), and (4) even higher systemic OS levels (Bernabucci et al, 2005;Pedernera et al, 2010). Furthermore, periparturient dairy cows have a reduced DMI and thus less bC uptake from the ration.…”

Therapeutic Effect of Dunaliella salina Microalgae on Thioacetamide- (TAA-) Induced Hepatic Liver Fibrosis in Rats: Role of TGF-β and MMP9

“…HSCs control the transport and storage of vitamin A and are named vitamin A-storing cells [40], and in the absence of these stores, a liver injury will provoke fibrosis and hepatic disease. It seems that reduced levels of β-carotene could stimulate hepatic cells damage [41]. D. salina contains…”