Relationship between oxidative stress and the success of artificial insemination in dairy cows in a pasture-based system

This study was designed to evaluate whether the outcome of artificial insemination (AI) was affected by the metabolic and oxidative status of dairy cows. Seventy-nine inseminations in 40 cows, were classified, on the basis of blood progesterone (P4) and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentrations and clinical confirmation of pregnancy into, three categories: (1) positive (AI+, resulted in pregnancy, n = 26; 33%), (2) negative (AI, did not result in pregnancy, n = 49; 62%), and (3) embryonic mortality (EM, n = 4; 5%). Reactive oxygen metabolites, biological antioxidant potential, oxidative stress index, body condition score, glucose, total proteins, albumin, urea, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), cholesterol, triglycerides, haptoglobin and advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs) were measured on the day of AI (day 0), and 30 and 42 days later. Cows with EM had lower BCS scores (2.5) than AI+ (2.8) and AI (2.9) cows (P < 0.05). During the postpartum period, body condition score (BCS) increased and NEFAs decreased (P < 0.05) suggesting a recovery from the negative energy balance (NEB). The only significant differences found were that the mean concentration of AOPPs was higher and that of albumin lower in EM cows than in AI+ and AI (P < 0.05) animals. Plasma concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites and biological antioxidant potential were not related to AI outcome. Further studies are required to confirm this finding and to clarify the role of oxidative status on cows’ fertility.