The influence of the feed additive “Metisevit” on the activity of the antioxi-dant defense system of piglets under conditions of nitrate-nitrite load

The work aimed to investigate the effect of the “Metisevit” feed additive on the activity of the enzymes of the antioxidant system of the blood of piglets under conditions of nitrate-nitrite load. The research was carried out on 60-day-old piglets of the large white breed. For the experiment, 10 clinically healthy piglets were selected, from which 2 groups of five animals were formed. Piglets of the control group were fed sodium nitrate at a dose of 0.3 g NO3-/kg body weight for three months. Piglets of the research group were also fed sodium nitrate at a dose of 0.3 g NO3-/kg of body weight, together with Metisevit at a dose of 0.36 g/kg of feed for three months. The “Metisevit” feed additive was developed at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology Lviv, which contains vitamin E, selenium, and methiphene (methionine, phenarone, zeolite). Under the conditions of feeding piglets with sodium nitrate feed at a dose of 0.3 g of NO3ˉ/kg, a decrease in the activity of enzymes of the antioxidant defense system was established: superoxide dismutase by 14.8 %, catalase by 20%, glutathione peroxidase by 15.1 %. Metisevit in piglets increased the activity of the enzyme link of the antioxidant protection system, preventing the development of oxidative stress that occurs in nitrate-nitrite toxicosis. During our experiments, it was found that the introduction of Metisevit into the diet of piglets with excessive consumption of nitrates prevented the development of chronic nitrate-nitrite toxicosis. It was established that Metisevit increases the activity of enzymes – superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. These enzymes reduce the high level of lipid peroxidation products in the body of piglets under conditions of nitrate-nitrite load