Plasma cell-free DNA concentration increases during luteolysis in beef cows.
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abstract
During cell death, DNA is fragmented and reaches the bloodstream in the form of cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Luteal cells must undergo an apoptotic process during structural luteolysis to begin a new oestrous cycle. We hypothesized that cfDNA concentrations would increase when inducing luteolysis by applying prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) analog to the cycling cow. Multiparous non-pregnant and non-lactating Angus cows (Bos taurus; n=15) were synchronized using the 7-day CoSynch+CIDR protocol. Ten days after oestrus was detected, two treatments were applied (PGF2, n=10; or Con, n=5). Twice a day, grey mode and colour Doppler ultrasonography were used to calculate area (CL-A) and luteal blood perfusion (LBP%). Additionally, we collected one blood sample for plasma progesterone (P4) and cfDNA concentrations for four consecutive days. Data analysis was performed using the GLM procedure of SAS. The luteolysis induction was demonstrated by a decrease in P4 concentrations (p.01) and CL-A (p.01) in the PGF2 group after 12h of the PGF2 injection. Reduction of LBP% (p.01) in the PGF2 group after 36h of the injection. The concentration of cfDNA showed a significant increase (p=.05) after 48h of the PGF2 application in the PGF2 group. In conclusion, cfDNA showed a significantly increased concentration after luteolysis induction, which can imply that cfDNA could be used as a luteolysis biomarker in plasma.
