Fig 2: Relative expression values of BCL-3, NFKBIA, NFKBIB, NFKBIE, IKBKG, NFKBID and NFKBIZ mRNA in the lymph nodes from non-pregnant ewes and pregnant ewes. Note: DN16 = day 16 of the estrous cycle; DP13 = day 13 of pregnancy; DP16 = day 16 of pregnancy; DP25 = day 25 of pregnancy. Significant differences (p < 0.05) are indicated by different letters within same color columns. p values between 0.01 and 0.05 are shown with one (*) asterisk, and p values between 0.001 and 0.01 are shown with two (**) asterisks, and p value less than 0.001 is designated with three (***) asterisks.

Fig 3: Relative expression values of BCL-3, NFKBIA, NFKBIB, NFKBIE, IKBKG, NFKBID and NFKBIZ mRNA in ovine spleen measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Note: DN16 = day 16 of the estrous cycle; DP13 = day 13 of pregnancy; DP16 = day 16 of pregnancy; DP25 = day 25 of pregnancy. Significant differences (p < 0.05) are indicated by different letters within same color columns. p values between 0.001 and 0.01 are shown with two (**) asterisks, and p value less than 0.001 is designated with three (***) asterisks.

Fig 4: Sketch of I?B family in the liver during early pregnancy. Early pregnancy signals (interferon-tau (IFNT) and progesterone (P4)) change expression of IkappaB (I?B) family, which leads to maternal peripheral tolerance and pregnancy establishment. I?B family includes B cell leukemia-3 (BCL-3), I?Ba, I?Bß, I?Be, IKK?, I?BNS and I?B?. Red, increase; Green, changed and decrease; Blue, changed.

Fig 5: Relative expression values of BCL-3, NFKBIA, NFKBIB, NFKBIE, IKBKG, NFKBID and NFKBIZ mRNA in ovine liver. Note: DN16 = day 16 of the oestrous cycle; DP13 = day 13 of pregnancy; DP16 = day 16 of pregnancy; DP25 = day 25 of pregnancy. Significant differences (p < 0.05) are indicated by different letters within same colour column.