The Relationship between Complement Components C1R and C5 Gene Polymorphism and the Values of Blood Indices in Suckling Piglets

• Published in: Genes 2023-10, Vol.14 (11), p.2015
• Main Authors: Szymańska, Hanna, Dzika, Ewa, Zabolewicz, Tadeusz Jarosław, Życzko, Krystyna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Bacterial infections; Chromosome Mapping; Complement component C1r; Complement component C5; Complement system; Erythrocytes; Erythropoiesis; Gene polymorphism; Genes; Genotype; Hematology; Hemoglobin; Hogs; Immune response; Infections; Inflammation; Innate immunity; Leukocytes (granulocytic); Lymphocytes; Monocytes; Pathogens; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism; Polymorphism, Genetic; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Proteins; Restriction fragment length polymorphism; Smooth muscle; Suckling behavior; Swine - genetics
• ISSN: 2073-4425; 2073-4425
• DOI: 10.3390/genes14112015

The main mechanism of innate immunity is the complement system. Its components include the protein products of the and genes, which are involved in the classical activation pathway as well as the inflammatory and cytolytic immune responses, respectively. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism in (726T > C) and C5 (1044A > C) genes, and the values of hematological and biochemical blood indices in suckling crossbred (Polish Large White × Polish Landrace × Duroc × Pietrain) piglets (n = 473), considering their age (younger, 21 ± 3 days, n = 274; older, 35 ± 3 days, n = 199) and health status. The frequencies of the genotypes deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Younger piglets, healthy piglets, piglets that deviated from physiological norms and older piglets with the TT genotype all had lower white and red blood cell indices. In piglets with the CC genotype, younger piglets, piglets that deviated from physiological norms and older piglets, a greater number and/or percentage of monocytes were recorded in the blood. Older piglets also showed an increase in the number of leukocytes and granulocytes, along with a tendency for a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes in their blood. We concluded that a polymorphism in the gene may exhibit a functional association or genetic linkage with other genes involved in the process of erythropoiesis. Furthermore the relationship between the gene polymorphism and the number and/or percentage of monocytes in the blood may modify the body's defense abilities. Piglets with the CC genotype, having an increased number/proportion of these cells in their blood, probably display a weakened immune response to pathogens or a chronic stimulation of the immune system.