Placental release/retention in cows and its relation to peroxidative damage of macromolecules

The disturbances in metabolic pathways reflected in clinical symptoms of illnesses may be connected, among others, with the imbalance between production and neutralization of reactive oxygen species. One of such illnesses may be the retention of fetal membranes in cows. The levels of reactive oxygen species can be measured directly or estimated indirectly by the determination of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative defence systems. The determination of parameters indicating the intensity of peroxidative processes of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids caused by reactive oxygen species is also useful. This review examined the available literature regarding peroxidative processes of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids caused by reactive oxygen species as well as parameters indicating its intensity. All information relates the importance of proper and improper placental release in cows.