Comparison between plasma and milk levels of leptin during pregnancy and lactation in cow, a relationship with beta-lactoglobulin

Leptin gene is expressed in the mammary tissue and the expression of both leptin and its receptor changes significantly during pregnancy and lactation, with high levels during the first half of pregnancy and a decrease at delivery. The aim of this work was to investigate into leptin concentration in plasma and in milk during pregnancy and the first week after parturition in dairy cow and to analyze the correlation between leptin and beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) concentrations in plasma and in milk. The trial was conducted on six Holstein dairy cows, reared in the same environmental conditions and evaluated with similar body condition score, during the complete reproductive cycle from insemination to the delivery. Blood from the jugular vein and milk samples were collected at weekly intervals. Plasma leptin concentration showed a lower level (p < 0.05) at the beginning of pregnancy. Milk leptin concentration showed a higher level (p < 0.01) than plasma level from week 23 to week 29 of pregnancy. Plasma beta-LG concentrations were higher (p < 0.01) compared to plasma concentrations during the first part of pregnancy, then milk levels rise and become higher than plasma levels during the last weeks before dry period. A positive correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between leptin and beta-LG both in plasma and in milk profiles.