Insights into nerve growth factor-β role in bovine reproduction - Review

Effect of one or two fixed glutamate doses on follicular development, ovarian-intraovarian blood flow, ovulatory rate, and corpus luteum quality in goats with a low body condition score

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a short glutamate supply on the ovarian response in goats with low body condition scores. Twenty-one goats had their estrus and follicular waves synchronized using three injections of prostaglandin analog at seven-day intervals. Goats were allocated to groups receiving 10 mg/kg LW (iv) of glutamate administered in a single dose (group LBCG1, n = 7) or in two doses five days apart (group LBCG2, n = 7). The control group (LBC; n = 7) received saline solution. Glutamate treatment did not affect glucose, cholesterol, or glutathione peroxidase levels, body weight, or adipose deposits. During the experimental period, the LBCG2 group showed a higher (P < 0.05) number of follicles (> 3 mm) and an increase in follicle diameter (P < 0.05). Glutamate supply improved (P < 0.05) the intraovarian Doppler blood area size in the LBCG groups, and the second dose in LBCG2 also induced a higher (P < 0.05) systolic and diastolic peak of the ovary artery. After ovulation induction, LBCG2 exhibited a high (P < 0.05) volume of the corpus luteum and vascularized area. We concluded that the supply of two doses of glutamate five days apart was efficient in ovarian stimulation in goats with a low body condition.

High-throughput proteomic characterization of seminal plasma from bulls with contrasting semen quality

Seminal plasma proteins are the major extrinsic factors that can modulate the sperm quality and functions. The present study was carried out to compare the proteomic profiles of seminal plasma from breeding bulls producing good and poor quality semen in an effort to understand the possible proteins associated with semen quality. A total of 910 and 715 proteins were detected in the seminal plasma of poor and good quality semen producing bulls, respectively. A total of 705 proteins were common to both the groups, in which 380 proteins were upregulated and 89 proteins were downregulated in the seminal plasma of poor quality semen, while 236 proteins were co-expressed. The proteins negatively influencing sperm functions such as CCL2, UQCRC2, and SAA1 were among the top ten upregulated proteins in the seminal plasma of poor quality semen. Proteins having a positive role in sperm functions (NGF, EEF1A2, COL1A2, IZUMO4, PRSS1, COL1A1, WFDC2) were among the top ten downregulated proteins in the seminal plasma of poor quality semen. The upregulation of oxidation-reduction process-related proteins, histone proteins (HIST3H2A, H2AFJ, H2AFZ, H2AFX, HIST2H2AB, H2AFV, HIST1H2AC, HIST2H2AC, LOC104975684, LOC524236, LOC614970, LOC529277), and ubiquinol-cytochrome-c reductase proteins (UQCRB, UQCRFS1, UQCRQ, UQCRC1, UQCRC2) indicate deranged oxidation-reduction equilibrium, chromatin condensation and spermatogenesis in poor quality semen producing bulls. The expression of proteins essential for motile cilium (CCDC114, CFAP206, TEKT4), chromatin integrity (PRM2), gamete fusion (IZUMO4, EQTN), hyperactivation, tyrosine phosphorylation, and capacitation [PI3K-Akt signalling pathway-related proteins (COL1A1, COL2A1, COL1A2, SPP1, PDGFA, NGF)] were down regulated in poor quality semen producing bulls.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03474-6.

Luteal tissue area and immunoreactive concentrations of progesterone in plasma of bred and non-bred mares

Progesterone is pivotal to maintain pregnancy in the first trimester and low concentrations (<4 ng/mL) have been associated with early pregnancy loss. Measurement of progesterone is widely used in practice to determine whether a mare needs progestin supplementation. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine progesterone concentrations and the luteal tissue area in mares non-bred, and those bred becoming pregnant, and those failing to become pregnant. We hypothesized that pregnant mares have greater progesterone concentrations than non-pregnant mares. Fifty-two cycles of mares (n=14) were monitored by ultrasonography every other day until detection of a preovulatory follicle. Then deslorelin acetate was administered to induce ovulation. Twenty-four hours later, mares were bred (∼2 billion progressively motile sperm extended in 50 mL; n=37 cycles) or a sham-bred (50 mL of extender; n=15 cycles). Ovulation was confirmed and number of corpora lutea and the luteal tissue area were recorded daily until 10d post-ovulation. Progesterone concentrations were assessed daily from the day of the ovulation up to 10d post-ovulation. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out at 10d and 13d post-ovulation. Of the bred mares, 20 of them became pregnant and 17 did not. Data were analyzed with a mixed model, Tukey test as post-hoc, and Pearson's coefficient of correlation. Progesterone concentrations and luteal tissue area varied with time (P=0.001) but not with group (P>0.05). Multiple ovulations were associated with greater progesterone concentrations and luteal tissue area (P=0.0001). There was a moderate positive association between the number of ovulations and luteal tissue area (r=0.54; P=0.0001). The lack of change in the progesterone concentration and luteal tissue area between bred and non-bred mares suggests that horse seminal plasma does not affect luteal function in mares. As all mares had progesterone above 4 ng/mL after 5d post-ovulation; it is possible that if mares with abnormal progesterone concentrations were used, the results could have been different. In conclusion, pregnancy was not associated with greater progesterone concentrations or luteal tissue area.

