Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine the changes in diameter
of corpus luteum (CL), maternal progesterone (P) concentration,
lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels
along with enzymatic antioxidant activities in pregnant ewes
bearing single and twin foetuses. The ewes were selected from
healthy animals that were brought to the abattoir for
slaughtering. The ewes were divided into three groups: Group
1 (non-pregnant, non-oestrous, n = 30), Group 2 (pregnant
bearing a single foetus, n = 30) and Group 3 (pregnant
bearing twin foetuses, n = 12) after they were slaughtered.
Pregnant ewes were in the first half of the pregnancy. The
diameter of CL and P concentration of pregnant ewes bearing
a single foetus or twin foetuses were found higher than that
found in non-pregnant ewes. Similarly, the P concentration of
pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was higher than that
found in pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. Malondialdehyde
(MDA) level in pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was
higher than that found in both non-pregnant and pregnant
ewes bearing a single foetus. The serum glutathione (GSH)
level and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of pregnant
ewes bearing twin foetuses were found lower than that
found in non-pregnant ewes. Additionally, the GSH-Px
activity of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was found
lower than that found in pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus.
No significant difference was found between pregnant ewes
bearing female and male foetus with respect to diameter of CL,
P concentration and oxidative stress parameters. There were
significant positive correlations between foetal number (0, 1, 2)
and diameter of CL, P concentration, MDA level, and between
P concentration and diameter of CL, MDA level. However,
significant negative correlations were found between foetal
number (0, 1, 2) and GSH level, GSH-Px activity, and between
P concentration and GSH-Px activity. In conclusion, the
diameter of CL enlarges, P production increases and
oxidant ⁄ antioxidant balance impairs because of the gestation
stress in ewes during pregnancy.
