Relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations and body trait measurements and climatic factors in prepubertal goat kids

Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 and leptin concentrations in Black Bengal goats at different ages and gestation periods and their relationship to kid growth performance

Background and Aims

The impact of maternal hormone concentration on kid growth performance in relation to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and leptin is minimal. This study examined IGF-1 and leptin levels at varying ages and gestation periods for their correlation with Black Bengal goat kids' growth during the preweaning phase.

Materials and Methods

Blood samples were collected from 43 dams with different reproductive cycles and 28 prepubertal goats to measure serum concentrations of IGF-1 and leptin. Among dams, both hormones were investigated in different age ranges (<2, 2-3, 3-4, and >4 years old) and reproductive cycles (non-pregnancy, early gestation (1-50 days), mid-gestation (51-100 days), late gestation (101-135 days), and the last 15 days before delivery). After delivery, 65 kids from 34 dams were weighted weekly for 8 weeks to calculate average daily weight gain (ADG) at 0-4 weeks (ADG0-4 W) and 4-8 weeks (ADG4-8 W) and growth performance, including weight (W), height (H), length (L), chest girth (C) measured at birth (W0, H0, L0, and C0) and at 10 weeks of age (W10, H10, L10, and C10) were related to hormone serum concentrations in their dams at different gestation periods including the last 15 days before delivery.

Results

Dams had higher mean serum IGF-1 (p < 0.001) and leptin (p < 0.05) than prepubertal goats. Dams at late gestation had higher IGF-1 concentrations than those at early and mid-gestation and during the last 15 days before delivery. However, it was consistent with non-pregnant goats. The kid's growth performance correlated positively with IGF-1 concentration, which was collected in the last 15 days before delivery. Multivariate analysis showed that ADG0-4 W was higher in kids born from dams with high IGF-1 than those with low IGF-1 measured during the last 15 days of delivery, whereas leptin tended to have a similar effect.

Conclusion

Serum IGF-1 and leptin concentrations of dams measured during the last 15 days before delivery were associated with kid's growth during the preweaning period.

Association between levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 in serum and seminal plasma with fresh and frozen-thawed semen characteristics in Beetal bucks

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in serum and seminal plasma and the characteristics of semen in Beetal bucks (Capra hircus). A total of 12 adult Beetal bucks were involved in the study, with each buck providing six ejaculates collected using a standard artificial vagina (n = 72 total). Only qualified semen samples (volume of 0.7 mL, a mass motility rating of 3+ or higher on a 0-+ scale, and individual progressive motility of 80% or more) divided into three fractions were processed for estimation of IGF-1 and other seminal parameters like motility, viability, acrosome integrity, sperm abnormality and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The first and second fraction were diluted and extended with Optixcell extender (1:15 ratio). The first ejaculate fraction was processed for studying fresh semen parameters and the second fraction was cryopreserved for evaluating frozen semen parameters. French mini straws (0.25 mL) were used for semen filling, and polyvinyl alcohol powder of different colours was used for sealing the extended semen. The third fraction of each ejaculate was centrifuged at room temperature (1100 × g for 7 min) to separate the seminal plasma. Additionally, blood samples were taken from each buck on the same day as semen collection, resulting in a total of 36 blood samples. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (r = .4243; p < .05) between the concentration of IGF-1 in both serum and seminal plasma of the Beetal bucks. Furthermore, the concentration of IGF-1 in serum showed significant positive correlations with sperm viability (r = .554; p < .05), acrosome integrity (r = .527; p < .05), post-thaw sperm motility (r = .407; p < .01), post-thaw sperm viability (r = .426; p < .01) and post-thaw acrosome integrity (r = .333; p < .05). However, it had a significant negative correlation with SOD activity in fresh semen (r = -0.458; p < .01). Moreover, the concentration of IGF-1 in seminal plasma demonstrated significant positive correlations with individual progressive motility (r = .341; p < .05), sperm viability (r = .527; p < .05), acrosome integrity (r = .539; p < .05), sperm plasma membrane integrity (r = .464; p < .05), post-thaw sperm motility (r = .644; p < .01), post-thaw sperm viability (r = .643; p < .01), post-thaw acrosome integrity (r = .487; p < .01) and post-thaw sperm plasma membrane integrity (r = .521; p < .01). Additionally, it showed a significant negative correlation with SOD activity in both fresh semen (r = -0.714; p < .01) and frozen semen (r = -0.558; p < .01) of Beetal bucks. Based on these findings, IGF-1 in seminal plasma can be considered as a potential biomarker for the selection of bucks for breeding purposes.

