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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Expression of selected genes related to energy mobilisation and insulin resistance in dairy cows

E. Fiore A , F. Arfuso B , M. Colitti C , M. Gianesella A , E. Giudice D , G. Piccione B E and M. Morgante A
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A Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (Padua), Italy.

B Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.

C Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze, 206, 33100, Udine, Italy.

D Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166, S. Agata-Messina, Italy.

E Corresponding author. Email: giuseppe.piccione@unime.it

Animal Production Science 57(6) 1007-1013 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15376
Submitted: 13 July 2015  Accepted: 17 March 2016   Published: 15 June 2016

Abstract

The physiological and metabolic adaptation characterising the transition period in the dairy cows is developed by a complex modulation of different metabolic pathways as well as the expression of selected tissue-specific gene. The aim of this study was to evaluate the age effect on expression of selected genes in adipose, hepatic and muscle tissues in dairy cows during their transition period using the quantitative real-time PCR. Twenty-two pluriparous dairy cows were divided into three groups in relation to age: Group A (38 ± 2 months); Group B (52 ± 2 months) and Group C (80 ± 8 months). Lower levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and higher levels of adiponectin were found in adipose tissue in Group C than Groups A and B (P < 0.05). Higher levels of solute carrier family 2/facilitated glucose transporter member 4 were found in muscle in Group C than Group A (P < 0.001) and Group B (P < 0.05). The present study showed in dairy cows that the expression of selected genes associated with mobilisation of energy and with insulin resistance are influenced by age demonstrating and highlighting the importance of a genomics approach to assess the metabolic status of dairy cows during the transition period.

Additional keywords: adipose tissue, age, gene expression, hepatic tissue, muscle tissue.


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