Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Cow Placentas with Retained Foetal Membranes

Abstract

Retained foetal membrane (RFM) is a common reproductive pathology that harms the health of dairy cows. The aim of this study was to clarify the pathogenesis of RFM and screen for an early clinical diagnostic marker of this disease by using comparative proteomics and bioinformatics. Three RFM placental tissues from three cows and an equal number of normal placental tissues were collected for this study. There were 240 spots showing significant differential expressions of known proteins between the two types of foetal placental tissue samples. Between the two maternal placental tissue samples, there were 214 spots with differentially expressed levels of known proteins. Ten spots were successfully picked from the gels of the two foetal placental tissues. Of these, only seven showed significant differences in protein expression levels (BSA, alpha enolase, apolipoprotein A-I, annexin A8-like 1, serine proteinase inhibitor, glutathione transferase, and transketolase). Nine distinct spots were successfully chosen from the two maternal placental tissues. Of these, only five spots showed significant differences in protein expression (aldose reductase, heat shock 27 kDa protein 1, serine (or cysteine) proteinase inhibitor, alpha enolase, and annexin A2). The cause and influencing factors of this disease are related to fibrinolysis, pyruvate metabolism, inflammatory response and oxidative stress.