Reference intervals for serum reactive oxygen metabolites, biological antioxidant potential, and oxidative stress index in adult rams

Objective: The aim of the present study was to establish reference intervals for serum reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP) and oxidative stress index (OSi) in adult rams, under controlled preanalytic and analytic procedures.
Design: Reference intervals establishment study.
Animals: 123 healthy, 1-4 years old rams of two breeds (62 of Chios and 61 of Florina breed), selected by direct a priori method.
Procedures: ROMs and BAP concentrations were measured colorimetrically on a spectrophotometric analyzer. Combined and breed-specific reference intervals were calculated using nonparametric and robust methods, respectively.
Results: Combined reference intervals for ROMs, BAP and OSi were 65-109 Carratelli Units, 2,364-4,491 μmol/L and 18.2-43.0 Carratelli Units/(mmol/L), respectively. Reference intervals for ROMs, BAP and OSi in Chios rams were 56-113 Carratelli Units, 2,234-4,290 μmol/L and 12.9-38.4 Carratelli Units/(mmol/L), respectively. Reference intervals for ROMs, BAP, OSi in Florina rams were 68-111 Carratelli Units, 2,337-4,363 μmol/L and 14.1-38.1 Carratelli Units/(mmol/L), respectively.
Conclusions and clinical relevance: The reference intervals that were established in the present study can be used as a guide for the interpretation of ROMs, BAP and OSi results in rams and can be adopted -under appropriate circumstances- by veterinary laboratories.