Expression of short chain fatty acid receptors and pro-inflammatory cytokines in utero-placental tissues is altered in cows developing retention of fetal membranes.
BACKGROUND
Retention of fetal membranes (RFM) is an economically important condition in dairy cattle disturbing the health and production in affected animals. In spite of extensive research, pathogenesis for RFM and identification of a predictive marker for the condition still remains elusive. Since expulsion of fetal membranes in an inflammatory process, studying the expression of inflammatory molecules is expected to give an idea about the pathogenesis of RFM.


METHODS
Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) receptors and adhesion molecules was studied using qRT-PCR in the utero-placental tissues obtained from the cows that expelled fetal membranes normally (n = 12) and from the cows that developed RFM (n = 12). Concentrations of SCFAs were estimated in the utero-placental tissues using Gas Chromatography.


RESULTS
The concentration of butyrate in the utero-placental tissue extract was 3-4 times lower, and GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA expression was 7.7-10.0 and 3.4-4.4 folds lower (p < 0.05) in cows that developed RFM compared to those that expelled the fetal membranes normally. The expression of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, ICAM and PECAM was higher (p < 0.05) in the cows that normally expelled the fetal membranes compared to those that developed RFM.


CONCLUSIONS
Since a clear association of butyrate levels, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules and SCFAs receptors was observed with expulsion of fetal membranes, modulating the levels of these molecules prior to parturition might help in reducing the incidence of RFM in cows.


CONCLUSIONS
Inflammatory response is essential for normal expulsion of fetal membranes and that inadequate or altered expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules and SCFA receptors is associated with RFM in cows.
Theriogenology Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
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P
Boro
Theriogenology Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India; Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India. Electronic address: ogkumaresan@gmail.com.
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Kumaresan
Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
A K
AK
Singh
Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
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D
Gupta
Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
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S
Kumar
Theriogenology Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India; Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
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A
Manimaran
Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
A K
AK
Mohanty
Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
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TK
Mohanty
Theriogenology Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
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Pathak
Theriogenology Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
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Attupuram
Theriogenology Lab, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India; Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
R K
RK
Baithalu
Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132001, Haryana, India.
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S
Prasad
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
Adhesion molecules; Cattle; Cytokines; Retention of fetal membranes; SCFA receptors