Effect of Propolis Applied to Goat Kids at Weaning Period on Heat Shock Protein Genes

In recent years, studies on the use of natural and organic additives have gained importance in goat breeding in order to prevent offspring losses and to encourage their growth and development by limiting the use of antibiotics. Especially the weaning period is a stressful period for kids and negative effects such as weight loss, increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections may be observed as a result of decreased nutrient intake and utilisation during this period. Considering these disadvantages that occur during the weaning period, it was thought that propolis would increase the potential to protect the health and welfare of kids during the weaning period due to its immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we aimed to examine the expression levels of HSP27, HSP60, and HSP70 molecular chaperones that modulate the cellular stress response, which partially express the effects of propolis on weaning stress. Saanen kids were divided into propolis treated (n=10) and control (no propolis treatment; n=10) groups. The propolis-treated group received 0.4 cc propolis once a day for two weeks after weaning. Expression levels were calculated by 2-ΔΔCt using the Pfaffl method and statistical significance levels were determined by Student t test. Blood samples were taken on the day of weaning and the following day to determine the effect of weaning stress on HSP27, HSP60, and HSP70 expression levels. The effect of propolis on weaning stress was examined in samples taken after two weeks of propolis treatment. The expression levels of HSP27 and HSP60 increased by approximately 2-fold during weaning stress, while HSP70 increased by 3.35-fold. When 0.4 cc propolis was applied to kids under weaning stress, a statistically significant downregulation of HSP27 level 1.08-fold, HSP60 level 1.56-fold, and HSP70 level 2.12-fold was obtained at the end of 2 weeks compared to the control group. Our study showed that propolis treatment decreased stress protein levels during weaning stress.