Effect of Mucuna Pruriens Seeds Supplementation on Heat Shock Proteins and Mitochondrial Gene Expression in Beetal Goats in Relation to Seasonal Stress

Abstract Mucuna pruriens seeds are known to exhibit antistress and antioxidant properties. The study was conducted to analyze the effect of Mucuna pruriens seed supplementation on heat shock protein (HSP) and mitochondrial gene expression, which are considered as molecular markers of heat stress. Adult beetal does, and kids were given 100 mg/kg bodyweight of M. pruriens seed powder for 30 days during the winter and summer seasons. Gene expression of HSP-70, HSP-90 genes, and mitochondrial cytochrome B and cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene were tested on day 0 and day 30 blood samples. Average THI was significantly higher during summer, while relative humidity remained significantly higher during the winter season. HSP-70 and HSP-90 gene expression were found to be significantly decreased while COX-I and CYT B were found significantly increased in Mucuna pruriens supplemented does and kids during both summer and winter season compared to the control group. Supplementing Mucuna pruriens seeds @ 100 mg/kg body weight to goats leads to a decrease in thermal stress response and increases mitochondrial respiration efficiency as evident from increase in mitochondrial gene expression, thus ameliorating seasonal stress response and improving the overall physiological adaptability of the goat to seasonal stress.