Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the immunological and antioxidant alterations associated with ovine postpartum disorders. Blood samples were collected from 90 adult Barki ewes and allocated into three equal-sized groups (30 ewes each): control group (CG), inflammatory postpartum disorders group (IPG) and non-inflammatory postpartum disorders group (NIPG). PCR-DNA sequencing approach was carried out for TLR4 (256-bp) and SOD (456-bp) genes, and nucleotide sequence variations were noticed to be associated with postpartum disorders resistance/susceptibility. Gene expression profile was also evaluated and levels of IL5, IL6, IL1-ß, TNF alpha, TLR4 and Tollip were significantly up-regulated in ewes affected with postpartum disorders than resistant ones, while SOD and CAT genes pattern elicited an opposite trend. Exploring serum profile also showed a significant increase of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA and NO in IPG compared to their correspond values in NIPG and CG. However, serum levels of IL-10, CAT, GSH and GPx were significantly decreased. This study highlights that SNPs in TLR4 and SOD genes could be genetic markers for postpartum disorders resistance/susceptibility in Barki ewes. Gene expression alongside serum profiles of antioxidant markers could also be used to follow-up the immune status of ewes to build up an effective management protocol.

摘要

本研究的目的是探索与绵羊产后疾病相关的免疫学和抗氧化改变。从 90 只成年 Barki 母羊采集血样，并分配到三个大小相等的组（每组 30 只母羊）：对照组 (CG)、炎症性产后疾病组 (IPG) 和非炎症性产后疾病组 (NIPG)。对TLR4 (256-bp) 和SOD (456-bp) 基因进行了 PCR-DNA 测序方法，发现核苷酸序列变异与产后疾病抗性/易感性有关。还评估了基因表达谱和IL5、IL6、IL1-ß、TNF α、TLR4的水平和Tollip在受产后疾病影响的母羊中比在抗性母羊中显着上调，而SOD和CAT基因模式引起相反的趋势。探索血清概况还显示，与 NIPG 和 CG 中的相应值相比，IPG 中的 IL-1α、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α、MDA 和 NO 显着增加。然而，IL-10、CAT、GSH 和 GPx 的血清水平显着降低。本研究强调TLR4和SOD中的 SNP基因可能是 Barki 母羊产后疾病抗性/易感性的遗传标记。基因表达以及抗氧化标记物的血清谱也可用于跟踪母羊的免疫状态，以建立有效的管理方案。