Summary: | Faced with the suspect free radicals formation in animal organism can have a negative influence in
bovine reproduction and be one of the multiple causes of dairy cattle reproductive efficiency decrease
in last years, in this study we make an extensive literature review about possible good effects of two
antioxidants, vitamin A and its precursor β-carotene, on cattle reproduction with the aim of analyse its
therapeutic possibilities. In accordance with the study results, we observe that in reproductive processes
there is an important free radicals formation that may damage reproductive system cells, including
gametes and embryos, it causes some effects like failures in oocyte maturation process and early
embryo growth, that move on to a reproductive failure. Nevertheless, under normal conditions, animal
organism keeps balance between free radicals and antioxidants. This balance prevents reproductive
problems occurrence, therefore when it is broken, as a result of low antioxidants levels in diet,
increase on its demand on heat-stress, elevated rate of free radicals production or several treatments
that increases reproductive organs activity (superovulation); in all this cases reproductive problems
appear and it may be necessary exogenous antioxidants supplementation. |