We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Altered messenger RNA expression in placental tissues of ewes exposed to ergot alkaloids during gestation.
- Authors
Britt, J. L.; Feltus, A.; Miller Jr., M. F.; Koch, B. M.; Miller, M. C.; Duckett, S. K.
- Abstract
Consuming ergot alkaloids found in endophyte-infected tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] seed causes intrauterine growth restriction due to uteroplacental insufficiency. The objective of this study was to assess the impact on gene expression levels in placental tissue from feeding ergot alkaloids during gestation. Thirty-six Suffolk ewes (78.24 kg ± 9.5) estimated to be carrying twins at d 35 of gestation were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments--endophyte-free tall fescue seed (E-; 0.0 μg ergovaline + ergovalinine/g) or endophyte-infected tall fescue seed (E+; 4.14 μg ergovaline + ergovalinine/g)--from d 35 through 85 and d 86 through 133 of gestation, creating 4 unique dietary treatments: E-E-, E-E+, E+E-, and E+E+. Endophyte-infected tall fescue seed was fed at a level to provide 1,772 μg of ergovaline + ergovalinine/ewe per day for E+ treatments, and an equal weight of endophytefree seed (0.0 μg ergovaline + ergovalinine) was fed for E-treatments. Ewes were pair fed across treatments in order to maintain equal DMI. Fetal and maternal necropsies were performed at d 133 of gestation. Placental samples were weighed, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -80°C. Total RNA was extracted from cotyledon placental tissue using TRIzol and a PureLink RNA Mini Kit (ThermoFisher Scientific). Total RNA was quantified and quality was assessed using an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. Ribonucleic acid integrity numbers of >7 were considered sufficient quality. A subsample (n = 4) was selected for both the E+E+ and E-E-treatment groups, and total cotyledon RNA was submitted for gene expression profiling via Illumina RNA-Seq (LC Sciences). Numerous genes were upregulated (P ≤ 0.01; n = 131) in E+E+ compared with E-E- and included genes involved in angiogenesis and vasoconstriction (FGA, APOH, and HPX), hemostasis and coagulation (KNG1, FGA, PLG, and FGB), oxidative reduction (PYROXD2 and CYP2E1), cholesterol import and lipoprotein particles (APOC3, APOH, APOA2, GC, and PON1), cell activation (FGA), and immune response (KNG1 and AHSG). Several genes were downregulated (P < 0.01; n = 56) in E+E+ compared with E-E-, including genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, lipid oxidation, and beta-oxidation (ADIPOQ), G-protein coupled receptor (GPR151), signal transduction (HRH4), and cell proliferation (PODN). The consumption of ergot alkaloids during gestation directly effects the mRNA expression in cotyledon tissues.
- Subjects
MESSENGER RNA; ERGOT alkaloids; EWES
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2017, Vol 95, p159
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Abstract
- DOI
10.2527/asasann.2017.322