157 EFFECT OF FSH STARVATION (COASTING) FOLLOWING SUPEROVULATION ON OOCYTE COMPETENCE AND CLONING EFFICIENCY IN GOATS

Oocyte competence plays a key role in the overall efficiency of reproductive biotechnologies. In cattle, FSH starvation following superovulation (coasting) improves oocyte competence, blastocyst yield and pregnancy outcome when used in ovum pickup-in vitro production programs. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of coasting after exogenous FSH stimulation on goat oocyte quality and competence to support in vitro maturation and in vivo embryo development following cloning procedures in goats. Donor and recipient preparation, cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) retrieval and selection, IVM, cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer, embryo transfer, and pregnancy diagnosis (Days 23–26) were performed according to our established procedures [Martins et al. 2016 doi: 10.1089/cell.2015.0082]. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were obtained in vivo from 71 cycling FSH-stimulated mature Nubian-crossed goats, combined or not with FSH starvation (coasting period). Donor females were oestrous synchronized with a progesterone intravaginal insert (Day 0). On Day 10, a 0.75-mg D-cloprostenol dose was given IM, with the onset of the superovulation treatment, composed of five 20-mg FSH doses (Folltropin®, Bioniche Animal Health, Pullman, WA, USA), via IM at 12-h intervals. Donors were subjected to laparoscopic ovum pickup either 9 h (control group, n = 36) or 21 h (coasting group, n = 35) after the last FSH dose, respectively. Skin fibroblast cell cultures from a male neonate were co-transfected with a mammary gland expression vector with the human lactoferrin (hLF) coding sequence and with CRISPR/Cas9 system either for the PRNP prion gene or the Rosa26 locus. A bi-allelic hLF-PRNP and a mono-allelic hLF-Rosa26 cell colony were used for cloning. Data were compared by ANOVA or the χ2 test (P < 0.05). No differences were observed between control and coasting for number of follicles (18.7 ± 1.4 v. 21.2 ± 1.7), and retrieved (17.3 ± 1.2 v. 20.7 ± 1.9), viable (15.9 ± 1.1 v. 19.6 ± 1.8), Grade I (1.5 ± 0.3 v. 2.5 ± 0.5), and Grades III+IV (6.0 ± 0.6 v. 5.7 ± 0.7) COC, as well as for COC retrieval (92.4%, 574/621 v. 94.5%, 685/725) and fusion (62.8%, 273/435 v. 61.3%, 311/507) rates, respectively, irrespective of the cell lines. However, the coasting group rendered higher number of Grade II COC (11.3 ± 1.2 v. 8.4 ± 0.7), number and proportion of Grades I+II COC (13.9 ± 1.5 v. 9.9 ± 0.9, 70.8% v. 62.4%), and maturation rate (70.9% v. 65.4%) than the control group, respectively, for a lower proportion of Grades III+IV (29.2% v. 37.6%, respectively). A total of 213 and 233 Day-1 cloned embryos from the control and the coasting groups were transferred to 18 (96/9 hLF-PRNP and 117/9 hLF-Rosa26 cells) and 19 (128/11 hLF-PRNP and 105/8 hLF-Rosa26 cells) female recipients, respectively, resulting in 1/9 (11.1%) and 4/11 (36.4%) pregnancies from the hLF-PRNP cells, and 3/9 (33.3%) and 3/8 (37.5%) from the hLF-Rosa26 cells, for the control (4/18, 22.2%) and coasting (7/19, 36.8%) groups, respectively, for an overall pregnancy rate of 29.7% (11/37). In conclusion, the use of coasting improved oocyte quality and in vitro maturation rate, also appearing to increase pregnancy outcome after goat cloning.

75 PLACENTA PROTEIN PROFILE CHARACTERIZATION BY PLACENTOME SIZE AND GESTATIONAL AGE IN CATTLE

The placenta plays a key role in normal conceptus development and in mediating effects of the maternal system on the fetus. Changes in the environment or in placental function may affect fetal developmental and lead to what is known as “developmental origins of health and disease.” Thus, the aim of this study was to analyse the protein profile of bovine placentomes of different sizes at distinct gestation ages to determine spatial and temporal differences or similarities in the protein pool of biological significance to the conceptus and the newborn. Samples of placentomes (n = 36) representing small, medium, and large sizes among placentomes at 60, 90, 120, and 160 days of gestation were collected at a local slaughterhouse and freeze-dried for protein analysis. For that, 5 mg of each tissue sample was used for protein extraction with 1% Triton X and sonication for 10 min at 4°C, with protein concentration per sample determined by the Bradford method. A total of 300 μg of protein was subjected to 2D-SDS PAGE electrophoresis (GE Healthcare®), and gels were stained with Coomassie Blue G-250. Spots were analysed using the PDQuest, with data compared by ANOVA or the Kruskall-Wallis test (SAS). In silico protein identification was performed using ExPASy. On average, 74 proteins were detected in the gels, regardless of placentome sizes and gestational ages. No interactions were detected between placentome sizes and gestational periods. However, differences were observed in the mean number of proteins between small (n = 69), medium (n = 90), and large (n = 64) placentomes (P = 0.002), and between Days 60 (n = 113), 90 (n = 65), 120 (n = 44), and 160 (n = 74) of gestation (P = 0.001). One specific spot (32.45 kDa, 4.6 pI) represented 1.0, 10.8, 12.1, and 2.1% of the intensity of all valid spots for Day 60, 90, 120, and 160 placentomes, respectively, indicating a bell-like expression. For small placentomes, all the spots had similar intensities, whereas for medium placentomes, the 32.45 kDa (4.6 pI) spot represented 3.0% of the intensity of all valid spots. For large placentomes, the 32.45 kDa (4.6 pI) spot and a 46.19 kDa (5.4 pI) spot represented 5.8 and 5.0% of the total intensity for all spots, respectively. Six and 10 spots were differentially identified between placentome sizes and between gestational periods, respectively, from which male-enhanced antigen-1 proteins and angio-associated migratory cell protein were identified by in silico analysis, with the former only present on Day 90 placentomes, and the latter for 120 days of gestation. Further analyzes on the identities of such placental proteins and their profiles is underway, which will be crucial to the comprehension of placentome function and growth during pregnancy, and for the understanding of physiological mechanisms and processes associated with normal conceptus development and life ex utero.

Fibrin-alginate hydrogel supports steroidogenesis, in vitro maturation of oocytes and parthenotes production from caprine preantral follicles cultured in group

This study aimed to establish a culture system that improves the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles. In a first experiment, follicles were encapsulated as a single unit per bead and cultured singly or in groups or with five follicles in the same alginate (ALG) bead for 18 days. In a subsequent experiment, the "five follicles per bead" design was chosen to culture in ALG, fibrin-alginate (FA) or hyaluronate (HA) for 18 days. In a third experiment, we chose the five follicles per bead in FA to culture for 30 days. The culture set-up of five follicles per ALG bead increased antrum formation and follicle diameter compared to the other culture designs (p < .05). Moreover, under this condition, 44.44% of the oocytes from in vitro cultured preantral follicles reached meiotic resumption. A significant increase of follicle diameter occurred in attachment system and FA (p < .05), but the ALG condition reached the highest among all groups on day 18 (p < .05). Follicles encapsulated in matrix produced more estradiol and progesterone than attachment system (p < .05). The expression of MMP-9 mRNA was higher in FA than in other groups (p < .05) and similar to antral follicles from in vivo control (p > .05). Only FA group resulted in oocytes matured. After 30 days, oocytes from preantral follicles in vitro grown in FA developed to eight-cell parthenotes. In conclusion, a culture system using FA supported the development of caprine preantral follicles cultured in group and included in the same bead of hydrogel, improving the oocyte maturation and producing parthenotes.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide, whose receptor-mediated signalling may be defective in alopecia areata, provides protection from hair follicle immune privilege collapse

BACKGROUND

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder whose pathogenesis involves the collapse of the relative immune privilege (IP) of the hair follicle (HF). Given that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an immunoinhibitory neuropeptide released by perifollicular sensory nerve fibres, which play a role in IP maintenance, it may modulate human HF-IP and thus be therapeutically relevant for AA.

OBJECTIVES

To answer the following questions: Do human HFs express VIP receptors, and does their stimulation protect from or restore experimentally induced HF-IP collapse? Is VIP signalling defective in AA HFs?

METHODS

Firstly, VIP and VIP receptor (VPAC1, VPAC2) expression in human scalp HFs and AA skin was assessed. In HF organ culture, we then explored whether VIP treatment can restore and/or protect from interferon-γ-induced HF-IP collapse, assessing the expression of the key IP markers by quantitative (immuno-)histomorphometry.

RESULTS

Here we provide the first evidence that VIP receptors are expressed in the epithelium of healthy human HFs at the gene and protein level. Furthermore, VIP receptor protein expression, but not VIP(+) nerve fibres, is significantly downregulated in lesional hair bulbs of patients with AA, suggesting defects in VIP receptor-mediated signalling. Moreover, we show that VIP protects the HF from experimentally induced IP collapse in vitro, but does not fully restore it once collapsed.

CONCLUSIONS

These pilot data suggest that insufficient VIP receptor-mediated signalling may contribute to impairing HF-IP in patients with AA, and that VIP is a promising candidate 'HF-IP guardian' that may be therapeutically exploited to inhibit the progression of AA lesions.

Attenuation assessment of medical protective eyewear: the AVEN experience

The goal of this paper is to test the attenuation capability of seven models of protective eyewear used in routine clinical practice. Scattered radiation from a standard patient was simulated by using a water tank located over the treatment couch of a GE Innova 3100 x-ray angiography system. Seven protective eyewear models were tested using an anthropomorphic phantom mimicking the first operator. At each test, 4 thermoluminiscent dosimeters were placed on the phantom (respectively in front of the protective eyewear, under the eyewear, on the left earpiece and at chest level) in order to have an eyewear-independent reference. A test session without glasses was also acquired. Each model was tested with standard posterior-anterior (PA) projections and the two most common protective eyewear were tested using LAO90° and LAO45°CRA30° projections. A worst-case scenario was created to be sure of having an upper limit for the assessment of eyewear attenuation in routine clinical practice. In PA projections, the absolute attenuation value ranged between 71% and 81%, while relative attenuation between dose measured at eye lens and that measured at eyewear earpiece ranged from 67% to 85%. The slightly wider range was probably due to scatter radiation variability; anyway, differences are still included in the variable uncertainty of experimental measurements. It is worth noting that #3 eyewear model (the one without lateral protection) allows an attenuation similar to that of #5 eyewear model (with 0.5 mm lead lateral protection) in LAO90° and LAO45°CRA30° projections. Despite the experimental limitations, a description of the radiation properties of protective eyewear concerning radiation attenuation can be useful to rely on protection devices which can be used in routine clinical practice.

