Effects of race, gender, body condition score and pregnancy on serum apelin levels in ewe

Apelin is an important adipokine hormone that is released from adipose tissue, which is considered as the energy store of the body, which plays a role in many physiological processes in the body, as well as cardiovascular, immune functions and energy, nutrients and fluid metabolism. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of lactation, pregnancy and gender on apelin hormone levels in blood serums belonging to different races of ewe. In the present study, the hormone levels of the pregnant, non-pregnant ewe and rams of the Akkaraman Kangal and Morkaraman races were thin, with different body condition scores (<2, 3 to 3.5 and ≥4). Apelin hormone level was determined by ELISA technique in blood serum samples of ewe's Jugular vein. It was determined that there was a difference in body scores between races and the interaction between race and body score was important (P<0.05). Apelin level in ewe in lactation and pregnant ewe did not change according to body condition scores (P>0.05). In terms of apelin, gender and body condition score, race and gender, and body condition score interactions were found to be significant.