Serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bitch

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the different phases of the estrous cycle in the bitch, in order to establish their physiological values. 56 healthy mixed-breed bitches were enrolled at this purpose and divided into 4 groups, standing on the different phases of the estrus cycle. Blood samples were collected in all groups and serum ROS concentrations were determined. Proestral concentrations were statistically higher than anestral ones, and statistically lower than those found in estrus (p<0.001). The highest concentrations of ROS were detected at estrus, that is, in the peri-ovulatory period. This sharp increase in ROS concentrations is related to the acute inflammatory process underlying ovulation and to the increase in immune and metabolic activities, cytological changes and myometrial contractility promoted by the high levels of estrogens. In diestrus, the mean concentration of ROS decreases. This reduction did not show any statistically significant difference with the mean value observed in proestrus. In this phase, in fact, the high concentrations of progesterone, exerting an antioxidant and immunodepressive effect, justify the lower mean concentration of ROS detected. In anestrus, the lowest concentrations of ROS were observed, for the reduced metabolic and endocrine activity occurring in this phase of the estrous cycle. In conclusion our results establish the physiologic levels of ROS during the estrous cycle in the bitch and reflect the endocrine morphologic and metabolic changes occurring during it.

Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species in Female Reproduction

“…1). In a recent study performed on the luteal phase of the bitch, Rizzo et al. (2009b) observed a decrease in ROS concentration in comparison with the concentrations of ROS found during the follicular phase.…”

“…In a study on the concentration of ROS during the different phases of the oestrous cycle in the bitch, the highest concentrations were detected in oestrus, that is, in the peri‐ovulatory period. This sharp increase in ROS concentration is related to the acute inflammatory process underlying ovulation, to the increase in immune and metabolic activities, to the cytological changes and myometrial contractility promoted by the high levels of oestrogens in the bitch (Rizzo et al. 2009b).…”

“…Our team published several works about ROS serum concentrations in some animal species (cattle, sheep, bitch; Rizzo et al. 2007, 2008, 2009a,b; Table 1) and about the effects exerted by ROS on the quality of animal products (milk, cheese, meat; R. L. Sciorsci, unpublished data).…”

Effects of antibiotics on biochemical parameters, leukocytes and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in bitches after ovariectomy

“…(24) FREE measures the reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), a variety of free radicals that are characterized by an odd number of electrons around the external orbital of the atom of oxygen. ROMs react with a particular chromogen that, if correctly buffered, forms a coloured compound which can be measured photometrically (maximum absorbance peak at 505 nm).…”

The evaluation of the oxidative stress index of reproductive tissues and serum thiol/disulphide homeostasis during estrous cycle in bitches

“…The oxidative stress balance not only plays a crucial role for healthy body, but it is essential also for reproductive system physiology. It is well known that the reproductive physiology is a continuous process with follicular growth, preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, oocyte maturation, ovulation, formation of corpus luteum, steroidogenesis, luteolysis, endometrial proliferation and regression, fertilization, embryonic growth, and pregnancy (1,18,20). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are markers of oxidative stress, and ROS are both by-products and influencers of normal reproductive metabolism, especially for steroidogenic cells (24).…”