Pleiotropic Effect of Probiotics Administration on Gene Expression of in Goats Impacting Immunity and Homeostasis

In animal production the use of probiotics supplements to promote animal health is increasing. The objective of this study was to assess molecular impact of Probiotic administration on activation of genes involved in homeostasis and immunity. Following initial screening for infection, one week post weaning, female SpanishXBoer  goats were drenched daily with 10 ml sterile water containing recommended doses of FASTtrak microbial pack (treatment I) or  sterile water (treatment II) for an 8 week period.  Blood samples were collected weekly. Total RNA was isolated from blood collected at the beginning of the study (Day 0) and at the end of the study (day 60) using Tri-reagent and then reverse-transcribed to cDNA using the Ambion-Retroscript kit. The cow Wingless signaling pathway, Cow Cytokine and Human Innate & Adaptive Immune Responses RT² Profiler™ PCR Arrays (SABiosciences) were used to profile the expression of 84 genes involved in each pathway. Different levels of these genes were expressed at day 0. Treatment increased the expression of innate and adaptive immune response, cytokine and Wingless pathway genes. The highest fold changes were observed wingless pathway genes. This study provides evidence for a pleiotropic effect of probiotics administration in goats impacting immunity and homeostasis.