Work

Changes in vaginal cytokines concentrations during artificial insemination and natural service in beef heifers

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Heifer development is crucial for the optimization of reproductive efficiency in beef production. Heifer development is largely influenced by nutrition. Nutritional status of these heifers can influence immunological responses that are crucial for reproduction. Commercial Angus heifers (n = 9) were utilized, in a pilot study, to elucidate the effects of sampling time (days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35), pregnancy status, and type of mating on individual cytokine concentrations and cytokine profiles in the vagina following breeding. RESULTS: Cytokine profiles were analyzed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 and one-way ANOVAs were performed in R Studio to identify differences in individual cytokines based on sampling time, pregnancy status, and type of mating. Cytokine profiles were different (P = 0.05) 7 days after either mating type. Cytokines, IL-1β, IL-17a, MCP-1, and TNFα were different based on the mating type and pregnancy status. Multiple cytokines, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17a, VEGFa, and MIP1α, were different between days regardless of pregnancy status. In conclusion, vaginal cytokines differ based on pregnancy status, type of mating, and time which may be indicative of vital pathways that need to be activated for pregnancy.

Source: BMC Research Notes

DOI: 10.1186/s13104-024-06917-2

Authors: Kyle J. McLean, Taylor B. Ault-Seay, Phillip R. Myer

Institution: University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Language: English

Topic: Reproductive Physiology in Livestock

Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,790