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Maggs X. A synthetic review: natural history of amniote reproductive modes in light of comparative evolutionary genomics. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39300750 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
There is a current lack of consensus on whether the ancestral parity mode was oviparity (egg-laying) or viviparity (live-birth) in amniotes and particularly in squamates (snakes, lizards, and amphisbaenids). How transitions between parity modes occur at the genomic level has primary importance for how science conceptualises the origin of amniotes, and highly variable parity modes in Squamata. Synthesising literature from medicine, poultry science, reproductive biology, and evolutionary biology, I review the genomics and physiology of five broad processes (here termed the 'Main Five') expected to change during transitions between parity modes: eggshell formation, embryonic retention, placentation, calcium transport, and maternal-fetal immune dynamics. Throughout, I offer alternative perspectives and testable hypotheses regarding proximate causes of parity mode evolution in amniotes and squamates. If viviparity did evolve early in the history of lepidosaurs, I offer the nucleation site hypothesis as a proximate explanation. The framework of this hypothesis can be extended to amniotes to infer their ancestral state. I also provide a mechanism and hypothesis on how squamates may transition from viviparity to oviparity and make predictions about the directionality of transitions in three species. After considering evidence for differing perspectives on amniote origins, I offer a framework that unifies (i) the extended embryonic retention model and (ii) the traditional model which describes the amniote egg as an adaptation to the terrestrial environment. Additionally, this review contextualises the origin of amniotes and parity mode evolution within Medawar's paradigm. Medawar posited that pregnancy could be supported by immunosuppression, inertness, evasion, or immunological barriers. I demonstrate that this does not support gestation or gravidity across most amniotes but may be an adequate paradigm to explain how the first amniote tolerated internal fertilization and delayed egg deposition. In this context, the eggshell can be thought of as an immunological barrier. If serving as a barrier underpins the origin of the amniote eggshell, there should be evidence that oviparous gravidity can be met with a lack of immunological responses in utero. Rare examples of two species that differentially express very few genes during gravidity, suggestive of an absent immunological reaction to oviparous gravidity, are two skinks Lampropholis guichenoti and Lerista bougainvillii. These species may serve as good models for the original amniote egg. Overall, this review grounds itself in the historical literature while offering a modern perspective on the origin of amniotes. I encourage the scientific community to utilise this review as a resource in evolutionary and comparative genomics studies, embrace the complexity of the system, and thoughtfully consider the frameworks proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Maggs
- Richard Gilder Graduate School at The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, New York, NY, 10024, USA
- Christopher S. Bond Life Science Center at the University of Missouri, 1201 Rollins St, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building A08, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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2
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Llorente V, López-Olañeta M, Blázquez-López E, Vázquez-Ogando E, Martínez-García M, Vaquero J, Carmona S, Desco M, Lara-Pezzi E, Gómez-Gaviro MV. Presence of fetal microchimerisms in the heart and effect on cardiac repair. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1390533. [PMID: 39206089 PMCID: PMC11350564 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1390533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple complex biological processes take place during pregnancy, including the migration of fetal cells to maternal circulation and their subsequent engraftment in maternal tissues, where they form microchimerisms. Fetal microchimerisms have been identified in several tissues; nevertheless, their functional role remains largely unknown. Different reports suggest these cells contribute to tissue repair and modulate the immune response, but they have also been associated with pre-eclampsia and tumor formation. In the maternal heart, cells of fetal origin can contribute to different cell lineages after myocardial infarction. However, the functional role of these cells and their effect on cardiac function and repair are unknown. In this work, we found that microchimerisms of fetal origin are present in the maternal circulation and graft in the heart. To determine their functional role, WT female mice were crossed with male mice expressing the diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor. Mothers were treated with DT to eliminate microchimerisms and the response to myocardial infarction was investigated. We found that removal of microchimerisms improved cardiac contraction in postpartum and post-infarction model females compared to untreated mice, where DT administration had no significant effects. These results suggest that microchimerisms play a detrimental role in the mother following myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Llorente
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Elena Blázquez-López
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Ap. Digestivo del HGU Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Vázquez-Ogando
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Ap. Digestivo del HGU Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Magdalena Martínez-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Vaquero
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Ap. Digestivo del HGU Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Carmona
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Desco
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain
| | - Enrique Lara-Pezzi
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Victoria Gómez-Gaviro
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Spain
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3
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Aboelmaaty AM, Mohamed RS, Hussein HA, Mohamed RH. Fetal gender prediction by monitoring circulating steroid hormones and some biochemical parameters in maternal dromedary camels. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:191. [PMID: 38951353 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-04053-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
