Les radicaux libres dans l'organisme des animaux d'élevage: Conséquences sur la reproduction, la physiologie et la qualité de leurs produits

Abstract

Oxygen radicals are ubiquitous in the life span of mammals. They carry an unbalanced electron to proton ratio, which provides them with a very active affinity towards cell components and a great variety of impacts on oxido-reductive processes, which are required by living organisms for their development. They are continuously formed and originate, in particular, when electrons escape from the respiratory chain and combine with oxygen. Various stresses increase their flux, destroy radical trapping agents (vitamines, glutathione, etc) and thus increase the animal's requirements of the latter. They also alter cellular structures. Many features of animal functions may then be affected, directly (immediately after stress) or indirectly (progressive and long term exhaustion of the organism): reduction of sperm function or of female fertility, death of embryos, poor survival of new-borns, low growth rates, carcasses and meats of a lower quality than expected from the lineage of the animals with a lower shelf-life, and reduction of the contents of a series of components required to sustain human health at the best. Great care thus has to be applied to respect a good equilibrium between the attack and defense of the organism.