2.1 ǀ Experimental design and collection of samples
All procedures and samples used in the present study were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC; proposal no. AGB/PG-1/14-15). For molecular characterization and expression profile of the cpOAS1 gene, freshly slaughtered uteri were collected from the local slaughterhouse, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh immediately after exsanguination. Collected uteri were divided into two groups i.e. pregnant (n=12) and non-pregnant (n=6). Pregnant uteri were further classified into two subgroups, early pregnant (n=6, 16 to 24 d) and late pregnant (n=6, 25 to 40 d). Based on crown-rump length measurement, the number of days of pregnancy was determined26. These samples were processed as per the method described earlier27.