Antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress biomarkers of pheasant capons

Cell proteins as well as unsaturated fatty acids are susceptible target for a free radical attack. As sex hormones exert a long-term regulation on tissue metabolism, particularly on synthesis, remodeling and utilization of amino acids and fatty acids, it was of interest to investigate the effect of castration on the activities of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl contents in the pheasant capon tissues. Thirty pheasants reared in a commercial pheasantry were included in the experiment. Half the pheasants were castrated at 8 weeks of age and the other half underwent sham surgery. In the 32nd week of age the pheasants were stunned, slaughtered, bled and pluck in a commercial slaughterhouse. In the tissue samples (heart, liver, duodenum and spleen) of intact and castrated animals, the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (TSOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), cooper, zinc superoxid dismutase (CuZn-SOD), glutathione, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyl content (PCC) were determined. Among all measured parameters spleen tissue exhibited a greatest difference between capons and intact pheasants. It was found the significantly higher concentration of PCC in capon’s spleen, but also a higher TSOD activity and strong tendency to higher GSH-Px, Mn- SOD and CuZn-SOD activity. Contrary, in the capon’s hart tissue TBARS concentration was significantly lower. The results indicated that pheasant capons maintained their antioxidant defence in almost all investigated tissue. Documented rise in spleen PCC content of capons might indicate on body defense activity with naturally produced free radicals utilized by the immune system.