3.5 ǀ Expression of cpOAS1 protein
The informative mRNA level of the cpOAS1 gene was further validated and quantified at the protein level in the endometrium of does by the western blot technique. Caprine OAS1 protein (~46 kDa, 69/71 kDa) was detected in pregnant and non-pregnant endometrium of does (FIGURE 12) but approximate, ~42 kDa in size was detected only in early pregnancy of does. The cpOAS1 protein level (69 kDa) was significantly high (P<0.05) during early pregnancy (16 to 24 d) and later stage of pregnancy (25 to 40 d) as compared to the non-pregnancy stage. Relative expression of cpOAS1 protein was 6.73 and 2.98 fold higher during early and later stages of pregnancy, respectively, as compared with non-pregnant does (FIGURE 12). Beta-actin was used as endogenous control and it showed an equal intensity of 43 kDa protein in all three groups (figure not shown).