# Individual Genomic Loci, Transcript Level and Serum Profile of Immune, Antioxidant and Hormonal Markers Associated with Sheep Arthritis

## TL;DR

This study identifies immune, antioxidant, and hormonal markers linked to arthritis in sheep, which could help in diagnosing and understanding the condition.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into gene expression and serum profiles associated with sheep arthritis, offering potential diagnostic markers.

## Key findings

- Arthritis-affected rams showed higher expression of pro-inflammatory genes like IL-1α, IL-1β, and TNFα.
- Lower expression of antioxidant genes like SOD3 and CAT was observed in arthritic rams.
- Pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins showed high sensitivity and specificity for arthritis detection.

## Abstract

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that impacts joints’ constituent parts. Immunological and antioxidant indicators have a major role in the generation and regulation of the inflammatory response. In this study, 30 rams with arthritis and 30 rams in good condition were employed for biochemical and gene expression research. The results of this study revealed that there were gene expression, nucleotide sequence and biochemical variations between the healthy and arthritis rams. The shift in the profile of the examined markers points to a potential source of sheep arthritis indications.

Arthritis is a leading cause of economic loss in livestock farming including sheep. This study examined the changes in gene expression, antioxidants, pro-inflammatory cytokines, acute-phase proteins (APPs), hormonal assays and iron profiles linked to sheep arthritis, as well as the diagnostic utility of these markers. Blood samples were obtained from 30 apparently healthy rams and 30 rams with arthritis for gene expression and biochemical analyses. Gene expression intensities were much higher in the arthritis-affected rams than in the healthy ones for the genes IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNFα, NCF4, NFKB, TMED, FCAMR, iNOS and COX18. The SOD3, CAT, GPX and ATOX1 genes were expressed at substantially lower levels in arthritis-affected rams. Disparities in the nucleotide sequence variants for the amplified DNA bases linked to arthritis for the studied genes were found in the PCR-DNA sequence verdicts of the affected and healthy rams. Immunological, acute-phase protein (APP), antioxidant, hormonal and iron profiles were estimated in both groups and statistically analyzed. The arthritic group in relation to the healthy one showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, APPs, free radicals, immunoglobulins, cortisol, GH, TSH, ferritin, TIBC and UIBC and a significant (p ˂ 0.05) decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokines, antioxidants, complements, insulin, T3, T4, SI, and Tf and Tf sat.% serum levels. The estimated pro-inflammatory cytokines and APPs achieved high values of sensitivity and specificity, positive predictive values (PPVs), negative predictive values (NPVs), a high accuracy rate and a moderate likelihood ratio (LR). The study concluded that ovine arthritis stimulates innate and humeral immunity, resulting in prominent alterations in gene expression, pro-inflammatory cytokines, APP assays and antioxidant profiles, which could be valuable indicators of sheep arthritis.