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).