Grape polyphenols affect mRNA expression of PGHS-2, TIS11b and FOXO3 in endometrium of heifers under ACTH-induced stress

The multiple actions of grape and its polyphenols on female reproductive processes with an emphasis on cell signalling

Grapes are an economically important fruit crop, and their polyphenols (mainly phenolic acids, flavanols, flavonols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and stilbenes) can exert a wide range of health benefits as an interesting and valuable dietary supplement for natural complementary therapy. However, their potential physiological and therapeutic actions on reproductive processes have not been sufficiently elucidated. This evidence-based study presents current knowledge of grape extracts and polyphenols, as well as their properties and therapeutical actions in relation to female reproduction in a nutshell. Grape extract, and its polyphenols such as resveratrol, proanthocyanidin B2 or delphinidin may influence female reproductive physiology and pathology, as well as regulate multiple signaling pathways related to reproductive hormones, steroid hormones receptors, intracellular regulators of oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation, apoptosis, and proliferation. Their role in the management of ovarian cancer, age-related reproductive insufficiency, ovarian ischemia, PCOS, or menopausal syndrome has been indicated. In particular, the potential involvement of grapeseed extracts and/or proanthocyanidin B2 and delphinidin on ovarian steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, and developmental capacity has been implicated, albeit at different regulatory levels. Grape polyphenols exert a wide range of health benefits posing grape extract as an interesting and valuable dietary supplement for natural complementary therapy. This evidence-based study focuses on the actions of grapeseed extract and grape polyphenols on female reproductive processes at various regulatory levels and multiple signalling pathways by regulating reproductive hormones (GnRH, gonadotropins, prolactin, steroid hormones, IGFBP), steroid receptors, markers of proliferation and apoptosis. However, lack of knowledge of standardized dosages so far limits their clinical application despite the wide range of their biological and therapeutic potentials.

Polyphenols in Farm Animals: Source of Reproductive Gain or Waste?

Reproduction is a complex process that is substantially affected by environmental cues, specifically feed/diet and its components. Farm animals as herbivorous animals are exposed to a large amount of polyphenols present in their natural feeding system, in alternative feed resources (shrubs, trees, and agro-industrial byproducts), and in polyphenol-enriched additives. Such exposure has increased because of the well-known antioxidant properties of polyphenols. However, to date, the argumentation around the impacts of polyphenols on reproductive events is debatable. Accordingly, the intensive inclusion of polyphenols in the diets of breeding animals and in media for assisted reproductive techniques needs further investigation, avoiding any source of reproductive waste and achieving maximum benefits. This review illustrates recent findings connecting dietary polyphenols consumption from different sources (conventional and unconventional feeds) with the reproductive performance of farm animals, underpinned by the findings of in vitro studies in this field. This update will help in formulating proper diets, optimizing the introduction of new plant species, and feed additives for improving reproductive function, avoiding possible reproductive wastes and maximizing possible benefits.

Oxidative Stress and Nutraceuticals in the Modulation of the Immune Function: Current Knowledge in Animals of Veterinary Interest

In the veterinary sector, many papers deal with the relationships between inflammation and oxidative stress. However, few studies investigate the mechanisms of action of oxidised molecules in the regulation of immune cells. Thus, authors often assume that these events, sometime leading to oxidative stress, are conserved among species. The aim of this review is to draw the state-of-the-art of the current knowledge about the role of oxidised molecules and dietary antioxidant compounds in the regulation of the immune cell functions and suggest some perspectives for future investigations in animals of veterinary interest.

The effect of cooling management on blood flow to the dominant follicle and estrous cycle length at heat stress

