Species-specific expression of phosphoglycerate kinase 2 (PGK2) in the developing porcine testis
Whereas stage-specific markers for spermatogonial cells have been well investigated in mouse, the specific markers of germ cells in the testis of domestic animals have not been well defined. Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), an enzyme that converts 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate and adenosine diphosphate to 3-phosphoglycerate and adenosine triphosphate, has two isozymes: PGK1 and PGK2. In mouse, PGK1 exists only during the early stages of spermatogenesis, and PGK2 is then expressed during the pachytene spermatocyte stage. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 17, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Hyun-Jung Park, Won-Young Lee, Chankyu Park, Kwon-Ho Hong, Jin-Hoi Kim, Hyuk Song Source Type: research
Social dominance affects the development of sexual behaviour but not semen output in yearling bucks
Goats are polygynous seasonal mammals that establish dominant-subordinate relationships, especially in bucks. The aims of this study were to: 1) compare the reproductive development of dominant and subordinate young bucks allocated in dyads, and 2) determine if their previous dominant position affect their response to grouping. Twenty-four young bucks were allocated in dyads when they were 4 mo old, and the dominance position (DP) [dominant (DB) or subordinate buck (SB)] was determined with a test of competition for food. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 15, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Fernando S ánchez-Dávila, Hugo Bernal Barragán, Alejandro Sergio del Bosque-González, Rodolfo Ungerfeld Source Type: research
Oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress defense mechanisms of bovine granulosa cells exposed to heat stress
In most mammalian species including cattle, heat stress has detrimental effects on ovarian function through disturbing estradiol production and viability of granulosa cells. However, effect of heat stress and underlying cellular defense mechanisms of bovine granulosa cells is not fully understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of heat stress on granulosa cells function and the associated defense mechanism. For this an in vitro granulosa cell model was used to investigate the role of elevated temperature (41  °C) on granulosa cell functions at 24 h and 48 h exposure compared to the control cultured at 37â€...
Source: Theriogenology - January 15, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Teshome Wondie Alemu, Hari Om Pandey, Dessie Salilew Wondim, Samuel Gebremedhn, Christiane Neuhof, Ernst Tholen, Michael Holker, Karl Schellander, Dawit Tesfaye Source Type: research
Revised version social dominance affects the development of sexual behaviour but not semen output in yearling bucks
Goats are polygynous seasonal mammals that establish dominant-subordinate relationships, especially in bucks. The aims of this study were to: 1) compare the reproductive development of dominant and subordinate young bucks allocated in dyads, and 2) determine if their previous dominant position affect their response to grouping. Twenty-four young bucks were allocated in dyads when they were 4 moold, and the dominance position (DP) [dominant (DB) or subordinate buck (SB)] was determined with a test of competition for food. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 15, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Fernando S ánchez-Dávila, Hugo Bernal Barragán, Alejandro Sergio del Bosque-González, Rodolfo Ungerfeld Source Type: research
Cow body condition affects the hormonal release of ovarian cells and their responses to gonadotropic and metabolic hormones
We examined the effect of BCS on the basic ovarian cell functions and their responses to gonadotropic and metabolic hormones. We isolated ovarian cells from cows with a tendency toward emaciation (BCS2) and those with an average body condition (BCS3), and we compared their hormonal release and responses to FSH, leptin, ghrelin, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) added at doses of 0, 1, 10, or 100  ng/mL. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 15, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: A.V. Sirotkin, A.V. Makarevich, E. Kubovicova, J. Laurincik, S. Alwasel, A.H. Harrath Source Type: research
Effects of the HDAC inhibitor scriptaid on the in  vitro development of bovine embryos and on imprinting gene expression levels
This study examines the effects of the histone deacetylation inhibitor scriptaid (SCR) on preimplantation embryo development in  vitro and on imprinting gene expression. We hypothesized that SCR would increase histone acetylation levels, enhance embryonic genome activation, and regulate imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in in vitro produced bovine embryos. Zygotes were cultured in vitro in presence or absence of SCR added at different time points. We assessed cleavage and blastocyst rates as well as the quality of blastocysts through: (i) differential cell counts; (ii) survival after vitrification/thawing a...
Source: Theriogenology - January 11, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: R. Laguna-Barraza, M.J. S ánchez-Calabuig, A. Gutiérrez-Adán, D. Rizos, S. Pérez-Cerezales Source Type: research
Development of sea bream (Sparus aurata) semen vitrification protocols
The long-term goal of this research project is to set up efficient protocol that can be used to develop a standardized approach for vitrification of marine fish spermatozoa. In particular, the aim of the present study was to develop a vitrification protocol for sea bream (Sparus aurata) spermatozoa. To draw up the protocol, we tested two different dilution media (1% NaCl and Mounib medium), three different vitrification devices (loops, drops and cut straws), different cryoprotectants (CPs) and three different equilibration times (30, 60 and 120  s). (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 11, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Loredana Zilli, Annalisa Bianchi, Maroua Sabbah, Laura Pecoraro, Roberta Schiavone, Sebastiano Vilella Source Type: research
Effects of the HDAC inhibitor scriptaid on the in vitro development of bovine embryos and on imprinting gene expression levels
This study examines the effects of the histone deacetylation inhibitor scriptaid (SCR) on preimplantation embryo development in vitro and on imprinting gene expression. We hypothesized that SCR would increase histone acetylation levels, enhance embryonic genome activation, and regulate imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in in vitro produced bovine embryos. Zygotes were cultured in vitro in presence or absence of SCR added at different time points. We assessed cleavage and blastocyst rates as well as the quality of blastocysts through: (i) differential cell counts; (ii) survival after vitrification/thawing and (...