To predict the sex of the foetus, healthy pregnant dromedary camels (n = 24) were included. Blood samples were collected for measurements of progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, and cortisol as well as total proteins, albumin, glucose, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Statistical analysis revealed differences between pregnant camels and pregnant camels in terms of female or male foetuses depending on the actual sex of the born calf. The results revealed that testosterone and ALP concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) greater in camels given to males than in those given to calves. There were strong positive correlations between male calf birth and testosterone and ALP concentrations (r = 0.864; P < 0.0001 and r = 0.637; P < 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, the cortisol, glucose and creatinine concentrations were significantly lower (P lower in camel calved males than in females). There were significant negative correlations between male calf birth and the cortisol, glucose and creatinine concentrations (r =-0.401; P = 0.052; r =-0.445; P = 0.029 and r =-0.400; P = 0.053, respectively). The concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, calcium/phosphorus ratio, magnesium, and albumin and the albumin/globulin ratio were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the two groups. In conclusion, testosterone could be used as a biomarker to determine the sex of foetuses in dromedary camels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal M Aboelmaaty
- Department of Animal Reproduction and AI, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 ElBohouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
| | - Rasha S Mohamed
- Department of Animal Health, Animal and Poultry Production Division, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hassan A Hussein
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty Vet. Med., Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sphinx University, New Assiut, 71684, Egypt
| | - Ragab H Mohamed
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty Vet. Med, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
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Aucamp J, van der Zwan H, Geldenhuys Z, Abera A, Louw R, van der Sluis R. Diagnostic applications and limitations for the use of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in animal husbandry and wildlife management. Res Vet Sci 2023; 158:106-116. [PMID: 36989830 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
In animal breeding, a species sex can influence the value of the animal. For example, in the horse breeding industry, mares are preferred as polo horses, while in wildlife breeding males with larger horns are more valuable. Therefore, the economic advantages of knowing the unborn fetus' sex are important to successful animal management. Ultrasonography is used to determine the sex of unborn fetuses, but this method places additional stress on the animal and require specialized equipment and expertise. Conversely, molecular-based sexing techniques require less invasive sampling and can determine sex more reliably. Although in humans, various studies have evaluated the use of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) for prenatal sexing, very few animal studies have been published in this field. Several factors can affect the sensitivity of cffDNA-based sex determination, for example the gestational age. These factors are often not optimized and validated when establishing a protocol for prenatal sexing. In this review, we summarize the current literature on cffDNA in animals. We discuss the diagnostic applications and limitations in the use thereof in animal husbandry and wildlife management. Lastly, the feasibility of implementing diagnostic tests is evaluated and solutions are given to the current drawbacks of the technology.
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5
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Wang Z, Ren J, Han Z, Wang J, Gu S, Zhou Y, Han Z, Zhai Y, Zhang S, An X, Yu D, Hu Z, Hai T, Li Z. Foetal microchimerism occurs in pigs. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13333. [PMID: 36073746 PMCID: PMC9628235 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzhu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jilong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shigang Gu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongfeng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhen Han
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanhui Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinglan An
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dawei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Hu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tang Hai
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Role of Infection and Immunity in Bovine Perinatal Mortality: Part 2. Fetomaternal Response to Infection and Novel Diagnostic Perspectives. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072102. [PMID: 34359230 PMCID: PMC8300098 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Bovine perinatal mortality (death of the fetus or calf before, during, or within 48 h of calving at full term (≥260 days) may be caused by noninfectious and infectious causes. Although infectious causes of fetal mortality are diagnosed less frequently, infection in utero may also compromise the development of the fetus without causing death. This review presents fetomaternal responses to infection and the changes which can be observed in such cases. Response to infection, especially the concentration of immunoglobulins and some acute-phase proteins, may be used for diagnostic purposes. Some changes in internal organs may also be used as an indicator of infection in utero. However, in all cases (except pathogen-specific antibody response) non-pathogen-specific responses do not aid in pathogen-specific diagnosis of the cause of calf death. But, nonspecific markers of in utero infection may allow us to assign the cause of fetal mortality to infection and thus increase our overall diagnosis rate, particularly in cases of the “unexplained stillbirth”. Abstract Bovine perinatal mortality due to infection may result either from the direct effects of intrauterine infection and/or the fetal response to such infection, leading to the fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS). Both intrauterine infection and FIRS, which causes multi-organ damage and involution of immune organs, compromise fetal survivability, sometimes fatally. Organ injury associated with FIRS may, in addition to causing fetal mortality, irreversibly compromise extrauterine adaptation of the neonate, a recognized problem in human fetuses. Diagnosis of intrauterine infection and of FIRS requires related, but independent analytical approaches. In addition to detection of pathogens, the immune and inflammatory responses of the bovine fetus may be utilized to diagnose intrauterine infection. This can be done by detection of specific changes in internal organs and the measurement of antibodies and/or elements of the acute phase reaction. Currently our ability to diagnose FIRS in bovine fetuses and neonates is limited to research studies. This review focuses on both the fetomaternal response to infection and diagnostic methods which rely on the response of the fetus to infection and inflammatory changes, as well other methods which may improve diagnosis of intrauterine infection in cases of bovine perinatal mortality.
