Influence of Reproductive Status on Equine Serum Proteome: Preliminary Results.
Abstract: The reproductive cycle and early pregnancy represent dynamic physiological states in mammals, but mechanisms involved in early pregnancy in the domestic horse remain poorly understood. Proteins in uterine secretions have been studied, but the proteome of peripheral serum during various reproductive states has not been investigated. This study characterized and compared the serum proteome in the domestic horse during various reproductive states. Serum was collected from three mares during: (1) estrus (day [d] -1; d 0 = ovulation), (2) diestrus (d 12.5, non-mated), (3) early pregnancy (d 12.5, pregnant), and (4) nonpregnant (d 12.5, unsuccessfully mated) states. Serum proteins in each sample were analyzed by Nano LC-MS/MS, and 308 proteins were identified. Differentially-expressed proteins (DEP; > 1.5-fold or < - 0.5-fold) were identified by comparison of protein relative abundance between reproductive states: (1) diestrus compared to estrus (DEP = 71), (2) pregnant compared to diestrus (DEP = 72), and (3) non-pregnant compared to pregnant (DEP = 81). DEPs were analyzed for biological function using PANTHER (pantherdb.org). Several pregnancy-specific proteins previously identified in equine pregnant histotroph, including Apolipoprotein A-I, Complement C3, and Histone H4, were detectable in the serum. The ability to detect these biomarkers in serum provides a more readily available option for investigating and understanding early equine pregnancy.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-07-31 PubMed ID: 34607689DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103724Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article examines how the reproductive status impacts the serum proteome in horses, thereby enhancing our understanding of early equine pregnancy. The findings suggest potential biomarkers for investigating early equine pregnancy.
Understanding the Research
The study aims to take a deeper look at the changes happening at a protein level in the serum (the liquid portion of blood) of female horses during various stages of their reproductive cycle including estrus, diestrus, early pregnancy, and unsuccessful pregnancy. This area remained unraveled due to previous studies primarily focusing on proteins in uterine secretions.
- The research team collected serum from three mares (female horses) at different stages of their reproductive cycle such as estrus, diestrus, early pregnancy and unsuccessful matings.
- The proteins in the serum samples were identified using Nano LC-MS/MS (nano-Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry), a technique that can separate, identify and quantify complex mixtures of proteins.
- A total of 308 proteins were identified, and differentially-expressed proteins (proteins that show significant changes in their expression levels during different stages) were outlined using a comparative method.
Significant Findings and Impacts
The study was successful in identifying several differentially-expressed proteins at different reproductive stages. Precisely 71 proteins in diestrus compared to estrus, 72 in pregnant compared to diestrus, and 81 in non-pregnant compared to pregnant. Specifically, the study found some proteins in pregnant horses that were previously known to be present in equine pregnant histotroph (the nutritive material produced by the uterus during pregnancy).
- The presence of these proteins – Apolipoprotein A-I, Complement C3, and Histone H4, in the serum provides an easier and accessible method to investigate early equine pregnancy.
- This research opens up new avenues for understanding and investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in early equine pregnancy.
- The identification of these proteins and their possible role in pregnancy might be useful for future interventions in equine health and reproduction management.
Cite This Article
APA
Pennington PM, Splan RK, Jacobs RD, Wang Y, Wagner AL, Freeman EW, Pukazhenthi BS.
(2021).
Influence of Reproductive Status on Equine Serum Proteome: Preliminary Results.
J Equine Vet Sci, 105, 103724.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103724 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA; George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.
- Proteomics Core Facility, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
- Cooperative Research Farms, Richmond, VA.
- George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA. Electronic address: pukazhenthib@si.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Diestrus
- Estrus
- Female
- Horses
- Ovulation
- Pregnancy
- Proteome
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Wang C, Feng Y, Chen Y, Lin X, Li X. Proximity extension assay revealed novel inflammatory biomarkers for follicular development and ovarian function: a prospective controlled study combining serum and follicular fluid. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2025;16:1525392.
- Perera TRW, de Ruijter-Villani M, Gibb Z, Nixon B, Sheridan A, Stout TAE, Swegen A, Skerrett-Byrne DA. Systemic Changes in Early Pregnancy in the Mare: An Integrated Proteomic Analysis of Blood Plasma, Histotroph, and Yolk Sac Fluid at Day 14 Post-Ovulation. Proteomics Clin Appl 2025 Mar;19(2):e202400095.
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