Journal of Fisheries & Livestock Production
Open Access

Abstract

Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays an important role in reproduction because it has anabolic and positive effect on cell proliferation, transformation and differentiation. IGF-1 also plays a prominent role in the regulation of immunity and inflammation. Plasma lactoferrin (LF) and haptoglobin (Hp) reflect the immune status of the animal. Higher level of plasma Hp indicates sub-clinical or clinical infections. The present study was conducted in order to investigate whether the TLR-4 and Fas gene expression in neutrophils and plasma level of IGF 1, LF and Hp varied between repeat breeding (RB) and regular breeding (RgB) cross bred cattle. For the study, recently calved Karan Fries cattle of 2nd-3rd parity with body weight ranging from 400-460 kg reared under farm and field conditions and free from clinical reproductive tract infections and mastitic conditions were selected. Cows were monitored up to three consecutive services. Animals which conceived by maximum three number of services (23 weeks post partum) were considered as regular breeders and those that did not conceive, as repeat breeders. Relative expression of TLR-4 and Fas genes in neutrophils were significantly (P<0.05) higher in RgB group when compared with RB group. On in vitro supplementation of IGF-1, the relative expression of TLR-4 and Fas gene in neutrophils of RgB group increased but was not significant. Concentration of plasma IGF-1 and LF were significantly (P<0.001) greater in RgB group while plasma Hp was significantly (P<0.001) less in RgB group when compared with RB group. Within RgB group the concentration of IGF-1 significantly increased post 9th week but such an increase was not observed in RB group. The concentration of plasma Hp at the beginning, at the end of 23 weeks of experiment and also at weekly interval was significantly greater in RB group when compared with RgB group. The concentration of LF increased significantly in RgB group from 12th week postpartum and was significantly higher in RB group. IGF-1 and LF parameters were positively correlated with each other and both of them were negatively correlated with Hp. From the present study, it can be concluded that the immune status of RgB group animals was better when compared with RB group animals. Poor immune status and some type of inflammation may be the causative factor for repeat breeding problem to persist in one of the group of cows.

Biography

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