Expression of adipokine and lipid metabolism genes in adipose tissue of dairy cows differing in a female fertility quantitative trait locus

Abstract

We have previously characterized 2 haplotypes (Fertil+ and Fertil-) of Holstein dairy cows differing in 1 female fertility quantitative trait locus (QTL) located on chromosome 3 (QTL-Fert-F-BTA3) between positions 9.8 and 13.5 cM. This QTL is composed of 124 genes, some of them being involved in metabolism or reproduction. Primiparous Fertil+ and Fertil- cows exhibited 69 and 39% pregnancy rate at first service, respectively. A difference in plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentrations observed between both haplotypes might indicate a difference in adipose tissue mobilization. We compared adipose tissue gene expression in Fertil+ and Fertil- cows during their second lactation, at 2 physiological stages, implying either intense lipid mobilization (1 wk postpartum) or fat storage (5 mo of gestation). We investigated by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR the mRNA gene expression of 5 positional candidate genes located in the QTL-Fert-F-BTA3, as well as 18 other functional candidate genes encoding proteins involved in lipid metabolism and several adipokines. Among them, genes involved in either lipolysis or lipogenesis were chosen as controls because they were previously described in dairy cow adipose tissue. A hierarchical clustering was performed to group genes according to their expression pattern, allowing 2 clusters to be determined. Cluster 1 was composed of genes that were overexpressed during mobilization (ADIPOQ, ADIPOR2, LIPE, FABP4, PLIN1, RARRES, LEPR, and CPT1A) and cluster 2 of genes overexpressed during reconstitution of body reserves (ACACA, FASN, and SCD). Genes belonging to cluster 1 (LIPE, FABP4, PLIN1, and CPT1A) are known to be involved in lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation, and genes belonging to cluster 2 (ACACA, FASN, and SCD) are known to be involved in fatty acid synthesis. The expression of 5 genes from cluster 1 was correlated to plasma nonesterified fatty acid levels and thus to mobilization of body reserves in dairy cows (ADIPOQ, ADIPOR2, LIPE, PLIN1, and FABP4). During the mobilization stage, none of the positional candidate genes belonging to QTL-Fert-F-BTA3 (ADAR, MTX1, SHC1, SPTA1, and PAQR6) showed a difference in expression between the 2 haplotypes. Interestingly, ADIPOQ and ADIPOR2 were the only genes showing a significant mRNA overexpression in Fertil- cows at the mobilization stage. Further studies focusing on plasma adiponectin level and adipokine actions on the ovary are needed to investigate its potential role in dairy cow fertility.

Genomic Analysis of Spontaneous Abortion in Holstein Heifers and Primiparous Cows

“…The production of LPA via ENNP2 stimulates motility in various cell types that induce cellular responses such as platelet aggregation and smooth muscle contraction [80], which are important uterine responses during pregnancy. Additionally, one unique leading-edge gene in this gene-set, LIPE, is involved in adipose tissue mobilization during pregnancy in Holstein cattle [73], suggesting that this gene-set may play a crucial role in pregnancy maintenance.…”

Effect of prepartal ad libitum feeding of grass silage on transcriptional adaptations of the liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue in dairy cows during the periparturient period

“…The observed upregulation of CPT1A in SAT after parturition across the groups [2.7fold calculated by the method described by Livak and Schmittgen (2001)] suggests enhanced FA β-oxidation early postpartum as a result of NEB, as CPT1A is the principal regulator of translocation of long-chain FA from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria. Although, the exact role of FA β-oxidation in SAT of periparturient dairy cows is not clear, the increased CPT1A expression may be a response to AT replenishment as lactation progresses (Gao et al, 2011;Elis et al, 2013).…”

Chemerin is a novel regulator of lactogenesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells

“…Chemerin is highly expressed in and secreted from white adipose tissue and the liver of mouse, human and cattle, and regulates peripheral insulin signaling, glucose metabolism, and adipocyte differentiation through the receptors CMKLR1, CCRL2, and GPR1 [5e10]. Although a study has revealed greater chemerin expression in the adipose tissue of postpartum dairy cows versus pregnant cows [11], little is known about the role of chemerin in dairy cows. The direct effect of chemerin on glucose and lipid metabolism in mammary epithelial cells remains unclear.…”