The Role of Selenitetriglycerides in Enhancing Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms in Peripartum Holstein-Friesian Cows

Abstract

The transition period in high-yielding dairy cows is a critical phase marked by an elevated risk of oxidative stress. This study evaluated the effect of oral selenitetriglyceride supplementation on oxidative stress management in periparturient cows. A controlled experiment was conducted on 12 cows, divided into two groups: the experimental group (STG) received selenitetriglycerides (0.5 mg Se/kg BW), while the control group (CON) was given a placebo, starting 12 days before calving until the calving day. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected at predetermined intervals around the time of parturition. The study observed a significant increase in serum selenium levels and NEFA stabilization in the STG group compared with the control. Antioxidant parameters indicated elevated GSH-Px and CAT concentrations in the STG group. Liver gene expression analysis revealed a significant increase in SOD2 mRNA levels in the STG group (FC = 4.68, p < 0.01). Conversely, GSH-Px3 expression significantly decreased (FC = 0.10, p < 0.05) on the 7th day postpartum in the CON group. However, SOD1, SOD3, and CAT expressions remained stable in both groups. These findings highlight the beneficial role of selenitetriglycerides in enhancing antioxidant capacity and influencing specific gene expressions associated with oxidative stress management in dairy cows during the peripartum period.

Keywords: Holstein-Friesian cows; antioxidants; gene expression; peripartum period; selenitetriglycerides; selenium supplementation.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the liver biopsy procedure performed. Panel (A) depicts the anatomical site for biopsy on the cow and the insertion of the biopsy needle, guided by ultrasound. Panel (B) shows an ultrasound image capturing a cross-sectional view of the bovine liver during the biopsy. Panel (C) provides an enhanced ultrasound image highlighting the needle trajectory (white line) with a red-delineated liver area. The procedure utilized a convex probe (5 MHz) and an ultrasound machine (4 Vet Slim, Dramiński, Olsztyn, Poland) for navigation and a sterile, percutaneous needle biopsy instrument (Pro-Mag Ultra, Argon Medical Devices, Plano, TX, USA) for tissue sampling.

Figure 2

Depicts the concentration levels of serum components—panel (A): selenium (Se), panel (B): glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), panel (C): superoxide dismutase (SOD), and panel (D): catalase (CAT)—in cows on the 12th and 3rd day prepartum, as well as on the 1st, 4th, and 7th day postpartum. These concentrations are compared between the groups supplemented (STG) and not supplemented (CON) with selenitetriglycerides. Mean values with standard deviations (SD) are shown for each measurement. In addition, part (E) of the figure presents the fold changes in gene expression of antioxidant enzymes between the CON and STG groups. The x-axis categorizes the genes SOD1, SOD2, SOD3, GSH-Px3, and CAT, with separate bars for CON and STG samples on days 1 and 7 postpartum (PP). The y-axis measures the fold change in gene expression, scaled to display the entire range of observed data. The quantitative analysis of gene expression was conducted using RT-qPCR and the 2^−ΔΔCt method, with the fold change being represented as bars along with their associated standard error (SE). Statistical significance is denoted on the chart using specific symbols based on p-value thresholds: >0.01 is marked by ns (panels (A–D)), <0.01 is marked by **, denoting a highly significant difference, <0.05 is represented by *, indicating a statistically significant difference, and <0.1 is symbolized by †, suggesting a trend toward significance.