Transcriptomic changes underlying glucocorticoid-induced suppression of milk production by dairy cows

In this study we sought to establish changes within the mammary glands of lactating dairy cows (n=3-4) in response to a single dose of exogenous DEX by performing serial biopsies of alternating quarters of the udder Transcriptomic changes in the mammary glands in response to DEX were identified by RNA sequencing of mammary gland RNA at 0, 12, 24 and 72h post-DEX injection, followed by differential gene expression analysis Coincident with the milk yield and composition changes was the differential expression of 519 and 320 genes at 12 and 24 h after DEX, respectively, with return of all gene expression to baseline levels by 72 h. Differential gene-expression analysis of 3-TAG RNA-seq data for mammary gland RNA sampled at 0, 12, 24 and 72h post-dexamethasone injection