Seasonal comparison of histomorphology and intestinal IGF-1 gene transcription rate changes in Shahrekord dairy cows

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Gholamali Kojouri 1
Mohamad Shadkhast 2
Hosein Hasanpour 2
Behnaz Karimi Babaahmadi 3
Zeinab Fathi Hafshejani 4
1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
2 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Sharekord, Iran.
3 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
4 DVM Graduated, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord- Iran
10.22034/ijvcs.2026.15032.1101
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone (GH), exerts stimulatory effects on cartilage and bone proliferation; however, limited information exists regarding the role of IGF-1 in small intestinal villus growth during cold and warm seasons. Accordingly, the present study was conducted on slaughtered dairy cows to determine the seasonal variations of serum zinc and magnesium levels, IGF-1 gene transcription rate and seasonal variations in small intestine crypt and villus size. To these reasons, blood and intestinal (duodenal) tissue samples were collected from 30 slaughtered cattle (aged over three years) during the winter and summer seasons. Serum zinc and magnesium concentrations were measured using commercial kits, and RT-PCR was employed to determine the intestinal IGF-1 gene transcription rate. Histomorphometric measurements were also evaluated using Image Tools III software. The results indicated that the IGF-1 gene transcription rate and villus size in winter were 1.82 and 1.2 times those observed in summer, respectively. Conversely, magnesium concentration was significantly higher in summer than in winter (P<0.05), whereas no statistically significant difference was observed in serum zinc levels. These findings indicated a positive correlation between intestinal IGF-1 gene transcription rate and the growth rate of intestinal villi. Consequently, seasonal variation in intestinal IGF-1 gene transcription rate has been reported here for the first time. Furthermore, the occurrence of hypomagnesemia in winter should be considered a risk factor predisposing cattle to subclinical and clinical hypocalcemia.
Keywords
Cattle
Intestine
IGF-1
Histomorphology
Magnesium
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Volume 20, Issue 1 - Serial Number 34
Spring &Summer 2026
September 2026
Pages 47-55