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Petrogiannis N, Chatzovoulou K, Filippa M, Grimbizis G, Kolibianakis E, Chatzimeletiou K. In vitro maturation of oocytes in light of ovarian mitochondrial improvement: effectiveness and safety. ZYGOTE 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38953841 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199424000182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
In vitro maturation of oocytes (IVM) represents an assisted reproductive technique that involves the minimal or absence of ovarian stimulation and is beneficial to specific groups of patients. These may include women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and/or patients who need a fertility preservation option before undergoing gonadotoxic treatment. However, when IVM is applied in cases where it is not recommended, it can be considered as an add-on technique, as described by the ESHRE Guideline Group on Female Fertility Preservation. Interestingly, IVM has not been proven yet to be as effective as conventional IVF in the laboratory, in terms of clinical pregnancy and live birth rates, while concerns have been raised for its long-term safety. As a result, both safety and efficacy of IVM remain still questionable and additional data are needed to draw conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Grigoris Grimbizis
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University Medical School, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Efstratios Kolibianakis
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University Medical School, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katerina Chatzimeletiou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University Medical School, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Ynsaurralde-Rivolta AE, Rogberg-Muñoz A, Lopez-Valiente S, Maresca S, Rodriguez A, Munar C, Munilla-Leguizamón S, Dellavalle FA, Salamone D. Development and growth of bovine calves demi-embryos. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 264:107405. [PMID: 38547815 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107405] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the growth and development of animals produced from demi-embryos and compare them with whole embryos from fetus to adult life. To achieve this, calves produced from fresh demi-embryos and whole embryos were individually transferred and monitored from 60 days of pregnancy until slaughter at 550 days. Ultrasound scans were conducted on fetuses at 60 and 90 days to evaluate the biparietal, abdominal, umbilical cord, orbital, and aorta diameters. Subsequently, morphological traits of newborn calves were measured at 0, 7, and 21 days (N = 18). Live weight was recorded at birth, weaning, and every 30 days thereafter until slaughter at 550 days. The growth curve of each group was modeled using logistic regression, and the factors of the respective functions were compared. As early as 60 days of pregnancy, ultrasound evaluations revealed no morphometric differences between fetuses produced from demi-embryos and those from whole embryos. This lack of differentiation persisted in the morphometric evaluations of newborns up to 21 days of age, as well as in live weight and the growth curve from birth to slaughter. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of rib eye area and fat thickness evolution. Consequently, individuals from demi-embryos exhibited no discernible disparities to those whole embryos in growth and development from 60 days of gestation, through birth, and into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amada E Ynsaurralde-Rivolta
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, Dto. Producción Animal, Buenos Aires, Laboratorio Biotecnología Animal (LabBA). Buenos Aires. Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción EEA, Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Andres Rogberg-Muñoz
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, Dto. Producción Animal, Buenos Aires, Cátedra de Mejoramiento Genético, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Lopez-Valiente
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), EEA Cuenca del Salado, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Maresca
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), EEA Cuenca del Salado, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Rodriguez
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), EEA Cuenca del Salado, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Sebastian Munilla-Leguizamón
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, Dto. Producción Animal, Buenos Aires, Cátedra de Mejoramiento Genético, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Franco A Dellavalle
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción EEA, Mercedes, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Daniel Salamone
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Agronomía, Dto. Producción Animal, Buenos Aires, Laboratorio Biotecnología Animal (LabBA). Buenos Aires. Argentina; CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Animal (INPA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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3
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Chen L, Ma S, Xie M, Gong F, Lu C, Zhang S, Lin G. Oxygen concentration from days 1 to 3 after insemination affects the embryo culture quality, cumulative live birth rate, and perinatal outcomes. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:2609-2618. [PMID: 37728792 PMCID: PMC10643741 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02943-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to compare embryo development, cumulative live birth rate (CLBR), and perinatal outcomes of embryos cultured in 20% and 5% oxygen from days 1 to 3 after insemination. METHODS This retrospective study included patients who received in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment between January 2015 and November 2019. Embryos of each patient were cultured at 20% or 5% oxygen from days 1-3 after insemination. The primary outcome was CLBR. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance patients' baseline data in both oxygen groups. RESULTS In total, 31,566 patients were enrolled. After PSM, the rate of high-quality day 3 embryos was significantly lower in the 20% than in the 5% oxygen group (0.49 ± 0.33 vs 0.51 ± 0.33; adjusted β = -0.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.03 to -0.02). The CLBR was significantly lower in the 20% than in the 5% oxygen group (58.6% vs. 62.4%; adjusted odds ratio = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.81-0.90). The birthweight and Z score of singletons were significantly higher in the 20% than in the 5% oxygen group (birthweight: 3.30 ± 0.50 vs. 3.28 ± 0.48; adjusted β = 0.022; 95% CI, 0.004-0.040; Z score: 0.26 ± 1.04 vs. 0.22 ± 1.01; adjusted β = 0.037; 95% CI, 0.001-0.074). CONCLUSION Culturing embryos at atmospheric oxygen concentrations from days 1 to 3 compromises embryo quality, reduces CLBR, and affects birthweight. The 5% oxygen concentration is more suitable for embryo culture in IVF laboratories to achieve successful outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longbin Chen
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cells, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shujuan Ma
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Menghan Xie
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Gong
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cells, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
| | - Changfu Lu
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Shuoping Zhang
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cells, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China.
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4
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Denicol AC, Siqueira LGB. Maternal contributions to pregnancy success: from gamete quality to uterine environment. Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20230085. [PMID: 37720724 PMCID: PMC10503891 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The establishment and maintenance of a pregnancy that goes to term is sine qua non for the long-term sustainability of dairy and beef cattle operations. The oocyte plays a critical role in providing the factors necessary for preimplantation embryonic development. Furthermore, the female, or maternal, environment where oocytes and embryos develop is crucial for the establishment and maintenance of a pregnancy to term. During folliculogenesis, the oocyte must sequentially acquire meiotic and developmental competence, which are the results of a series of molecular events preparing the highly specialized gamete to return to totipotency after fertilization. Given that folliculogenesis is a lengthy process in the cow, the occurrence of disease, metabolic imbalances, heat stress, or other adverse events can make it challenging to maintain oocyte quality. Following fertilization, the newly formed embryo must execute a tightly planned program that includes global DNA remodeling, activation of the embryonic genome, and cell fate decisions to form a blastocyst within a few days and cell divisions. The increasing use of assisted reproductive technologies creates an additional layer of complexity to ensure the highest oocyte and embryo quality given that in vitro systems do not faithfully recreate the physiological maternal environment. In this review, we discuss cellular and molecular factors and events known to be crucial for proper oocyte development and maturation, as well as adverse events that may negatively affect the oocyte; and the importance of the uterine environment, including signaling proteins in the maternal-embryonic interactions that ensure proper embryo development. We also discuss the impact of assisted reproductive technologies in oocyte and embryo quality and developmental potential, and considerations when looking into the prospects for developing systems that allow for in vitro gametogenesis as a tool for assisted reproduction in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Carolina Denicol
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America
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5
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Velazquez MA, Idriss A, Chavatte-Palmer P, Fleming TP. The mammalian preimplantation embryo: Its role in the environmental programming of postnatal health and performance. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 256:107321. [PMID: 37647800 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
During formation of the preimplantation embryo several cellular and molecular milestones take place, making the few cells forming the early embryo vulnerable to environmental stressors than can impair epigenetic reprogramming and controls of gene expression. Although these molecular alterations can result in embryonic death, a significant developmental plasticity is present in the preimplantation embryo that promotes full-term pregnancy. Prenatal epigenetic modifications are inherited during mitosis and can perpetuate specific phenotypes during early postnatal development and adulthood. As such, the preimplantation phase is a developmental window where developmental programming can take place in response to the embryonic microenvironment present in vivo or in vitro. In this review, the relevance of the preimplantation embryo as a developmental stage where offspring health and performance can be programmed is discussed, with emphasis on malnutrition and assisted reproductive technologies; two major environmental insults with important implications for livestock production and human reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Velazquez
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - Abdullah Idriss
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Pathology and laboratory medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, P.O. Box 40047, MBC J-10, Jeddah 21499, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Pascale Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Tom P Fleming
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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6
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Speckhart SL, Oliver MA, Ealy AD. Developmental Hurdles That Can Compromise Pregnancy during the First Month of Gestation in Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1760. [PMID: 37889637 PMCID: PMC10251927 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Several key developmental events are associated with early embryonic pregnancy losses in beef and dairy cows. These developmental problems are observed at a greater frequency in pregnancies generated from in-vitro-produced bovine embryos. This review describes critical problems that arise during oocyte maturation, fertilization, early embryonic development, compaction and blastulation, embryonic cell lineage specification, elongation, gastrulation, and placentation. Additionally, discussed are potential remediation strategies, but unfortunately, corrective actions are not available for several of the problems being discussed. Further research is needed to produce bovine embryos that have a greater likelihood of surviving to term.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alan D. Ealy
- School of Animal Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; (S.L.S.); (M.A.O.)
