Short distance transportation stress: effects of ascorbic acid and a-tocopherol on free radical generation and endogenous antioxidant status

Abstract

The modulatory effect of pre-treatment with ascorbic acid and á-tocopherol on short distance transportation was investigated in the domestic chicken. Thirty-two, adult (20 week old), female Nera black chicken were divided into four groups (A-D) consisting of eight birds per group. Groups A and B were not given any antioxidant while groups C and D were given 650mg/kg and 270mg/kg ascorbic acid and á-tocopherol, respectively in their feed for two weeks. The birds in groups B, C and D were transported over a distance of 200km. Total plasma protein, H₂O₂ generation, lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels were evaluated in all the birds after transportation. There were no significant differences in the total protein, H₂O₂ generation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in those birds transported without antioxidant compared with the control. The ascorbic acid group had higher H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde levels but lower plasma protein and glutathione than the control. However, the á-tocopherol group had higher H₂O₂ and glutathione levels but lower protein than the control. It is concluded that short distance transportation may not increase oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the chicken. Prolonged use of vitamin C and E as antioxidants may however lead to oxidative stress. Vitamin E also appears to improve glutathione level more than Vitamin C.

Keywords: Ascorbic acid, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative stress, Transportation, átocopherol