Changes in lipid peroxidation, glutathione and fertility in tuj sheep after combined administration of vitamin a and e and passive immunization with testosterone antibodies

This study investigated the effect of testosterone antibodies and a combination of vitamin A and E on reproductive performance and lipid peroxidation in Tuj sheep during the oestrus period. Two castrated Tuj rams were used to produce an ovine testosterone antibody. To perform the experiment, 30 clinically healthy adult Tuj sheep were divided into three groups, in each group had 10 sheep. The Control group were given a placebo, Group I was injected with the testosterone antibody alone and Group II was injected with testosterone antibody plus a combination of vitamins A and E in Freund"s incomplete adjuvant. The testosterone antibody and vitamin combination were administered at synchronization and 1 week before synchronization. To synchronize the sheep, 2.5 ml GnRH was injected to sheep in Control, Group I and Group II. Control, Group I and II were subsequently given 600 IU PMSG with 2 ml PGF2α at 5th day of synchronization. Progesterone levels were higher in the two treatment groups than in the control group as pregnancy progressed. Plasma malondialdehyde levels were higher during initial drug application and prior to mating but were lower in the experimental groups than in control during pregnancy and after parturition. Erythrocyte glutathione levels remained significantly higher in experimental groups than in Control during pregnancy. The number of offspring and the lambing rates in Group I and Group II was higher than the Control. There were no stillbirths in Group I. The number of nonpregnant sheep was lowest in Group II. In summary, injections of testosterone antibody and a combination of vitamins A and E led to an increased incidence of multiple pregnancies in sheep and a greater number of lambs were born. These data indicate that the immunoneutralization of testosterone combined with a reduction in free radicals via the antioxidant activities of vitamins led to increased rates of conception and twinning. Also, it is thought that to allow the growth of the herd in a shorter time, testosterone antibody and combination of vitamins A and E can be applied.