Streptococcus oralis and Candida albicans Synergistically Activate μ-Calpain to Degrade E-cadherin From Oral Epithelial Junctions

Streptococcus oralis forms robust mucosal biofilms with Candida albicans that have increased pathogenic potential. In this study, using oral epithelial cultures, organotypic oral mucosal constructs, and a mouse model of oral infection, we demonstrated that S. oralis augmented C. albicans invasion through epithelial junctions. C. albicans and S. oralis decreased epithelial E-cadherin levels by synergistically increasing µ-calpain, a proteolytic enzyme that targets E-cadherin. In the mouse coinfection model this was accompanied by increased fungal kidney dissemination. Coinfection with a secreted aspartyl protease (sap) mutant sap2456 and S. oralis increased μ-calpain and triggered mucosal invasion and systemic dissemination, suggesting that fungal protease activity is not required for invasion during coinfection. We conclude that C. albicans and S. oralis synergize to activate host enzymes that cleave epithelial junction proteins and increase fungal invasion.

A fast and simple method for the polymerase chain reaction-based sexing of livestock embryos

Embryo sexing is a powerful tool for livestock producers because it allows them to manage their breeding stocks more effectively. However, the cost of supplies and reagents, and the need for trained professionals to biopsy embryos by micromanipulation restrict the worldwide use of the technology to a limited number of specialized groups. The aim of this study was to couple a fast and inexpensive DNA extraction protocol with a practical biopsy approach to create a simple, quick, effective, and dependable embryo sexing procedure. From a total of 1847 sheep and cattle whole embryos or embryo biopsies, the sexing efficiency was 100% for embryo biopsies, 98% for sheep embryos, and 90.2% for cattle embryos. We used a primer pair that was common to both species and only 10% of the total extracted DNA. The whole protocol takes only 2 h to perform, which suggests that the proposed procedure can be readily applied to field conditions. Moreover, in addition to embryo sexing, the procedure can be used for further analyses, such as genotyping and molecular diagnosis in preimplantation embryos.

The transgenic animal platform for biopharmaceutical production

The recombinant production of therapeutic proteins for human diseases is currently the largest source of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. The market growth has been the driving force on efforts for the development of new therapeutic proteins, in which transgenesis emerges as key component. The use of the transgenic animal platform offers attractive possibilities, residing on the low production costs allied to high productivity and quality of the recombinant proteins. Although many strategies have evolved over the past decades for the generation of transgenic founders, transgenesis in livestock animals generally faces some challenges, mainly due to random transgene integration and control over transgene copy number. But new developments in gene editing with CRISPR/Cas system promises to revolutionize the field for its simplicity and high efficiency. In addition, for the final approval of any given recombinant protein for animal or human use, the production and characterization of bioreactor founders and expression patterns and functionality of the proteins are technical part of the process, which also requires regulatory and administrative decisions, with a large emphasis on biosafety. The approval of two mammary gland-derived recombinant proteins for commercial and clinical use has boosted the interest for more efficient, safer and economic ways to generate transgenic founders to meet the increasing demand for biomedical proteins worldwide.

Experimental Models of C. albicans-Streptococcal Co-infection

Interactions of C. albicans with co-colonizing bacteria at mucosal sites can be synergistic or antagonistic in disease development, depending on the bacterial species and mucosal site. Mitis group streptococci and C. albicans colonize the oral mucosa of the majority of healthy individuals. These streptococci have been termed "accessory pathogens," defined by their ability to initiate multispecies biofilm assembly and promote the virulence of the mixed bacterial biofilm community in which they participate. To demonstrate whether interactions with Mitis group streptococci limit or promote the potential of C. albicans to become an opportunistic pathogen, in vitro and in vivo co-infection models are needed. Here, we describe two C. albicans-streptococcal co-infection models: an organotypic oral mucosal tissue model that incorporates salivary flow and a mouse model of oral co-infection that requires reduced levels of immunosuppression compared to single fungal infection.

241 CLUSTERED REGULARLY INTERSPACED SHORT PALINDROMIC REPEATS (CRISPR)/Cas9 ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSIENT DEPLETION OF NON-HOMOLOGOUS END-JOINING PATHWAY INCREASED GENE-TARGETING EFFICIENCY IN GOAT FIBROBLASTS

The transgenic animal platform for the expression of recombinant proteins in the milk offers particularly attractive possibilities. The recent application of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 to promote precise genome modifications and DNA editing also allows the targeting of specific DNA sequences in embryos or cells in culture. In addition, the transient knockdown of the NHEJ pathway by RNAi has been shown to increase gene‐targeting (GT) rate in cultured cells (Bertolini et al. 2009 Mol. Biotechnol. 41, 106–114). The CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to target a 15-kb transgene construct into the ROSA26 locus in goat fetal fibroblast cells subjected to a transient RNAi‐induced depletion of the NHEJ Ku70 protein. A polycistronic expression vector was constructed by ligating the coding sequences of 3 antigenic proteins against Brucella abortus linked by self-processing 2A peptides under the regulation of the bovine α-lactalbumin promoter. The final vector also contained the neomycin resistance gene and left and right 2-kb arms homologous to the goat ROSA26 locus. A total of 2 × 105 fibroblast cells at passage 3 from a 50-day fetus were transfected using the Neon Transfection System (Invitrogen/ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), according to the following groups: mock control (M); vector-only (V); vector + RNAi against Ku70 (VR); vector + ROSA26‐CRISPR/Cas9 (VC); and vector + RNAi against Ku70 + ROSA26-CRISPR/Cas9 (VCR). After antibiotic selection, colonies were characterised for zygosity, transgene copy number, and off-targets. Mortality rates following cell transfection were 68, 78, 75, 83, and 90%, and the number of colonies after selection was 0, 13, 22, 5, and 8 for the M, V, VR, VC, and VCR groups, respectively. Gene targeting was detected only when the ROSA26‐CRISPR/Cas9 was combined to the vector (VC group, 1 in 22 colonies) or to the vector and RNAi against Ku70 (VCR group, 1 in 8 colonies), with a 2.8-fold increase in GT rate when associating the 3 components (VCR group). No CRISPR/Cas9 off-targets were detected in 7 different sequenced hot spots. One colony from the VC group, harboring a biallelic transgene knock-in, was chosen for use in goat cloning by SCNT following our established procedures (Martins et al. 2015 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 27, 111). Four viable pregnancies (33.3%) were established, based on the ultrasonographic visualisation of the embryo and heartbeat on Day 26, after the transfer of 144 embryos to 12 female recipient does, demonstrating the developmental potential of the transgenic knock-in donor cells. However, pregnancies were lost up to Day 55 of pregnancy. Our preliminary data suggest that the combined cell transfection of gene target-specific CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi to knockdown the NHEJ pathway is a viable and efficient approach to produce precise genetically modified goat donor cells carrying mono- and biallelic knock-ins of large size transgene constructs for use in cloning by SCNT. Cloning procedures are underway using biallelic knock-in somatic cells to obtain live offspring, which will be the first step to produce and test a recombinant subunit vaccine against B. abortus.

Purification of binder of sperm protein 1 (BSP1) and its effects on bovine in vitro embryo development after fertilization with ejaculated and epididymal sperm

The present study evaluated functional aspects of binder of sperm 1 (BSP1) in the bovine species. In a first experiment, cumulus-oocyte complexes (n = 1274) were incubated with frozen-thawed ejaculated sperm (18 hours) in Fert-TALP medium containing: heparin, 10, 20, or 40 μg/mL BSP1. Heparin followed by gelatin affinity chromatography was used for purification of BSP1 from bovine seminal vesicle fluid. With ejaculated sperm, cleavage rates were similar when Fert-TALP medium was incubated with heparin (74.1 ± 2.7%), 10 μg/mL BSP1 (77.8 ± 3.1%), or 20 μg/mL BSP1 (74 ± 2.0%). Day-7 blastocyst rates were equivalent after incubations with heparin (40.8 ± 5.0%) and 10 μg/mL BSP1 (34.1 ± 4.4%), but reduced after 20 μg/mL BSP1 (22.4 ± 2.9%) and 40 μg/mL BSP1 (19.3 ± 4.1%; P < 0.05). In the second experiment, cumulus-oocyte complexes (n = 1213) were incubated with frozen-thawed cauda epididymal sperm (18 hours) in Fert-TALP medium containing: no heparin, heparin, 10, 20, or 40 μg/mL. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were similar after treatments with heparin (68.5 ± 1.3% and 24.7 ± 3.2%, respectively) or without heparin (65.5 ± 1.8% and 27.3 ± 1.6%, respectively). Cleavage was higher after treatment with any BSP1 concentrations (74.2 ± 2.7%-79.0 ± 1.1%) than without heparin (P < 0.05). Also, cleavage was better after Fert-TALP medium incubation with 40 μg/mL BSP1 (79.0 ± 1.1%) than with heparin (68.5 ± 1.3%; P < 0.05). Embryo development was higher (P < 0.05) after treatment with 20 μg/mL BSP1 (35.6 ± 2.5%) and 40 μg/mL (41.1 ± 2%) than after incubations with heparin (24.7 ± 3.2%) or without heparin (27.3 ± 1.6%). Interestingly, BSP1 did not cause reductions in blastocyst rates after fertilization with epididymal sperm, as observed with ejaculated sperm. On the basis of immunocytochemistry, there was BSP1 binding to frozen-thawed ejaculated but not to epididymal sperm. Also, anti-BSP1 reaction remained on ejaculated sperm (as expected) and appeared on epididymal sperm after incubation with purified BSP1. Acrosome reaction of ejaculated and epididymal sperm was induced after incubation with purified BSP1 as well, indicating an effect of BSP1 on capacitation. In conclusion, purified BSP1 from bull seminal vesicles was able to bind to and induce capacitation of ejaculated and epididymal sperm. Also, BSP1 added to fertilization media and allowed proper cleavage and embryo development, with the effects being modulated by previous exposure or not of spermatozoa to seminal plasma.

