Insulin Receptor Gene Expression in Normal and Diseased Bovine Liver

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to compare insulin receptor (IR) gene expression in normal bovine liver (n = 7) with samples of liver from cows in the perinatal period with ketosis (n = 7) and cows with fatty liver (n = 7). Gene expression was determined by internally controlled reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of IR mRNA in the liver of ketotic dairy cows was higher than in cows with fatty liver, but in both disease groups the expression was substantially lower than that in normal liver. Reduced expression of IR mRNA in fatty liver indicates that responses to insulin are markedly decreased, which might be due to insulin resistance. The relatively lower IR mRNA expression in the liver tissue of dairy cows with ketosis might enhance gluconeogenesis and lipid mobilization to relieve energy negative balance.