The use of ultrasound imaging for the examination of reproductive organs has contributed substantially to the fertility management of dairy cows around the world. This method has many advantages such as noninvasiveness and immediate availability of information. Adding Doppler index to the ultrasound imaging examination, improved the estimation of blood volume and flow rate to the ovaries in general and to the dominant follicle in particular. The aim of this study was to examine changes in the blood flow to the dominant follicle and compare them to the follicular development throughout the cycle. We further set out to examine the effects of different types of cooling management during the summer on the changes in blood flow to the dominant follicle. For this purpose, 24 Israeli-Holstein dairy cows, under heat stress, were randomly assigned one of two groups: one was exposed to five cooling sessions per day (5CS) and the other to eight cooling sessions per day (8CS). Blood flow to the dominant follicle was measured daily using Doppler index throughout the estrous cycle. No differences in the preovulatory dominant follicle diameter were detected between the two cooling management regimens during the cycle. However, the length of the first follicular wave was significantly longer, whereas the second follicular wave was nonsignificantly shorter in the 5CS group as compared to the 8CS group. In addition, no difference in blood flow was found during the first 18 days of the cycle between the two groups. However, from Day 20 until ovulation a higher rate of blood flow was measured in the ovaries of cows cooled 8 times per day as compared to the 5CS group. No differences in progesterone levels were noted. Finally, the estrous cycle length was shorter in the 8CS group as compared to the 5CS group. Our data suggest that blood flow to the dominant follicle and estrous cycle length is affected by heat stress. Using the appropriate cooling management during heat stress can enhance the blood flow to the ovary and may contribute to improved fertility in dairy cows.

ACTH administration during formation of preovulatory follicles impairs steroidogenesis and angiogenesis in association with ovulation failure in lactating cows

Ovulation failure, follicular persistence, and formation of follicular cysts are known to impair dairy cow fertility. Although the underlying mechanism is not entirely clear, stress-induced alteration in adrenal hormone secretion can cause these ovarian pathologies. Six synchronized lactating cows were scanned daily by ultrasound, and plasma samples were taken throughout the estrous cycle. Treatment cows (n = 3) were administered with ACTH analog every 12 h from day 15 to day 21 of the cycle to induce formation of follicular cysts. Ovaries were collected at the slaughterhouse on day 23 of the cycle before appearance of follicular pathologies. Control cows (n = 3) were administered placebo, resynchronized, and administered PGF2α on day 6 of the new cycle to induce development of a preovulatory follicle. Follicular fluid was aspirated from the preovulatory follicles of each group to determine their steroid milieu. Slices were taken from the follicular wall for total messenger (m) RNA isolation and semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Administration of ACTH increased (P < 0.02) plasma cortisol concentration and reduced (P < 0.01) milk production. Androstenedione and estradiol concentrations in the follicular fluids were lower (P < 0.05) in ACTH-treated follicles than those in controls. The mRNA expression of luteinizing hormone receptor, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom), and cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase (P450c17) were lower (P < 0.02) in the ACTH-treated vs control cows. On the other hand, the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage did not differ between groups. In addition, mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)120 and VEGF164 was higher (P < 0.01) in control than in ACTH-treated follicles, but that for angiopoietin-1 and 2 did not differ between groups. Findings indicated that ACTH administration throughout preovulatory follicle development alters follicular steroidogenesis in association with impaired angiogenesis. Such alterations might explain, in part, the mechanism underlying ovulation failure and the formation of persistent or cystic follicles under stress.

Biologically active substances-enriched diet regulates gonadotrope cell activation pathway in liver of adult and old rats

According to the Hippocrates’ theorem “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”, dietary interventions may induce changes in the metabolic and inflammatory state by modulating the expression of important genes involved in the chronic disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of long-term (14 months) use of biologically active substances-enriched diet (BASE-diet) on transcriptomic profile of rats’ liver. The experiment was conducted on 36 Sprague–Dawley rats divided into two experimental groups (fed with control or BASE-diet, both n = 18). Control diet was a semi-synthetic diet formulated according to the nutritional requirements for laboratory animals. The BASE-diet was enriched with a mixture of polyphenolic compounds, β-carotene, probiotics, and n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In total, n = 3,017 differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified, including n = 218 DE genes between control and BASE groups after 3 months of feeding and n = 1,262 after 14 months. BASE-diet influenced the expression of genes involved particularly in the gonadotrope cell activation pathway and guanylate cyclase pathway, as well as in mast cell activation, gap junction regulation, melanogenesis and apoptosis. Especially genes involved in regulation of GnRH were strongly affected by BASE-diet. This effect was stronger with the age of animals and the length of diet use. It may suggest a link between the diet, reproductive system function and aging.