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7
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Brown JA, Niland ES, Pierce NL, Taylor JB. Validation of fetal microchimerism after pregnancy in the ovine using qPCR. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab100. [PMID: 34386714 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal microchimerism has been detected in maternal tissues of humans and rodents during and after pregnancy. Studies focusing on fetal DNA transfer to maternal tissues in domestic animals are limited, especially in sheep. Fetal ram DNA was observed in the maternal circulation during pregnancy, but it is not known if this chimerism persists in soft tissues after parturition. The objectives of this exploratory study were to: 1) determine if male fetal DNA is detectable in soft tissues of mature ewes after parturition and if so, determine if detection repeatability differed with lifetime offspring sex ratio and 2) determine if male fetal DNA was present in soft tissues of yearling (primiparous) ewes shortly after parturition. Eight mature (open, non-lactating) and 8 yearling (primiparous, periparturient) Rambouillet ewes were used. Mature ewes (5- to 7-yr old) had given birth to primarily 82% males (n = 4) or 71% female (n = 4) over a lifetime. Yearling ewes had birthed either a singleton male (n = 4) or female (n = 4) lambs. DNA was extracted from 10 and 11 different soft tissues from the mature and yearling ewes, respectively. Real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to identify the presence of the SRY gene in each tissue sample. Male DNA was detected in the brain and liver from one mature open ewe that had given birth to two males and six females during her lifetime. In younger ewes that gave birth to a ram lamb, male DNA was observed in the thyroid of one ewe and the pancreas and brain of a second ewe. Male DNA was detected in the ovary of one ewe that had given birth to a female lamb. Based on these data, we suggest fetal microchimerism in soft maternal tissues is possible in sheep and may remain after pregnancy has ended. The detection repeatability of male fetal DNA was not associated with sex ratio of lifetime offspring. Male DNA was observed in maternal soft tissues collected shortly after parturition. The greater detection of fetal male DNA found in younger ewes shortly after parturition may be due to not having enough time for fetal DNA clearance to occur. Future studies are warranted to further study XY chimerism in maternal tissues of the ewe and its potential role in ovine physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alison Brown
- Department of Biology, Wingate University, Wingate, NC 28174, USA
| | - Erika S Niland
- Department of Biology, Wingate University, Wingate, NC 28174, USA
| | - Natalie L Pierce
- USDA, Agriculture Research Service, Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research Unit, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID 83423, USA
| | - J Bret Taylor
- USDA, Agriculture Research Service, Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research Unit, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID 83423, USA
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8
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Gash KK, Yang M, Fan Z, Regouski M, Rutigliano HM, Polejaeva IA. Assessment of microchimerism following somatic cell nuclear transfer and natural pregnancies in goats. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:3786-3794. [PMID: 31353395 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Microchimerism is defined as the presence of a small population of cells or DNA in 1 organism originated from a genetically different organism. It is well established that this phenomenon occurs in humans and mice as cells are exchanged between mother and fetus during gestation. Currently, no information is available about the presence of maternal microchimerism in goats, and the only published study is limited to an evaluation of fetal and fetal-fetal microchimerism in blood samples following natural breeding. In order to determine whether bidirectional fetal-maternal cell or DNA trafficking occurs in goats, we assessed: 1) fetal microchimerism in surrogates that gave birth to somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived transgenic offspring (n = 4), 2) maternal microchimerism following natural breeding of SCNT-derived transgenic does with a nontransgenic buck (n = 4), and 3) fetal-fetal microchimerism in nontransgenic twins of transgenic offspring (n = 3). Neomycin-resistance gene (NEO) gene was selected as the marker to detect the presence of the αMHC-TGF-β1-Neo transgene in kidney, liver, lung, lymph node, and spleen. We found no detectable maternal or fetal-fetal microchimerism in the investigated tissues of nontransgenic offspring. However, fetal microchimerism was detected in lymph node tissue of one of the surrogate dams carrying a SCNT pregnancy. These results indicate occurrence of cell trafficking from fetus to mother during SCNT pregnancies. The findings of this study have direct implications on the use and disposal of nontransgenic surrogates and nontransgenic offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten K Gash
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | - Min Yang
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | - Zhiqiang Fan
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | - Misha Regouski
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | - Heloisa M Rutigliano
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT.,School of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, Logan, UT
| | - Irina A Polejaeva
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT
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Ristanic M, Stanisic L, Maletic M, Glavinic U, Draskovic V, Aleksic N, Stanimirovic Z. Bovine foetal sex determination-Different DNA extraction and amplification approaches for efficient livestock production. Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 53:947-954. [PMID: 29740884 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Foetal sex determination using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in mammals is based on the amplification of gender-specific foetal DNA sequences circulating in maternal blood. The bovine synepitheliochorial placenta does not allow a direct contact between the trophoblast and the maternal blood, resulting in difficult passage of foetal DNA and, consequently, its very small amounts in maternal bloodstream. Circulating cell-free foetal DNA (ccffDNA) encompasses short nucleotide fragments (300-600 bp) in maternal circulation. The aim of this study was to assess this non-invasive method in accurate prenatal sexing in early and late gestational periods in comparison with ultrasound diagnostics. As various DNA isolation and amplification methods were tested, their success in obtaining reliable results was evaluated. Two groups were tested, each consisting of 20 pregnant cows. Blood of a bull and a non-pregnant heifer was the controls. Extraction of foetal DNA was accomplished by three different methods: using tubes with silicone membranes, a single-tube extraction without silicone membranes and phenol-chloroform extraction. Following each extraction method, foetal DNA was amplified using PCR and real-time PCR with both bAML and TSPY primers in a separate reaction. Positive results were obtained only after amplification of foetal DNA extracted with a single-tube extraction kit. In comparison with ultrasound examination results and foetal gender recorded at birth, the sensitivity of the PCR test was 90% in Group I, but the technique failed to detect male foetuses in Group II. The real-time PCR test sensitivity in Group I was 90% and in Group II 91.6%.