Investigation of the effect of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase on uterine echotexture during the embryonic period in SHEEP

Aim: The present study was carried out to observe the effects of oxidative stress on embryonic development in the embryonal period of pregnancy in sheep and to investigate its relationship with uterine echotexture. Material and Method: Thirty two Zom sheep were used in the study. Determination of serum progesterone (P4), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels on days 0, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 after insemination blood was taken for the purpose. On the same days, ultrasonographic images of the uterus were taken for echotexture analysis. Animals were divided into two groups as Group I (n=16): pregnant and Group II (n=16): non pregnant. Results: When the entropy (ENT) values between the groups were compared, the GI values on the 28th and 32nd days were higher than the GII (P<0.05). When the variation of HOM, SOD and GPx values between the groups was examined, no difference was found. When contrast (CON) values were examined, it was determined that the values in GI on the day of insemination (Day 0) were lower than GII (P<0.05). When mean gray level (MGL) values were examined, GI values were found to be higher than GII on the day of insemination and at the end of the embryonic period (P<0.05). While in GI, GPX and MDA values showed strong correlations with echotexture parameters, no significant correlation was found between GPX, MDA and SOD values and echotexture parameters in GII. A strong negative correlation (r=-0.750; P=0.032) was found between CON and GPX in Group I. The strongest correlation between echotexture parameters and oxidative stress parameters was found between ENT and MDA values in GI (r=-0.829; P=0.011). Conclusion: According to the results obtained, it was revealed that MDA and GPx showed strong correlations with echotexture parameters in the embryonal period in pregnant sheep. It is thought that oxidative stress can be detected by echotexture analyses in pregnant sheep and thus can be used as an auxiliary method in the follow-up of the embryonal period.