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7
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Nava-Trujillo H, Rivera RM. Review: Large offspring syndrome in ruminants: current status and prediction during pregnancy. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100740. [PMID: 37567678 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Large/abnormal Offspring Syndrome (LOS/AOS) is a congenital overgrowth condition of cattle and sheep, characterized by macrosomia, abdominal wall defects, organomegaly, difficulty to stand and suckle at parturition. The condition was first described as an exclusive consequence of assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro production and somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning). However, we recently reported the spontaneous occurrence of this syndrome in cattle. The etiology of LOS is unclear, although the syndrome is an epigenetic condition characterized by multi-locus loss-of-imprinting, global dysregulation of small and long RNAs, changes in DNA methylation, and altered chromosomal architecture. These molecular and epigenetic changes affect biological pathways implicated in organ size, cell proliferation, cell survival, resulting in the phenotypes which characterize LOS. The lack of accurate tools for the prediction and diagnosis of LOS and the prevention of dystocia resulting from fetal overgrowth is a major concern for the dairy and beef industries. Furthermore, death of the calf and/or dam during calving adds animal welfare issues and affects the net income of the industry. An early diagnosis of LOS/AOS during gestation is critical to facilitate the decision-making process on whether to allow the pregnancy to continue or not in order to prevent harm to the dam as well as to provide producers with the timely necessary information to prepare for a difficult birth. The present review summarizes the definition, traits, incidence, and molecular characteristics of LOS to provide information and serve as a guide for future investigations regarding the early identification of LOS during pregnancy in cattle.
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Ramos-Ibeas P, Pérez-Gómez A, González-Brusi L, Quiroga AC, Bermejo-Álvarez P. Pre-hatching exposure to N2B27 medium improves post-hatching development of bovine embryos in vitro. Theriogenology 2023; 205:73-78. [PMID: 37087966 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.018] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Ungulate embryos undergo critical cell differentiation and proliferation events around and after blastocyst hatching. Failures in these processes lead to early pregnancy losses, which generate an important economic impact on farming. Conventional embryo culture media, such as SOF, are unable to support embryo development beyond hatching. In contrast, N2B27 medium supports early post-hatching development, evidencing a swift in embryonic nutritional requirements during this developmental window. Here, we investigate if earlier exposure to N2B27 could improve embryo development after hatching. Embryo culture in N2B27 from day (D) 5, 6 or 7 significantly enhanced complete hypoblast migration (>45 vs. ∼24%) and epiblast development into an embryonic disc (ED)-like structure at D12 (>40 vs. 23%), compared to embryos cultured in SOF up to D9. Culture in N2B27 from D5 significantly increased epiblast and hypoblast cell number in D8 blastocysts, but post-hatching embryos cultured in N2B27 from D5 or 6 frequently showed a disorganized distribution of epiblast cells. In conclusion, bovine embryo culture in N2B27 from D7 onwards improves subsequent post-hatching development. This improved fully in vitro system will be very useful to functionally explore cell differentiation mechanisms and the bases of early pregnancy failures without requiring animal experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Ramos-Ibeas
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, CSIC, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
| | - A Pérez-Gómez
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, CSIC, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - L González-Brusi
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, CSIC, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - A C Quiroga
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, CSIC, Madrid, 28040, Spain
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9
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Beilby KH, Kneebone E, Roseboom TJ, van Marrewijk IM, Thompson JG, Norman RJ, Robker RL, Mol BWJ, Wang R. Offspring physiology following the use of IVM, IVF and ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Hum Reprod Update 2023; 29:272-290. [PMID: 36611003 PMCID: PMC10152177 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the birth of the first baby using IVF technology in 1978, over 10 million children have been conceived via ART. Although most aspects of ARTs were developed in animal models, the introduction of these technologies into clinical practice was performed without comprehensive assessment of their long-term safety. The monitoring of these technologies over time has revealed differences in the physiology of babies produced using ARTs, yet due to the pathology of those presenting for treatment, it is challenging to separate the cause of infertility from the effect of treatments offered. The use of systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impacts of the predominant ART interventions used clinically in human populations on animals produced in healthy fertile populations offers an alternative approach to understanding the long-term safety of reproductive technologies. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the evidence available from animal studies on physiological outcomes in the offspring conceived after IVF, IVM or ICSI, compared to in vivo fertilization, and to provide an overview on the landscape of research in this area. SEARCH METHODS PubMed, Embase and Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux (CAB) Abstracts were searched for relevant studies published until 27 August 2021. Search terms relating to assisted reproductive technology, postnatal outcomes and mammalian animal models were used. Studies that compared postnatal outcomes between in vitro-conceived (IVF, ICSI or IVM) and in vivo-conceived mammalian animal models were included. In vivo conception included mating, artificial insemination, or either of these followed by embryo transfer to a recipient animal with or without in vitro culture. Outcomes included birth weight, gestation length, cardiovascular, metabolic and behavioural characteristics and lifespan. OUTCOMES A total of 61 studies in five different species (bovine, equine, murine, ovine and non-human primate) met the inclusion criteria. The bovine model was the most frequently used in IVM studies (32/40), while the murine model was mostly used in IVF (17/20) and ICSI (6/8) investigations. Despite considerable heterogeneity, these studies suggest that the use of IVF or maturation results in offspring with higher birthweights and a longer length of gestation, with most of this evidence coming from studies in cattle. These techniques may also impair glucose and lipid metabolism in male mice. The findings on cardiovascular outcomes and behaviour outcomes were inconsistent across studies. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Conception via in vitro or in vivo means appears to have an influence on measurable outcomes of offspring physiology, manifesting differently across the species studied. Importantly, it can be noted that these measurable differences are noticeable in healthy, fertile animal populations. Thus, common ART interventions may have long-term consequences for those conceived through these techniques, regardless of the pathology underpinning diagnosed infertility. However, due to heterogeneous methods, results and measured outcomes, highlighted in this review, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions. Optimizing animal and human studies that investigate the safety of new reproductive technologies will provide insight into safeguarding the introduction of novel interventions into the clinical setting. Cautiously prescribing the use of ARTs clinically may also be considered to reduce the chance of promoting adverse outcomes in children conceived before long-term safety is confidently documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiri H Beilby
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ezra Kneebone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tessa J Roseboom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Indah M van Marrewijk
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeremy G Thompson
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Robert J Norman
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Rebecca L Robker
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ben Willem J Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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10
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Smith BD, Poliakiwski B, Polanco O, Singleton S, de Melo GD, Muntari M, Oliveira Filho RV, Pohler KG. Decisive points for pregnancy losses in beef cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 35:70-83. [PMID: 36592980 DOI: 10.1071/rd22206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Beef cattle producers rely on each of their cows to produce a marketable calf each year to maintain a sustainable operation. Within the first month of gestation, pregnancy failures have been recorded to be upwards of 40-50%. From fertilisation to birth, there are numerous factors contributing to pregnancy failure. From the beginning of gestation oocyte competence is often a large factor impacting fertility as the dam contributes all mRNA for initial embryo development. Other factors contributing to early embryonic infertility include hormonal concentration and heat stress. After the embryo enters the uterus, it becomes critical for the uterus to be receptive to the developing conceptus. The embryo then begins to elongate and secrete interferon-tau to initiate maternal recognition of pregnancy; a requirement to establish and maintain bovine pregnancies. After a pregnancy completes these steps, placentation actively begins around day 22 of pregnancy and lasts until organogenesis. The fetal phase follows the embryonic phase where disease and/or toxins are often the cause of pregnancy failure at this period. However, fetal mortality has been reported to occur in less than 10% of pregnancies. Understanding of the many factors influencing infertility needs to be further investigated to increase pregnancy success in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- B D Smith
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - B Poliakiwski
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - O Polanco
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - S Singleton
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - G D de Melo
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - M Muntari
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - R V Oliveira Filho
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - K G Pohler
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Gómez E, Murillo A, Carrocera S, Pérez-Jánez JJ, Benedito JL, Martín-González D, Gimeno I. Fitness of calves born from in vitro-produced fresh and cryopreserved embryos. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1006995. [PMID: 36504844 PMCID: PMC9730881 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1006995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In cattle, vitrified/warmed (V/W) and frozen/thawed (F/T), in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos, differ in their physiology and survival from fresh embryos. In this study, we analyzed the effects of embryo cryopreservation techniques on the offspring. IVP embryos cultured with albumin and with or without 0.1% serum until Day 6, and thereafter in single culture without protein, were transferred to recipients on Day 7 as F/T, V/W, or fresh, resulting in N = 24, 14, and 13 calves, respectively. Calves were clinically examined at birth, and blood was analyzed before and after colostrum intake (Day 0), and subsequently on Day 15 and Day 30. On Day 0, calves from V/W and F/T embryos showed increased creatinine and capillary refill time (CRT) and reduced heartbeats. Calves from F/T embryos showed lower PCO2, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume than calves from V/W embryos while V/W embryos led to calves with increased Na+ levels. Colostrum effects did not differ between calves from fresh and cryopreserved embryos, indicating similar adaptive ability among calves. However, PCO2 did not decrease in calves from V/W embryos after colostrum intake. Serum in culture led to calves with affected (P < 0.05) temperature, CRT, HCO 3 - , base excess (BE), TCO2, creatinine, urea, and anion gap. On Day 15, the effects of embryo cryopreservation disappeared among calves. In contrast, Day 30 values were influenced by diarrhea appearance, mainly in calves from V/W embryos (i.e., lower values of TCO2, HCO 3 - , and BE; and increased glucose, anion gap, and lactate), although with no more clinical compromise than calves from fresh and F/T embryos. Diarrhea affected PCO2 and Na+ in all groups. Embryo cryopreservation, and/or culture, yield metabolically different calves, including effects on protein and acid-base metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Gómez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain,*Correspondence: Enrique Gómez
