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The Platelet Activation Signaling Pathway Regulated by Fibrinogen and Homo-Gamma-Linolenic Acid (C20:3)-Associated Lipid Metabolism Is Involved in the Maintenance of Early Pregnancy in Chinese Native Yellow Cattle
by
, , and
Miao Yu
1,2,†,
Changzheng Du
1,2,†,
Yabo Ma
1,2,
Yuqin Ma
1,2,
Pengfei Li
1,2,
Xianguo Xie
1,2,
Mengyuan Li
1,2,
Xueyi Nie
1,2,
Yueyang Liu
1,2,
Yuxin Hou
1,2,
Shenao Miao
1,2,
Xingping Wang
1,3,
Jinrui Xu
1,2,* and
Yi Yang
1,2,* 1
School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
2
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in the Western, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
3
College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Animals 2025, 15(9), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15091219
Submission received: 20 February 2025
/
Revised: 8 April 2025
/
Accepted: 23 April 2025
/
Published: 25 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Cattle)
Simple Summary
Early pregnancy detection in cattle is critical for improving reproductive efficiency and reducing economic losses. This study investigated changes in blood proteins and metabolites in Chinese native yellow cattle during early pregnancy using advanced proteomic and metabolomic techniques. Blood samples were collected from pregnant and non-pregnant cows at day 0 and day 21 post-mating. Our results revealed the significant upregulation of the fibrinogen beta chain (FGB) and metabolic changes related to platelet activation and vascular development. These findings suggest that FGB could serve as a novel biomarker for early pregnancy detection, providing a valuable tool for improving cattle breeding management and productivity.
Abstract
Identifying the specific factors secreted during early pregnancy is an effective method for pregnancy detection in cattle, helping to reduce empty pregnancies in the industry. To systematically investigate metabolic variations between early pregnancy and the estrous cycle and their relationship with pregnancy progression, this study utilized four-dimensional data-independent acquisition (4D-DIA) proteomics and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) metabolomics to analyze serum samples collected from Chinese native yellow cattle at day 0 and day 21 post-mating, combining bioinformatics analysis with experimental validation. The platelet activation signaling pathway and angiogenesis-related proteins were significantly upregulated. Among them, fibrinogen alpha/beta/gamma chains (FG) exhibited notable differences, with their branched-chain protein FGB showing highly significant upregulation (p = 0.003, Log2FC = 2.167) and tending to increase gradually during early pregnancy, suggesting that FGB could be one of the important indicators of early pregnancy in Chinese native yellow cattle. Among the differential metabolites, 11-Deoxy prostaglandin F1α (p < 0.001, Log2FC = 1.563), Thromboxane B1 (p = 0.002, Log2FC = 3.335), and Homo-Gamma-Linolenic Acid (C20:3) (p = 0.018, Log2FC = 1.781) were also increased, indicating their involvement in the regulation of the platelet activation signaling pathway. The platelet activation signaling pathway plays a crucial role in maternal immune tolerance and placental vascularization, which are essential for embryo implantation and placental development. These findings indicate that FGB has the potential to be a valuable biomarker for early cattle pregnancy detection, thereby improving pregnancy diagnosis accuracy, reducing economic losses caused by undetected empty pregnancies and enhancing reproductive efficiency in the cattle industry. Undoubtedly, our research outcomes must be validated with future studies, and a larger sample size as well as the evaluation of the potential endocrine effects induced by the synchronized estrus treatment must be considered.
