Local and systemic profile of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and interferon-tau concentrations during early pregnancy in cattle

• Grant number: 24/12924-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Guilherme Pugliesi
• Grantee: Beatriz Gazoli Martins
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/14936-7 - Innate immune response to conceptus signaling in early pregnancy in cattle, AP.R

Abstract

We aim to determine the expression profile of classic and non-classic ISGs (interferon stimulated genes) and understand the maternal response to the conceptus' signaling between 15 and 20 days of gestation, associated with early embryonic loss and pregnancy success in bovine females. To achieve this, 34 Nelore heifers will have their estrous cycle synchronized and will undergo a TE procedure (n=24) or a Sham procedure (n=10) on day 7. Jugular blood samples will be collected for P4 testing and ultrasound Color Doppler of the CL will be examined on days 7, 10, 15 and 20 after estrus. The animals will be slaughtered on days 15 or 20 (ET group, n=12/day; Sham group, n= 5/day). Both uterine horns will be washed to recover the conceptus and the endometrial tissue will be recovered for further analysis. The endometrial tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells will be collected and frozen for analysis of gene expression by RT-PC. IFN-tau concentration in uterine lavage will be determined by ELISA.