Biochemical Insights into Caprine Reproduction: MMP Analysis Using Gelatin Zymography

Author: T.C. Balamurugan, E.L. Aadhie Shrie, G. Anandhi, M. Muthulakshmi, M. Swathi, V. Haripriya, M. Vishal and R. Prakash Krupakaran

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Abstract

A comparative study was conducted to find out the existence of gelatinases in the serum of native goat breed of Tamil Nadu ‘Salem black’. Experimental animals were divided into two groups for each breed viz., Group I (Pregnant), Group II (Non Pregnant). In each group, the serum samples were collected from twelve healthy animals in a heparinized vacutainer, during early morning before feeding the animals. All the serum samples were subjected to gelatin zymography. It was confirmed that the major bands were observed at 220, 135 and 92 kDa of MMP-9 and 72 kDa of MMP-2 in both the groups. In group I, two prominent bands were observed at 92 kDa and 72 kDa and it represents the latent forms of MMP-9 and MMP-2 respectively. Additionally, three lytic bands representing the proforms of MMP-9 were detected in each group at 220, 135 and 125 kDa. In comparison to the non-pregnant group, the pregnant groups' latent form of MMP-2 (72 kDa) intensity was 1.5 times greater. Likewise, the pregnant group had increased MMP-2 expression than the non-pregnant group. MMP-2 levels were higher in the early stages of pregnancy than in the nonpregnant group. Nonetheless, the MMP-9 intensity remained constant and increased during the middle to late phases of management. MMP-9 involved in tissue remodelling, which was more noticeable in the late gestational phase. With possible ramifications for reproductive control and early pregnancy diagnoses in Salem Black goats, these results lend credence to the theory that MMP-9 is a crucial biomarker of pregnancy-related ECM remodeling in ruminants.

Keywords

Gelatin zymography, MMP-2, MMP-9, Gelatinases, Bands

Conclusion

It was concluded that the expression of gelatinase activity was confirmed in both the groups. During early stages of pregnancy, the expression of MMP 2 was higher in pregnant groups than non-pregnant groups. As pregnancy advances, the expression of MMP-9 was higher in pregnant groups than nonpregnant groups. Since, MMP-9 was involved in tissue remodeling during advance stages of pregnancy, it was expressed at higher concentration. MMP-9 expression is significantly up regulated in pregnant Salem Black goats, reflecting its essential role in trophoblast invasion, ECM degradation, and placental vascularization. The lower expression in non-pregnant goats suggests that MMP-9 is primarily involved in pregnancy-associated uterine changes. In contrast, MMP-2 was expressed in both groups, albeit with a moderate increase in pregnancy, indicating its role in general uterine tissue remodeling rather than active placental invasion. These findings support the hypothesis that MMP-9 serves as a key biomarker of pregnancy-related ECM remodeling in ruminants, with potential implications for reproductive management and early pregnancy diagnostics in Salem Black goats.

References

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How to cite this article

T.C. Balamurugan, E.L. Aadhie Shrie, G. Anandhi, M. Muthulakshmi, M. Swathi, V. Haripriya, M. Vishal and R. Prakash Krupakaran (2025). Biochemical Insights into Caprine Reproduction: MMP Analysis Using Gelatin Zymography. Biological Forum, 17(3): 113-116.