Patient dose management solution directly integrated in the RIS: "Gray Detector" software

On X-ray modalities, the information concerning the dose delivered to the patient is usually available in image headers or in structured reports stored in the picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Sometimes this information is sent in the Modality Performed Procedure Step message. By saving the information inside the Radiological Information System, it can be linked to the patient and to his/her episode/request. A software, "Gray Detector," implementing different and complementary extraction methods was developed. Query/retrieve on images header, Modality Performed Procedure Step message analysis, or the combination of the two methods were used. In order to avoid erroneous dose-protocol association, every accession number is linked to its unique report code, allowing multiple-protocols exam recognition. The adoption of different methods to extract dosimetric information makes it possible to integrate any kind of modality in a vendor/version neutral way. Linking the dosimetric information received from a modality to the patient and to the unique report code solves, for example, common problems in computed tomography exams, where the dosimetric value related to multiple segments/studies on the modality can be associated by the technician who performs the exam only to one accession number corresponding to a single study/segment. Analyses of dosimetric indexes' dependence on modality type, patient age, technician, and radiologist were performed. Linking dosimetric information to radiological information system data allows a contextualization of the former and helps to optimize the image-quality/dose ratio, thereby making it possible to take a clinical decision that is "patient-centered."

Treatment of distal biceps tendon rupture: why, when, how? Analysis of literature and our experience

INTRODUCTION

The rupture of the distal biceps tendon is a relatively uncommon lesion. Even if conservative treatment may be an option in low demanding patients, young and active subjects may benefit from an early surgical reinsertion. Many techniques and fixation devices have been described, but in the literature, there are no clinical evidences that show the superiority of any of these. In this article, we report an analysis of the "state of the art" and our case series of surgical reinsertion with the double approach transosseous technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2003 and 2013, 26 patients underwent surgical reinsertion, either for acute or for chronic lesions of distal biceps tendon. We evaluated 21 acute cases treated with double approach using DASH and SECEC Elbow Scores. The mean follow-up was 22 months. Range of motion, supination and flexion strength were also recorded.

RESULTS

Mean final ROM was 6-132° in F/E and 89-0-87° in P/S; flexion and supination strength were 96 and 88 % compared to the opposite side. The main complications were two cases of heterotopic ossifications: one asymptomatic fracture of the proximal radius and one temporary neurapraxia of the radial nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysing the literature and our outcomes, we underline the importance of timing for surgery, in young and compliant patients, with a valid rehabilitation protocol for excellent results. The choice of surgical technique remains controversial, and we believe that the double approach transosseous reinsertion is a safe, costless and relatively non-invasive technique, offering satisfactory results when performed early.

359 A NONINVASIVE APPROACH TO DIAGNOSE TRANSGENIC CONCEPTI DURING PREGNANCY IN GOATS

The discovery of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) circulating in the blood of pregnant women, and more recently in cows, ewes, and mares, paves the road towards the development of molecular tools to explore genetic features of embryos and/or fetuses before term. Albeit a wide range of analyses are in current use and development in humans, genetic diagnostic targets other than sex determination are still not described for other mammalian species. The aim of this study was to detect cffDNA from transgenic goat concepti for the human lysozyme (hLZ) gene in the blood of nontransgenic dams. Blood was collected from 3 nontransgenic goats carrying hLZ-transgenic concepti on Days 40–50, 80–90, and 110–120 of gestation. Also, blood was drawn 8 and 12 days after parturition from two other nontransgenic goats that delivered hLZ-transgenic offspring. Blood samples (10 mL) were spun at 1200 rpm for 10 min; resulting serum or plasma were stored at –20°C (serum) or 4°C (plasma). The DNA was extracted by mixing 350 µL of serum or plasma with an equal volume of TE buffer and 5 µL of proteinase K (20 mg mL–1). The mixtures were incubated at 55°C for 3 h, followed by phenol extraction and DNA precipitation by sodium acetate and 100% ethanol, with further incubation at –20°C overnight and centrifugation at 12 000 × g for 10 min. The DNA pellets were washed with 70% ethanol and eluted in 20 µL of ultrapure water. For the PCR, primer sets for the hLZ transgene (hLZ-i1-F 5′ CGGTCCAGGGCAAGGTCTTTGA 3′ and hLZ-i1-R 5′ ACTGCTCCTGGGGTTTTGCC 3′) and for GAPDH as the endogenous control were used. Reactions contained 3 µL of DNA, 200 nM of each primer, and 45 µL of PCR Mastermix (Quatro G Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento, Porto Alegre, Brazil). The DNA from serum and plasma of nontransgenic goats were used as negative controls. The cycling conditions were 95°C for 10 min, followed by 55 cycles of 95°C for 30 s, 58°C for 30 s and 72°C for 30 s, plus a final extension at 72°C for 10 min. The PCR products were analysed by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel. As expected, GAPDH was amplified in most of the samples (12/13). The 200-bp PCR product corresponding to hLZ was detected in the dam's serum in all 3 gestational phases, with 2 out of 3 animals being positive on 40 to 50 and 80 to 90 days, and all 3 on 110 to 120 days of pregnancy. Furthermore, the transgene was amplified from dam's plasma in all samples after parturition. Only GAPDH amplification was detected in the blood of nontransgenic goats. These results suggest that cffDNA is present in the goat's blood circulation at the fetal phase during pregnancy and at least during the first 2 weeks after parturition. This method can be safely applied as a useful tool in zygote-DNA microinjection experiments, providing an early and preterm diagnostic of transgenic concepti through the dam's blood.Research was supported by FINEP.

37 EFFECT OF CELL MANIPULATION FOR PRODUCTION OF TRANSGENIC CELL LINES ON GOAT CLONING EFFICIENCY

The generation of transgenic cell lines through standard cell transfection/antibiotic selection procedures may have a negative effect on cell viability, which in turn may compromise SCNT cloning efficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate goat cloning efficiency by using transfected and nontransfected and transgenic and nontransgenic somatic cells as nucleus donors. Skin fibroblast cells from 1 adult doe were subjected to transfection by electroporation with the pBC1-hGCase-Neo transgene cassette containing the human glucocerebrosidase gene sequence (hGCase), following antibiotic cell colony selection. Four distinct syngeneic donor cell types were used for cloning: (a) wild type (nontransfected, nontransgenic) control cells (C1) at low passage (P3), (b) transfected negative control (transfected, nontransgenic) cells (CT) at high passage (P8), and (c) 2 lines of transfected, transgenic cells (CA, CB) at high passages (P8 through P10). Donor cell cycles were synchronized by high confluence (<95%) and 24-h serum starvation. Cloning procedures were performed by standard micromanipulation procedures. Following membrane fusion after a 1.25 kV cm–1 DC pulse for 45 µs, reconstructed structures were incubated in cytochalasin B for 1 h, and then activated in ionomycin/6-DMAP. After 12 h of IVC in G-1TM medium (Vitrolife, Englewood, CO, USA), 1-cell stage cloned embryos were surgically transferred into the oviduct of synchronous recipient females. To ascertain herd fertility and health and adequate procedures for embryo manipulation, synchronization protocols, and surgical interventions, groups of control females were subjected to cervical AI or surgical transfer of in vivo-produced 1-cell stage goat embryos (ET). Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography on Day 23, with weekly examinations until term. Data were analysed by the χ2 test (P < 0.05), and are presented in Table 1. The transfection process and passage number did not appear to affect development, as no differences in pregnancy rates were observed between cloned groups, although results with control cells (C1 and CT) and with CA and CB lines were similar to and lower than the AI and ET groups, respectively. Loss rate after cloning was high (88.8%), which may be due to faulty reprogramming, as other procedural and biological variables involved in the cloning process were endorsed by pregnancy rates and term viable pregnancies observed in the AI and ET groups. Cloning using CA donor cells at P9 resulted in two liveborn kids, with one dying soon after birth. Both animals were confirmed by molecular analyses as hGCase transgenic clones. Table 1.Overall efficiency after AI, superovulation and embryo transfer (ET) or cloning by nuclear transfer (NT) using control (C1), sham-transfected (CT), and 2 transgenic (CA, CB) syngeneic fibroblast cells lines in goats This research was funded by FINEP.