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ristanic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lj Stanisic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Maletic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - U Glavinic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - V Draskovic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N Aleksic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Z Stanimirovic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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10
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Stojsin-Carter A, Costa NN, De Morais R, De Bem TH, Costa MP, Carter TF, Gillis DJ, Neal MS, Ohashi OM, Miranda MS, Meirelles FV, Favetta LA, King WA. Fetal sex alters maternal anti-Mullerian hormone during pregnancy in cattle. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 186:85-92. [PMID: 28969874 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is expressed by both male and female fetuses during mammalian development, with males expressing AMH earlier and at significantly higher concentration. The aim of the current study was to explore the potential impact of pregnancy and fetal sex on maternal AMH and to determine if plasma (Pl) AMH or placenta intercotyledonary membrane and cotyledonary AMH receptor 2 (AMHR2) mRNA expression differ in pregnant cows carrying male vs. female fetuses. AMH levels in blood were measured using a bovine optimized ELISA kit. Cows pregnant with a male fetus were observed to have a significantly greater difference in Pl AMH between day 35 and 135 of gestation. Average fetal AMH level between 54 and 220days of gestation was also observed to be significantly higher in male vs. female fetuses. Intercotyledonary membranes and cotyledons were found to express AMHR2 between days 38 and 80 of gestation at similar levels in both fetal sexes. These findings support the hypothesis that fetal sex alters maternal Pl AMH during pregnancy in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Stojsin-Carter
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nathalia N Costa
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa 1, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo De Morais
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa 1, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Tiago H De Bem
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Avenida Duque Caxias Norte 225 - Jardim Elite, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-000, Brazil
| | - Mayra P Costa
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa 1, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Timothy F Carter
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Daniel J Gillis
- School of Computer Science, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Michael S Neal
- ONE Fertility, 3210 Harvester Rd, Burlington, ON, L7N 3T1, Canada
| | - Otavio M Ohashi
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa 1, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Moyses S Miranda
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa 1, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Flavio V Meirelles
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Avenida Duque Caxias Norte 225 - Jardim Elite, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-000, Brazil
| | - Laura A Favetta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - W Allan King
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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11
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Zeeh F, Suter MM, Mueller E, Brünisholz N, Zimmerman W, Ricklin M, Rüfenacht S, Olivry T, Roosje PJ. Chronological clinical and pathological documentation of porcine ulcerative dermatitis. Vet Dermatol 2016; 27:315-e78. [PMID: 27188958 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Porcine ulcerative dermatitis syndrome (PUDS) is a rare disease of breeding sows with an unknown pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE To describe the evolution of clinical and histopathological lesions over the course of the disease and to elucidate the pathogenesis. ANIMAL A 24-month-old, pluriparous, large white sow presented during gestation with ulcerations around the teats compatible with PUDS. METHODS AND RESULTS Clinical and histopathological lesions were monitored over the course of the disease (i.e. during and after the subsequent pregnancy). A clear gestation-dependent flare of the lesions was observed with partial resolution occurring postpartum. The histological pattern presented as a lymphocytic interface dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The findings in this case report link gestation with the development of clinical signs and histological changes. Multiparity appears to enhance severity and may finally result in a self-perpetuating disease. Therefore, it seems advisable to cull breeding sows after they have developed PUDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Zeeh
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Swine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109A, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maja M Suter
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland.,DermFocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eliane Mueller
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland.,DermFocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Natalia Brünisholz
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland.,DermFocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Werner Zimmerman
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Swine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109A, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Meret Ricklin
- Division of Clinical Dermatology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Rüfenacht
- Division of Clinical Dermatology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Olivry
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
| | - Petra J Roosje
- DermFocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland.,Division of Clinical Dermatology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, PO Box 8466, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
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12
