Investigation of Litter Size in Awassi Sheep and their Correlation to Adipose Tissue Biomarkers
Investigation of Litter Size in Awassi Sheep and their Correlation to Adipose Tissue Biomarkers
Suroor Hafedth Mohammed, Tahreer Mohammed Al-Thuwaini*
ABSTRACT
Adipose tissue produces multiple adipokines, including leptin, and visfatin. The expression and/or secretion of adipokines could play a role in regulating fertility. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association of litter size with the adipose tissue biomarkers in Awassi ewes. In the current study, 100 sexually mature, not pregnant or lactating, and healthy ewes between the ages of 3 and 4 years were evaluated. The live body weight and age of each animal were determined. Serum was collected to measure leptin and visfatin hormones using ELISA kits made by SunLong Biotech. This study revealed that litter size significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influences the live body weight and adipose tissue hormones of Awassi ewes. Ewes with twin births had higher live body weight, leptin, and visfatin (50.41±0.92 kg), (192.16 ±27.63 pg/mL), and (3.56 ±0.96 ng/mL), respectively, compared to single births ewes. There was the highest correlation (P ≤ 0.05) between litter size with live body weight and adipose tissue hormones of ewes with single and twin births. Logistic regression analyses further explored the association of the progeny type with adipose tissue biomarkers. In conclusion, Awassi ewes with twin births exhibited an increase in the leptin and visfatin levels. This study provided valuable information about the association of litter size with adipose tissue hormones. This finding makes it a potential candidate for further research and application in sheep breeding and reproduction to improve prolificacy in the field.
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