Oxidative stress: a hidden enemy for the ovine reproduction

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.85822190413

• Palavras-chave: -

• Keywords: : twin pregnancy, intrauterine growth restriction, oxidative stress, antioxidants

• Abstract:

  Sheep reproduction is, in general, very efficient compared to other livestock species. However; raising sheep in territories with low nutrient supply or with conditions leading to maternal hypoxemia puts reproduction at risk by increasing birth and perinatal mortality rates. This becomes even more critical in multiple pregnancies, including twin pregnancies, due to the low birth weight of the lambs. In this work, new information is reported regarding the role of fetal oxidative stress resulting from maternal undernutrition and twin pregnancy and its detrimental effects on intrauterine growth in sheep. The supplementation of antioxidants as a strategy to reduce the negative effects of oxidative stress, which usually occurs in twin pregnancies and/or maternal undernutrition, is also discussed. Any attempt to enhance reproductive and productive performance in twin pregnancies, makes more feasible the implementation of managements leading to increase prolificacy as a strategy to improve the efficiency of sheep farming.

• Número de páginas: 8