| | - Antonio Murillo
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
| | - Susana Carrocera
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
| | | | - Jose Luis Benedito
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary School, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - David Martín-González
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
| | - Isabel Gimeno
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Gijón, Spain
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Rabaglino MB, Secher JBM, Hyttel P, Kadarmideen HN. In vitro and in vivo-produced male dairy calves show molecular differences in the hepatic and muscular energy regulation. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1113-1124. [PMID: 35766406 PMCID: PMC9562124 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In cattle, the in vitro production (IVP) of embryos is becoming more relevant than embryos produced in vivo, i.e. after multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET). However, the effects of IVP on the developmental programming of specific organs in the postnatal calves are yet unknown. Previously, we reported an epigenomic and transcriptomic profile of the hypothalamus–pituitary–testicular axis compatible with its earlier activation in IVP calves compared to MOET animals. Here, we studied the hepatic and muscular epigenome and transcriptome of those same male dairy calves (n = 4 per group). Tissue samples from liver and semitendinosus muscle were obtained at 3 months of age, and the extracted gDNA and RNA were sequenced through whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and RNA-sequencing, respectively. Next, bioinformatic analyses determined differentially methylated cytosines or differentially expressed genes [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05] for each Omic dataset; and nonparametrically combined genes (NPCG) for both integrated omics (P < 0.05). KEGG pathways enrichment analysis showed that NPCG upregulated in the liver and the muscle of the IVP calves were involved in oxidative phosphorylation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. In contrast, ribosome and translation were upregulated in the liver but downregulated in the muscle of the IVP calves compared to the MOET calves (FDR < 0.05). A model considering the effect of the methylation levels and the group on the expression of all the genes involved in these pathways confirmed these findings. In conclusion, the multiomics data integration approach indicated an altered hepatic and muscular energy regulation in phenotypically normal IVP calves compared to MOET calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- María B Rabaglino
- Quantitative Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Group, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jan Bojsen-Møller Secher
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Groennegaardsvej 7, 1870 Frederiksberg C
| | - Poul Hyttel
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Groennegaardsvej 7, 1870 Frederiksberg C
| | - Haja N Kadarmideen
- Quantitative Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Group, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Identification of large offspring syndrome during pregnancy through ultrasonography and maternal blood transcriptome analyses. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10540. [PMID: 35732675 PMCID: PMC9217928 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14597-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro production (IVP) of embryos in cattle can result in large/abnormal offspring syndrome (LOS/AOS) which is characterized by macrosomia. LOS can cause dystocia and lead to the death of dam and calf. Currently, no test exists to identify LOS pregnancies. We hypothesized that fetal ultrasonography and/or maternal blood markers are useful to identify LOS. Bovine fetuses were generated by artificial insemination (control) or IVP. Fetal ultrasonographies were taken on gestation D55 (D55) and fetal collections performed on D56 or D105 (gestation in cattle ≈ D280). IVP fetuses weighing ≥ 97 percentile of the control weight were considered LOS. Ultrasonography results show that the product of six D55 measurements can be used to identify extreme cases of LOS. To determine whether maternal blood can be used to identify LOS, leukocyte mRNA from 23 females was sequenced. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering grouped the transcriptomes of the two females carrying the two largest LOS fetuses. Comparison of the leukocyte transcriptomes of these two females to the transcriptome of all other females identified several misregulated transcripts on gestation D55 and D105 with LOC783838 and PCDH1 being misregulated at both time-points. Together our data suggest that LOS is identifiable during pregnancy in cattle.
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Rotheneder S, González-Grajales LA, Beck H, Bootz F, Bollwein H. Variability of bovine conceptus-related volumes in early pregnancy measured with transrectal three-dimensional ultrasonography. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:4534-4546. [PMID: 35307186 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21006] [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: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Up until now, bovine fetometry has been entirely based on 2-dimensional ultrasonography. Fetal size is estimated by several linear measurements such as crown-rump length (CRL). However, the advent of 3-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US) provides in vivo access to the volumes of the fetus and its amniotic sac. The objective of this preliminary observational study was to determine the variability of conceptus-related volumes using transrectal 3D-US in dairy cows and to identify factors affecting them. Furthermore, relationships between the gained measurements and calf birth weight were investigated. In total, 315 Simmental and Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were transrectally examined at d 42 after breeding using a portable ultrasound device (Voluson I, GE Healthcare). Gestational volumes including fetal volume (FV) and amniotic sac volume (ASV) were determined with the software tool VOCAL (Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis, GE Healthcare), whereas amniotic fluid volume (AFV) values were derived from the subtraction of FV from ASV. The CRL was determined by means of 3-dimensional data. The mean values and standard deviations for FV, ASV, AFV, and CRL were 1.47 ± 0.25 cm3, 5.86 ± 1.22 cm3, 4.38 ± 1.02 cm3, and 2.38 ± 0.18 cm, respectively. All gestational volumes and CRL values were affected by breed. In Simmental cattle, larger concepti were observed compared with pregnancies derived from Holstein-Friesian animals. Parity affected only ASV and AFV, with heifers showing greater values than lactating cows. The CRL was positively associated with milk protein content. It was not possible to predict calf weight at birth by using FV, ASV, or AFV; however, tendencies were found for ASV and AFV. The present study was the first to adopt 3D-US volumetry to assess early pregnancy development in dairy cattle. Our results showed that this method could be used successfully to identify minor variations in conceptus growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rotheneder
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Tierarztpraxis Herrmann, Rankhofstraße 24, 79274 St. Märgen, Germany.
| | - L A González-Grajales
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - H Beck
- Tierarztpraxis Dr. Bootz, Schlößlestraße 43, 88356 Ostrach, Germany
| | - F Bootz
- Tierarztpraxis Dr. Bootz, Schlößlestraße 43, 88356 Ostrach, Germany
| | - H Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Drum JN, Madureira G, Rosa CO, Seneda MM, Wiltbank MC, Sartori R, Ortega MS. Male Embryos Produced in vitro Deviate From Their in vivo Counterparts in Placental Gene Expression on Day 32 of Pregnancy. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.807217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compared the gene expression of extraembryonic membranes (EEM) from in vitro produced (IVP) and in vivo (AI) derived pregnancies. A piece of conceptus (day 18) or chorioallantois (day 32) was used for DNA and RNA isolation and sex determination. Male and female ratios were analyzed by Chi-square. A total of three samples per sex and group (AI and IVP, days 18 and 32) were used for transcriptome analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined using edgeR-robust. A false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05 was used for statistical significance. Sex ratio was similar on day 18 for AI and IVP groups. On day 32, the IVP group had a greater number of females than males (75 vs. 25%, P = 0.004). When comparing AI and IVP males vs. females, in both groups, genes upregulated in females on day 18 were related to placental function such as PAGs and TKDPs. On males on day 18, IFNT-related genes were upregulated. Comparing the techniques within sex, on day 18 female conceptuses, 50 genes were upregulated in IVP, and 21 in AI. IGF2, which is involved in placenta development, and APOA2, APOB, and APOE, involved in lipid metabolism, were upregulated in IVP conceptuses. On day 18, males had 15 upregulated genes in AI and 7 in IVP. On day 32, females had 21 upregulated genes in AI and 53 in IVP. Genes involved in lipid synthesis and metabolism were increased in the IVP group. Males on day 32 presented 899 DEGs, 564 upregulated in AI and 335 in IVP. Embryos from IVP had decreased expression of genes related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Interestingly, pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) 7, 9, 10, and 19, were downregulated in IVP male. In conclusion, IVP-derived male embryos were more susceptible to alterations in gene expression and these effects extend to the peri-implantation period including genes associated with placental development and markers of placental function.
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16
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Dahlen CR, Borowicz PP, Ward AK, Caton JS, Czernik M, Palazzese L, Loi P, Reynolds LP. Programming of Embryonic Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11668. [PMID: 34769097 PMCID: PMC8583791 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and parental nutritional status have profound effects on embryonic/fetal and placental development, which are probably mediated via "programming" of gene expression, as reflected by changes in their epigenetic landscape. Such epigenetic changes may underlie programming of growth, development, and function of fetal organs later in pregnancy and the offspring postnatally, and potentially lead to long-term changes in organ structure and function in the offspring as adults. This latter concept has been termed developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), or simply developmental programming, which has emerged as a major health issue in animals and humans because it is associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases in the offspring, including metabolic, behavioral, and reproductive dysfunction. In this review, we will briefly introduce the concept of developmental programming and its relationship to epigenetics. We will then discuss evidence that ART and periconceptual maternal and paternal nutrition may lead to epigenetic alterations very early in pregnancy, and how each pregnancy experiences developmental programming based on signals received by and from the dam. Lastly, we will discuss current research on strategies designed to overcome or minimize the negative consequences or, conversely, to maximize the positive aspects of developmental programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl R. Dahlen
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (C.R.D.); (P.P.B.); (A.K.W.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Pawel P. Borowicz
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (C.R.D.); (P.P.B.); (A.K.W.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Alison K. Ward
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (C.R.D.); (P.P.B.); (A.K.W.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Joel S. Caton
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (C.R.D.); (P.P.B.); (A.K.W.); (J.S.C.)
| | - Marta Czernik
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (P.L.)
| | - Luca Palazzese
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Jastrzębiec, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland;
| | - Pasqualino Loi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (P.L.)
| | - Lawrence P. Reynolds
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (C.R.D.); (P.P.B.); (A.K.W.); (J.S.C.)
