Effect of α-lipoic acid on oxidative status in the transition cow.

Forty-eight Holstein dairy cows at 20 dbefore calving were divided into four groups fed with α-lipoic acid (0,3,5or 8g/d)for 50 days,respectively.Serum activities of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT),and content of malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured.Serum GSH-Px,SOD activities were significantly higher at 20 dor 40 to 50 din groupⅢandⅣthan those of control group,respectively (P0.05or P0.01).Serum CAT activities were significantly higher at 30 din groupⅡand 30,40 and 50 din groupⅢandⅣ when compared with control group(P0.05).Serum MDA concentrations markedly reduced at 40 d in groupⅢand 50 din groupⅣ when compared with control group(P0.05).The results suggest thatα-lipoic acid supplementation can improve antioxidant capacity in the transition cow.