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Benedictus L, Rutten VPMG, Koets AP. Pregnancy boosts vaccine-induced Bovine Neonatal Pancytopenia-associated alloantibodies. Vaccine 2016; 34:1002-5. [PMID: 26796141 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2015] [Revised: 01/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Although maternal vaccination is generally considered to be safe, the occurrence of Bovine Neonatal Pancytopenia (BNP) in cattle shows that maternal vaccination may pose a risk to the offspring. Pregsure BVD-induced maternal alloantibodies cause BNP in newborn calves. The occurrence of BNP years after last Pregsure BVD vaccination indicates that alloantibody levels may remain high in dams. Since pregnancy induces alloantibodies we hypothesized that pregnancy boosts the vaccine-induced alloantibody response. Alloantibody levels in Pregsure BVD-vaccinated dams increased from conception towards the end of gestation and declined after parturition. In parallel, BVDV-antibody levels remained constant, indicating that there is specific boosting of alloantibodies. Since the rise in alloantibodies coincides with pregnancy and other alloantigen sources were excluded, we concluded that fetal alloantigens expressed during pregnancy boost the alloimmune response in the dam. These results help explain why BNP cases occur even years after Pregsure BVD has been taken off the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindert Benedictus
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Victor P M G Rutten
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Ad P Koets
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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13
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Abstract
Fetal microchimerism (FMc) is predicted to promote the fitness of the fetus and maternal microchimerism (MMc) to promote the fitness of the mother. Offspring and mothers benefit from each other's health. Therefore, microchimeric cells should usually not be harmful to their host. However, the evolutionary interests of mothers and offspring diverge when there is competition among siblings for maternal investment. Fetal cells in mothers' bodies could benefit their own offspring at the expense of its sibs by promoting lactogenesis or by extending the interbirth interval. Maternal cells in fetal bodies could benefit from the suppression of sibling rivalry. Non-inherited haplotypes in MMc or sibling microchimerism (SMc) gain no direct benefit from their hosts' health and could be associated with substantial detrimental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Haig
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology; Harvard University; Cambridge, MA USA
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14
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Boddy AM, Fortunato A, Wilson Sayres M, Aktipis A. Fetal microchimerism and maternal health: a review and evolutionary analysis of cooperation and conflict beyond the womb. Bioessays 2015; 37:1106-18. [PMID: 26316378 PMCID: PMC4712643 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201500059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The presence of fetal cells has been associated with both positive and negative effects on maternal health. These paradoxical effects may be due to the fact that maternal and offspring fitness interests are aligned in certain domains and conflicting in others, which may have led to the evolution of fetal microchimeric phenotypes that can manipulate maternal tissues. We use cooperation and conflict theory to generate testable predictions about domains in which fetal microchimerism may enhance maternal health and those in which it may be detrimental. This framework suggests that fetal cells may function both to contribute to maternal somatic maintenance (e.g. wound healing) and to manipulate maternal physiology to enhance resource transmission to offspring (e.g. enhancing milk production). In this review, we use an evolutionary framework to make testable predictions about the role of fetal microchimerism in lactation, thyroid function, autoimmune disease, cancer and maternal emotional, and psychological health. Also watch the Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M Boddy
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,Center for Evolution and Cancer, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Angelo Fortunato
- Center for Evolution and Cancer, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Melissa Wilson Sayres
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Athena Aktipis
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,Center for Evolution and Cancer, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Center for Evolution and Medicine, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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15
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Vackova I, Czernekova V, Tomanek M, Navratil J, Mosko T, Novakova Z. Absence of maternal cell contamination in mesenchymal stromal cell cultures derived from equine umbilical cord tissue. Placenta 2014; 35:655-7. [PMID: 24889156 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine whether maternal cell contamination exists in cells derived from equine umbilical cord tissue, a perspective material for cell-based therapies in veterinary medicine. Potential maternal cell contamination was analyzed at DNA level via a set of 16 microsatellite markers in cells originating from the cord tissue of 22 foals. In these cells no maternal cell contamination was detected at a sensitivity level of 0.01%. Our results suggest that equine umbilical cord tissue-derived cells are entirely of fetal origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Vackova
- Department of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - V Czernekova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - M Tomanek
- Department of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Navratil
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - T Mosko
- Department of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Z Novakova
- Department of Biology of Reproduction, Institute of Animal Science, Prague, Czech Republic
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16
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Garrels W, Holler S, Taylor U, Herrmann D, Niemann H, Ivics Z, Kues WA. Assessment of fetal cell chimerism in transgenic pig lines generated by Sleeping beauty transposition. PLoS One 2014; 9:e96673. [PMID: 24811124 PMCID: PMC4014516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cells migrate between mother and fetus during pregnancy and persist in the respective host for long-term after birth. Fetal microchimerism occurs also in twins sharing a common placenta or chorion. Whether microchimerism occurs in multiparous mammals such as the domestic pig, where fetuses have separate placentas and chorions, is not well understood. Here, we assessed cell chimerism in litters of wild-type sows inseminated with semen of transposon transgenic boars. Segregation of three independent monomeric transposons ensured an excess of transgenic over non-transgenic offspring in every litter. Transgenic siblings (n = 35) showed robust ubiquitous expression of the reporter transposon encoding a fluorescent protein, and provided an unique resource to assess a potential cell trafficking to non-transgenic littermates (n = 7) or mothers (n = 4). Sensitive flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and real-time PCR provided no evidence for microchimerism in porcine littermates, or piglets and their mothers in both blood and solid organs. These data indicate that the epitheliochorial structure of the porcine placenta effectively prevents cellular exchange during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Garrels
