Steroidogenic activity of bovine ovaries depending on the effectiveness of artificial insemination and DIO1 gene polymorphism

Relevance. Low fertility of dairy cows is associated with embryonic mortality, which depends on the balance of sex steroids interacting with thyroid hormones. Polymorphism of the DIO1 gene, responsible for the metabolism of thyroid hormones, also affects reproductive function.
Methods. To study the dynamics of the progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2) blood content in connection with the effectiveness of artificial insemination and the DIO1 gene polymorphism, 30 black-and-white cows of the second to fourth calving were used. Blood sampling was performed on the day of insemination and after 7, 14, 21 and 33 days. The concentration of the hormones in the blood serum was determined by ELISA. On the 33rd day, based on the ultrasound results, the cows were divided into groups — pregnant (n = 18) and non-pregnant (n = 12). Using the qPCR method, three genotypes of animals were determined: CC (n = 13), CG (n = 10) and GG (n = 7).
Results. After successful insemination, the P4 concentration in the cows’ blood increased continuously (13.7 times) for 5 weeks, whereas after unsuccessful insemination its increase (5.9 times) was observed only between days 21 and 33. Concurrently, the level of E2 on the day of insemination was 1.4 times higher in non-pregnant animals than in pregnant animals. Besides, within 3 weeks after insemination, the E2 content in the blood of cows with the CG genotype was 1.5-1.9 times higher than that in animals with the CC genotype. The findings will be useful for improving the prognostic assessment and early diagnostics of the artificial insemination effectiveness in cows.

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