Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate spexin as a novel blood marker and to describe the relationship of this peptide with selected biochemical metabolites measured during the transition period in dairy cows. Additionally, mRNA expression of the spexin gene as well as spexin receptors – galanin receptor type 2 and galanin receptor type 3, was investigated in several bovine tissues. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals starting at 21 days before the estimated parturition day until 21 days in milk to determine concentrations of spexin, nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate acid, total and active ghrelin, progesterone, glucose, insulin, IGF–I, triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, corticosterone and 17-β-estradiol as well as the activity of aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase.ResultsSpexin concentration decreased from 21 d before parturition to calving day and next it rose during the first 14 d of lactation. The lowest concentration of spexin was recorded on the calving day and it differed from the mean level of this peptide before parturition as well as postpartum. Moreover, differences were observed between mean spexin concentrations before and after calving. Spexin levels were moderately negatively correlated with NEFA (r = − 0.39) and total ghrelin contents (r = − 0.41), weakly correlated with BHBA (r = − 0.35) while they showed a moderate positive relationship with progesterone concentrations (r = 0.42). Moreover, we detected that mRNA expression of GALR2, GALR3 and SPX is present in various bovine tissues (kidney, bowel, rumen, spinal cord, lung, skeletal muscle, liver, heart, fat and spleen).ConclusionA negative correlation between spexin concentration and NEFA, BHBA and total ghrelin contents as well as a positive relationship with levels of progesterone, metabolites and hormones, which are key players in the dairy cow transition period, may confirm an important function of this peptide in metabolism regulation. Thus measurement of spexin concentration could provide useful supplementary information for dairy cow herd health monitoring.
Highlights
This study aimed to evaluate spexin as a novel blood marker and to describe the relationship of this peptide with selected biochemical metabolites measured during the transition period in dairy cows
First we decided to investigate the expression of SPX and SPX receptors (GALR2 and galanin receptor 3 (GALR3)) at the mRNA level in various bovine tissues
Spexin levels showed a moderate negative correlation with nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) (r = − 0.39; P < 0.01), a weak correlation with β-hydroxybutyrate acid (BHBA) (r = − 0.35; P < 0.01) and a moderate correlation with total ghrelin (r = − 0.41; P < 0.01), while they were positively moderately correlated with progesterone (r = 0.42; P < 0.01) (Fig. 2, Table 2)
Summary
This study aimed to evaluate spexin as a novel blood marker and to describe the relationship of this peptide with selected biochemical metabolites measured during the transition period in dairy cows. The transition period is a very important time in dairy cattle production and can affect the metabolic and health status of dairy cows as well as their reproductive and yield performance in the consecutive lactation [1]. Excessive lipolysis and rising levels of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in dairy cows’ blood during negative energy balance are often associated with the accumulation of triglycerides (TG) in hepatocytes and impairment of liver function resulting in an elevated ketone production [2]. Sordillo and Raphael [4] stated that a progressive increase in the blood NEFA level before calving may be considered a significant factor affecting inflammatory responses of transition cows. Higher blood NEFA concentrations might be related to an increased risk of displaced abomasum [5], metritis and retained placenta [6], mastitis [7] and lower milk yield [8], while they may result in early-lactation culling risk [9]
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