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Comparison between plasma and milk levels of leptin during pregnancy and lactation in cow, a relationship with β ‐lactoglobulin
Author(s) -
Parola R.,
Macchi E.,
Fracchia D.,
Sabbioni A.,
Avanzi D.,
Motta M.,
Accornero P.,
Baratta M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1439-0396
pISSN - 0931-2439
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2007.00698.x
Subject(s) - leptin , lactation , pregnancy , endocrinology , medicine , insemination , ice calving , plasma concentration , zoology , blood plasma , biology , chemistry , obesity , genetics
Summary Leptin gene is expressed in the mammary tissue and the expression of both leptin and its receptor changes significantly during pregnancy and lactation, with high levels during the first half of pregnancy and a decrease at delivery. The aim of this work was to investigate into leptin concentration in plasma and in milk during pregnancy and the first week after parturition in dairy cow and to analyze the correlation between leptin and β ‐lactoglobulin ( β ‐LG) concentrations in plasma and in milk. The trial was conducted on six Holstein dairy cows, reared in the same environmental conditions and evaluated with similar body condition score, during the complete reproductive cycle from insemination to the delivery. Blood from the jugular vein and milk samples were collected at weekly intervals. Plasma leptin concentration showed a lower level (p < 0.05) at the beginning of pregnancy. Milk leptin concentration showed a higher level (p < 0.01) than plasma level from week 23 to week 29 of pregnancy. Plasma β ‐LG concentrations were higher (p < 0.01) compared to plasma concentrations during the first part of pregnancy, then milk levels rise and become higher than plasma levels during the last weeks before dry period. A positive correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between leptin and β ‐LG both in plasma and in milk profiles.