- Institut für Nutztiergenetik, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Mariensee, Germany
| | - Stephanie Holler
- Institut für Nutztiergenetik, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Mariensee, Germany
| | - Ulrike Taylor
- Institut für Nutztiergenetik, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Mariensee, Germany
| | - Doris Herrmann
- Institut für Nutztiergenetik, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Mariensee, Germany
| | - Heiner Niemann
- Institut für Nutztiergenetik, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Mariensee, Germany
| | | | - Wilfried A Kues
- Institut für Nutztiergenetik, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Mariensee, Germany
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17
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Seppanen E, Fisk NM, Khosrotehrani K. Pregnancy-acquired fetal progenitor cells. J Reprod Immunol 2013; 97:27-35. [PMID: 23432869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2012.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Revised: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The transfer and persistence of fetal progenitor cells into the mother throughout pregnancy has sparked considerable interest as a trafficking stem cell and immunological phenomenon. Indeed, the intriguing longevity of semi-allogeneic fetal microchimeric cells (FMC) in parous women raises questions over their potential clinical implications. FMC have been associated with both immune-modulatory roles and participation in maternal tissue repair. Although their influence on maternal health is as yet unresolved, FMC selectively home to damaged maternal tissues and often integrate, adopting site-appropriate phenotypes. FMC features, such as plasticity and persistence in their maternal host, suggest that they likely include pluripotent, or various multipotent and committed stem and progenitor cells. Recent efforts to determine what cell types are involved have established that FMC include cells of ectodermal, endodermal, mesodermal, and perhaps trophectodermal lineages. This review details FMC phenotypes and discusses how FMC themselves may be considered a naturally occurring stem cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Seppanen
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston Campus, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld. 4029, Australia
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18
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Y-chromosome DNA is present in the blood of female dogs suggesting the presence of fetal microchimerism. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68114. [PMID: 23861856 PMCID: PMC3704588 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal microchimerism has been suggested to play contradictory roles in women’s health, with factors including age of the recipient, time elapsed since microchimerism occurred, and microchimeric cell type modulating disease. Both beneficial and harmful effects have been identified in wound healing and tissue regeneration, immune mediated disease, and cancer. This area of research is relatively new, and hindered by the time course from occurrence of fetal microchimerism to the multi-factorial development of disease. Dogs represent an excellent model for study of fetal microchimerism, as they share our environment, have a naturally condensed lifespan, and spontaneously develop immune-mediated diseases and cancers similar to their human counterparts. However, fetal microchimerism has not been described in dogs. These experiments sought preliminary evidence that dogs develop fetal microchimerism following pregnancy. We hypothesized that Y chromosomal DNA would be detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of female dogs collected within two months of parturition. We further hypothesized that Y chromosomal DNA would be detected in banked whole blood DNA samples from parous female Golden Retrievers with at least one male puppy in a prior litter. Amplification of DNA extracted from five female Golden Retrievers that had whelped within the two months prior to collection revealed strong positive bands for the Y chromosome. Of banked, parous samples, 36% yielded positive bands for the Y chromosome. This is the first report of persistent Y chromosomal DNA in post-partum female dogs and these results suggest that fetal microchimerism occurs in the canine species. Evaluation of the contributions of fetal microchimeric cells to disease processes in dogs as a model for human disease is warranted.
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19
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Pereira FTV, Oliveira LJ, Barreto RDSN, Mess A, Perecin F, Bressan FF, Mesquita LG, Miglino MA, Pimentel JR, Neto PF, Meirelles FV. Fetal-maternal interactions in the synepitheliochorial placenta using the eGFP cloned cattle model. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64399. [PMID: 23724045 PMCID: PMC3665810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate mechanisms of fetal-maternal cell interactions in the bovine placenta, we developed a model of transgenic enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (t-eGFP) expressing bovine embryos produced by nuclear transfer (NT) to assess the distribution of fetal-derived products in the bovine placenta. In addition, we searched for male specific DNA in the blood of females carrying in vitro produced male embryos. Our hypothesis is that the bovine placenta is more permeable to fetal-derived products than described elsewhere. Methodology/Principal Findings Samples of placentomes, chorion, endometrium, maternal peripheral blood leukocytes and blood plasma were collected during early gestation and processed for nested-PCR for eGFP and testis-specific Y-encoded protein (TSPY), western blotting and immunohistochemistry for eGFP detection, as well as transmission electron microscopy to verify the level of interaction between maternal and fetal cells. TSPY and eGFP DNA were present in the blood of cows carrying male pregnancies at day 60 of pregnancy. Protein and mRNA of eGFP were observed in the trophoblast and uterine tissues. In the placentomes, the protein expression was weak in the syncytial regions, but intense in neighboring cells on both sides of the fetal-maternal interface. Ultrastructurally, our samples from t-eGFP expressing NT pregnancies showed to be normal, such as the presence of interdigitating structures between fetal and maternal cells. In addition, channels-like structures were present in the trophoblast cells. Conclusions/Significance Data suggested that there is a delivery of fetal contents to the maternal system on both systemic and local levels that involved nuclear acids and proteins. It not clear the mechanisms involved in the transfer of fetal-derived molecules to the maternal system. This delivery may occur through nonclassical protein secretion; throughout transtrophoblastic-like channels and/or by apoptotic processes previously described. In conclusion, the bovine synepitheliochorial placenta displays an intimate fetal-maternal interaction, similar to other placental types for instance human and mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lilian J. Oliveira