Source: Theriogenology - January 11, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: R. Laguna-Barraza, M.J. S ánchez-Calabuig, A. Gutiérrez-Adán, D. Rizos, S. Pérez-Cerezales Source Type: research
Effect of superstimulation on the expression of microRNAs and genes involved in steroidogenesis and ovulation in Nelore cows
To better understand the impact of ovarian superstimulation on bovine follicular microenvironment, Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus) were subjected to ovarian superstimulation with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, n  = 10; P-36 protocol) or FSH combined with eCG (n = 10; P-36/eCG protocol). Follicular fluid was analyzed for cholesterol concentration. Granulosa cells were analyzed by RT-qPCR to assess the expression of genes involved in steroidogenic and ovulatory and expression of microRNAs involved in final follicular development and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) expression. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 11, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: P.H. Santos, R.A. Satrapa, P.K. Fontes, F.F. Franchi, E.M. Razza, F. Mani, M.F.G. Nogueira, C.M. Barros, A.C.S. Castilho Source Type: research
Innate antiviral immune response against infectious bronchitis virus and involvement of prostaglandin E2 in the uterine mucosa of laying hens
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is an enveloped RNA virus that causes deformities in eggshells. The aim of this study was to investigate the innate immune response to IBV, and to determine whether prostaglandin (PG) E2, which is synthesized during inflammation, is involved in the innate immune response in the uterine mucosa. The effects of intra-oviductal inoculation with attenuated IBV (aIBV) on the expression of viral RNA recognition receptors and innate antiviral factors were examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, and on PGE2 levels by ELISA. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 11, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: M. Elhamouly, T. Terada, T. Nii, N. Isobe, Y. Yoshimura Source Type: research
Effects of maternal undernutrition on the growth, development and antioxidant status of ovine placentome subtypes during late pregnancy
This study investigated the effects of maternal undernutrition on the growth, development and antioxidant status of ovine placentome subtypes during late pregnancy. Eighteen time-mated Mongolian ewes with singleton fetuses were allocated to three groups at d 90 of pregnancy: Restricted Group 1 (RG1, 0.18  MJ ME · kg BW−0.75 · d−1, n = 6), Restricted Group 2 (RG2, 0.33 MJ ME · kg BW−0.75 · d−1, n = 6) and Control Group (CG, ad libitum, 0.67 MJ ME · kg BW −0.75 · d −1, n = 6). All animals were supplied chopped hay during the restriction period. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 11, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Yingchun Liu, Hui Li, Qila Sha, Rihan Hai, Ying Wang, Yanfeng Song, Feng Gao Source Type: research
Expression patterns of Toll-like receptors in the ovine corpus luteum during the early pregnancy and prostaglandin F2 α-induced luteolysis
The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression profiles of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the ovine corpus luteum (CL) during early pregnancy and prostaglandin F2 α (PGF2α)-induced luteolysis. For this purpose, multiparous Anatolian Merino ewes were selected and randomly allotted into cyclic (including those in the induced luteolysis group, n = 20) and pregnant (n = 12) groups. All of the ewes were scheduled to be slaughtered for predetermined days/ hour during the estrous cycle, early pregnancy, and PGF2a induced luteolysis. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 11, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Mehmet O. Atli, Mehmet Kose, Mustafa Hitit, M. Salih Kaya, Faruk Bozkaya Source Type: research
Contractile effect of rifaximin on bovine uterus in the presence of steroid hormone antagonists
This in vitro study investigated the modulatory effect of rifaximin on bovine uterus contractility, in both phases of the oestrous cycle, with and without the steroid hormones that are predominant in the respective phases: oestrogen in the follicular phase and progesterone in the luteal phase. The procedures were conducted in an isolated organ bath by using rifaximin alone (10 −4 M) and in association with the steroid hormone antagonists (10−5 M) tamoxifen (oestrogen antagonist) in the follicular phase and mifepristone (progesterone antagonist) in the luteal phase. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 10, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: R.L. Sciorsci, M. Piccinno, A. Rizzo Source Type: research
Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) generates alterations in the synthesis and secretion of oestradiol-17 β (E2) in uterine tissues: An in vitro study
An electromagnetic field (EMF) of extremely low frequency may affect physiological processes in mammals. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an EMF on the synthesis and secretion of oestradiol-17 β (E2) in the porcine uterus. Endometrial and myometrial slices were harvested on days 12–13 of the oestrous cycle and exposed in vitro to an EMF (50 and 120 Hz, 8 mT) for 2 and 4 h in the presence or absence of progesterone (P4). Subsequently, the incubation media were used to determine th e concentration of E2 with RIA. (Source: Theriogenology)
Source: Theriogenology - January 9, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Anna Koziorowska, Ewa Monika Waszkiewicz, Maria Romerowicz-Misielak, Kamila Zglejc, Anita Franczak Source Type: research
Global proteomic analysis of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) saliva at different stages of estrous cycle using high throughput mass spectrometry
Accurate and efficient detection of estrus is one of the major constraints for exploitation of the production potential of buffalo owing to its poor manifestation of estrus signs, seasonal differences in expression and higher incidences of silent estrus (29%). The current study focused on identification of estrus specific candidate proteins in saliva of buffaloes. Estrus was detected based on behavioral signs in response to the teaser and changes in reproductive organs and confirmed by per-rectal examination, trans-rectal USG of reproductive organs, cervico-vaginal mucus characteristics and blood serum progesterone estimat...
Source: Theriogenology - January 9, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: N.G. Shashikumar, R.K. Baithalu, S. Bathla, S.A. Ali, P. Rawat, A. Kumaresan, S. Kumar, B.R. Maharana, G. Singh, D.S. Puneeth Kumar, S.K. Singh, S.S. Lathwal, L. Jaiswal, T.K. Mohanty, A.K. Mohanty Source Type: research
