Evaluation of Nesfatin–1 levels in ewes with pregnancy toxemia

The goal of the present research was to investigate the effects of pregnancy toxemia (PT) on nesfatin–1 levels in ewes and to examine its relationship with spexin, another biomarker involved in energy metabolism. The study was conducted on 45 Awassi ewes that had given birth at least once and were between 120 and 150 days of pregnancy. There were three groups of ewes. The control group (Group 1, n=15) consisting healthy ewes showing β– hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) levels < 0.8 mmol·L-1, the subclinical PT group (Group 2, n=15) involved ewes with BHBA levels between 0.8 to 2.5 mmol·L-1, and the clinical PT group (Group 3, n=15) contained ewes with BHBA levels > 2.5 mmol·L-1 (which ranged from 2.6 to 7.10 mmol·L-1). We utilized a commercial kit that measured the levels of serum nesfatin–1 and spexin. Compared to the control group, the concentrations of spexin were significantly lower in both of the subclinical and clinical PT groups (P<0.001). The subclinical PT group showed lower levels of Nesfatin–1 than the control group, but the clinical PT group had larger levels (P<0.001). The subclinical and clinical PT groups had significantly higher levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in comparison to the control group (P<0.001). The subclinical and clinical PT groups had very high levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma– glutamyl transferase (GGT) (P<0.001). The correlation examination elucidated the ensuing relationships: There was an important positive link between spexin levels and insulin (P<0.001). Spexin levels showed an adverse correlation with nesfatin–1, BHBA, non– esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides, cholesterol, AST, and GGT (P<0.001). Nesfatin–1 levels exhibited a positive connection with glucose, BHBA, NEFA, triglycerides, cholesterol, AST, and GGT, and a significant negative correlation with insulin (P<0.001). In conclusion, nesfatin–1 and spexin neuropetids could act as novel biomarkers for the detection of both clinical and subclinical forms of PT in sheep.