Insights from two independent transcriptomic studies of the bovine corpus luteum during pregnancy

Several recent studies have used transcriptomics to investigate luteal changes during the maternal recognition of the pregnancy period in ruminants. Although these studies have contributed to our understanding of luteal function during early pregnancy, few attempts have been made to integrate information across these studies and distinguish key luteal transcripts or functions that are repeatably identified across multiple studies. Therefore, in this study, two independent studies of the luteal transcriptome during early pregnancy were combined and compared. In the first study, corpora lutea (CL) from day 20 of pregnancy were compared with CL collected on day 14 of pregnancy, prior to embryonic signaling. The cattle were nonlactating. In the second study, CL from day 20 of pregnancy were compared with CL collected from day 20 cyclic cattle that had been confirmed as not yet undergoing luteal regression. These were lactating cattle. Three methods were used to compare these two datasets, to identify key luteal regulators. In the first method, all transcripts with Benjamini-Hochberg-adjusted P-value (Q value) < 0.05 in both datasets were considered. This yielded 22 transcripts, including several classical interferon-stimulated genes, as well as regulators of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) and latent TGFB-binding proteins (LTBP)1 and 2. In the second, less conservative method, all transcripts with P < 0.01 and changed in the same direction in both datasets were considered. This yielded an additional 20 transcripts that were not identified in the first analysis, for a total of 42 common transcripts. These transcripts were regulators of functions such as inflammatory balance and matrix remodeling. In the third method, transcripts with Q < 0.10 were subject to pathway analysis, and common pathways were identified. Retinoic acid signaling and classical interferon signaling pathways were identified with this method. Finally, regulation by interferon tau (IFNT) was investigated. Among the 42 transcripts identified, 32 were regulated by IFNT in cultured luteal cells (Q < 0.05). Among those not regulated by IFNT were LTBP1 and 2, which are TGFB-binding proteins. In summary, common transcripts from two studies of the luteal transcriptome during early pregnancy were combined and shared changes were identified. This not only generated a list of potential key luteal regulators, which were mostly IFNT regulated, but also included transcripts not regulated by IFNT, including LTBP1 and 2.

Serum Nerve Growth Factor Levels as a Predictor of Bull Candidate Semen Quality of Madura Cattle

Madura cattle are the germplasm of native cattle on the verge of extinction because of crossbreeding. Therefore, the present study was aimed to determine the serum nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration as a predictor of fresh ejaculate fertility parameters in Madura bull candidates. Eleven Madura bull candidates used for frozen semen production were selected for the study. Blood samples were collected using a vacutainer from the jugular vein for analyzing serum NGF and testosterone levels. Meanwhile, semen collection was conducted using an artificial vagina for sperm motility, viability, and concentration assessment. Data were analyzed to determine the correlation among variables and the linear regression of NGF concentration to other significant variables. The result showed that NGF had a significant correlation (p < 0.05) with testosterone levels, sperm motility, viability, and concentration. A significant correlation was observed between testosterone levels, sperm concentration, and sperm viability. The regression equation among significantly correlated variables was determined. For artificial insemination, suitable bull ejaculates for obtaining frozen semen should reach at least 2.12 ng/mL of NGF levels, with sperm viability, sperm concentration, and testosterone levels of more than 78.63%, 1,462.177 million/mL ejaculate, and 25.67 ng/mL, respectively. This is the first study to identify NGF as a predictor of male fertility in bull candidates of Madura cattle. Therefore, NGF levels could be used as a marker of male fertility in Madura bull cattle candidates. Thus, based on the minimum NGF levels, the ejaculate of Madura bull candidate that meets the requirements for frozen semen production could predict fertility.

The Effect of Interaction NGF/p75NTR in Sperm Cells: A Rabbit Model

Background: Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) plays an important role in the reproductive system through its receptor’s interaction (p75NTR). This paper aims to analyze the impact of NGF p75NTR in epididymal and ejaculated rabbit semen during in vitro sperm storage. Methods: Semen samples from 10 adult rabbit bucks were collected four times (n = 40) and analyzed. NGF was quantified in seminal plasma, and the basal expression of p75NTR in sperm was established (time 0). Moreover, we evaluated p75NTR, the apoptotic rates, and the main sperm parameters, at times 2–4 and 6 h with or without the administration of exogenous NGF. Results: Based on the level of p75NTR, we defined the threshold value (25.6%), and sperm were divided into High (H) and Normal (N). During sperm storage, p75NTR of H samples significantly modulated some relevant sperm parameters. Specifically, comparing H samples with N ones, we observed a reduction in motility and non-capacitated cell number, together with an increased percentage of dead and apoptotic cells. Notably, the N group showed a reduction in dead and apoptotic cells after NGF treatment. Conversely, the NGF administration on H sperm did not change either the percentage of dead cells or the apoptotic rate. Conclusion: The concentration of p75NTR on ejaculated sperm modulates many semen outcomes (motility, apoptosis, viability) through NGF interaction affecting the senescence of sperm.

Overview of First-Line and Second-Line Pharmacotherapies for Osteoarthritis with Special Focus on Intra-Articular Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA) can be defined as the result of pathological processes of various etiologies leading to damage to the articular structures. Although the mechanism of degenerative changes has become better understood due to the plethora of biochemical and genetic studies, the drug that could stop the degenerative cascade is still unknown. All available forms of OA therapy are based on symptomatic treatment. According to actual guidelines, comprehensive treatment of OA should always include a combination of various therapeutic options aimed at common goals, which are pain relief in the first place, and then the improvement of function. Local treatment has become more common practice, which takes place between rehabilitation and pharmacological treatment in the hierarchy of procedures. Only in the case of no improvement and the presence of advanced lesions visible in imaging tests, should surgery be considered. Currently, an increasing number of studies are being published suggesting that intra-articular injections may be as effective or even more effective than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and result in fewer systemic adverse events. The most commonly used preparations are hyaluronic acid (HA), glucocorticosteroids (GS), and also platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in recent years. This review aims to present the mechanism of action and clinical effectiveness of different pharmacological options in relieving pain and improving functions in OA as well as the emerging approach in intra-articular treatment with PRP.