Evaluation of Serum Levels of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium and the activity of Glutathione Peroxidase Enzyme in the Horses with Piroplasmosis

This study was conducted on horses with piroplasmosis for evaluation of serum concentration of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx). 15 horses with piroplasmosis based on laboratory and clinical signs were confirmed. History of the cattle after obtaining blood samples taken from the jugular vein and serum was isolated. From 11 healthy horses age and nutritional and management alike were sampled as controls. Each blood sample was isolated from the serum levels of Se, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, hemoglobin and serum’s activity of GPx was measured. Mean serum levels of selenium, vitamin E, vitamin C and serum glutathione peroxidase activity in horses with piroplasmosis were reduced and except vitamin C this reductions were significant. Patient's hemoglobin level was significantly decreased. There was a positive correlation between serum selenium and serum glutathione peroxidase activity in the horses with piroplasmosis, but this correlation with hemoglobin was negative. The correlation was significant only between selenium and vitamin E in patient and control groups (r = 0.615 and r = 0.685 respectively). In conclusion, in horses with piroplasmosis selenium, glutathione peroxidase and vitamin E reduced and supply of these antioxidants in the treatment and control of the disease is important.