196 CHANGES IN METABOLIC EXPRESSION PROFILES IN PLACENTA AND FETAL LIVER FROM BOVINE CLONED CONCEPTI

Accelerated fetal growth may be observed in pregnancies from IVP embryos, which can be associated with increased concentration of sugar moieties (glucose, fructose) in the fetal plasma and related fluids (Bertolini et al. 2004 Reproduction 128, 341–354). The aim of this study was to compare the gene expression profiles of 14 key enzymes from seven metabolic pathways, four sugar transporters and nine bioactive molecules in liver and placental tissues obtained from Day-225 bovine concepti. Day-7 bovine in vivo- (control) and in vitro-derived [IVF or NT] blastocysts, produced by established procedures (Ribeiro et al. 2009 Cloning Stem Cells 11, 377–386), were transferred to synchronous recipients. Four control, 4 IVF, and 6 NT pregnancies were terminated on Day 225 of gestation for the comparison of maternal, fetal, and placental traits, and for the collection of tissue samples for molecular analyses by RT-qPCR for transcripts related to fructogenesis (AR, SORD), fructolysis (KHK, DAK, ALDOB), glycolysis (GAPDH, LDHA, LDHB), gluconeogenesis (Pepck, Fbp, G6PC), pentose phosphate pathway or PPP (G6PD), cholesterol (HMGCR) and fatty acid syntheses (ACACA), sugar transporters (SLC2A1, SLC2A2, SLC2A3, SLC2A5), components of the IGF system (IGF1, IGF2, IGF1R, IGF2R), markers for placental function (PL, PAG-1, LOC503858), and apoptotic activity (BAX, BCL2). RNA from placentome and fetal liver samples was extracted using Trizol® reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA), and cDNA synthesis from total RNA were done with the SuperScript® III First-Strand Synthesis System (Invitrogen). For the RT-qPCR, 1 µL of cDNA, 300 nM of each primer and 1X Power SYBR Green PCR Mastermix (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) were used in the StepOnePlus real-time PCR system (Applied Biosystems), with results normalized using 2–ΔΔCT method with ribosomal protein S9 (RPS9) as the housekeeping gene. Data were analysed by the GLM procedure (LSM ± s.e.m.), with pairwise comparisons by the Tukey test (Minitab software, Minitab Inc., State College, PA, USA). Placental, fetal liver, and fetal weights were higher in NT concepti (6.9 ± 0.8 kg, 769.9 ± 93.8 g, and 27.2 ± 3.7 kg) than controls (3.2 ± 0.1 kg, 290.3 ± 3.6 g, and 12.5 ± 0.5 kg) and IVF (3.2 ± 0.4 kg, 345.8 ± 30.5 g, and 13.7 ± 1.0 kg) counterparts, respectively. In general, IVF-derived conceptus traits were similar to controls for most parameters evaluated in this study. When compared with controls, gene expression levels in the placenta indicated 2- to 5-fold increased activity in fructogenic, gluconeogenic, and pentose phosphate pathways, sugar transport (SLC2A1, -3 and -5), and bioactive markers (IGF1 and -2, and PL), whereas the gluconeogenic, fructolytic, and fatty acid pathways and SLC2A2 expressions were 3- to 35-fold up-regulated in the fetal liver of clones. These data indicated that a significant difference exists in activity in metabolic pathways and placental function in cloned concepti, suggesting an active glucose synthesis, an increase in fructose synthesis by the placenta, and in fructose catabolism by the fetus, which may be a reflection of an association between changes in metabolic fetal programming and excessive prenatal growth after cloning.

Comparative expression profiles of genes related to oocyte development in goats after long-term feeding with biodiesel castor industry residues

The aim of this study was to determine whether the consumption of detoxified castor meal (DCM) by goats over a long period of time affects mRNA levels in oocytes, and in mural granulosa and cumulus cells. A total of 41 adult does were supplemented (DCM group, n=21) or not (control group, n=20) with detoxified castor meal (DCM) for a period of 500 days. Then, 13 and 12 does were randomly selected for slaughter from the DCM and control treatments groups, respectively, for the determination of the number of visible ovarian follicles, retrieved cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), and viable and non-viable oocytes. The relative expression levels for distinct genes were determined by quantitative PCR in viable immature oocytes prior to in vitro maturation (IVM), in oocytes attaining or not the metaphase stage after IVM, as well as in granulosa cells obtained upon oocyte collection, and in cumulus cells obtained after IVM. The number of follicles ≥4 mm did not differ between treatments (overall mean 23.3 ± 2.0) and no significant differences were observed in the recovery of viable, non-viable, or total mean numbers of oocytes (control group: 44.7 ± 4.6, DCM group: 54.9 ± 5.9, respectively) between control and DCM fed goats. The maturation rate was significantly higher for control than DCM oocytes (58.0% vs. 45.3%; P<0.05). The mRNA levels in immature COC for controls were significantly higher for GLUT1 and lower for HSP70 (P<0.05) than for DCM. Following maturation, MII oocytes from both treatments had mRNA levels that were significantly higher for GDF9 and lower for BMP15 than for NC oocytes (P<0.05). In cumulus cells, the mRNA levels were significantly higher for LHR, FSHR, LeptinR, and IGF1, and lower for MnSOD in the control group compared with the DCM group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of DCM in goat feed for long periods of time changed gene expression in immature oocytes and in cumulus cells. This was reflected by a decrease in the in vitro oocyte maturation rate.

Goat oocyte quality and competence to undergo IVM and embryo development after parthenogenetic activation from goats fed with different levels of cashew nut bran as source of dietary lipids

Lipid-rich and energy-dense diets can have significant effects on the reproductive physiology, including the ovarian function and fertility. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cashew nut bran supplementation as a lipid source on follicle development, plasma and intrafollicular concentrations of cholesterol, and developmental competence of in vitro-matured goat oocytes. The inclusion of cashew nut bran as 24% of the goats' diet for 28 days increased the percentage and number of degenerated oocytes compared with the control (P < 0.05), and also the plasma cholesterol levels and the proportion of grade IV oocytes compared with all other treatments (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant reduction was observed in the proportion of viable oocytes compared with the control and in the percentage of grade II oocytes compared with all other treatments (P < 0.05). Oocyte maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst rates after parthenogenetic activation of viable oocytes were not affected by the type of diet. In conclusion, the inclusion of cashew nut bran as 24% of the diet of adult goats for 28 days changed plasma cholesterol levels and reduced the proportion of viable immature oocytes; however, the 12% and 24% diet supplementations with cashew nut bran did not interfere with competence of resulting viable oocytes to reach the metaphase II stage after IVM, and to develop after parthenogenetic activation.

Neto S, Tavares KCS, Carneiro IS, Lazzarotto C, Almeida AP, Chies JM, Mohamad-Fauzi N, Murray JD, Maga EA, Bertolini LR, Forell F, Bertolini M. 221 SOMATIC CELL GOAT CLONING USING ALLOGENEIC OR SYNGENEIC TRANSGENIC CELL LINES

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of goat cloning by using cell lineages from distinct transgenic backgrounds. Primary fibroblast skin cell cultures from 2 females (allogeneic), transgenic for the human lysozyme gene (hLZ), were established following standard procedures. Cells from one hLZ genotype were used for the establishment of 2 double transgenic syngeneic cell lines by cell transfection (Nucleofector®, Lonza, Germany) with transgene cassettes containing either the human glucocerebrosidase gene (hGC) and neomycin resistance gene, or the human lactoferrin gene (hLF) with no selection gene. The hGC-transfected hLZ cells were antibiotic-selected (G418, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) until the isolation of positive cell colonies, whereas hLF-transfected hLZ cells were seeded onto 100-mm culture plates (100 cells/plate) to allow colony outgrowth from individual cells. Isolated colonies were screened by PCR using specific primers for each transgene (hGC or hLF) and for hLZ and GAPDH (controls). Positive cells from one hLZ-hGC and one hLZ-hLF colony were used for cloning at passage 9, whereas hLZ cells from the other genotype were at passage 4. Cells were synchronized by high confluence and 24 h of serum starvation. Goat cloning was performed according to standard procedures (Feltrin et al. 2012 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 25, 163). Briefly, cumulus-oocyte complexes from abattoir ovaries were in vitro-matured for 20 h. Oocyte enucleation and hLZ, hLZ-hGC, or hLZ-hLF donor cell insertion were done by micromanipulation. Reconstructed structures were fused by two 1.2-KV cm–1 DC pulses for 20 μs. Cloned embryos were cultured for 1 h in cytochalasin B and then activated in ionomycin/6-DMAP. After 12 h of in vitro culture in G-1™ medium (Vitrolife, USA), 1-cell stage embryos were transferred into the oviduct of synchronous females (Keefer et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 199-203). Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography on Day 30, with weekly monitoring afterwards. Preliminary data from 6 replicates were analysed by the chi-square test (P < 0.05). Maturation rate and survival after enucleation were 42.8% (610/1425) and 72.9% (291/399), respectively. A total of 271 structures were reconstructed using the 3 donor cell lines. Fusion rates did not differ between hLZ (59.5%), hLZ-hGC (47.5%), and hLZ-hLF (48.5%) groups. A total of 68 hLZ, 92 hLZ-hGC, and 39 hLZ-hLF-derived embryos were transferred to 5, 7, and 3 recipients, respectively. No pregnancies were detected with the use of hLZ and hLZ-hLF cells. However, 3 pregnancies (one nonviable) were detected on Day 30 with hLZ-hGC cells (42.9%), with both viable pregnancies lost on Days 40 and 130 of gestation. Molecular analyses confirmed both concepti as transgenic clones from the hLZ-hGC cell line. In summary, antibiotic selection of positive colonies was effective at maintaining cell viability, with a positive response when used for cloning. Replications are in progress to evaluate the effect of cell colony isolation from individual cells (e.g. hLZ-hLF cells) on cell viability over time and on cloning outcome.

219 EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF MILK FROM TRANSGENIC COWS CONTAINING RECOMBINANT HUMAN LACTOFERRIN IN A PIG MODEL OF MALNUTRITION

Infant mortality is still a major problem, with the interaction between malnutrition and diarrhoea among the leading causes of death. One option to fight both diarrhoea and malnutrition is breastfeeding. Benefits of breast milk are attributed to the actions of antimicrobial proteins in human milk, such as lactoferrin (LF), which increase intestinal and systemic immune functions. One way to convey the benefits of LF to children is the use of transgenic animals that express human proteins in the mammary gland. In this sense, the availability of animal milk with properties of human milk can be a potential source to increase and prolong the protective benefits of human milk in reducing disease and stimulating growth. Transgenic cows expressing rhLF were produced by pronuclear microinjection with the goal of using the milk to improve human health. To test this hypothesis, we have created a model of malnutrition in pigs by reducing the intake (50%) of calories and protein. The animals (n = 26) were randomly divided as follows: after weaning at 3 weeks of age, 18 animals were fed the protein and calorie-restricted diet (mal) for 3 weeks and 8 animals served as a control group and were fed standard feed (full-fed). After 3 weeks, 4 animals in each group were necropsied and the remaining animals (n = 18) were placed into the following experimental groups: 4 animals remained in the control group (full-fed-no milk), and the 14 malnourished animals were divided as follows: 4 animals were maintained on food restriction but received no milk (mal-no milk) and 10 animals were maintained on food restriction with 5 receiving 500 mL of control milk/day (con milk) and 5 receiving 500 mL of rhLF milk/day (rhLF milk) for a total of 15 days. Intestinal permeability and morphology, mRNA expression of tight junction proteins (ZO1, claudin, occludin), and cytokines (TGF-β, TLR-4, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-6 IL-8, CCL-11) in the intestine, and hematological parameters were assessed. Data were analysed by ANOVA with P-values <0.05 considered statistically significant. The restricted diet was capable of inducing a state of malnutrition after 3 weeks as demonstrated by multiple changes in blood chemistry, a significant decrease in gut surface area, and an increase in electrical conductance indicative of compromised intestinal barrier function. Supplementation of the diet with either control milk or rhLF milk promoted the recovery of the intestine as indicated by significantly improved intestinal morphology and permeability. Levels of TNF-α were increased in the mal-no milk group; however, rhLF-fed animals were capable of regulating the expression of TNF-α, which did not significantly differ from full-fed controls. Tight junction proteins were also significantly up-regulated in the rhLF group. Overall, a model of malnutrition was established and the administration of both control and rhLF milk was beneficial in the recovery of the gastrointestinal tract. Our intention is that such milk from transgenic animals can benefit malnourished children around the world.

