Gene Expression of Immune, Growth and Lipogenic Markers in Holstein, Simmental and Brown Swiss Calves

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore mRNA levels of immune, growth and lipogenic markers in Holstein Fresian, Simmental and Brown Swiss calves. For this purpose, a total of 180 healthy male calves of three cattle breeds (Holstein Friesian, Simmental and Brown Swiss) with 60 animals from each breed were integrated in this study. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein from each individual calf using vacutainer needle into tubes containing disodium EDTA as an anticoagulant for RNA extraction. There was a significant difference between the three breeds in birth weights of calves, weaning weight of calves, body weights at both 4 months of age and body weight at 6 months of age with the Simmental breed showing the highest value for each parameter. The expression pattern of TLR2, TLR4, TLR6 and BDEF5 genes was significantly up-regulated in Brown Swiss calves compared to Holstein Friesian and Simmental (P<0.05) as evidenced by the diminished levels of ΔCT. However, levels of IGF-1, LPL, SCD and ACACA were significantly up-regulated in Simmental compared to Holstein Fresian and Brown Swiss calves as proved by lowered values of ΔCT in Simmental than Holstein Fresian and Brown Swiss. The results herein indicated that gene expression profile of investigated markers could be used as biomarkers for rigorous selection for immune and growth traits in cattle.