Abstract
Goats are of significant economic importance, yet our knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in their pregnancy remains limited. This study aims to investigate the role of IGFs in uterine and ovarian cellular events during pregnancy in goats. Forty-two Hair Goats were examined, including four pregnancy groups representing embryo-positive (G1, n=7), early (G2, n=7), mid (G3, n=7), and late pregnancy (G4, n=7), as well as two luteal stage groups representing early (G5, n=7) and late (G6, n=7) phases. Uterine and ovarian tissues were collected, and RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate IGF expression. The results showed that IGF1 and IGF2 expressions were significantly higher in G1 than in other pregnancy and control groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, IGFBP1 expression was higher in G2 than in G1 and G4 (p < 0.05), and IGFBP3 expression was higher in G4 than in any other pregnancy stage (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the expression levels of IGFBP4 and IGFBP6 between any of the groups. Finally, IGFBP5 expression was significantly higher in G1, G3, and G4 compared to G2 (p < 0.05). Overall, the dynamic changes observed in the expression of the IGF gene family during different stages of pregnancy highlight the crucial role of IGFs in regulating pregnancy in goats.
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The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.
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Acknowledgements
This study was financed by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK; Project No.117O613, the project coordinator is Özgecan Korkmaz Ağaoğlu).
Preliminary data of this study was presented in the 2. International Livestock Studies Congress, 29–30 October 2021, Antalya, Turkey.
Funding
This study was financed by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK; Project No.117O613).
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Özgecan Korkmaz Ağaoğlu contributed to all tasks, and conducted planning, coordination, and administration of project; carried out the RNA isolations, qRT-PCR analyses, immunohistochemical analysis, and statistical analysis; commented on data; authored the initial draft of the manuscript; and completed the final version. Ali Reha Ağaoğlu conducted the estrous synchronizations of the goats and matings, sample collection, and transport to the laboratory and contributed to the manuscript drafting. Özlem Özmen and Ali Osman Turgut conducted immunohistochemical analyses. Mustafa Saatci contributed to the statistical analysis.
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This study was conducted under the guidelines for the regulation of animal experiments by the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Approval was granted by the Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee, with a decision numbered 263 and dated 04.01.2017.
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Ağaoğlu, Ö.K., Ağaoğlu, A.R., Özmen, Ö. et al. Expression and localization of insulin-like growth factor gene family members in the caprine ovarian and uterine tissues during different pregnancy stages. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 301 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03719-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03719-9