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Ratto MH, Paiva L, Carrasco R, Silva ME, Ulloa-Leal C, Ratto VF, Goicochea J. Review: Unveiling the effect of beta-nerve growth factor on the reproductive function in llamas and cows. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100754. [PMID: 37567661 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The actions of the beta-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) on the neuroendocrine and reproductive system have challenged classical views on the control of reproductive function. After endometrial absorption, β-NGF triggers ovulation and promotes the development of functional corpora lutea in camelids. In this article, we review evidence showing that, in camelids, β-NGF exerts its actions by acting in both the hypothalamus and the ovary. In the hypothalamus, β-NGF may induce gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release by interacting with neurons or glial cells expressing receptors for β-NGF. The LH surge occurs under the influence of ovarian estradiol and requires the release of GnRH into the portal vessels to reach the pituitary gland. In the ovary, β-NGF may be promoting the differentiation of follicular to luteal cells by modifying the steroidogenic profile of ovarian follicular cells in both camelids and ruminants. Although the mechanisms for these actions are largely undetermined, we aim to offer an update on the current understanding of the effects of β-NGF controlling reproductive function in camelids and ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo H Ratto
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Luis Paiva
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Rodrigo Carrasco
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Mauricio E Silva
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria y Salud Publica, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile
| | - Cesar Ulloa-Leal
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Vicente F Ratto
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Jose Goicochea
- Departamento de Cirugía y Biotecnología Reproductiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco, Perú
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Gajardo G, Paiva L, Ulloa-Leal C, Valderrama X, López G, Carrasco A, Hidalgo AI, Silva ME, Palma PI, Ratto MH. Administration of Beta-Nerve Growth Factor during the Preovulatory Stage Improves Endocrine and Luteal Function in Dairy Heifers. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061004. [PMID: 36978545 PMCID: PMC10044526 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurotrophin beta-nerve growth factor (NGF), which is present in the semen of different mammals, elicits potent ovulatory and luteotrophic actions in llamas following systemic administration. Here, we determine if purified NGF given intramuscularly (IM) during the preovulatory stage affects the corpus luteum (CL), hormone production, endometrial gene expression, and pregnancy rate of dairy heifers. Holstein-Friesian heifers were estrus-synchronized using estradiol benzoate (EB) plus an intravaginal progesterone (P4) device (DIB). After eight days, the device was removed and cloprostenol was given IM; the next day (day 9), heifers received EB IM plus one of the following: (i) 1 mg of NGF (NGF D9 group), (ii) 1 mg of NGF 32 h after EB (NGF D10 group), or (iii) phosphate buffer saline (control group). To measure pregnancy rates, heifers were treated similarly, then artificially inseminated with sexed semen 48–52 h after DIB removal, then an ultrasound was conducted 30 days after insemination. The females given NGF along with EB (NGF D9) showed significantly higher luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations, larger CL vascular areas, and higher plasma P4 concentrations than the NGF D10 and control animals. Downregulation of the P4 receptor (PGR), and upregulation of both lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and Solute Carrier Family 6 member 14 (SLC6A14) endometrial genes, were detected in NGF D9 heifers. Furthermore, these heifers had a 10% higher pregnancy rate than the control group. We conclude that the higher P4 output, in response to the early NGF administration, led to the enhanced gene expression of transcripts related to uterine receptivity that may result in enhanced pregnancy rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Gajardo
- Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5091000, Chile
| | - Luis Paiva
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (M.H.R.); Tel.: +56-22-354-7517 (L.P.); +56-63-229-3063 (M.H.R.)
| | - Cesar Ulloa-Leal
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5091000, Chile
| | - Ximena Valderrama
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5091000, Chile
| | - Gerardo López
- Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5091000, Chile
| | - Albert Carrasco
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán 3812120, Chile
| | - Alejandra Isabel Hidalgo
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5091000, Chile
| | - Mauricio E. Silva
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria y Salud Publica, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco 4781312, Chile
| | | | - Marcelo H. Ratto
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5091000, Chile
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (M.H.R.); Tel.: +56-22-354-7517 (L.P.); +56-63-229-3063 (M.H.R.)
