Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) m-RNA Expression Pattern during Different Seasons in Red Kandhari Cattle of India

Background: Heat shock proteins (HSPs), particularly HSP70, are highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed proteins that are synthesized in response to a variety of stressors. Among these, HSP70 plays a crucial role in cellular protection during heat stress by being rapidly up-regulated, thereby exerting a cytoprotective effect. Acting as molecular chaperones, HSPs help maintain the proper three-dimensional structure of proteins under adverse environmental conditions. As a result, they enhance cellular adaptability and contribute significantly to stress tolerance and thermal regulation. The present study aimed to examine the expression pattern of the HSP70 gene in Red Kandhari cattle across different seasons, with a particular focus on assessing relative thermal stress during summer in comparison to the winter and rainy seasons. Methods: In the present experiment, apparently healthy, male (n=12) and females (n=12) experimental animals of Red Kandhari cattle with the average age ranging from 1-4 yrs were selected from Livestock Farm Complex, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Parbhani. Blood samples (2 mL) were collected once for the three different seasons viz. summer: April-May (May: THI 83.36), rainy: June-September (September: THI 78.24) and winter: January-February (January: THI 67.84) during 2023. A quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) expression study was undertaken to evaluate the relative m-RNA expression pattern of the HSP70 gene during different seasons. Result: The study revealed that the relative mRNA expression of the HSP70 gene was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) during the summer season compared to the winter and rainy seasons in Red Kandhari cattle. Additionally, expression levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in the rainy season than in winter. These findings suggest that fluctuations in ambient temperature and humidity lead to increased HSP70 gene expression. Notably, during the summer, the elevated expression of heat shock proteins in Red Kandhari cattle appears to support cellular adaptability, enhance stress tolerance and maintain thermal homeostasis.