Analysis of Potential Genes, Oxidative, Metabolic, and Hormonal Markers Associated with Postpartum Disorder Susceptibility in Barki Sheep (Ovis aries)

Abstract

This study purpose was to determine the gene expression as well as serum profile of acute phase proteins (APPs) and hormonal indicators linked to Barki sheep's susceptibility to postpartum issues. Three equal-sized groups (each with fifty ewes) were created from the blood of 150 adult Barki ewes: the control group (CG), the inflammatory postpartum disorders group (IPG), and the non-inflammatory postpartum disorders group (NIPG). The expression levels of the oxidative stress (PGC-1α, SIRT1, GCLC, GCLM, and EPAS1) and metabolic (FBXL12, KPNA7, and LRRK1) genes were significantly higher in postpartum disorders sheep than in resistant ones. Ewes with inflammatory postpartum illnesses showed significantly higher levels of the examined markers than did the non-inflammatory and control groups. The serum profile analysis also revealed that the levels of Fb, Cp, Hp, SAA, cortisol, TIBC, UIBC, and ferritin were significantly higher in the IPG than in the NIPG and CG. Serum insulin, iron, transferrin, and Tf Sat.% levels, however, were all markedly lower. On the basis of the variance in the genes being studied and the modulation in the serum indicators being studied, it should be possible to monitor the health status in postpartum problems of sheep.

Keywords: APPs; Barki sheep; gene expression; hormones; postpartum disorders.

Figure 1

Relative expression patterns of oxidative stress and metabolic genes in the healthy group (CG), inflammatory postpartum group (IPG), and non-inflammatory postpartum group (NIPG). Results are expressed as means ± SEM. a, b, c small alphabetic letters show significance when p < 0.05.

Figure 2

The correlation between the genetic parameters and biochemical parameters in the inflammatory postpartum group (IPG) and non-inflammatory postpartum group (NIPG) (Pearson’s correlation test), considered significant when p < 0.05.