Relationship of progranulin response with some physio-biochemical parameters in Akkaraman sheep

Progranulin (PGRN) is a multifunctional protein that is critical in the retention of embryos in the endometrium of the uterus and the protection of cervical tissue during fetal growth. In case of PGRN release and dysfunction, cervical tissue may remodel (regeneration) and lead to the risk of abortion. Serum PGRN level in sheep and its variation according to different physiological periods and its relationship with some biochemical parameters are unknown. In this study, the relationship between early lactation, early and late pregnancy serum PGRN levels and some biochemical parameters in Akkaraman sheep was investigated for the first time. In the literature search, no similar studies were found on the relationship between early lactation, early and late pregnancy serum PGRN levels and some biochemical parameters in Akkaraman sheep. The research was carried out on 90 Akkaraman sheep reared in the same herd under the same care and feeding conditions. In the study, Akkaraman ewe were divided into 3 groups as early lactation, early pregnancy and late pregnancy. 1st group is early lactation period ewe (first 60 days of lactation), (n = 30), 2nd group is in the first period of pregnancy (on the 0-90th day of the first pregnancy (n = 30)), 3rd group is in the late pregnancy of pregnancy (100-150 days of pregnancy (n = 30)) was created. Blood samples from vena jugularis were taken before morning feeding from the animals that formed the study groups. PGRN levels in serum were determined by ELISA method. In addition, glucose, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were analyzed in biochemistry autoanalyzer. As a result of the study, lactation and early pregnancy and late pregnancy mean serum PGRN levels were determined as 1.93, 1.78, 1.33 ng mL-1, respectively. The serum PGRN, glucose, Ca, Mg, P, TC, TG, LDL, HDL and VLDL levels of sheep with late pregnancy, early lactation and early pregnancy periods, which constitute the study groups, were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Our results have shown that due to the physiological role of PRGN in keeping the embryo in the endometrium of the uterine and in preserving the cervical tissue during fetal growth, there may be a useful parameter in the pursuit of the pregnancy process.