Expression of RBP4-mRNA in adipose tissue and RBP4 in serum of healthy dairy cows.

Introduction: In human diabetologia recently retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is discussed to be directly involved into insulin resistance and to reflect visceral fat mass. RBP4 is the transport protein for retinols in blood. It is synthesized mainly in liver and is catabolized in kidney after glomerular filtration. In wild type mice insulin resistance could be induced by an injection of RBP4 or by transgenic overexpression, whilst lower serum levels of RBP4 were associated with improved insulin sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate whether mRNA expression of RBP4 of healthy cows differs between fat depots and whether serum RBP4 concentrations in dairy cows change during the periparturient period or correlate with NEFA-concentrations.