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17
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Components of the insulin-like growth factor system in in vivo - and in vitro-derived fetuses of cattle, and the association with growth and development. Anim Reprod Sci 2021; 234:106856. [PMID: 34626867 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106856] [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: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This experiment was designed to study mechanisms affecting growth of in vivo-derived (IVD) and in vitro-produced (IVP) fetuses of cattle. Day-7 IVD or IVP cattle blastocysts were transferred to recipients, with pregnant females being slaughtered on Days 90 or 180 of gestation or allowed to undergo parturition. Uteri and contents were dissected and physically measured, and maternal and fetal plasma and amniotic and allantoic fluids were collected for IGF-1 and IGF-2 determinations, and IGFBP profile characterization. Transcripts for IGF-1 and IGF-2 mRNA in placental and fetal tissues, and IGF-1r and IGF-2r in placentomes were determined. There was a greater fetal weight in the IVP group, which was associated with greater IGF-1 and IGF-2 concentrations in maternal circulation, and changes in IGFBP profiles within fetal fluids. Day-90 IVP-derived fetuses were longer, had greater organ weights, larger placentomes, less placentome IGF-2r mRNA transcript, and greater maternal IGF-1 and IGF-2 concentrations than controls. On Day 180 and at parturition tissues from IVP-derived fetuses/calves were from larger uteri, with larger placentomes/fetal membranes, fetuses/calves weighed more, had greater fetal hepatic IGF-2 mRNA transcript, had less fetal plasma IGF-1 and greater allantoic IGF-2 concentrations, greater and lesser IGFBP activities in the allantoic and amniotic fluids, respectively, and greater glucose and fructose accumulation in fetal fluids. Components of the IGF system were differentially regulated not only according to the gestation period (Days 90 or 180) and fluid type (maternal or fetal plasma, amniotic or allantoic fluids), but also based on conceptus origin (IVP or IVD) in cattle.
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Rabaglino MB, Bojsen-Møller Secher J, Sirard MA, Hyttel P, Kadarmideen HN. Epigenomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal early activation of the HPG axis in in vitro-produced male dairy calves. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21882. [PMID: 34460963 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101067r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In cattle, several calves born after IVP ("in vitro" embryo production) present similar birthweight to those generated after MOET (multiple ovulation and embryo transfer). However, the underlying molecular patterns in organs involved in the developmental process are unknown and could indicate physiological programming. The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare epigenomic and transcriptomic modifications in the hypothalamus, pituitary, gonadal and adrenal organs between 3 months old ovum pick-up-IVP and MOET male calves (n = 4 per group) and (2) to use blood epigenomic data to proxy methylation of the inner organs. Extracted gDNA and RNA were sequenced through whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and RNA sequencing, respectively. Next, bioinformatic analyses determined differentially methylated cytosines (DMC) and differentially expressed genes (DEG) (FDR < 0.05) in IVP versus MOET samples and the KEGG pathways that were overrepresented by genes associated with DMC or DEG (FDR < 0.1). Pathways related to hypothalamus, pituitary, gonadal (HPG) axis activation (GnRH secretion in the hypothalamus, GnRH signaling in the pituitary, and steroidogenesis in the testicle) were enriched in IVP calves. Modeling the effect of the methylation levels and the group on the expression of all the genes involved in these pathways confirmed their upregulation in HPG organs in IVP calves. The application of the DIABLO method allowed the identification of 15 epigenetic and five transcriptomic biomarkers, which were able to predict the embryo origin using the epigenomic data from the blood. In conclusion, the use of an integrated epigenomic-transcriptomic approach suggested an early activation of the HPG axis in male IVP calves compared to MOET counterparts, and the identification of potential biomarkers allowed the use of blood samples to proxy methylation levels of the relevant internal organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- María B Rabaglino
- Quantitative Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Group, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Marc-André Sirard
- Departement des Sciences Animales, Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Inter-générationnelle (CRDSI), Université Laval, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Poul Hyttel
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Haja N Kadarmideen
- Quantitative Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Group, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
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19
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Ealy AD, Speckhart SL, Wooldridge LK. Cytokines That Serve as Embryokines in Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082313. [PMID: 34438770 PMCID: PMC8388520 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review will explore how some cytokines also influence early embryonic development. We term these types of molecules as embryokines. Understanding how cytokines serve as embryokines could offer new opportunities to improve embryo development and the overall health of the embryo so that pregnancies will be retained after embryo transfer and so that viable offspring are produced. At least two cytokines may offer these benefits to bovine embryos produced in vitro. Additional cytokines also are identified in this review that may contain beneficial activities on bovine embryos. Abstract The term “embryokine” has been used to denote molecules produced by the endometrium, oviduct, or by embryo itself that will influence embryo development. Several cytokines have been identified as embryokines in cattle and other mammals. This review will describe how these cytokines function as embryokines, with special emphasis being placed on their actions on in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos. Embryokines are being explored for their ability to overcome the poor development rates of IVP embryos and to limit post-transfer pregnancy retention efficiencies that exist in IVP embryos. This review will focus on describing two of the best-characterized cytokines, colony-stimulating factor 2 and interleukin 6, for their ability to modify bovine embryo quality and confirmation, promote normal fetal development, and generate healthy calves. Additional cytokines will also be discussed for their potential to serve as embryokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan D. Ealy
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Savannah L. Speckhart
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
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20
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Hummel G, Woodruff K, Austin K, Knuth R, Lake S, Cunningham-Hollinger H. Late Gestation Maternal Feed Restriction Decreases Microbial Diversity of the Placenta While Mineral Supplementation Improves Richness of the Fetal Gut Microbiome in Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2219. [PMID: 34438676 PMCID: PMC8388467 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Feed intake restriction impacts both humans and ruminants in late gestation, although it is unknown whether this adverse maternal environment influences the microbiome of the reproductive tract, and through it, the colonization of the fetal gut. A 2 × 2 factorial design including a 70% feed intake restriction (feed restricted 'FR' or control diets 'CON') and mineral supplementation (unsupplemented 'S-' or supplemented 'S+') was used to analyze these effects in multiparous cows (n = 27). Vaginal swabs were obtained 60, 30, and 10 days prior to the estimated calving date, along with neonatal rumen fluid and meconium. Placental tissues and efficiency measurements were collected. Microbial DNA was extracted for 16S sequencing of the V4 region. Feed restriction decreased the diversity of the placental microbiome, but not the vagina, while mineral supplementation had little impact on these microbial communities. Mineral supplementation did improve the richness and diversity of the fetal gut microbiomes in relation to reproductive microbes. These differences within the placental microbiome may influence individual health and performance. Adequate maternal nutrition and supplementation yielded the greatest placental efficiency, which may aid in the establishment of a healthy placental microbiome and fetal microbial colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hannah Cunningham-Hollinger
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; (G.H.); (K.W.); (K.A.); (R.K.); (S.L.)
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21
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Pérez-Gómez A, González-Brusi L, Bermejo-Álvarez P, Ramos-Ibeas P. Lineage Differentiation Markers as a Proxy for Embryo Viability in Farm Ungulates. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:680539. [PMID: 34212020 PMCID: PMC8239129 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.680539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic losses constitute a major burden for reproductive efficiency of farm animals. Pregnancy losses in ungulate species, which include cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, majorly occur during the second week of gestation, when the embryo experiences a series of cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration processes encompassed under the term conceptus elongation. Conceptus elongation takes place following blastocyst hatching and involves a massive proliferation of the extraembryonic membranes trophoblast and hypoblast, and the formation of flat embryonic disc derived from the epiblast, which ultimately gastrulates generating the three germ layers. This process occurs prior to implantation and it is exclusive from ungulates, as embryos from other mammalian species such as rodents or humans implant right after hatching. The critical differences in embryo development between ungulates and mice, the most studied mammalian model, have precluded the identification of the genes governing lineage differentiation in livestock species. Furthermore, conceptus elongation has not been recapitulated in vitro, hindering the study of these cellular events. Luckily, recent advances on transcriptomics, genome modification and post-hatching in vitro culture are shedding light into this largely unknown developmental window, uncovering possible molecular markers to determine embryo quality. In this review, we summarize the events occurring during ungulate pre-implantation development, highlighting recent findings which reveal that several dogmas in Developmental Biology established by knock-out murine models do not hold true for other mammals, including humans and farm animals. The developmental failures associated to in vitro produced embryos in farm animals are also discussed together with Developmental Biology tools to assess embryo quality, including molecular markers to assess proper lineage commitment and a post-hatching in vitro culture system able to directly determine developmental potential circumventing the need of experimental animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Pérez-Gómez
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Leopoldo González-Brusi
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Bermejo-Álvarez
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Priscila Ramos-Ibeas
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
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22
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Leme LO, Machado GM, Fidelis AAG, Guimarães ALS, Sprícigo JFW, Carvalho JO, Pivato I, Franco MM, Dode MAN. Transcriptome of D14 in vivo x in vitro bovine embryos: is there any difference? In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2021; 57:598-609. [PMID: 34128156 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-021-00599-x] [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: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
It is well-established that in vitro culture affects quality, gene expression, and epigenetic processes in bovine embryos and that trophectoderm cells are the most susceptible to abnormalities. These changes have been reported as the main factors responsible for losses observed after transfer of in vitro-produced embryos. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of an in vitro system on bovine embryo transcriptional profiles on D14 of development. Two groups were used-one with embryos produced in vitro until D7 (day 7; VT group) and another with embryos produced in vivo by hormonal stimulation, with embryos collected on D7 (VV group). D7 embryos at similar developmental stages from both treatments were transferred to recipient uteri and recollected on D14. From D14 embryos of both treatments, trophoblast samples were removed by biopsy for sexing and transcriptome analyses. Embryos were sexed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and only males were used for RNA sequencing. In total, 29,005 transcripts were expressed, from which 900 were differentially expressed, but only 29 genes were significantly differentially expressed. In addition, 20 genes were found uniquely for VV and 27 for VT. These findings suggested that although the uterine environment minimized transcriptional differences, it was not able to make trophoblasts from the in vitro embryos similar to the in vivo ones. The few genes exhibiting differences are in control of important events that may be responsible for embryonic losses occurring during the first period of gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grazieli Marinheiro Machado
- University of Brasilia, Animal Science, Merk Millipore /Sigma-Aldrich Brasil, São Paulo, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Luiza Silva Guimarães
- University of Brasilia, Animal Science, Merk Millipore /Sigma-Aldrich Brasil, São Paulo, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - I Pivato
- University of Brasilia, Animal Science, Merk Millipore /Sigma-Aldrich Brasil, São Paulo, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Maurício Machaim Franco
- Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte Final, Brasília, DF, 70770-900, Brazil
| | - Margot Alves Nunes Dode
- University of Brasilia, Animal Science, Merk Millipore /Sigma-Aldrich Brasil, São Paulo, DF, 70910-900, Brazil. .,Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Parque Estação Biológica, W5 Norte Final, Brasília, DF, 70770-900, Brazil.
