Antioxidants: A 'Higgs Boson' in Animal Health and Production

摘要

Livestock health and production are crucial for a sustainable animal production system, and the characterization of the mechanisms by which antioxidant supplementation may influence metabolism and health is now attracting international interest. In animal health and production, the study of oxidant/antioxidant balance is contributing to the understanding of important pathways involved in regulation of cellular functions and metabolism [1]. Oxidative stress (OS) is the consequence of an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, which can occur under circumstances of dietary imbalances, elevated metabolic activity, increased antioxidant utilization, and impaired buffering capacity and/or immune function. In veterinary medicine, a classic example is given by the modern dairy cows during the last trimester of pregnancy and at the beginning of lactation (transition period).