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Rodrigo da Silva Nunes Barreto
- Department of Surgery - Anatomy of Domestic and Wild Animals - College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences - University of São Paulo, Butantã, Brazil
| | - Andrea Mess
- Department of Surgery - Anatomy of Domestic and Wild Animals - College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences - University of São Paulo, Butantã, Brazil
| | - Felipe Perecin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Fernandes Bressan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Ligia Garcia Mesquita
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Production - College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences - University of São Paulo, Butantã, Brazil
| | - Maria Angelica Miglino
- Department of Surgery - Anatomy of Domestic and Wild Animals - College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences - University of São Paulo, Butantã, Brazil
| | - José RodrigoValim Pimentel
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Paulo Fantinato Neto
- Department of Surgery - Anatomy of Domestic and Wild Animals - College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences - University of São Paulo, Butantã, Brazil
| | - Flávio Vieira Meirelles
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil
- Center for Cell-based Theraphy, College of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
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20
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Kadivar A, Hassanpour H, Mirshokraei P, Azari M, Gholamhosseini K, Karami A. Detection and quantification of cell-free fetal DNA in ovine maternal plasma; use it to predict fetal sex. Theriogenology 2013; 79:995-1000. [PMID: 23434357 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Revised: 01/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Prediction of fetal sex in the ovine species could be useful in the management decisions, such as sex selection in breeding programs, culling decisions, and lowering the progeny test cost. In the present study detection of fetal SRY gene in maternal blood plasma using the polymerase chain reaction technique was used to predict fetal sex at different times of gestation in the ewe. The quantitative changes of fetal DNA during pregnancy were also investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Fetal DNA was isolated from blood plasma of 46 pregnant ewes during the second to fifth month of gestation. The 286-base pair DNA fragment was detected in all samples with male pregnancies, but no female pregnancies. The sensitivity and specificity of tests were 100% with no false negative or false positive results. It was also determined that fetal DNA levels are significantly increased during pregnancy, up to approximately 1.65-fold in the last 2 months of pregnancy. This is the first report of fetal sex determination and circulating fetal DNA quantification by a molecular method in the ovine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Kadivar
- Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
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21
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Oliveira LJ, Barreto RSN, Perecin F, Mansouri-Attia N, Pereira FTV, Meirelles FV. Modulation of maternal immune system during pregnancy in the cow. Reprod Domest Anim 2013; 47 Suppl 4:384-93. [PMID: 22827396 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02102.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
There is a molecular crosstalk between the trophoblast and maternal immune cells of bovine endometrium. The uterine cells are able to secrete cytokine/chemokines to either induce a suppressive environment for establishment of the pregnancy or to recruit immune cells to the endometrium to fight infections. Despite morphological differences between women and cows, mechanisms for immune tolerance during pregnancy seem to be conserved. Mechanisms for uterine immunesuppression in the cow include: reduced expression of major histocompatability proteins by the trophoblast; recruitment of macrophages to the pregnant endometrium; and modulation of immune-related genes in response to the presence of the conceptus. Recently, an eGFP transgenic cloned embryo model developed by our group showed that there is modulation of foetal proteins expressed at the site of syncytium formation, suggesting that foetal cell can regulate not only by the secretion of specific factors such as interferon-tau, but also by regulating their own protein expression to avoid excessive maternal recognition by the local immune system. Furthermore, foetal DNA can be detected in the maternal circulation; this may reflect the occurrence of an invasion of trophoblast cells and/or their fragment beyond the uterine basement membrane in the cow. In fact, the newly description of exosome release by the trophoblast cell suggests that could be a new fashion of maternal-foetal communication at the placental barrier. Additionally, recent global transcriptome studies on bovine endometrium suggested that the immune system is aware, from an immunological point of view, of the presence of the foetus in the cow during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Oliveira
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
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22
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Abellaneda JM, Ramis G, Martínez-Alarcón L, Majado MJ, Quereda JJ, Herrero-Medrano JM, Mendonça L, García-Nicolás O, Reus M, Insausti C, Ríos A, López-Navas A, González MR, Pallarés FJ, Munoz A, Ramírez P, Parrilla P. Generation of human-to-pig chimerism to induce tolerance through transcutaneous in utero injection of cord blood-derived mononuclear cells or human bone marrow mesenchymals cells in a preclinical program of liver xenotransplantation: preliminary results. Transplant Proc 2013; 44:1574-8. [PMID: 22841218 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2012.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Using a percutaneous ecoguided injection system to obtain chimeric piglets through a less invasive and traumatic technique than previously reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS The two types of human cells included umbilical cord blood mononuclear elements and mesenchymal stem cells cultured from bone marrow. Four sows at gestational day 50 were anesthetized. A needle was inserted through the skin and uterine wall to reach the peritoneal cavity of the fetuses under continuous ultrasound guidance. Fourteen piglets were injected with various cell concentrations. RESULTS All sows carried pregnancies to term yielding 69 piglets, among which 67 were alive and two mummified. Two piglets died during the first 48 hours of life. Chimerism was detected using flow cytometry and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) to detect Alu gene in blood or tissues samples. The analysis detected blood chimerism in 13 piglets (21%) by flow cytometry and the presence of the human Alu gene in 33 (51%) by q-PCR. The results suggest cell trafficking between littermates after in utero injection. CONCLUSIONS Transcutaneous echo-guided injection succeeded to produce chimeric piglets without disadvantages to the sow or the fetuses and avoiding abortions or fetal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Abellaneda