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23
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Seekford ZK, Wooldridge LK, Dias NW, Timlin CL, Sales ÁF, Speckhart SL, Pohler KG, Cockrum RR, Mercadante VRG, Ealy AD. Interleukin-6 supplementation improves post-transfer embryonic and fetal development of in vitro-produced bovine embryos. Theriogenology 2021; 170:15-22. [PMID: 33957485 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The use of in vitro produced embryos in dairy and beef cattle has increased in recent years, but compromised post-transfer pregnancy success prevents producers from capturing all the benefits this technology can provide. This study explored whether supplementing interleukin-6 (IL6) during in vitro embryo development influences post-transfer development of the embryo-proper, fetus and placenta during early gestation in cattle. Slaughterhouse-derived cumulus oocyte complexes underwent IVM (day -1) and IVF (day 0). On day 5 post-fertilization, embryos were treated with either 0 (CONT) or 100 ng/mL recombinant bovine IL6. No difference in blastocyst formation was detected on day 7.5 post-fertilization, but an increase (P < 0.05) in inner cell mass cell numbers and tendency for increased (P = 0.08) trophectoderm cell numbers were detected in IL6-treated blastocysts. A subset of the blastocysts was loaded individually into transfer straws, and embryo transfer (ET) was completed using estrous cycle stage-matched, nonlactating commercial beef and dairy cows. A subset of cows from each group underwent timed artificial insemination (TAI). Pregnancy rates were similar among all three treatment groups at day 28 and 70. No differences in crown-rump length (CRL), crown nose length (CNL), abdominal diameter (AD), or placental fluid volume (PFV) were detected between TAI and ET-IL6 groups. Reductions (P < 0.05) in CRL and AD were detected at day 56 and a tendency for a reduction (P = 0.08) in PFV was detected on day 35 when comparing the ET-CONT group with the TAI group. Reductions (P < 0.05) in CRL and PFV on day 28 and CNL and AD on day 56 as well as a tendency for a reduction (P = 0.08) in PFV on day 35 were detected when contrasting ET-CONT with ET-IL6. Circulating plasma pregnancy-associated glycoprotein concentrations were similar among all treatment groups. In summary, IL6 treatment to IVP embryos before ET produced pregnancies that more closely resembled TAI-generated pregnancies than pregnancies generated using conventionally cultured embryos. These findings failed to find any adverse effects of IL6 supplementation on early development of the embryo-proper and fetus or on placental activity. Rather, these observations suggest that IL6 treatment may normalize the developmental trajectory of the embryo-proper and fetus for in vitro produced embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary K Seekford
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Lydia K Wooldridge
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Nicholas W Dias
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Claire L Timlin
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Álvaro F Sales
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | | | - Ky G Pohler
- Department of Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Alan D Ealy
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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24
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Sawai K. Roles of cell differentiation factors in preimplantation development of domestic animals. J Reprod Dev 2021; 67:161-165. [PMID: 33907058 PMCID: PMC8238671 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammalian embryos, the first visible differentiation event is the segregation of the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) during the transition from
the morula to the blastocyst stage. The ICM, which is attached to the inside of the TE, develop into the fetus and extraembryonic tissues, while the TE, which
is a single layer surrounding the fluid-filled cavity called the blastocoel, will provide extraembryonic structures such as the placenta. ICM/TE differentiation
is regulated by the interaction between various transcriptional factors. However, little information is available on the segregation of the ICM and TE lineages
in preimplantation embryos of domestic animals, such as cattle and pigs. This review focuses on the roles of cell differentiation factors that regulate the
ICM/TE segregation of preimplantation bovine and porcine embryos. Understanding the mechanism of cell differentiation in early embryos is necessary to improve
the in vitro production systems for bovine and porcine embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Sawai
- Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Iwate 020-8550, Japan
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25
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Willhelm BR, Ticiani E, Campagnolo K, de Oliveira GB, de Mattos K, Peña Bello CA, Ongaratto FL, Rodriguez-Villamil P, Relly L, Alves JPM, Rondina D, Rodrigues JLR, Bertolini M. Promoter-specific expression of the imprinted IGF2 gene in bovine oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:857-863. [PMID: 33713470 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13925] [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: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The bovine IGF2 locus is a genomic region with alternative transcripts controlled by five promoters (P0, P1, P2, P3 and P4). As transcriptional regulation can affect messenger RNA (mRNA) stability and translation, and thus, subsequent biological effects, this study evaluated the bovine IGF2 promoter-specific expression patterns in oocytes and pre-implantation embryos produced in vitro by our standard IVP procedures. Immature and matured oocytes, and pre-implantation embryos at the 1-, 2-, 4-, 8- and 16-cell, and at early morula, compact morula, blastocyst and expanded blastocyst stages were collected in three pools of five structures per stage, in four replicates. Total RNA was extracted and subjected to RT-qPCR, using four sets of IGF2 promoter-specific primers covering transcripts driven by promoters P0/P1, P2, P3 and P4, with fragments sequenced for confirmation. Expression of P2- and P4-derived transcripts showed an initial peak between immature (P4) or matured (P2/P4) oocytes and 2-cell embryos, gradually falling until embryo genome activation (EGA), rising again at compaction and cavitation. P0/P1-derived transcripts were identified after EGA, during compaction, whereas P3 activity was not detected at any stage. Our findings suggest that P0/P1 and P2 likely have secondary roles during early stages, whereas P3 may be more relevant later in development. P4 seems to be the main pathway for bovine IGF2 expression during oocyte maturation and embryo development and, therefore, the main target to influence IVP in modulation of embryo growth and in studies in developmental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Rodrigues Willhelm
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Elvis Ticiani
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Karine Campagnolo
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Karine de Mattos
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Camilo Andrés Peña Bello
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Felipe Ledur Ongaratto
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paula Rodriguez-Villamil
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - José Luiz Rigo Rodrigues
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bertolini
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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26
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París-Oller E, Navarro-Serna S, Soriano-Úbeda C, Lopes JS, Matás C, Ruiz S, Latorre R, López-Albors O, Romar R, Cánovas S, Coy P. Reproductive fluids, used for the in vitro production of pig embryos, result in healthy offspring and avoid aberrant placental expression of PEG3 and LUM. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2021; 12:32. [PMID: 33583428 PMCID: PMC7883450 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-020-00544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In vitro embryo production (IVP) and embryo transfer (ET) are two very common assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in human and cattle. However, in pig, the combination of either procedures, or even their use separately, is still considered suboptimal due to the low efficiency of IVP plus the difficulty of performing ET in the long and contorted uterus of the sow. In addition, the potential impact of these two ART on the health of the offspring is unknown. We investigated here if the use of a modified IVP system, with natural reproductive fluids (RF) as supplements to the culture media, combined with a minimally invasive surgery to perform ET, affects the output of the own IVP system as well as the reproductive performance of the mother and placental molecular traits. Results The blastocyst rates obtained by both in vitro systems, conventional (C-IVP) and modified (RF-IVP), were similar. Pregnancy and farrowing rates were also similar. However, when compared to in vivo control (artificial insemination, AI), litter sizes of both IVP groups were lower, while placental efficiency was higher in AI than in RF-IVP. Gene expression studies revealed aberrant expression levels for PEG3 and LUM in placental tissue for C-IVP group when compared to AI, but not for RF-IVP group. Conclusions The use of reproductive fluids as additives for the culture media in pig IVP does not improve reproductive performance of recipient mothers but could mitigate the impact of artificial procedures in the offspring. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-020-00544-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- E París-Oller
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - S Navarro-Serna
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Soriano-Úbeda
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - J S Lopes
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Matás
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - S Ruiz
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - R Latorre
- Department of Anatomy and Comparartive Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - O López-Albors
- Department of Anatomy and Comparartive Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - R Romar
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - S Cánovas
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain. .,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
| | - P Coy
- Department of Physiology- Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia - Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain. .,Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
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27
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Garcia-Ispierto I, López-Gatius F. Benefits and Risks of Preventing Twin Pregnancies. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010148. [PMID: 33440763 PMCID: PMC7827721 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical problems associated with twin pregnancies have been well established, and twin births are now considered undesirable or even disastrous for the dairy cattle industry and the individual cow. The high incidence of early fetal loss, abortion during the mid-lactation period, dystocia, stillbirth, and placenta retention should be considered a preventable consequence of management, as these disorders greatly compromise the welfare and productive lifespan of a cow carrying or delivering twins. The use of sexed semen generates herd replacements and additional heifers, so a proposed strategy for twin pregnancy prevention is the transfer of a single in vitro-produced female beef cow embryo to cows not suitable for producing replacements. Another proposed strategy is drainage at insemination of co-dominant follicles to prevent twin pregnancies in cows with genetic merit. As a result, embryo survival should improve, economic losses associated with twin pregnancies will be prevented, beef output from the herd will be increased, and the health and welfare of the cow will certainly benefit. In this review, the clinical prospects of preventing or avoiding twin pregnancies using both procedures are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Garcia-Ispierto
- Agrotecnio Centre, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
- Department of Animal Science, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Fernando López-Gatius
- Agrotecnio Centre, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
- Transfer in Bovine Reproduction SLu, 22300 Barbastro, Spain
