Expression of heat-shock protein 72 mRNA in relation to heart rate variability of Sahiwal and Karan-Fries in different temperature-humidity indices

AIM: To investigate the effect of temperature-humidity index (THI) on the expression pattern of heat-shock protein 72 (HSP72) mRNA of Sahiwal and Karan-Fries (KF) cattle in different THIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five different periods of a year were selected based on combinations of T(max)/T(min), viz., P1: <20°C/<10°C; P2: >20°C/<10°C, P3: <30°C/<15°C; P4: >35°C/<20°C, and P5: >35°C/>20°C. The THI was calculated from the records of temperature and relative humidity in different periods. Heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated from electrocardiogram records in different periods. HSP72 mRNA expression was estimated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The THI recorded during P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 were 55.5, 60.3, 70.1, 74.5, and 79.0, respectively. THI in P4 and P5 were stressful to animals. HSP72 mRNA expression increased during cold stress in P1 in Sahiwal and heat stress in P4 and P5 in both Sahiwal and KF. Sahiwal maintained increased HSP72 mRNA expression longer than KF without causing a significant change in HRV. CONCLUSION: Both low THI in winter and high THI in summer increased HSP72 mRNA of Sahiwal and KF without significant change in HRV. Thermotolerance of Sahiwal could be due to the maintenance of higher HSP72 expression longer than KF in prolonged heat stress in summer.