Correlation of oxidative stress markers between serum and colostrum and their association with production performance in lactating sows from a PRRS-unstable herd

Abstract

Oxidative stress occurs when the production of reactive oxygen species exceeds the antioxidant defense capacity of living organisms. Oxidative stress is commonly assessed using serum samples; however, blood sampling in pigs is often avoided on commercial farms because of disease transmission concerns and animal welfare considerations. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between oxidative stress markers in serum and colostrum samples and to determine their association with production performance in lactating sows. A total of 34 Landrace × Large White sows from a commercial farrow-to-finish farm were included in the study. Blood and colostrum samples were collected immediately after the first piglet was delivered. Concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Production performance indicators during the lactation period were also recorded. The results showed that concentrations of MDA, SOD1, and GPX1 were consistently higher in colostrum than in serum samples, by 1.67-, 1.57-, and 1.58-fold, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between serum and colostrum MDA concentrations (r = 0.866, P < 0.001). Among production indicators, average daily litter weight gain was positively associated with serum SOD1 concentration (r = 0.472, P = 0.013). Other oxidative stress markers showed no significant correlations with production parameters. These findings suggest that colostrum MDA may serve as a potential alternative indicator for oxidative stress assessment in lactating sows. However, oxidative stress markers showed limited association with sow production performance.