Effects of Intramuscular Injections of Vitamins AD3E and C in Combination on Fertility, Immunity, and Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Dairy Cows during Early Gestation

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the effects of the intramuscular injection of vitamins AD3E and C in combination immediately before the estrus synchronization program (the Ovsynch program) on conception and pregnancy rates, blood parameters, serum biochemical properties, immune systems, antioxidant parameters, and proteomic and transcriptomic analyses during early gestation in dairy cows. Forty nonlactating multiparous cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) C: control with normal saline injection; (2) VAD3E: a single intramuscular injection (I/M) of vitamin AD3E; (3) VAD3EC: injection of both vitamins AD3E and C; (4) VC: a single dose of vitamin C. Blood and serum samples were taken immediately at day 0 (before AI), day 7, and day 14 (after AI for 5 days) from the coccygeal vein. Generally, injections of AD3E and C in combination had no effect on the rate of conception or pregnancy. However, they improved hematological parameters and immune and antioxidant activities. Serum samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS, and 8190 proteins were identified. Five proteins were successfully validated using the quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) method. This study found that lymphocyte-specific protein 1 (LSP1, A0A3Q1M894) could be used as a protein biomarker for cows administrated with vitamins AD3E and C.