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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23
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Mayer J, Soller JT, Beck J, Purwins V, Wemheuer W, Schütz E, Brenig B. Early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows using circulating nucleic acids. Theriogenology 2012; 79:173-9. [PMID: 23122603 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Early and accurate pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle is a prerequisite for successful herd management. However, most of the currently available methods allow an early diagnosis only approximately 30 days after insemination. Recently, circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) have been used successfully as biomarkers in prenatal diagnosis at different gestational stages in human and animals. Here we show that CNAs can also be used as markers for the detection of early pregnancy in cattle. Serum samples were collected from multiparous pregnant (N = 24) and nonpregnant (N = 16) dairy cows at different days after insemination (Days 0, 20, and 40). Isolated serum DNA was preprocessed using a modified serial analysis of gene expression technique, which generated concatemerized short sequence tags for downstream next generation sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis identified sequence tags specific for pregnant dairy cows at Day 20 after insemination. The identified CNA-tags originated from repetitive regions of the bovine genome. Tag sequences that showed increased hit counts per animal were used to design quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. These quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were applied to CNA samples from matched pregnant (N = 12) and nonpregnant cows (N = 16) at different times after insemination (Day 0, 20, and 40). At Day 20 after insemination the quantities of the interspersed repeats Art2A and BovB were increased in the pregnant cows compared with the nonpregnant control cows (P < 0.05). The best performing CNA biomarker BovB yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76. At a defined cutoff value, the pregnant and the control groups can be distinguished with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 75%. These results suggest that CNAs can be used as biomarkers for the detection of early pregnancy in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Mayer
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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24
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Steinkraus HB, Rothfuss H, Jones JA, Dissen E, Shefferly E, Lewis RV. The absence of detectable fetal microchimerism in nontransgenic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) bearing transgenic offspring. J Anim Sci 2011; 90:481-8. [PMID: 21984713 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2011-4034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulations for the disposal of genetically engineered animals are strict due to concern for their inappropriate introduction into the food chain, and of the possible public health and environmental impacts of these organisms. Nontransgenic animals that give birth to transgenic offspring are treated as if they are transgenic due to concern of fetal cells crossing the placental barrier and residing in the mother (fetal-maternal microchimerism). Determining whether or not fetal-fetal or fetal-maternal transfer of DNA or cells occurs during caprine gestation is critical to effectively protect the public without culling animals that pose no risk. Additionally, fetal-maternal transfer, should it exist in the goat, could contraindicate the rebreeding of nontransgenic dams due to the possible transfer of fetal cells from 1 pregnancy to the fetus of subsequent pregnancies. Fetal-maternal transfer in Capra hircus has not been reported in the literature, although it has been reported in another ruminant, Bos taurus. We examined blood from nontransgenic dams that carried transgenic offspring using a PCR method sensitive enough to detect the presence of a spider silk transgene to a 1:100,000 dilution. At this sensitivity, we did not detect the occurrence of fetal-maternal transfer in 5 nontransgenic dams. Likewise, fetal-fetal transfer was not observed from a transgenic to a nontransgenic twin in utero. To test tissue-specific expression of the silk transgene, proteins purified from standard necropsy tissue from a lactating transgenic dam were examined by Western blot analysis. Silk protein expression was only observed in mammary tissue consistent with the tissue specificity of the β-casein promoter used in the transgenic construct. We report evidence collected from a limited caprine breeding pool against transfer of transgenes in utero from fetus to dam and fetus to fetus. In addition, we show evidence that the β-casein promoter in our expression construct is not expressed ectopically as previously suggested. These results suggest that transgene transfer in utero does not occur, but further study is warranted with a larger sample group to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- H B Steinkraus
- University of Wyoming, Department of Molecular Biology, Laramie 82071, USA
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Lemos DC, Takeuchi PL, Rios AFL, Araújo A, Lemos HC, Ramos ES. Bovine fetal DNA in the maternal circulation: Applications and implications. Placenta 2011; 32:912-3. [PMID: 21855135 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2011.07.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2011] [Revised: 07/26/2011] [Accepted: 07/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The main aim of the present study was to detect bovine fetal DNA in the maternal circulation, a relatively unexplored subject in the literature. STUDY DESIGN DNA was extracted from blood of 84 primipara cows (Bos indicus) at different gestational ages (30-270 days) and from 100 adult animals (50 males and 50 non-pregnant cows). The samples were analyzed using PCR with primers for TSPY gene. RESULTS Molecular results matched the fetal phenotypic gender in all 47 male and 37 female fetuses, including early pregnancy, and in control animals. CONCLUSIONS These results evidence a bovine transplacental fetal DNA passage.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Lemos
- Departamento de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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