- Correspondence:
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28
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Caton JS, Crouse MS, McLean KJ, Dahlen CR, Ward AK, Cushman RA, Grazul-Bilska AT, Neville BW, Borowicz PP, Reynolds LP. Maternal periconceptual nutrition, early pregnancy, and developmental outcomes in beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:skaa358. [PMID: 33165531 PMCID: PMC7718859 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The focus of this review is maternal nutrition during the periconceptual period and offspring developmental outcomes in beef cattle, with an emphasis on the first 50 d of gestation, which represents the embryonic period. Animal agriculture in general, and specifically the beef cattle industry, currently faces immense challenges. The world needs to significantly increase its output of animal food products by 2050 and beyond to meet the food security and agricultural sustainability needs of the rapidly growing human population. Consequently, efficient and sustainable approaches to livestock production are essential. Maternal nutritional status is a major factor that leads to developmental programming of offspring outcomes. Developmental programming refers to the influence of pre-and postnatal factors, such as inappropriate maternal nutrition, that affect growth and development and result in long-term consequences for health and productivity of the offspring. In this review, we discuss recent studies in which we and others have addressed the questions, "Is development programmed periconceptually?" and, if so, "Does it matter practically to the offspring in production settings?" The reviewed studies have demonstrated that the periconceptual period is important not only for pregnancy establishment but also may be a critical period during which fetal, placental, and potentially postnatal development and function are programmed. The evidence for fetal and placental programming during the periconceptual period is strong and implies that research efforts to mitigate the negative and foster the positive benefits of developmental programming need to include robust investigative efforts during the periconceptual period to better understand the implications for life-long health and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel S Caton
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, and Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
| | | | - Kyle J McLean
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, and Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
| | - Alison K Ward
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, and Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
| | | | - Anna T Grazul-Bilska
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, and Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
| | | | - Pawel P Borowicz
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, and Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
| | - Lawrence P Reynolds
- Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, and Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
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29
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Pedersen HS, Mazzoni G, Pihl M, Kadarmideen HN, Hyttel P, Callesen H. Bovine in-vitro produced embryos: Development of embryo proper and associated membranes from day 26 to 47 of gestation. Reprod Biol 2020; 20:595-599. [PMID: 33041222 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2020.10.001] [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: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Based on in-vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos, embryo proper and embryonic/fetal membranes were studied in 12 pregnancies from day 26 to 47. The embryos/fetuses displayed external as well as internal development of organs and structures according to the expectations from comparable in-vivo studies. However, the embryonic/fetal membranes were shorter than those reported for in-vivo-derived embryos/fetuses on days 26-35 of calculated age, whereas on days 41-47 they were of comparable lengths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gianluca Mazzoni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 7, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark; Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345C, DK-2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Maria Pihl
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 7, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Haja N Kadarmideen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 7, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark; Quantitative Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Group, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, DK-2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Poul Hyttel
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 7, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Henrik Callesen
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, DK-8830, Tjele, Denmark.
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30
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Kusuyama J, Alves-Wagner AB, Makarewicz NS, Goodyear LJ. Effects of maternal and paternal exercise on offspring metabolism. Nat Metab 2020; 2:858-872. [PMID: 32929233 PMCID: PMC7643050 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-020-00274-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Maternal and paternal obesity and type 2 diabetes are recognized risk factors for the development of metabolic dysfunction in offspring, even when the offspring follow a healthful lifestyle. Multiple studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity in mothers and fathers has striking beneficial effects on offspring health, including preventing the development of metabolic disease in rodent offspring as they age. Here, we review the benefits of maternal and paternal exercise in combating the development of metabolic dysfunction in adult offspring, focusing on offspring glucose homeostasis and adaptations to metabolic tissues. We discuss recent findings regarding the roles of the placenta and sperm in mediating the effects of parental exercise on offspring metabolic health, as well as the mechanisms hypothesized to underlie these beneficial changes. Given the worldwide epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes, if these findings translate to humans, regular exercise during the reproductive years might limit the vicious cycles in which increased metabolic risk propagates across generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joji Kusuyama
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism Section, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ana Barbara Alves-Wagner
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism Section, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathan S Makarewicz
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism Section, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laurie J Goodyear
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism Section, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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31
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Siqueira LG, Silva MVG, Panetto JC, Viana JH. Consequences of assisted reproductive technologies for offspring function in cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 32:82-97. [PMID: 32188560 DOI: 10.1071/rd19278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal fetuses, neonates and adult offspring derived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been reported in humans, rodents and domestic animals. The use of ART has also been associated with an increased likelihood of certain adult diseases. These abnormalities may arise as a result of an excess of or missing maternally derived molecules during invitro culture, because the invitro environment is artificial and suboptimal for embryo development. Nonetheless, the success of ART in overcoming infertility or improving livestock genetics is undeniable. Limitations of invitro embryo production (IVEP) in cattle include lower rates of the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and an increased incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Moreover, recent studies demonstrated long-term effects of IVEP in cattle, including increased postnatal mortality, altered growth and a slight reduction in the performance of adult dairy cows. This review addresses the effects of an altered preimplantation environment on embryo and fetal programming and offspring development. We discuss cellular and molecular responses of the embryo to the maternal environment, how ART may disturb programming, the possible role of epigenetic effects as a mechanism for altered phenotypes and long-term effects of ART that manifest in postnatal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz G Siqueira
- Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil 36038-330; and Corresponding author.
| | | | - João C Panetto
- Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil 36038-330
| | - João H Viana
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, DF, Brazil 70770-917
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32
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Wooldridge LK, Nardi ME, Ealy AD. Zinc supplementation during in vitro embryo culture increases inner cell mass and total cell numbers in bovine blastocysts1. J Anim Sci 2020; 97:4946-4950. [PMID: 31712807 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Deficiencies in current embryo culture media likely contribute to the poor blastocyst development rates and pregnancy retention rates for in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos. Of special concern is the lack of micronutrients in these media formulations. One micronutrient of interest is zinc, an essential trace element involved with various enzyme and transcription factor activities. The objective of this work was to describe whether zinc sulfate supplementation during in vitro embryo culture affects bovine embryo development and blastomere numbers. Either 0, 2, 20, or 40 µM zinc sulfate was supplemented to presumptive zygotes cultured in synthetic oviductal fluid containing AAs and bovine serum albumin for 8 d. None of the treatments affected cleavage rates. Percentage of blastocysts on days 7 and 8 postfertilization was not affected by supplementing 2 or 20 µM zinc but were reduced (P < 0.05) with 40 µM zinc. In blastocysts harvested on day 8, inner cell mass (ICM) and total cell number were increased (P < 0.05) with 2 µM zinc supplementation but not with the other zinc concentrations. Numbers of trophectoderm cells were not affected by zinc treatment. In conclusion, supplementing zinc during bovine embryo culture did not impact blastocyst development but improved ICM cell numbers. This improvement in ICM cell number may have implications for improved pregnancy retention rates after IVP embryo transfer as smaller ICM sizes are associated with poor pregnancy success in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia K Wooldridge
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Madison E Nardi
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Alan D Ealy
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
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33
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Campagnolo K, Ledur Ongaratto F, Rodrigues de Freitas C, Peña Bello CA, Rodrigues Willhelm B, de Mattos K, Rigo Rodrigues JL, Bertolini M. In vitro development of IVF-derived bovine embryos following cytoplasmic microinjection for the episomal expression of the IGF2 gene. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:574-583. [PMID: 32056325 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13654] [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: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Important genomic imprinting changes usually occur following the in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos, especially in the imprinting pattern of components of the IGF system. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a transient episomal overexpression of the IGF2 gene in bovine IVP embryos following embryo cytoplasmic microinjection (CMI) at the 1-cell stage on embryo survival, early and late developmental kinetics and morphological quality up to Day 7 of development. Selected cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured and fertilized in vitro and subsequently segregated into six experimental groups: non-CMI control group and five CMI groups at increasing doses (0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ng/μl) of a GFP vector built for the episomal expression of bovine IGF2. Zygote CMI was effective in delivering the expression vector into the ooplasm, irrespective of the groups, with 58% of positive GFP fluorescence in Day 7 blastocysts. Considering developmental rates and late embryo kinetics, the 10-ng/μl CMI vector dose promoted a lower blastocyst rate (10.4%), but for blastocysts at more advanced stages of development (93.0% blastocysts and expanded blastocysts), and higher number of cells (116.0 ± 3.0) than non-CMI controls (23.3%, 75.0% and 75.0 ± 6.8 were obtained, respectively). In conclusion, CMI at the 1-cell stage did not compromise subsequent in vitro development of surviving embryos, with the 10-ng/μl group demonstrating a possible growth-promoting effect of the IGF2 gene on embryo development, from the 1-cell to the blastocyst stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Campagnolo