What causes alopecia areata?

The pathobiology of alopecia areata (AA), one of the most frequent autoimmune diseases and a major unsolved clinical problem, has intrigued dermatologists, hair biologists and immunologists for decades. Simultaneously, both affected patients and the physicians who take care of them are increasingly frustrated that there is still no fully satisfactory treatment. Much of this frustration results from the fact that the pathobiology of AA remains unclear, and no single AA pathogenesis concept can claim to be universally accepted. In fact, some investigators still harbour doubts whether this even is an autoimmune disease, and the relative importance of CD8(+) T cells, CD4(+) T cells and NKGD2(+) NK or NKT cells and the exact role of genetic factors in AA pathogenesis remain bones of contention. Also, is AA one disease, a spectrum of distinct disease entities or only a response pattern of normal hair follicles to immunologically mediated damage? During the past decade, substantial progress has been made in basic AA-related research, in the development of new models for translationally relevant AA research and in the identification of new therapeutic agents and targets for future AA management. This calls for a re-evaluation and public debate of currently prevalent AA pathobiology concepts. The present Controversies feature takes on this challenge, hoping to attract more skin biologists, immunologists and professional autoimmunity experts to this biologically fascinating and clinically important model disease.

334 ADENOVIRAL VECTOR-MEDIATED EXPRESSION OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN GLUCOCEREBROSIDASE IN THE MAMMARY GLAND OF RATS

Glucocerebrosidase is a lysosomal enzyme that plays a key role in sphingolipid cleavage, an intermediate in glycolipid metabolism. A recessive mutation in the glucocerebrosidase gene leads to the accumulation of glucosylceramide in macrophages (sphingolipidosis), a lysosomal storage disease known in humans as the Gaucher disease. The enzyme replacement treatment with recombinant human glucocerebrosidase (hGCase) dramatically reduces and reverses symptoms, with the need of lifelong treatment for patients to attain a normal life. Currently, hGCase is very costly, being produced through in vitro expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells or in vivo, in plants. The aim of this study was to develop a model for the production of hGCase in the mammary gland of rats transiently transduced with recombinant adenovirus. A replication-defective adenovirus carrying hGCase was generated using the AdEasy™ adenoviral vector system (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA, USA). The hGCase cDNA (NM_001005741) was in vitro-synthesized and ligated in the XhoI site of the pAdTrack-CMV vector (pAdT-hGCase). The resulting plasmid was recombined with the pAdEasy™ vector in BJ5183 electro-competent cells. The purified pAdE-pAdT-hGCase vector was linearized and transfected into HEK-293 cells for the production of a primary viral stock. Further amplifications and the titration assay were done in HEK-293 cells, monitoring the transduction by the qualitative evaluation of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression. Following transfection, the HEK-293 cells increasingly expressed the GFP reporter, regulated by a CMV promoter, in tandem with the hGCase cDNA, under another CMV promoter. On Day 18 of gestation, a female rat (Rattus norvegicus) was anesthetized and the 2 left caudal mammary glands were infused with 109 GTU mL–1 of the pAdE-pAdT-hGCase in PBS solution supplemented with 36 mM EGTA. The 2 right caudal mammary glands were infused only with PBS-EGTA (control milk). Milk samples collected from Days 2 through 9 post-partum were mixed with separation buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0; 10 mM CaCl2) and centrifuged, with the supernatant assayed for hGCase by Western blot using a monoclonal anti-human glucocerebrosidase antibody (sc-166407, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA, USA). Relative quantification of the hGCase expression was done using the FluorChem FC2 system (Alpha Innotech, San Leandro, CA, USA), with hGCase band intensity being normalized against GAPDH expression. The in vivo expression assay confirmed the production of hGCase in the secreted portion of the rat milk, with a specific band between 50 to 60 kDa observed on the Western blot, and no detection of the protein in the control milk. The hGCase peak production occurred in Days 5 and 6 of lactation, with levels being 35 times greater than on Day 9. An ELISA quantification assay and an enzymatic activity assay for the recombinant hGCase are currently in development. In conclusion, the use of the rat for hGCase transient expression in the milk was proven a valid model for testing the potential use of a mammary gland expression system for the production of a functional human glucocerebrosidase protein.

31 IN VITRO SURVIVAL AND PREGNANCY OUTCOME OF ZONA-FREE TRANSGENIC GOAT CLONED EMBRYOS AFTER OVIDUCTAL TRANSFER TO FEMALE RECIPIENTS ON DAY 1 OF DEVELOPMENT

Survival to term following embryo transfer is usually low after cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of the zona pellucida (presence or absence) and the cell nucleus transfer method (cell fusion or cell injection) on the in vitro survival and pregnancy outcome of Day-1 goat cloned embryos transferred into the oviduct of recipient females. In vitro-matured goat oocytes from slaughterhouse ovaries were polar body selected, with a group of oocytes subjected to enzymatic zona pellucida removal. Zona-free (ZF) and zona-intact (ZI) oocytes were enucleated by micromanipulation procedures (Oback and Wells 2003 Cloning Stem Cells 5, 3–12; Keefer et al. 2000 Biol. Reprod. 66, 199–203). Somatic nucleus donor cells from 3 transgenic females for mammary gland expressing human lysozyme (Maga et al. 2003 Trans. Res. 12, 485–496) were either fused (CF) with enucleated ZI and ZF oocytes or injected (CI) into enucleated ZI oocytes, with the assessment of fusion or injection survival rates performed after 60 min. Two direct-current (DC) pulses were used to induce fusion in the ZI group (2 kV cm–1 each for 10 µs) and in the ZF group (1.0 kV cm–1 for 20 µs). Embryo reconstruction using ZI oocytes was done by micromanipulation. Zona-free (CF) or ZI (CF or CI) reconstructed cloned embryos were chemically activated in ionomycin/DMAP, followed by in vitro culture for 12 h prior to the surgical embryo transfer into the oviducts of synchronous female recipients (Day 1). Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out on Day 30 of gestation by ultrasonography. Survival after cell fusion, cell injection, and embryo transfer were compared by the χ2 test, for P < 0.05. After 16 replications, 1047 in vitro-matured oocytes obtained from 208 does were used for embryo reconstruction (Table 1). In vitro survival was higher in ZI oocytes that were injected with somatic cells than in ZI oocytes or ZF subjected to cell fusion. Pregnancy rates were similar between groups, irrespective of the cell nucleus transfer method or the presence or not of the zona pellucida, but the overall efficiency (fetal survival/recipients) was higher in the ZI-CF group. Currently, 2 ongoing pregnancies carrying 3 cloned concepti from ZI oocytes fused to somatic cells are in late gestation (>110 days). In conclusion, the cell injection method promoted higher survival and, consequently, better efficiency than cell fusion for the reconstruction of goat cloned embryos. However, the zona removal did not affect subsequent in vivo embryo development, as the transfer of zona-free embryos into the oviducts of synchronous recipients resulted in similar pregnancy rates than with zona-intact embryos. Table 1.In vitro survival and pregnancy outcome of goat cloned embryos after embryo reconstruction and transfer to female recipients on Day-1 of development

284 CHARACTERIZATION OF GOAT MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS DERIVED FROM BONE MARROW AND ADIPOSE TISSUE

Gene modification of cells in vitro followed by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) currently offers the best route for creating genetically modified livestock species. However, low cloning efficiencies in differentiated somatic cells have been attributed to the possibility of improper nuclear reprogramming. Adult stem cells may have greater developmental potential and better nuclear reprogramming potential following cloning. There is considerable interest in using goats as models for genetically engineering dairy animals and for using stem cells as therapeutics for bone and cartilage repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are adult stem cells that that have been isolated and characterised from various species, but are poorly characterised in goats. Three MSC lines were isolated from bone marrow (9004 BM-MSC, 9003 BM-MSC) and adipose tissue (9003 A-MSC) of neonatal goats. In this study, these MSC lines were characterised to verify MSC-specific characteristics and assess their amenability to genetic modification in vitro. Passage 5 cells were evaluated for capacity to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, as well as for colony-forming efficiency after 10 days of culture from low-density plating. Expression of MSC-specific positive cell surface markers CD90, CD73, and CD105, as well as pluripotency markers Nanog, Oct-4, and Sox-2, was examined by RT-PCR. Oct-4 protein localization was examined by immunofluorescence. The MSC were also assessed for their potential for gene modification by nucleofection with circular and linearized plasmids expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and neomycin resistance. Differences between cell lines were statistically analysed using ANOVA. The 9003 BM-MSC cells were also utilised for SCNT. All 3 MSC lines showed a normal karyotype. The MSC lines were capable of undergoing osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation, with observed differences in capacities between the BM-MSC and A-MSC lines, as shown by staining with Alizarin Red S, Oil Red O, and Alcian Blue. Expression of CD90, CD73, CD105, Nanog, Oct-4, and Sox-2 was detected, and Oct-4 was localised in the cytoplasm. There were significant differences in clonability between the cell lines, with 9004 BM-MSC showing the highest colony-forming efficiency (61% ± 5.4; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the percentage of GFP-positive cells from transfections done with the circular plasmid, but 9003 BM-MSC yielded a significantly lower number of integrant colonies per 500 000 cells transfected with the linear plasmid and G418 selection (12.75 ± 3.24; P < 0.05). Somatic cell nuclear transfer was able to reprogram 9003 BM-MSC and produce pregnancies. One hundred forty-four embryos were reconstructed, 101 embryos were transferred into 8 recipients, and the resulting pregnancy rate was 73%. Our findings provide characterisation information on goat MSC, and show that significant differences can exist between MSC isolated from different tissues and from within the same tissue.

