Pregnancy-Specific Protein B in Yankasa Ewes During Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods

Abstract

Pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) is produced by mono and binucleate trophoblast cells in the placenta of ruminants during pregnancy. This study was designed to determine the pattern of serum PSPB in Yankasa ewes during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Mature cycling Yankasa ewes were synchronized and divided into two groups A (n=11) and B (n=13). Group A was bred, while group B was unbred. Blood samples for PSPB assessment were collected from the ewes starting from the day of breeding until 4 weeks post-lambing. All pregnant Yankasa ewes lambed with singleton lambs after an average of 151.18 days. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in PSPB in pregnant compared with the non-pregnant ewes in the period between 3 weeks post-breeding and 3 weeks post-lambing. Peaks were detected in the first (100.60 ng/ml), second (133.90 ng/ml), and third (114.82 ng/ml) trimesters at 5, 10 and 21 weeks of gestation, respectively, but steadily decreased within 4 weeks (2.38 ng/ml) postpartum. In conclusion, PSPB detected pregnancy in Yankasa ewes from 3 weeks post-breeding with peak levels at 5, 10 and 21 weeks post-breeding in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. PSPB decreased gradually after lambing until 4 weeks postpartum.

Serum pregnancy–associated glycoprotein profiles during early gestation in Karya and Konya Merino sheep

“…Serum PAGs levels displayed a steady increase with gestational age in both the Konya Merino and Karya ewes. This result confirms early pregnancy profiles previously reported for the serum PAGs levels of the Konya Merino (Uçar et al., 2018 ), Awassi (Akköse et al., 2021 ; Akkuş & Yaprakcı, 2022 ), Awassi X Merino crossbreed (Karen et al., 2003 ), German Blackheaded Mutton (GBM), Rhoen X GBM X Dorper crossbreed (Ledezma‐Torres et al., 2006 ), Sarda X Lacaune crossbreed (De Carolis et al., 2020 ) and Corriedale and Ile de France X Texel crossbreed (Rovani et al., 2016 ), the serum PAG1 levels of the Polypay X Dorset crossbreed (Roberts et al., 2017 ) and the serum PSPB levels of the Awassi (Akkuş & Yaprakcı, 2022 ) and Yankasa (Adeyeye et al., 2021 ) with minor differences. The steady increase in the level of PAGs as pregnancy advances appears to be associated with increased PAGs production in the binucleate cells of the placenta.…”