Relationship of Ovine Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase and Cytosolic Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Gene Expression with Energy Balance Status During the Early Post Weaning Lactation Period

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine changes on gene expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), during the early post weaning lactation period in ewes with a negative (<0 Mj; group NBS ), positive (>0 Mj; group PBS), very low (< -1.74 Mj; group MinNBS) and very high (>2.56 Mj; group MaxPBS) energy balance status and to investigate their relationship. Adipose tissues samples from seven ewes at 1st, 2nd and 4th week post weaning were taken for RNA isolation and determination of genes expression using Real-Time PCR. Both genes showed a synchronized expression response. A higher (P<0.01) response of G6PD gene expression, also, observed in MinNBS or MaxPBS groups. ICDH showed a smoother response in regard to energy balance status, revealing the more crucial role of G6PD gene. The results provide valuable, novel information regarding lipogenesis during the early post weaning lactation period.