30 EFFECT OF THE CYTOPLAST SOURCE AND KARYOPLAST TYPE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HANDMADE CLONED EMBRYOS IN GOATS

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 2 donor cell types (bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, BM-MSC and skin fibroblast cells, SFC) and the source of oocytes (in vivo- and in vitro-matured goat oocytes) on the developmental capacity of handmade cloned goat embryos, following our procedures adapted from cattle (Ribeiro et al., 2009, Cloning Stem Cells 11, 377–386). In vivo- and in vitro-matured oocytes obtained postmortem from 36 superovulated and 90 nonstimulated goats were used as cytoplasts for cloning, after 26 h from the induction of ovulation or 20 h from the onset of IVM, respectively. Subsequent to cumulus cell removal and polar body selection, a total of 242 in vivo- and 580 in vitro-matured oocytes were subjected to zona removal, bisection in cytochalasin B and screening under ultraviolet light. Enucleated hemi-cytoplasts were exposed to phytohemoagglutinin and adhered to a single somatic cell (BM-MSC or SF) and electrofused by two 1.2 kV cm–1 DC pulses for 20 μs. Cell primary cultures were established from lysozyme transgenic goats. Prior to cloning, cells between the 3rd and 8th passage and at 50 to 60% (BM-MSC) or >95% (SFC) confluence were evaluated for size and viability using the CountessTM Automated Cell Counter (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Fused structures were activated in ionomycin/6-DMAP and in vitro-cultured in the well of the well system in SOFaa + 5% FCS + 0.2% BSA, at 38.5°C, in 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2, for 6 days. After 8 replications, fusion, cleavage (Day 2) and embryo developmental (Day 6) rates were compared by the χ2 test. Data obtained on cell size and viability were analysed by ANOVA (P < 0.05). Cell viability was similar between SFC (86.7 ± 2.2%) and BM-MSC (89.0 ± 2.2%). However, mean cell size was significantly smaller in SFC (14.4 ± 0.4 μm) than in BM-MSC (20.1 ± 0.4 μm). Cell size appeared to be associated with fusion efficiency because fusion rates were also significantly lower with SFC than with BM-MSC (Table 1). However, cell type or oocyte source did not affect any other parameter for embryo production by cloning between groups. A total of 63 compact morulas and blastocysts from both cell and oocyte types were transferred, in groups of 4 to 5 embryos, to 15 synchronous recipients. Pregnancy diagnosis is performed by ultrasonography on Days 28 to 32. Thus far, one pregnancy derived from an embryo reconstructed with in vivo-matured oocytes and BM-MSC was obtained out of 9 recipients that received 37 embryos from all treatment groups. Six recipients with 26 embryos transferred are still pending diagnosis. In conclusion, the handmade cloning procedure using in vivo- and in vitro-matured oocytes and BM-MSC and SFC appears to be an effective alternative for the production of transgenic goats. Table 1.In vitro development of goat embryos produced by handmade cloning using human lysozyme (hLZ) transgenic cell lines Funded by the RECODISA Project, FINEP/MCT/Brazil.

62 EXPRESSION OF KEY ENZYMES OF THE FRUCTOSE METABOLIC PATHWAY IN NEWBORN IN VITRO-DERIVED CALVES

Newborn calves derived from IVF often have difficulties in adapting to life ex utero. Among physiological deviations, plasma fructose levels have been shown to be higher in in vitro-produced calves than in controls during the immediate neonatal period. Interestingly, as plasma fructose levels decrease, plasma lactate levels increase in the first hours of life, which may indicate a biochemical relationship between these substrates (Bertolini et al. 2004 Reproduction 128, 341–354). Fructokinase, the primary enzyme in the fructose metabolic pathway, bypasses the regulatory step catalyzed by phosphofructokinase, allowing fructose to undergo more rapid glycolysis in the liver than does glucose. However, information about the fructose metabolic pathway and fructokinase activity in the liver of neonates is lacking. This study was designed to verify the presence of gene transcripts for the 3 enzymes of the fructose pathway (fructokinase, aldolase B and triokinase) and the relative abundance of transcripts for fructokinase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), the enzyme that links the fructose metabolic pathway with glycolysis, in the liver of in vivo- or in vitro-produced newborn calves within the first hour of life. In vivo- or in vitro-produced newborn Flemish calves derived either by superovulation (n = 5) or by IVF (n = 4), respectively, were subject to liver biopsy procedures within the first hour after birth. Tissue samples were placed in cryotubes containing RNAlater™ (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA, USA). The RNA was extracted using Trizol® reagent (Invitrogen Corp., Carlsbad, CA, USA) and 300 ng of total RNA from each sample was used for cDNA synthesis with the SuperScript® III First-Strand Synthesis System (Invitrogen Corp.). Each PCR reaction used 5 μM of each specific primer to bovine fructokinase, aldolase B, triokinase and GAPDH (Table 1), 700 ng of cDNA and the PCR Master Mix (Quatro G Ltd., São Paulo, Brazil). For the quantitative PCR (qPCR), the Power SYBR Green PCR Master Mix (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) was used in the iQ5 Multicolor Real-Time PCR Detection System (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA). Data for gene expression were normalized with the β-actin housekeeping gene, with the statistical analysis done by t-test (statistical analysis system). The PCR results indicated high fructokinase, aldolase B and triokinase expression levels in the liver of all newborn calves, irrespective of the group. Our preliminary qPCR data showed no differences in the hepatic expression levels for fructokinase (0.319 ± 0.136 vs 0.320 ± 0.179) and GAPDH (0.421 ± 0.243 vs 0.212 ± 0.147) between in vivo- and in vitro-produced calves, respectively. These data suggest that the fructose metabolic pathway is active in in vivo- and in vitro-produced newborn calves in the first hours of life. Consequently, excessive plasma fructose concentrations, as seen in some in vitro-produced calves, may affect carbohydrate metabolism, the acid-base balance and even survival during the neonatal period. Table 1.PCR primers and Gene Bank accession numbers for genes analysed in newborn calves Funded by the RECODISA Project, FINEP/MCT/Brazil.

35 EFFECTIVENESS OF MICROWELL-BASED IN VITRO CULTURE SYSTEMS FOR BOVINEZONA-FREE CLONED EMBRYOS

In vitro embryo production by handmade cloning (HMC) usually requires individual embryo culture, because zona-free embryos cannot be grouped in standard in vitro culture (IVC) protocols. The aim of this study was to evaluate the developmental potential of bovine embryos produced by HMC (Ribeiro et al. 2009 Cloning Stem Cells 11, 377–386) after in vitro culture (IVC) in 3 microwell (WOW) systems. After in vitro maturation, oocytes were denuded and incubated in demecolcine (Ibáñez et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 68, 1249–1258), followed by zona pellucida removal, oocyte bisection, embryo reconstruction, electrofusion, and chemical activation. Cloned embryos were allocated to 1 of 3 IVC groups: cWOW: conventional microwells (250 μm, round; Vajta et al. 2000 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55, 256–264); mWOW: modified microwells (130 μm, conical; Feltrin et al. 2006 Reprod. Fert. Dev. 18, 126); and WOW-PDMS: microwells in polydimethylsiloxane chips (170 μm, cylindrical with microchannels); IVF embryos were used as controls (Bertolini et al. 2004 Reproduction 128, 341–354). Cleavage (Day 2), blastocyst (Day 7), and pregnancy (Day 30) rates were analysed by the chi-square test, for P < 0.05. Results are shown in Table 1. Cleavage rates were similar between groups, but development to the blastocyst stage was higher in IVF controls than cloned embryo groups. Among cloned embryo groups, blastocyst rate was higher in the mWOW group than the conventional and the PMDS-based microchannels. Nevertheless, in vivo development to Day 30 of pregnancy was not different between cloned groups. Our results for in vitro embryo development indicated that the mWOW provided more suitable conditions for embryo development to the blastocyst stage when compared with cWOW or even WOW-PDMS. Among some possible reasons include the physical advantage of a smaller microwell that may better mimic the constraining effect of the zona pellucida on the developing embryo. That may also provide greater blastomere stability, favouring the aggregation state during the first rounds of cleavages, also aiding compaction and subsequent cavitation. The narrower microwell system appeared to have promoted better in vitro development than the conventional and the DMPS-based microwell systems, with no impact on subsequent in vivo development. However, the IVC in the WOW-PDMS system supported reasonable rates of development, in accordance with the current literature. Table 1.In vitro development of bovine IVF and cloned embryos produced after the in vitro culture in distinct IVC systems

230 OVUM PICKUP - IN VITRO PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY FOR CONSERVATION OF THE FLAMENGA CATTLE BREED

