Physiological changes in the adenosine deaminase activity, antioxidant and inflammatory parameters in pregnant cows and at post-partum.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behaviour of adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, as well as its participation in the immunomodulation of pregnant cows. Thus, sixteen cows were divided into two groups (A and B): the group A was composed by cows not pregnant (n = 8), while the group B was composed by pregnant cows (n = 8). Serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as ADA and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, were measured on five sampling times (3, 5, 7 and 8 months of gestation, and soon after calving).