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Felipe Ledur Ongaratto
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Camilo Andrés Peña Bello
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Bruna Rodrigues Willhelm
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Karine de Mattos
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Rigo Rodrigues
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bertolini
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Ealy AD, Wooldridge LK, McCoski SR. BOARD INVITED REVIEW: Post-transfer consequences of in vitro-produced embryos in cattle. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:2555-2568. [PMID: 30968113 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro embryo production (IVP) in cattle has gained worldwide interest in recent years, but the efficiency of using IVP embryos for calf production is far from optimal. This review will examine the pregnancy retention rates of IVP embryos and explore causes for pregnancy failures. Based on work completed over the past 25 yr, only 27% of cattle receiving IVP embryos will produce a live calf. Approximately 60% of these pregnancies fail during the first 6 wk of gestation. When compared with embryos generated by superovulation, pregnancy rates are 10% to 40% lower for cattle carrying IVP embryos, exemplifying that IVP embryos are consistently less competent than in vivo-generated embryos. Several abnormalities have been observed in the morphology of IVP conceptuses. After transfer, IVP embryos are less likely to undergo conceptus elongation, have reduced embryonic disk diameter, and have compromised yolk sac development. Marginal binucleate cell development, cotyledon development, and placental vascularization have also been documented, and these abnormalities are associated with altered fetal growth trajectories. Additionally, in vitro culture conditions increase the risk of large offspring syndrome. Further work is needed to decipher how the embryo culture environment alters post-transfer embryo development and survival. The risk of these neonatal disorders has been reduced by the use of serum-free synthetic oviductal fluid media formations and culture in low oxygen tension. However, alterations are still evident in IVP oocyte and embryo transcript abundances, timing of embryonic cleavage events and blastulation, incidence of aneuploidy, and embryonic methylation status. The inclusion of oviductal and uterine-derived embryokines in culture media is being examined as one way to improve the competency of IVP embryos. To conclude, the evidence presented herein clearly shows that bovine IVP systems still must be refined to make it an economical technology in cattle production systems. However, the current shortcomings do not negate its current value for certain embryo production needs and for investigating early embryonic development in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan D Ealy
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Lydia K Wooldridge
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Sarah R McCoski
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
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Reynolds LP, Borowicz PP, Caton JS, Crouse MS, Dahlen CR, Ward AK. Developmental Programming of Fetal Growth and Development. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2019; 35:229-247. [PMID: 31103178 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal stressors that affect fetal development result in "developmental programming," which is associated with increased risk of various chronic pathologic conditions in the offspring, including metabolic syndrome; growth abnormalities; and reproductive, immune, behavioral, or cognitive dysfunction that can persist throughout their lifetime and even across subsequent generations. Developmental programming thus can lead to poor health, reduced longevity, and reduced productivity. Current research aims to develop management and therapeutic strategies to optimize fetal growth and development and thereby overcome the negative consequences of developmental programming, leading to improved health, longevity, and productivity of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence P Reynolds
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA.
| | - Pawel P Borowicz
- Advanced Imaging and Microscopy Core Lab, Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Joel S Caton
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Matthew S Crouse
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
| | - Alison K Ward
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA
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Lénárt L, Taverne M, Wolleswinkel P, Gubik Z, Molnár L, Szenci O. Reference values for fetal heart rate in cattle in the first trimester of pregnancy. Acta Vet Hung 2019; 67:274-281. [PMID: 31238726 DOI: 10.1556/004.2019.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to create a fetal heart rate (FHR) reference curve for singleton bovine fetuses in the first trimester of gestation and to determine its possible relationship with the outcome of pregnancy. Forty-eight Holstein-Friesian cows with one fetus and five cows with twins were used. Fetal heart beatings were recorded on videotape during transrectal scanning with a 5 and/or 7.5 MHz linear array transducer on a weekly basis between Days 40 and 95 of gestation. FHR was calculated by averaging the results of five counts of the same record by the same observer. For singleton pregnancies, a reference curve was created using the mean, the standard deviation (SD) and the 5th and 95th percentiles. The FHR increased from Days 40-46 (173 beats/min) to Days 61-67 (183 beats/min). After a peak, the FHR decreased slowly until Days 89-95 (175 beats/min), while the SD increased. There was no significant difference between singleton and twin fetuses. in the aborted and lost fetuses in twin gestation due to fetal reduction, both bradycardia and tachycardia were detected compared to the singleton pregnancy reference curve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Lénárt
- 1 University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Department and Clinic for Production Animals, H-2225 Üllő, Dóra major, Hungary
- 2 MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő, Hungary
| | - Marcel Taverne
- 3 Utrecht University, Department of Farm Animals, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Wolleswinkel
- 3 Utrecht University, Department of Farm Animals, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - László Molnár
- 2 MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő, Hungary
| | - Ottó Szenci
- 1 University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Department and Clinic for Production Animals, H-2225 Üllő, Dóra major, Hungary
- 2 MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, Üllő, Hungary
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38
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Burns BM, Hiendleder S, Laing AR, Fordyce G, Herring AD. Ultrasonographic measurements in first trimester concepti identify predictors of birth weight and postnatal development in cattle. J Anim Sci 2018; 96:4186-4194. [PMID: 30184108 DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a major driver of prenatal growth and involved in programming of postnatal performance. We therefore determined placental and embryo-fetal ultrasonographic parameters in early pregnancy and their relationships with birth weight and postnatal weights in a Bos indicus-Bos taurus composite beef cattle population. Pregnancies were generated in 2-yr-old Droughtmaster heifers by artificial insemination after estrus synchronization in 2 consecutive years (2009, n = 36 and 2010, n = 57), with a subset of 2010 heifers used again as lactating 3-yr-old cows in 2011 (n = 24). Each cohort was managed as 1 contemporary group for measurements of Corpus luteum diameter, amnion length and width, placentome width and thickness, and embryo-fetal crown-rump length, at 7 and 8 wk of gestation. This was followed by recordings of birth weight, branding weight at 5 to 6 mo of age and weaning weight 2 mo later. At a significance threshold of P < 0.05, placentome thickness at week 7 was negatively correlated with weights at birth (r = -0.23), branding (r = -0.25), and weaning (r = -0.35), whereas placentome width at week 7 (r = 0.24) and thickness at week 8 (r = 0.29) were positively correlated with birth weight. Thicker placentomes in males at week 7 (7%) difference mirrored sex differences in weights at birth (7%), branding (10%), and weaning (6%). The sex difference trend for birth weight was not consistent across sire-year combinations, ranging from -3.2 to +4.7 kg (birth weight of males - females per sire). These results support the hypothesis that placental parameters at the transition from embryo to fetal stage are major predictors of fetal and postnatal growth, albeit with significant environmentally induced plasticity, in stabilized B. indicus-B. taurus composite populations, and suggest that elements of B. indicus-B. taurus reciprocal differences in birth weight persist in composite populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Burns
- Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Stefan Hiendleder
- Robinson Research Institute, North Adelaide, SA, Australia.,JS Davies Epigenetics and Genetics Group, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Alan R Laing
- Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ayr, Qld, Australia
| | - Geoffry Fordyce
- Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Andy D Herring
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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Stanford KI, Rasmussen M, Baer LA, Lehnig AC, Rowland LA, White JD, So K, De Sousa-Coelho AL, Hirshman MF, Patti ME, Rando OJ, Goodyear LJ. Paternal Exercise Improves Glucose Metabolism in Adult Offspring. Diabetes 2018; 67:2530-2540. [PMID: 30344184 PMCID: PMC6245224 DOI: 10.2337/db18-0667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Poor paternal diet has emerged as a risk factor for metabolic disease in offspring, and alterations in sperm may be a major mechanism mediating these detrimental effects of diet. Although exercise in the general population is known to improve health, the effects of paternal exercise on sperm and offspring metabolic health are largely unknown. Here, we studied 7-week-old C57BL/6 male mice fed a chow or high-fat diet and housed either in static cages (sedentary) or cages with attached running wheels (exercise trained). After 3 weeks, one cohort of males was sacrificed and cauda sperm obtained, while the other cohort was bred with chow-fed sedentary C57BL/6 females. Offspring were chow fed, sedentary, and studied during the first year of life. We found that high-fat feeding of sires impairs glucose tolerance and increases the percentage of fat mass in both male and female offspring at 52 weeks of age. Strikingly, paternal exercise suppresses the effects of paternal high-fat diet on offspring, reversing the observed impairment in glucose tolerance, percentage of fat mass, and glucose uptake in skeletal muscles of the offspring. These changes in offspring phenotype are accompanied by changes in sperm physiology, as, for example, high-fat feeding results in decreased sperm motility, an effect normalized in males subject to exercise training. Deep sequencing of sperm reveals pronounced effects of exercise training on multiple classes of small RNAs, as multiple changes to the sperm RNA payload observed in animals consuming a high-fat diet are suppressed by exercise training. Thus, voluntary exercise training of male mice results in pronounced improvements in the metabolic health of adult male and female offspring. We provide the first in-depth analysis of small RNAs in sperm from exercise-trained males, revealing a marked change in the levels of multiple small RNAs with the potential to alter phenotypes in the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin I Stanford
