Evaluation of physiological parameters of the plasma oxidative status in rabbits

Abstract

The aim of our work was to analyse oxidative parameters in rabbits, under nutritional physiological conditions of feeding and rearing. We evaluated zootechnical parameters and the nutritional status of rabbits, the latter by analysing serum triglycerides and albumin levels. All these parameters were found to be in the physiological range at the beginning and end of the test. For assessing the oxidative status of the animals, we measured the level of serum reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) and the level of serum antioxidants (d-ROMs and anti-ROMs tests, respectively). The levels of d-ROMs (CARR U) showed values of 299.9 ± 6.1 at the beginning and of 296.8 ± 6.4 at the end of the study. The levels of anti-ROMs (fast antioxidants) showed values of 85.2 ± 2.1 µEq/L in rabbits 70 days old and of 85.4 ± 2.7 µEq/L after 60 days. Statistical analysis of the values, for all considered parameters, showed that the mean of the differences between the beginning and the end of the experimental period was not significantly different from 0. Further studies are needed to assess the variations of these parameters related to oxidative stress in other physiological states of rabbits (pregnancy or weaning) or in rabbits affected by diseases.