Impact of insulin-like growth factor 1, immunoglobulin G and vitamin A in colostrum on growth of newborn Black Bengal goats and its crossbred

The study aims to investigate the relationships between colostral concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and vitamin A (Vit A) and growth (body weight and average daily gain) in Black Bengal (BB) and its crossbred. The colostrum from dams (n = 16) was collected at parturition to measure the concentrations of IGF-1, IgG and Vit A. The kid weight at birth (W-0), day 14 (W-14) and day 28 (W-28) were measured and the average daily gain during day 1-14 (ADG1-14) and day 14-28 (ADG14-28) were calculated. The average concentrations of IGF-1, IgG and Vit A in colostrum were 504.6 ± 74.9 ng/ml, 9.7 ± 0.6 mg/ml and 549.1 ± 72.5 µg/100 g, respectively. The average body weight of kids at birth, day 14 and 28 were 1.72 ± 0.08, 2.95 ± 0.11 and 3.94 ± 0.13 kg respectively. Kid's breed, IGF-1, IgG and Vit A had significant positive effects on ADG14-28 while parity, litter size and sex had no effect. The growth factors that were classified into 2 classes based upon the mean values of colostral contents in all kids showed that the kids receiving the higher concentrations of IGF-1, IgG and Vit A in colostrum had higher body weight gain than those receiving the lower concentrations (92.1 ± 7.8 vs. 59.8 ± 5.7 g/day; p = 0.002, 88.3 ± 7.8 vs. 60.3 ± 6.1 g/day; p = 0.009 and 91.1 ± 6.8 vs. 56.7 ± 5.8 g/day; p < 0.001 respectively). It is concluded that IGF-1, IgG and Vit A concentrations in colostrum of dams were associated with increased kid's body weight gain at the end of first month in BB and BB crossbred goats.

Effects of Litter Size and Parity Number on Mammary Secretions Including, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, Immunoglobulin G and Vitamin A of Black Bengal, Saanen and Their Crossbred Goats in Thailand

The present study aims to investigate the composition including concentrations of IGF-1, IgG and Vit A in colostrum and their effects by litter size and goat parity in 3 groups of goats; Black Bengal (BB), Saanen (SA) and their crossbred (BBSA). Thirty-eight goats were used (23 BB, 7 BBSA and 8 SA). The composition (fat, protein, lactose and total solid; TS) in colostrum (Day 0; D0) and milk (Day 4; D4 and Day 7; D7) were measured. The IGF-1, IgG concentrations were analysed in some samples collected at D0, D4 and D7 while Vit A was analysed only in colostrum. The results showed that colostrum components were similar among experimental groups. However, the colostral IGF-1 concentration of BBSA (983.0 ± 163.6 ng/mL) was higher than that of BB (340.7 ± 85.5 ng/mL, p < 0.01) and SA (417.1 ± 93.9 ng/mL, p < 0.01). The colostral IgG concentration of BB (8.2 ± 0.9 mg/mL) was lower than that of BBSA (12.9 ± 1.7 mg/mL, p < 0.05) and SA (12.9 ± 1.0 mg/mL, p < 0.01). Colostral Vit A concentration in BBSA (787.2 ± 152.6 µg/100 gm) was higher than that in BB (388.9 ± 84.3 µg/100 gm, p < 0.05) but was not different from SA (522.8 ± 96.9 µg/100 gm). Colostrum from all groups contained higher protein and TS but was lower in lactose concentration than milk. The IGF-1 and IgG concentrations in colostrum were much higher than in milk both D4 and D7 (p < 0.001). Additionally, litter size had no effects on colostrum contents but colostrum from goats with a higher parity number had higher IgG concentration. It is concluded that colostrum from BBSA may be superior when fed to BB newborn goats in terms of higher IGF-1, IgG and Vit A contents. Moreover, colostrum from goats with a high parity number contained more IgG content.