The age-related changes in SOD activity in bovine (Bos taurus) reproductive organs

ABSTRACT

Background: The appearance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is connect with oxidative energy production particularlyin reproductive organs. They characterize by increased metabolism, which may change during ageing. Their increasecould be dangerous for germ cells. That is why the antioxidant protection is need. One of the main antioxidative enzymeis superoxide dismutase (SOD) which could be regulated by steroid hormones through genomic mechanism of action. Buttheir level changed during ageing and maturation. However, there is still lack information about ageing alteration of SODactivity in bovine especially in reproductive organs.Materials, Methods & Results: The material for experiment consisted of reproductive organs uterus (which was separatedinto endometrium and myometrium), both ovaries and corpus luteum collected immediately after slaughter at the slaughterhouse. Samples were taken from healthy cows aged between 16-24 months (n = 15) during luteal phase of cycle and femalecalves aged between 2 weeks and 2 months (n = 12) Total SOD activity was measured in homogenates of reproductiveorgans by use of the spectrophotometric method. PAGE electrophoresis was performed and Western blotting techniquewith specific anti-SOD antibodies as well as zymography confirmed the presence of enzymatic protein and the activity ofSOD isoenzymes. The results of spectrophotometric determinations showed significant influence of age on SOD activityin examined tissues. The SOD activity not indicate significant differences between examined reproductive organs in thegroup of cows but higher level was noticed in myometrium while the lowest in corpus luteum but the differences betweenovaries in cows were not observed. In the group of female calves as well as in the group of cows the differences betweenSOD activity in reproductive organs were not observed. The higher level was noticed in ovaries but the lower level wasobserved in myometrium...