Administration of botanicals with the diet regulates gene expression in peripheral blood cells of Sarda sheep during ACTH challenge

The aim of the present research was to investigate the regulation of gene expression in ovine blood leukocytes during ACTH-induced cortisol release and the effect of dietary administration of botanicals to counteract the evoked response in polymorphonucleate cells (PMNCs). Thirty-six homogeneous Sarda sheep (age, 18±4.1 mo; BW, 38.7±1.3 kg) were allotted to six groups of six sheep each. One group was used as a negative control (Saline) and five groups were treated, every 12 h for 48 h, with 0.5 mL of ACTH agonist (250 μg/mL of tetracosactrin). Before ACTH treatment, four of the five ACTH-treated groups were separated and fed for 22 d with a basal diet supplemented with extracts from Echinacea angustifolia roots (PO+ACTH), Echinacea angustifolia flowers (EA+ACTH), Andrographis paniculata (AP+ACTH), and the bark of Larix decidua milled (LB+ACTH). Control groups (Saline and ACTH) were fed with the same basal diet without botanicals. Total RNA was extracted from blood samples collected before (T0) and after 3 h (T3) and 51 h (T51) from the first ACTH injection, and transcriptome analysis was performed using a custom oligoarray, designed from 12,194 Ovis aries UniGenes on a CombiMatrix platform. At T3, treatment with ACTH caused down-regulation of transcripts (P<0.001) involved in "response to stress" (GADD45A, GADD45B, WRNIP1, and XRCC6) and in "innate immune response" (MAPK3 and NFkBIB). At T51, treatment with ACTH caused down-regulation (P<0.001) of genes involved in "immune response" (IFNG and IL2) and up-regulation (P<0.001) of NF-κB1 and TP53. Each botanical produced a different (P<0.001) molecular signature for these genes at T3 and T51. The most active botanical in modulating transcriptome modifications in PMNCs after ACTH-induced cortisol release was Larix decidua Mill bark followed by Polinacea roots. These botanicals can be viewed as promising feed supplements in ruminants to cope with conditions associated with increased concentrations of plasma cortisol.

Effect of summer heat environment on body temperature, estrous cycles and blood antioxidant levels in Japanese Black cow

This study investigated the effect of summer heat environment on estrous cycles and blood antioxidant levels in Japanese Black cows. A total of 13 non-lactating Japanese Black cows (summer: 9, winter: 4) were examined. Body temperature was measured rectally and intravaginally using a thermometer and data logger, respectively. Estrous behavior was monitored using a radiotelemetric pedometer that recorded walking activity. Rectal temperatures were higher during summer than winter (P<0.001). There was an acute increase in vaginal temperature at the onset of estrus during winter but such an increase was not observed during summer. Walking activity during estrus decreased dramatically in the summer compared to the winter. Duration of estrous cycle was longer in summer (23.4 days, P<0.05) than winter (21.5 days), and the subsequent rise in progesterone concentrations following estrus tended to be delayed in summer. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in peripheral blood cells was higher during summer (P<0.05), while the levels of superoixde dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione were lower (P<0.05). These results indicate that high ambient temperature during summer increases both body temperature and oxidative stress, and also reduces signs of estrus in Japanese Black cows.

An inventory of the ethnoveterinary practices for reproductive disorders in cattle and buffaloes, Sargodha district of Pakistan

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was conducted to document the ethnoveterinary practices (EVPs) used for the treatment and/or management of reproductive disorders of cattle and buffaloes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The information was collected using rapid and participatory rural appraisal techniques through interviews and focused group discussions with 217 traditional veterinary healers (TVHs) over a period of 16 months.

RESULTS

The use of 66 plant species was documented for the treatment of reproductive disorders in the two dairy species. Most frequently reported (>or=20 times) plants represented Apiaceae, Poaceae, Pedaliaceae, Linaceae, Arecaceae, Brassicaceae, Malvaceae, Zingiberaceae, Rosaceae, Cannabaceae, Fabaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae and Mimosaceae families. All the documented plant species were indigenous to the study area. Genital prolapse, retention of fetal membranes, silent estrous/delayed puberty, anestrous, dystokia associated with incomplete cervical dilatation and retention of lochial discharge were the frequently reported reproductive disorders. Some of the plants were reported to be used in more than one condition. Materials other than plants used for the treatment of these disorders included camel milk, butter and butter fat, minerals, eggs, organic matters, chemical substances and meat preparations. These materials were used either alone or as adjunctive therapy.

CONCLUSION

Richness of EVPs in the study area and extensive variation in the doses, methods of preparation, indications, and claims regarding efficacy of plants for various disorders merit controlled studies for their validation.