The Effect of Enteritis, Pneumonia and Omphalitis on Oxidative/Antioxidant Balance in the Calves

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of enteritis, pneumonia and omphalitis onoxidative/antioxidant balance in the calves. In total, 27 calves with neonatal disease and 10 healthycalves (control) were used. The sick calves were divided into 3 groups according to localizationof infection, omphalitis (n = 10), pneumonia (n = 8) and enteritis (n = 9). Blood samples of thecalves were taken from jugular vein for analysis. Blood in tubes without anticoagulant wascentrifuged at 5000 rpm for 5 min following clotting, and the sera were removed and stored at-80°C until analyzed. Serum malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels of all groups weresignificantly higher, while glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutaselevels were significantly lower compared to the control group. As a conclusion, diarrhea,pneumonia and omphalitis are caused by oxidative damage in the calves, and antioxidant treatmentmay be beneficial in the treatment of these diseases.