Animal Healthcare

What is oxidative stress in animals especially in livestocks?

Oxidative stress in animals—everyone has heard about it, but very little is known what is the reason behind oxidative stress and how it can affect animals. This phenomenon is common among animals and humans too! Have you ever seen your animals losing their appetite, having pale or bluish gums, or having a muscle degeneration problem? Well, these implications may indicate oxidative stress in farm animals. Let us understand the meaning of oxidative stress in animals and how does it develop and affects our livestock.

What is oxidative stress in farm animals?

A certain level of oxidative stress in animals is not necessarily a cause for concern. In fact, free radicals play a normal and essential role in various biological processes. The body’s defense mechanisms are typically capable of managing short-term fluctuations in oxidative balance without issue.

However, when the equilibrium between free radicals and the body’s detoxification systems is disrupted, oxidative stress can occur. This imbalance can impair critical metabolic functions, and in livestock, it may negatively impact both animal health and overall performance.

Metabolic processes within cells rely on oxidative reactions, during which reactive oxygen species (ROS) are naturally produced. These ROS play a crucial role in essential functions such as enzymatic reactions, mitochondrial electron transport, signal transduction, activation of nuclear transcription factors, and gene expression. However, due to their high reactivity, ROS can also cause damage to cell membranes, causing oxidative stress in animals.

The body’s endogenous antioxidant systems, along with external radical scavengers like polyphenols, neutralize ROS. In a well-regulated system, antioxidants effectively balance ROS levels. However, when this balance is disrupted—resulting in an excess of ROS—oxidative stress occurs. This imbalance is primarily driven by increased oxidative processes and elevated ROS production, leading to cell and tissue damage, particularly in organs like the liver and mucosal tissues.

Oxidative stress in Poultry Birds

The gut plays a vital role in influencing animal performance and overall health. Supporting animals during challenging conditions, such as oxidative stress in animals, requires a focus on promoting rapid gut development after hatching or weaning and maintaining a healthy, intact gut. Preserving the intestinal barrier is crucial, as it serves as the first line of defense against pathogens.

However, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated through lipid peroxidation in enterocytes can compromise this barrier, leading to a significant decline in gut health. This not only weakens the gut’s defense but also disrupts nutrient absorption and impairs cell turnover, further impacting the animal’s overall health and performance.

Oxidative Stress in Cattle

In ruminants, oxidative stress in animals is linked to various conditions, including those that impact animal production and overall animal welfare.

In cows, impaired immune responses during periods of oxidative stress have been observed in multiple studies. For instance, in weaning calves, transportation stress elevates serum levels of oxidative stress biomarkers, which are associated with outbreaks of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) and increased mortality rates in calves.

Herds with low or deficient plasma levels of zinc (Zn) or copper (Cu) have a higher risk of conditions such as metritis, mastitis, bloat and locomotion issues. Mastitis challenges have also led to decreased serum levels of Zn and Cu.

Oxidative stress in animals diminishes health and productivity. When cattle experience a decline in trace mineral status, immunity and enzyme function are the first to be compromised, followed by a decline in growth and fertility, and ultimately, a reduction in normal growth before clinical deficiencies emerge.

How to prevent oxidative stress in farm animals?

Preventing oxidative stress in farmed animals is crucial for maintaining their health, performance, and productivity. Phytogenic feed additives (PFA) offer a natural and effective solution to combat oxidative stress, providing several benefits over traditional synthetic antioxidants. Here’s how these additives work:

Natural Antioxidants: PFAs contain biologically active substances like essential oils, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, which have proven antioxidant properties that can neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduce inflammation in animals.
Enhanced Antioxidant Enzyme Production: Essential oils in PFAs can stimulate the production of key antioxidant enzymes, such as Superoxidase Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-PX), which protect cells from oxidative damage.
Direct ROS Scavenging: Phenolic compounds found in essential oils, such as thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde, can directly scavenge ROS, reducing the risk of diseases like cardiovascular issues, liver dysfunction, and immune system decline.
Better Efficacy: Research shows that natural antioxidants in PFAs are often more effective than synthetic alternatives, such as vitamin E, in combating oxidative stress.
Performance and Health Benefits: By reducing oxidative stress, phytogenic solutions minimize performance losses and enhance disease resistance, resulting in better overall health and reduced economic impact on livestock production.

Phytogenic feed additives are a promising nutritional strategy to improve livestock health, reduce oxidative stress in animals, and ensure long-term productivity in the farming industry.

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