ROLE OF AQUAPORINS IN THERMOREGULATION OFBUFFALOES DURING DIFFERENT SEASONS
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Date
2019
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Publisher
ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL
Abstract
The study was conducted on buffaloes (n=12) to study the role of aquaporins in
thermoregulation of buffaloes during different seasons. The relative gene
expression of aquaporins in skin and upper respiratory tract were studied. For
study of gene expression in upper respiratory tract, tissue samples were collected
from slaughter house. In skin, AQP1, AQP3 and AQP5 expression were studied
during winter, spring and summer seasons. The relative mRNA expression of
AQP1, AQP3, AQP4 and AQP5 in nasal turbinate and upper tracheal mucosa
during winter, spring and summer seasons were studied. The results of the study
confirmed the presence of aquaporins in the studied tissue by gene expression
studies and immunolocalization in the skin, nasal turbinate and tracheal mucosa.
Further physiological responses, hematological parameters, electrolyte,
biochemical and hormonal concentrations of the animals were evaluated to
ascertain their role in the thermoregulation of buffaloes. The physiological
responses viz. respiratory rate, heart rate, rectal temperature and skin
temperature of buffaloes increased with increase in ambient temperature. There
was a significant increase in evaporation rate from skin and pulmonary surface of
buffaloes with the concomitant increase in ambient temperature during summer.
The hematological components varied seasonally with PCV being lowest during
summer, Hb and TEC count being highest during spring, and TLC being highest
during winter. The high concentration of plasma anti diuretic hormone
accompanied by low packed cell volume during summer is indicative of its role to
conserve body water content in buffaloes. The higher relative expression of
AQP1, AQP3 and AQP5 during summer season in skin of buffaloes along with
increasing sweating rate and evaporative loss through skin is indicative of their
role in thermoregulation of buffaloes. The up regulation of AQP1 in nasal turbinate
during summer and the concomitant rise in pulmonary evaporation rate is
suggestive of its role in water diffusion through nasal mucosa during hot
ambience. The down regulation of AQP1, AQP3, AQP4 and AQP5 in tracheal
mucosa during summer indicates their minor role during evaporative water loss
from upper respiratory tract during summer. Different aquaporins are regulated at
different levels in skin, nasal turbinate and tracheal mucosa of buffaloes during
different seasons.