Effect of betaine on circulating homocysteine, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation in pregnant Sanjabi ewes

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary betaine supplementation on circulating homocysteine, antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in pregnant Sanjabi ewes. Twenty multiparous pregnant ewes (3-5 years old) were fed either a basal diet (Control: 71.2±3.6 kg BW) or the basal diet supplemented with five g per kg dry matter betaine (Betaine: 71.6±3.8 kg BW) during the last five weeks of gestation in a completely random design. Feed intake, body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were weekly recorded. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein at 28, 14, seven, and one-day pre-partum. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and blood concentration of homocysteine, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. Dry matter intake, BCS, and BW of ewes were not affected by betaine consumption. In both groups, the activity of GPx increased (P<0.05), while CAT and MDA decreased (P<0.05) as gestation progressed. The activity of GPx and CAT remained unchanged by betaine. Ewes receiving betaine showed greater (P<0.05) blood homocysteine, but lower (P<0.05) MDA as compared to the control ewes. The birth weight of lambs in Betaine ewes was heavier (P=0.06) than those of control ewes. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of betaine was beneficial for alleviating oxidative stress and improving lambs' birth weight in Sanjabi ewes.