Abstract

The present study was carried out to assess the rhythmic change in the relative expression of IFN-y and quantification in blood of sheep experimental infected with Haemonchus Contortus. The whole blood samples were collected from Garole and Sahabadi breeds of sheep from West Bengal, India. All samples collected on three occasions were tested for expression of IFN-y gene in relation to GAPDH gene for quantification by Fast Eva green-based real time PCR and relative concentration by using the ELISA based standard commercial kit. The subsequent analysis was done by comparing infected group with normal group. The relative expression of IFN- gene in resistant group was found significantly lower (p< 0.05) in comparison to other two susceptible groups. The serum concentration of IFN-y was also found lower at the end of the experiment compared to two susceptible groups. This unique expression profile with reduced expression of IFN Y gene and low level of the cytokine in resistant Garole sheep indicates the immunity against Haemonchus Contortus infection in sheep predominantly Th2 type rather than Th1 type. This rhythmic change in immunological profile of IFN Y gene found in the present study will help to implement suitable control measure against one of the most pathogenic nematodes in ruminants.

Keywords: Haemonchus Contortus; Sheep; IFN-y gene expression and quantification