The introduction of more specialised and productive dairy breeds into commercial herds in recent decades has caused a gradual loss of interest in dual-purpose cattle breeds, such as the Flamenga. Because of its importance to biodiversity, the high risk of loss of this small Brazilian herd, located in one geographic region in Southern Brazil, justifies the need for and efforts in genetic conservation of the Flamenga breed. The ovum pickup (OPU) procedure is a potential tool for such conservation purposes. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the oocyte and embryo yield potential of the Flamenga breed, as compared with Holstein control counterparts, after in vivo oocyte retrieval followed by in vitro embryo production (IVP). Four Flamenga and 4 Holstein multiparous milking cows from the same herd were subjected to weekly ultrasound-guided OPU sections for 10 consecutive weeks. The number of visible follicles per ovary per female was recorded before the aspiration of ≥3-mm follicles. Retrieved cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were morphologically graded according to the method of (Leibfried and First 1979 J. Anim. Sci. 48, 76–86), and viable COC (Grades I, II, and III) from both breeds and from slaughterhouse ovaries (IVP controls) were used for the IVP of embryos, based on our established procedures (Vieira et al. 2002 Cryobiology 45, 91–94). Frozen semen from the same Flamenga breed bull was used in all groups. Quantitative (visible and aspirated follicles, collected COC), and qualitative (COC recovery efficiency, cleavage and blastocyst rates) data were compared between breeds and IVP controls (when pertinent) by Student’s t-test and chi-square test, respectively, for P < 0.05. Results are presented in Table 1. The pools of visible and aspirated follicles were similar between breeds. However, the COC recovery efficiency was higher for Flamenga than for Holstein females. In vitro embryo development was also different between breeds, with cleavage rate being significantly lower for Holsteins than for Flamenga and IVP controls. Blastocyst rates also differed between treatments. Nonetheless, development to the blastocyst stage, when based on cleavage, was similar between Flamenga and Holstein embryos, but with both breeds being lower than the IVP controls. Oocyte quality was likely the cause of such differences in embryo developmental potential between groups, with Flamenga females yielding more oocytes and IVP embryos than Holstein cows. In summary, the use of OPU-IVP procedures was demonstrated to be suitable for the preservation of the Flamenga breed in Southern Brazil. Table 1.Follicular pool and oocyte and embryo yield between Flamenga and Holstein cows following ovum pickup–in vitro production (IVP) procedures This study was supported by CAPES and CNPq/Brazil.

99 EFFICIENCY OF CATIONIC LIPID-BASED DNA TRANSFECTION OF BOVINE IVF-DERIVED ZONA-FREE BLASTOCYSTS

We have previously reported that zona pellucida (ZP) removal and cationic lipid-based transfection (lipofection) of 1-cell stage bovine embryos with siRNA or DNA did not affect development to the blastocyst (BL) stage (Bertolini et al. 2006 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 18, 168–169). Moreover, approximately half of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transfected embryos showed various levels of fluorescence at the BL stage, which was also recently confirmed by others (O’Meara et al. 2010 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 22, 224). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the timing of ZP removal on the efficiency of lipofection in Day 8 bovine IVF-derived blastocyst stage embryos. In vitro-derived (IVP) embryos, produced based on (Bertolini et al. 2004 Reproduction 128, 341–354), were allocated to one of three experimental groups: (a) G-1, ZP removal on Day 1 of development, in embryos at the 1-cell stage (7 days before transfection); (b) G-2, ZP removal performed on Day 7 BL (24 h before transfection); and (c) G-3, naturally hatched Day 8 BL. On Day 8 of development, zona-free BL from G1, G2, and G3 were transfected by the incubation in 5 μL Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) and 12 μg DNA (pEGFP, Clontech Laboratories, Mountain View, CA, USA) in 100 μL Opti-MEM I (Invitrogen), at 39°C for 30 to 60 min. Transfected embryos were cultured for 24 h, when qualitative and quantitative assessments of the transfection efficiency were done by fluorescence microscopy. Positively-transfected BL were DNA-stained for the estimation of the total GFP-positive cells and total cell numbers (ANOVA and Tukey’s test, P < 0.05), and for the estimation of the proportion of GFP-positive cells in each embryonic cell lineage (chi-square test; P < 0.05). Embryos showing at least one GFP-positive cell were qualitatively considered transfected. Cleavage rate on Day 2 (144/197, 73.1%) and BL rate on Day 7 (122/197, 61.9%) were similar between groups (chi-square test; P < 0.05). No qualitative differences in transfection were seen between groups (Table 1), with cell transfection being restricted to the embryonic trophectodermal (TE) cell lineage. Embryo developmental kinetics was slightly delayed in G-1, which also had lower proportion of GFP-positive cells per total TE cell number (GFP/TE) when compared with results with more developed G-2 and G-3 BL. In fact, the number and proportion of GFP-positive cells per embryo appeared to increase more in a stage-dependent manner, rather than due to the time intervals used for ZP removal (Day 1 or Day 7). In summary, lipofection was effective for the transfection of bovine BL, but at a rather low efficiency on an embryo basis. Such procedure may be useful in studies requiring the delivery of nucleic acids specific to the trophectodermal embryonic cell lineage. Table 1.Efficiency of cationic lipid-based DNA transfection of bovine IVF-derived zona-free blastocysts Supported by CNPq and FINEP/Brazil.

55 EFFECT OF FUSION-ACTIVATION INTERVAL AND EMBRYO AGGREGATION ON IN VITRO AND IN VIVO DEVELOPMENT OF CLONED BOVINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY HANDMADE CLONING

Despite the apparent success of cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the efficiency in development to term remains low, with a high rate of losses occurring throughout pregnancy due to faulty reprogramming and conceptus abnormalities. As the ideal fusion-activation interval for optimal nuclear reprogramming after cloning is still ill-defined, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of 2 distinct fusion-activation intervals and embryo aggregation on in vitro development of cloned bovine embryos. Bovine COCs from slaughterhouse ovaries were used after IVM for the production of cloned embryos by handmade cloning, according to our established procedures (Ribeiro et al. 2009 Cloning Stem Cells, in press). Following cumulus and zona removal, oocytes were manually bisected, with hemi-cytoplasts selected by DNA staining. Two hemi-cytoplasts and an adult skin somatic cell were attached and fused with a 15V AC pre-pulse for 5 s, followed by a double 1.2 kV cm-1 DC pulse for 20 μs. Reconstructed embryos were activated in ionomycin exactly at 2 or 4 h post-fusion (2 hpf or 4 hpf), followed by an incubation in 6-DMAP for 4 h. Cloned embryos from both fusion-activation intervals were in vitro-cultured in the well of the well (WOW) system for 7 days, allocating one (1 × 100%) or two (2 × 100%) cloned embryos per WOW. Grade 1 Day-7 blastocysts were transferred to synchronous recipients. Cleavage (Day 2) and blastocyst (Day 7) rates, on a per WOW basis, and pregnancy (Days 30 and 150) rates were compared using the chi-square or the Fisher test, with results from 9 replications summarized in Table 1. Increasing the fusion-activation interval to 4 h decreased cleavage but not blastocyst rates in 1 × 100% embryos. Also, blastocyst rates were lower in 1 × 100% embryos activated 2 h post-fusion. In general, cleavage and blastocysts rates for 2 × 100% embryos (91.5 and 46.0%) were higher than for 1 × 100% embryo counterparts (74.4 and 31.3%), respectively, regardless of the activation time. In addition, blastocyst rates for 4 hpf-activated embryos (50.3%), based on cleavage, were higher than for 2 hpf-activated embryos (38.3%), irrespective of the aggregation scheme. Nonetheless, despite differences in in vitro development, pregnancy rates and conceptus development in the first half of pregnancy were similar between groups. A longer fusion-activation interval (4 hpf) or embryo aggregation (2 × 100%) increased blastocyst yield but did not improve in vivo development and pregnancy maintenance following the transfer to female recipients in cattle. Table 1.In vitro and in vivo development of cloned bovine embryos This study was supported by FAPESP and CAPES, Brazil.

72 PREGNANCY OUTCOME AFTER OVIDUCTAL TRANSFER OF ZONA-FREE 1-CELL-STAGE PORCINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY HANDMADE CLONING

The pig is an important animal model for the study of human diseases. An important step for better use of this species in biomedical research is to obtain genetically identical individuals by procedures such as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). As the in vitro culture environment is usually sub-optimal for embryo development, the oviductal transfer of cloned embryos at the 1-cell stage may be more efficient for the establishment of pregnancies. However, the transfer at such an early stage usually requires the presence of zona pellucida or agar embedding to protect embryos from the recipient’s immune system (Loi et al. 1999 Livest. Prod. Sci. 60, 281-294). This study aimed to evaluate the developmental viability of 1-cell-stage porcine handmade cloned embryos directly transferred to the oviduct of female recipients without the zona pellucida or agar embedding. After 40 h of IVM in TCM-199 +10% follicular fluid, COCs obtained from sows were denuded, selected for the presence of a polar body (459/689), and submitted to a 0.2% pronase solution in 25% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for partial zona removal, followed by rinses in manipulation medium and pure FBS. Subsequent to oocyte splitting by manual bisection in a 5 μg mL-1 cytochalasin B solution (CCB), hemi-oocytes (87.1%) were screened under fluorescent microscopy using Hoechst 33 342 stain, resulting in 57.6% enucleated halves (461/800). A somatic cell culture established from a fetal clone pig biopsy (Adam et al. 2007 Oncogene 26, 1038-1045) at passage 4 was used for embryo reconstruction, which was done in a 0.05% phytohemagglutinin (PHA) solution, by sticking 2 cytoplasts and a somatic cell in a linear orientation. Reconstructed couplets, rinsed in calcium- and magnesium-free fusion medium, were electrofused in a fusion chamber after exposure to a 30-V AC pulse for 20 s for alignment, followed by two 24-μs-long DC fusion pulses of 1.3 kV cm-1. Fused couplets (154/214) were exposed for 10 min to a solution containing 5 μg mL-1 CCB and 10 μg mL-1 cycloheximide, followed by electrical activation (two 24-μs-long DC pulses of 0.9 kV cm-1) in fusion medium containing calcium and magnesium. Activated embryos were cultured in vitro for 12 h in 500 μL of PZM-3 medium in the well of the well (WOW) system, in a plastic bag filled with gas mixture (90% N2, 5% O2, 5% CO2), at 38.5°C. Then, a total of 70 and 80 non-agar-embedded, zona-free 1-cell-stage cloned porcine embryos were transferred directly to the oviducts of a sow and a gilt, respectively, both synchronous at approximately 12 h before ovulation. The recipient sow was diagnosed pregnant by ultrasonography on Day 66 of gestation. Although the sow was diagnosed open on Day 72, this study demonstrates that the transfer of 1-cell-stage zona-free embryos directly to the oviduct of a synchronous sow can result in pregnancy.

