Maternal and Neonatal Evaluation of Derived Reactive Oxygen Metabolites and Biological Antioxidant Potential in Donkey Mares and Foals.
Authors: Sgorbini Micaela, Bonelli Francesca, Percacini Giulia, Pasquini Anna, Rota Alessandra
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Oxidative stress at parturition poses a significant challenge to neonatal health, yet little is known about how this physiological burden differs between dams and their offspring in donkeys. Researchers measured derived reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) in blood samples from 15 Amiata jennies and 17 foals collected immediately after delivery, including umbilical artery blood to assess placental protection. Jennies demonstrated substantially higher d-ROM concentrations than their foals and umbilical artery blood, whilst BAP was similarly elevated in dams compared to neonates, suggesting the placenta effectively shields the developing foal from the oxidative stress the mare experiences during labour; notably, foals exhibited higher circulating lactate than their dams, reflecting their anaerobic metabolic state during delivery. The antioxidant defence systems in donkey foals appear immature at birth, mirroring observations in equine neonates, which has implications for early management practices. These findings reinforce the importance of supporting neonatal antioxidant capacity through colostrum quality and early nutrition, whilst highlighting that donkeys may face similar oxidative challenges to horses during the perinatal period—a consideration relevant to veterinarians and nutritionists managing both species.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Neonatal donkey foals have immature antioxidant systems at birth similar to equine foals; monitor for oxidative stress complications in the first hours of life
- •The placenta provides protective buffering against maternal oxidative stress; complications affecting placental function may compromise fetal protection and warrant enhanced neonatal monitoring
- •Elevated lactate in healthy newborn foals is physiologically normal and reflects metabolic adjustment at birth rather than pathological distress
Key Findings
- •Donkey mares had significantly higher d-ROMs concentration than their foals and umbilical artery blood, suggesting placental protection against oxidative stress
- •Biological antioxidant potential (BAP) was higher in mares than foals, but no difference existed between foals and umbilical cord blood
- •Blood lactate was significantly elevated in foals compared to dams, indicating higher metabolic stress at birth
- •Positive correlations existed between mare BAP and umbilical cord BAP, supporting placental-mediated antioxidant transfer