The Oxidative Stress–Inflammation–Apoptosis Axis in Postpartum Infertility of Dairy Cows: A Comprehensive Review

Background: Postpartum infertility is still contributing substantially to the economic losses in the dairy industry. It stems from the very complicated interplay between the metabolic stress response, uterine inflammation, and the ovarian function impairment. Each one of the components like the oxidative stress response, the inflammation process in the body, and the apoptosis process has been studied extensively for the contribution to subfertility. However, it seems that their joint effect hasn't been subject to an in-depth review. That’s the subject of the current manuscript. Methods: A narrative review was performed on the literature utilizing the research engines of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to assess all publicly available literature on the subject from ۲۰۱۵ through ۲۰۲۵. Only research that dealt with the biomarkers for oxidative stress (MDA, TAC, SOD, GPx), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-۱β, TNF-α, IL-۶), acute phase proteins (HP, SAA), and apoptotic regulators (Bax, Bcl-۲, Caspase-۳) in the postpartum period in dairy cattle was included. Results: Data from the literature suggests that ROS over-expression alters follicular development by inducing NF-κB signaling pathway activation, influencing the production of inflammatory cytokine expression. This process maintains pelvic inflammatory response delay the resumption of the ovulatory cycle, triggers the apoptotic process through the induction of Bax expression and suppression of Bcl-۲. Prospective studies in the clinic suggest the association of oxidative-inflammatory markers in the delay of ovulation, interval days open, decrease conception rate. Conclusion: The combination of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis is one of the most important trios in the physiological processes involved in postpartum infertility in animals. Unraveling the relationships among them might provide clues for designing comprehensive diagnostic panels based on biochemical and molecular markers. Further research in the field should deal mainly with multi-omics analysis in order to improve the reproductive performance of cattle.

کلیدواژه ها:

oxidative stress ، inflammation ، apoptosis ، postpartum infertility ، dairy cows