101 EFFECT OF NITROCOOLER NEGATIVE PRESSURE AND RECOVERY INTERVAL ON CRYOTOLERANCE OF BOVINE IN VITRO-PRODUCED EMBRYOS

Exposing bovine embryos and porcine oocytes to hydrostatic pressure has been shown to increase cryosurvival, possibly by a resulting expression of stress tolerance proteins. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the negative pressure stress condition (a 5-min-long embryo exposure to a negative pressure) and the interval between vacuum exposure and vitrification (40 min or 2 h) on survival of bovine in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos. The negative pressure was achieved with the same apparatus used previously for the cryopreservation of embryos (Nitrocooler; Mezzalira et al. 2009 Reprod. Fert. Dev. (1) 134), in which a negative pressure (vacuum) is applied to liquid nitrogen to increase the cooling rate through the slush phenomenon, except that in this study, the vacuum was applied to the chamber without liquid nitrogen, at room temperature. Grades 1 and 2 bovine IVP expanded blastocysts were allocated to 1 of 5 experimental groups: embryos in vitro-cultured as fresh (control) or after vitrification (Vitri); and embryos subjected to the negative pressure for 5 min and then in vitro-cultured as fresh (NP-fresh) or after vitrification performed 40 min (NP-Vitri-40 min) or 2 h (NP-Vitri-2h) following the vacuum exposure. Embryos were vitrified in pulled glass micropipettes in a solution with 20% ethylene glycol + 20% dimethylsulfoxide + 20% fetal bovine serum and rewarmed in decreasing sucrose concentrations (Mezzalira et al. 1999 Acta Scientiae Veterinariae 27 262-262). In vitro culture was carried out in all treatments for 72 h for the assessment of re-expansion and hatching rates (Table 1), which were analyzed by the chi-square test, for P < 0.05. No differences in re-expansion rates were observed between groups. However, the vitrification of embryos after 2 h of exposure to a 5-min-long negative pressure (NP-Vitri-2h) improved embryo survival expressed by a higher hatching rate than for embryos vitrified without vacuum exposure (Vitri) or after 40 min following the 5-min-long exposure to vacuum. In addition, hatching rates in group NP-Vitri-2h were similar to those for fresh embryos (control and NP-fresh). Our results indicated that a short exposure of embryos to a negative pressure can improve cryotolerance following vitrification, which is dependent on the time interval between NP exposure and cryopreservation. Bovine IVP embryos should be allowed to recover for at least 2 h after NP exposure before the increase in cryotolerance is achieved. Table 1.Effect of negative pressure on re-expansion and hatching rates of fresh and vitrified

280 INDISTINGUISHABLE TRANSCRIPTIONAL PROFILES BETWEEN IN VIVO- AND IN VITRO-PRODUCED BOVINE FETUSES

During the past several decades, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been increasingly used in animal production and human infertility treatment. In vitro production (IVP) has been shown to cause reduced developmental competence, aberrant gene expression, and developmental abnormalities. Our objective was to determine how in vitro procedures influence global gene expression during fetal development. To this end, we analyzed the gene expression profiles of liver and placentome tissue samples (n = 18) from IVP and in vivo-derived fetuses at Days 90 and 180 of gestation (n = 5 IVP and n = 4 in vivo-derived pregnancies for each day of gestation). Standard in vitro maturation and fertilization protocols were employed. Putative zygotes were co-cultured with bovine oviductal epithelial cells to the blastocyst stage. In vivo embryos were collected 7 days after AI by nonsurgical uterine flushing. Blastocyst-stage IVP and in vivo embryos were transferred to synchronized recipients and monitored until collection at Day 90 or 180. The pregnancy rate at Day 90 was 12% and 27% for IVP and in vivo pregnancies, respectively (Bertolini et al. 2004 Reproduction 128, 341-354). To conduct expression profiling, total RNA from each tissue sample and a standard reference was indirectly labeled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, and hybridized in duplicate to custom, bovine 13 K oligonucleotide microarrays. After Loess normalization, a two-way (origin and day) ANOVA model (GeneSpring 7.3.1) was used to identify differentially expressed genes in each tissue. The P-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons using a 5% false discovery rate (FDR). The expression of 11 candidate genes was confirmed independently by quantitative RT-PCR. Surprisingly, in both the liver and placentome tissues, no differential gene expression was detected between the IVP and in vivo fetuses at Day 90 and 180. This was observed even when the FDR was relaxed to 10% and 20%. A total of 879 genes (523 genes ≥ 1.5-fold) were differentially expressed during liver development from 90 to 180 days of gestation. Conversely, no differential gene expression was detected in the placentomes during this developmental period. Our findings show that during early and mid gestation, surviving IVP fetuses had normal patterns of gene expression. It is possible that embryos with less severe perturbations may survive with their gene expression normalized as development proceeds. Additionally, initial changes in gene expression caused by IVP may affect subsequent development, but do not necessarily persist throughout gestation. Present addresses: L. Jiang, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; S. L. Marjani, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; M. Bertolini, University of Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. This work was supported by USDA grants to X.Y, H.A.L., and X.C T.

54 IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE CLONED EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY HANDMADE CLONING FROM DISTINCT CELL CULTURE CONFLUENCES AND AGGREGATION SCHEMES

The coordination of the cell cycle of the donor nucleus and the recipient cytoplasm is thought to be one of the major essential factors needed for successful development of cloned embryos and offspring from somatic cell populations. Cell cycle synchronization protocols used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) vary in preference among groups, with the confluence inhibition by contact appearing to be one of the most widely used methods today. However, the relationship between the level of cell confluence in a culture dish at or near the plateau phase of growth and blastocyst yield following cloning by SCNT still needs to be better characterized. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 3 distinct cell culture confluences before nuclear transfer and embryo aggregation on in vitro development of clone bovine embryos. In vitro-matured bovine COC were used for the production of clone embryos by handmade cloning, according to our established procedures (Ribeiro et al. 2009 Cloning Stem Cells 11). Oocytes were manually bisected following cumulus and zona removal. After selection of hemi-cytoplasts by DNA staining, 1 (50%) or 2 (100%) enucleated hemi-cytoplasts were paired with an adult Nelore skin somatic cell and then electrofused (15 V AC pre-pulse for 5 s, followed by a double 1.2 kV cm-1 DC pulse for 20 μs). Cells were selected from 1 out of 3 distinct culture confluences: (1) 70 to 80%; (2) 80 to 90%; and (3) >90%; assessed by morphological evaluation before the SCNT procedure. Reconstructed clone embryos and groups of zona-intact oocytes (parthenote controls) were activated in ionomycin and 6-DMAP. Clone embryos (100%) and hemi-embryos (50%) reconstructed from the 3 groups underwent IVC in the well of the well (WOW) system for 7 days, allocating 1 embryo (1 × 100%) or aggregating two hemi-embryos (2 × 50%) per WOW. After 11 replications, cleavage (Day 2) and blastocyst (Day 7) rates, on a per WOW basis, were compared using the chi-square test. Results are summarized in Table 1. Cleavage rates were similar for all groups. The aggregation scheme did not appear to have influenced, either positively or negatively, the developmental outcome to the blastocyst stage. However, blastocyst rates increased nonlinearly (7.0, 17.5, and 29.4%) with the increase in cell confluence. A highly confluent cell culture has already been shown to have a greater proportion of cells in G0/G1 than cycling cells at the log phase (>91% v. 59%; Sun et al. 2008 Zygote 16, 111-116). However, blastocyst development in this study was lower than anticipated for cells in the early plateau phase (70 to 80%), when predicting such development based on the expected G0/G1 proportion in that cell population. Table 1.In vitro development of bovine cloned embryos from distinct cell culture confluences and aggregation scheme This study was supported by FAPESP and CAPES/Brazil.

69 EFFECTS OF CELL TYPE, PRE-ACTIVATION PROTOCOL, AND CULTURE CONDITIONS ON DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE HANDMADE CLONED EMBRYOS

Despite the rather successful and widespread use of cloning in various species, distinct cell types from the same species and even the same genotype display differences in blastocyst yield. Moreover, variations in the protocol for embryo production can influence development to the blastocyst stage and subsequent fetal development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2 cell types and 2 embryo pre-activation protocols with or without the presence of FCS in the in vitro culture medium on development of handmade pig cloned embryos to the blastocyst stage. Cumulus-oocyte complexes recovered from sow ovaries were in vitro-matured for 38 to 40 h. Denuded matured oocytes selected by the presence of a polar body had the zona pellucida removed in a 0.2% protease HEPES-buffered solution +25% FCS, followed by manual bisection and UV screening of enucleated halves using Hoechst stain. Clone embryo reconstruction was performed using a phytohemoagglutinin solution to adhere 2 cytoplasts and a somatic cell. Adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSC) from a Yorkshire pig or granulosa cells (GC) from an Ossabaw pig were used as nuclear donors. Following electrical fusion, couplets were pretreated with a brief exposure to cytochalasin B (CB) or cytochalasin B + cycloheximide (CB+CX) in the presence of serum before the electrical activation (Naruse et al. 2007 Theriogenology 68, 709-716; Du et al. 2009 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 21, 114). Activated embryos were in vitro-cultured in the well of the well (WOW) system, with 2 embryos per microwell, for 7 days in PZM-3 medium +0.3% BSA in the presence (FBS+) or absence (FBS-) of 10% FCS. Cleavage (Day 2, chi-square test) and blastocyst (Day 7, Fisher test) rates, on a per WOW basis, were compared for a level of significance of 5%. Our preliminary data indicate that the presence of serum in the IVC affected cleavage and blastocyst yield in a cell-type-dependent manner. The presence of serum enhanced the blastocyst yield for ADMSC, whereas for GC, only the absence of serum allowed any blastocyst development. The cell type and the pre-activation protocol did not appear to affect cleavage and embryo development to the blastocyst stage. Despite the low number of replications, our results reinforce the importance of optimizing the embryo production system taking into consideration the individual requirements for distinct cell types, procedures, and culture conditions. Table 1.Effects of cell type, pre-activation process and in vitro culture (IVC) medium on development of handmade pig cloned embryos