A different point of view of glutathione peroxidase: its relationship to the metabolic changes associate with nutritional management is Assaf ovine breed

We considered the role played by selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in relation to the metabolic changes due to nutritional management in a flock of the Assaf breed in Spain, housed in an intensive management system. Our objective was to examine the relationship between the nutrition al management of this flock during different productive stages and GSH-Px. The modifications of ASAT and CK activities, closely connected to the patho logical changes in GSH-Px values, were also recorded. The animals were divi ded into two groups: control and experimental ewes. Our results showed that neither physiological condition nor litter size had any influence on the GSH-Px values; the main modifications were due to the diet of these animals, especially if the diet was rich in essential fatty acids. The evolution of ASAT and CK activities, and their relationship to G SM-Px and nutrition, is also described.