Study of transcriptomic profile in immune cells of peripheral blood during early pregnancy in beef heifers

Abstract

The identification of gestational status earlier than the current methods performed around the 30th day after insemination allows a reduction in the interval of inseminations, which can result in a shorter conception period and greater profitability to the livestock production system. The central thesis of the project is that biomarkers in the blood stimulated by the concept are detectable in early gestation. This may allow the development of an early and innovative method of diagnosing gestation in cattle. Thus, the main objective is to discover new markers of gestation in immune cells to serve as a basis for the development of molecular methods of early diagnosis of pregnancy in cattle. For this, in Experiment 1, new markers of gestational status can be identified through the transcriptomic study of blood immune cells on day 18 post-insemination. It is intended to characterize the abundance of new transcripts stimulated by the presence of the concept in polymorphonuclear (PMNs) and mononuclear (PBMCs) immune cells. Luteolysis will be detected by Doppler ultrasonography through changes in the size and vascularization of the corpus luteum (CL) and circulating concentrations of progesterone (P4) to detect cows with nonfunctional CL. The new knowledge and innovative methods proposed here will underpin the development of technologies for dairy beef cows.