Serum levels of stanniocalcin-1 in Holstein heifers and cows

• Published in: Domestic animal endocrinology Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 105 - 109
• Main Authors: Tremblay, G., Delbecchi, L., Loiselle, M.C., Ster, C., Wagner, G.F., Talbot, B.G., Lacasse, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-02-2009; [Amsterdam; New York]: Elsevier Science Pub. Co
• Subjects: Age Factors; animal age; Animals; blood serum; Bovine; calves; Cattle - blood; chemical concentration; dairy cows; Dry period; Estradiol - blood; Female; Glycoproteins - blood; heifers; Holstein; hormone secretion; hormones; Lactation; Lactation - blood; Pregnancy; Progesterone - blood; Regression Analysis; Stanniocalcin-1; Pregnancy; Dry period; Stanniocalcin-1; Lactation; Bovine
• ISSN: 0739-7240; 1879-0054
• DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2008.11.002

Stanniocalcin-1 is a hormone that possesses both paracrine and endocrine functions and has recently been identified in mammals. While paracrine functions have been determined for several organs, the role of circulating stanniocalcin-1 in cattle is still unclear but, observations in mice and cows suggest that stanniocalcin-1 plays a role in both gestation and lactation. The changes in serum stanniocalcin-1 content in different physiological states have never been evaluated in ruminants. We measured stanniocalcin-1 levels in sera from cattle ranging in age from post-weaned calves to 17-month-old heifers and in sera from cows during lactation and pregnancy. Our results indicate that the blood concentration of stanniocalcin-1 is increased by pregnancy, but not by lactation. The highest levels of stanniocalcin-1 were found in young calves and during the non-lactating period preceding calving. This suggests that stanniocalcin-1 is important for gestation and the preparation of the mammary gland for lactation.