Litter Size and Its Relationship to Leptin and Visfatin Hormones in Hamdani Sheep
Litter Size and Its Relationship to Leptin and Visfatin Hormones in Hamdani Sheep
Tamadhur H. Hussein, Layth H. Merzah, Tahreer M. Al-Thuwaini*
ABSTRACT
Multiple adipokines are produced and secreted by adipose tissue, including leptin and visfatin. Adipokines increase energy levels and stimulate the production of essential reproductive hormones to enhance reproductive activity in livestock. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between litter size and adipokines in Hamadani ewes. This study examined 140 ewes aged between 3 and 4 years, which were sexually mature, not pregnant or lactating, and healthy. Live body weight, age, and body measurements were recorded for each animal. Serum was collected from each individual and tested using ELISA kits to measure leptin and visfatin hormone levels. The results revealed that litter size significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced the live body weight, body measurements, and adipose tissue hormones of Hamadani ewes. Ewes with twin births had higher live body weight, chest girth, tail length, tail width, leptin, and visfatin hormones (65.35 ± 0.65 kg), (102.12 ± 0.38 cm), (35.15 ± 0.10 cm), (31.72 ± 0.22 cm), (268.51 ± 7.12 pg/mL), and (5.88 ± 0.19 ng/mL), respectively, compared to ewes with single births. The association between progeny type and animal traits was further explored using logistic regression analyses. It was noted that progeny type showed a significantly higher association with the live body weight (P = 0.04, OR (95% CI) = 1.50 (1.08-3.24)), tail length (P = 0.03, OR (95% CI) = 1.69 (0.96-3.86)), and hormones leptin (P = 0.02, OR (95% CI) = 2.31 (1.51-5.18)) and visfatin (P = 0.01, OR (95% CI) = 2.03 (1.34-5.21)). In conclusion, levels of leptin and visfatin were found to be increased in Hamadani ewes with twin births. New insights are gained from this study regarding the correlation between litter size and adipose tissue hormones.
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