Determination of blood heavy metal concentrations and oxidant-antioxidant capacities in Angora cats at different age and gender

This study was conducted to investigate heavy metal concentrations and oxidative status of plasma and erythrocytes in Angora cats at different ages and gender. Sixteen young (less than 1 year old) and 14 adult (1–6 years old) cats were also grouped according to gender as male ( n = 17) and female ( n = 13). The separated plasma samples from cat’s blood were analyzed for selected heavy metals and total oxidant and antioxidant capacities (TOC and TAC) and calculated for oxidative stress index (OSI). The erythrocyte hemolysates were also evaluated for malondialdehyde (MDA), and super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Results of the study showed that most of the measured metals were not varied statistically according to age or gender. However, adult cats had significantly (P<0.01) higher Cu and lower Fe levels compared to young cats. Plasma levels of TOC, TAC and OSI, and erythrocyte MDA concentrations in young cats were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of adults. While the SOD activity was decreased by the age, GPX activity was increased (P<0.05). However, the activity of CAT was changed by only gender, which was higher in males (P<0.01). In conclusion, metals, especially trace elements, are required for many kinds of physiological processes and the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, it can be suggested that the periodic measurement of metals and the addition of common antioxidant supplements to the diet of adult Angora cats will support weakening antioxidant mechanisms by age.