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3
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Paiva L, Silva M, Carrasco R, Ratto MH. The ovulatory and luteotropic actions of the male-derived beta-nerve growth factor in South American camelids. Anim Front 2022; 12:87-94. [PMID: 35974784 PMCID: PMC9374510 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Paiva
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio Silva
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria y Salud Pública, Núcleo de Investigación en Producción Agroalimentaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Carrasco
- Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK,Canada
| | - Marcelo Héctor Ratto
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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Hughes CHK, Mezera MA, Wiltbank MC, Pate JL. Insights from two independent transcriptomic studies of the bovine corpus luteum during pregnancy. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6620793. [PMID: 35772758 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla H K Hughes
- Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, Department of Animal Science, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Megan A Mezera
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program and Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Milo C Wiltbank
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program and Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Joy L Pate
- Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, Department of Animal Science, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Hubner A, Canisso I, Peixoto P, Coelho W, Cunha L, Ribeiro L, Crump S, Lima F. Effect of nerve growth factor-β administered at insemination for lactating Holstein dairy cows bred after timed-artificial insemination protocol. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:6353-6363. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Gajardo G, Ulloa-Leal C, Valderrama X, Paiva L, Ratto MH. Heterologous beta-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) given at the LH surge enhances luteal function in dairy heifers. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2021; 77:106645. [PMID: 34186420 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2021.106645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Genetic selection for high yield milk production has led to a decline in dairy cattle's reproductive performance over the last 40 years. Low progesterone (P4) plasma content following ovulation is associated with suboptimal fertility in dairy cattle. Several pieces of evidence indicate that the protein beta-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) that is present in the male seminal plasma exerts potent ovulatory and luteotrophic effects following systemic administration in camelids but also in other species. In this study, we determine whether systemic administration of purified llama β-NGF given at the induced preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) peak improves corpus luteum (CL) function in dairy heifers subjected to an estradiol (E2) / P4 estrus-synchronization protocol. To achieve this, we first determined plasma E2 and LH hormone profiles to establish the timing of the estradiol benzoate (EB)-induced LH peak in estrus-synchronized heifers. Then, we tested whether the administration of β-NGF given at the end of this peak affects the CL and its function by analyzing diameter, vascular area, and P4 output. Our results show that, with the estrus-synchronization protocol applied, plasma LH concentrations peaked (P < 0.01) 40-h and 16-h after removal of the bovine intravaginal device (DIB; containing 1.0 g of P4) plus cloprostenol injection and subsequent EB administration, respectively; after peaking, plasma LH concentrations remained stable for the next 8-h to then return to basal levels. Heifers synchronized with this protocol and receiving a dose of 1 mg of β-NGF at the end of the LH peak (ie, 48-h after DIB removal) did not show significant differences in CL diameter, but these exhibited a greater CL vascular area (P = 0.01) than the observed in vehicle-injected heifers. Furthermore, plasma P4 concentration in β-NGF-treated heifers was higher (P = 0.001) than those quantified in vehicle-injected heifers. These results support the use of β-NGF in estrus-synchronization protocols to improve the early luteal function in dairy heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gajardo
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, 5110566 - Valdivia, Chile
| | - C Ulloa-Leal
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, 5110566 - Valdivia, Chile
| | - X Valderrama
- Centro Regional de Investigación Remehue, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), Casilla 24-0 - Osorno, Chile
| | - L Paiva
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, 5110566 - Valdivia, Chile
| | - M H Ratto
- Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, 5110566 - Valdivia, Chile.
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Valderrama X, Ulloa-Leal C, Silva ME, Goicochea J, Apichela S, Argañaraz M, Sari L, Paiva L, Ratto VF, Ratto MH. β-NGF Stimulates Steroidogenic Enzyme and VEGFA Gene Expression, and Progesterone Secretion via ERK 1/2 Pathway in Primary Culture of Llama Granulosa Cells. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:586265. [PMID: 33195615 PMCID: PMC7645075 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.586265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The beta-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) from llama seminal plasma exerts ovulatory and luteotrophic effects following intramuscular or intrauterine infusion in llamas and alpacas. In this study, we investigate the in vitro effect of llama β-NGF on the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and progesterone synthesis as well as progesterone release in preovulatory llama granulosa cells; we also determine whether these changes are mediated via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. From adult female llamas, we collected granulosa cells from preovulatory follicles by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration; these cells were pooled and incubated. After 80% confluence, the cultured granulosa cells were treated with β-NGF, β-NGF plus the MAPK inhibitor U0126, or luteinizing hormone, and the abundance of angiogenic and steroidogenic enzyme mRNA transcripts were quantified after 10 and 20 h by RT-qPCR. We also quantified the progesterone concentration in the media after 48 h by radioimmunoassay. We found that application of β-NGF increases the abundance of mRNA transcripts of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) and the steroidogenic enzymes cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc/CYP11A1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B1) at 10 and 20 h of treatment. Application of the MAPK inhibitor U0126 resulted in downregulation of the genes encoding these enzymes. β-NGF also enhanced progesterone synthesis, which was prevented by the prior application of the MAPK inhibitor U0126. Finally, western blot analysis confirmed that β-NGF activates the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, our results indicate that β-NGF exerts direct luteotropic effects on llama ovarian tissue via the ERK 1/2 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cesar Ulloa-Leal
- Institute of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Mauricio Erciario Silva
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Natural Resources, Universidad Catolica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jose Goicochea
- Department of Surgery and Reproductive Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco, Peru
| | - Silvana Apichela
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, Facultad de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biología "Dr. Francisco D. Barbieri," Química y Farmacia, UNT, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Martin Argañaraz
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, Facultad de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biología "Dr. Francisco D. Barbieri," Química y Farmacia, UNT, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Luciana Sari
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, Facultad de Bioquímica, Instituto de Biología "Dr. Francisco D. Barbieri," Química y Farmacia, UNT, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Luis Paiva
- Institute of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Vicente Francisco Ratto
- Institute of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Marcelo Hector Ratto
- Institute of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
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