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
| | - Morten Rasmussen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Lisa A Baer
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
| | - Adam C Lehnig
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
| | - Leslie A Rowland
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Joseph D White
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
| | - Kawai So
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA
| | | | - Michael F Hirshman
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA
| | - Mary-Elizabeth Patti
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Oliver J Rando
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Laurie J Goodyear
- Section on Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Krog CH, Agerholm JS, Nielsen SS. Fetal age assessment for Holstein cattle. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207682. [PMID: 30452469 PMCID: PMC6242369 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although transport and slaughter of cattle during the last 10% of the gestation period is prohibited in the European Union, such cattle are sometimes sent for slaughter. The late term pregnancy is usually not recognized by the authorities until the uterus is inspected after slaughter and a near term fetus is observed. Accurate post mortem determination of age of bovine fetuses is therefore of major importance as evidence for the subsequent prosecution of the owner. Fetometric measurements such as crown-rump length (CRL) have been used, but these existing estimators have often been established based on insufficiently described study populations or phenotypes that may have changed in the past decades. Morphological characteristics are also used, but few data are available on the correlation between fetal age and the development of these characteristics. The objectives of this study were to investigate the correlation between fetal age and morphological features of bovine Holstein fetuses and to evaluate the use of these features alone and in combination with fetometric measurements to predict fetal age. We collected fetuses from 274 pregnant Holstein cows with recorded insemination dates slaughtered at a Danish abattoir. Gender, teeth development, occurrence of pigmentation, coat, tactile hair and other morphological features were recorded along with CRL, head width, head length and body weight (BW). The gestational length was calculated based on recorded insemination and slaughter dates, and coefficients of variation (R2) were determined for all recorded variables. Notably, the highest R2 was recorded for head length (0.985) followed by CRL (0.979) and head width (0.974). The categorical (morphological) variables were less informative. When used in multivariable models, they did offer statistically significance, but for practical purposes, limited additional information. A multivariable model including the fetometric variables head length and width in combination with CRL resulted in R2 = 0.99 with predictions that were roughly within +/- 11-12 days in 95% of cases. We conclude that the model based on the fetometric variables only provided the most precise predictions, while combination with morphological features such as eruption of teeth, pigmentation and coat mostly increased the width of the prediction intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Hessel Krog
- Section for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Steen Agerholm
- Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Søren Saxmose Nielsen
- Section for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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41
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Vailes MT, McCoski SR, Wooldridge LK, Reese ST, Pohler KG, Roper DA, Mercadante VR, Ealy AD. Post-transfer outcomes in cultured bovine embryos supplemented with epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 2, and insulin-like growth factor 1. Theriogenology 2018; 124:1-8. [PMID: 30317067 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
This work examined the downstream fetal and placental outcomes of introducing a cocktail of uterine-derived growth factors during bovine embryo culture. Abattoir-derived bovine oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro. On day 4 post-fertilization, ≥ 8-cell embryos were harvested, pooled and exposed to an embryokine mix, termed EFI, which contained recombinant human epidermal growth factor (10 ng/ml), bovine fibroblast growth factor-2 (10 ng/ml) and human insulin-like growth factor 1 (50 ng/ml) or to a carrier-only control treatment (CON). On day 7, individual, transfer-quality embryos were transferred to recipients. Timed ovulation was completed in mature, non-suckled commercial beef cows. Cows either were artificial inseminated (AI) or received an embryo (ET) on day 7 post-estrus (n = 23-31 cows/treatment over 4 replicate studies). The percentage of grade 1 and 2 morulae and blastocysts was greater (P < 0.05) for EFI-treated embryos than CON. The percentage of pregnant cows diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography did not differ among the AI and ET groups on days 28, 42 and 56 post-estrus. There also were no differences in the ratio of male to female fetuses determined on day 60 post-estrus by transrectal ultrasonography. On day 21 post-estrus, the relative abundance of three interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) transcripts in peripheral leukocytes were not different based on AI/ET group or the sex of the conceptus. Circulating pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentrations differed (P < 0.05) among days. Also, a difference in PAG concentrations (P < 0.05) were detected between male and female pregnancies in the CON-ET group but not in the AI or EFI-ET groups. Crown-rump length was not affected by AI/ET group on day 42 but were less (P < 0.05) in the CON and EFI-ET groups than the AI group on day 56. These findings implicate EFI supplementation as a means for improving transferable embryo production in a bovine IVP system, but it is not clear if this treatment improves embryo competency after ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- McCauley T Vailes
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sarah R McCoski
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Lydia K Wooldridge
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sydney T Reese
- Department of Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ky G Pohler
- Department of Animal Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - David A Roper
- Department of Animal Sciences & Veterinary Technology, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX, USA
| | - Vitor R Mercadante
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Alan D Ealy
- Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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Duranthon V, Chavatte-Palmer P. Long term effects of ART: What do animals tell us? Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:348-368. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Siqueira LG, Tribulo P, Chen Z, Denicol AC, Ortega MS, Negrón-Pérez VM, Kannampuzha-Francis J, Pohler KG, Rivera RM, Hansen PJ. Colony-stimulating factor 2 acts from days 5 to 7 of development to modify programming of the bovine conceptus at day 86 of gestation†. Biol Reprod 2018; 96:743-757. [PMID: 28379294 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) is an embryokine that improves competence of the embryo to establish pregnancy and which may participate in developmental programming. We tested whether culture of bovine embryos with CSF2 alters fetal development and alleviates abnormalities associated with in vitro production (IVP) of embryos. Pregnancies were established by artificial insemination (AI), transfer of an IVP embryo (IVP), or transfer of an IVP embryo treated with 10 ng/ml CSF2 from day 5 to 7 of development (CSF2). Pregnancies were produced using X-sorted semen. Female singleton conceptuses were collected on day 86 of gestation. There were few morphological differences between groups, although IVP and CSF2 fetuses were heavier than AI fetuses. Bicarbonate concentration in allantoic fluid was lower for IVP than for AI or CSF2. Expression of 92 genes in liver, placenta, and muscle was determined. The general pattern for liver and placenta was for IVP to alter expression and for CSF2 to sometimes reverse this effect. For muscle, CSF2 affected gene expression but did not generally reverse effects of IVP. Levels of methylation for each of the three tissues at 12 loci in the promoter of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and five in the promoter of growth factor receptor bound protein 10 were unaffected by treatment except for CSF2 effects on two CpG for IGF2 in placenta and muscle. In conclusion, CSF2 can act as a developmental programming agent but alone is not able to abolish the adverse effects of IVP on fetal characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz G Siqueira
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paula Tribulo
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Zhiyuan Chen
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Anna C Denicol
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - M Sofia Ortega
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Veronica M Negrón-Pérez
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Jasmine Kannampuzha-Francis
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Ky G Pohler
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rocio M Rivera
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Valenzuela OA, Couturier-Tarrade A, Choi YH, Aubrière MC, Ritthaler J, Chavatte-Palmer P, Hinrichs K. Impact of equine assisted reproductive technologies (standard embryo transfer or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with in vitro culture and embryo transfer) on placenta and foal morphometry and placental gene expression. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 30:371-379. [DOI: 10.1071/rd16536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro embryo culture and embryo transfer (ET) may be associated with alterations in fetal and placental development. In horses, ET has been used for decades. More recently, in vitro embryo production by ICSI and in vitro culture, followed by embryo transfer (ICSI-C) has become an accepted method for clinical foal production. However, no information is available on the effects of ICSI-C or even of standard ET itself on placental and neonatal parameters in horses. We therefore evaluated placental and neonatal morphology and placental gene expression in reining- and cutting-type American Quarter Horse foals produced using different technologies. Thirty foals and placentas (naturally conceived (NC), ET and ICSI-C; 10 in each group) were examined morphometrically. The only parameter that differed significantly between groups was the length of the foal upper hindlimb, which was longer in ET and ICSI-C than in NC foals. Evaluation of placental mRNA expression for 17 genes related to growth and vascularisation showed no difference in gene expression between groups. These data indicate that within this population, use of ARTs was not associated with meaningful changes in foal or placental morphometry or in expression of the placental genes evaluated.
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Toledo MZ, Baez GM, Garcia-Guerra A, Lobos NE, Guenther JN, Trevisol E, Luchini D, Shaver RD, Wiltbank MC. Effect of feeding rumen-protected methionine on productive and reproductive performance of dairy cows. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189117. [PMID: 29261700 PMCID: PMC5738048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of daily top-dressing (individually feeding on the top of the total mixed ration) with rumen-protected methionine (RPM) from 30 ± 3 until 126 ± 3 Days in milk on productive and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows. A total of 309 lactating dairy Holstein cows (138 primiparous and 171 multiparous) were randomly assigned to treatment diets containing either RPM (21.2 g of RPM + 38.8 g of dried distillers grain; 2.34% Methionine [Met] of metabolizable protein [MP]) or Control (CON; 60 g of dried distillers grain; 1.87% Met of MP). Plasma amino acids were evaluated at the time of artificial insemination (AI) and near pregnancy diagnosis. Milk production and milk composition were evaluated monthly. Pregnancy was diagnosed on Day 28 (by Pregnancy-specific protein B [PSPB]), 32, 47, and 61 (by ultrasound) and sizes of embryonic and amniotic vesicle were determined by ultrasound on Day 33 after AI. Feeding RPM increased plasma Met at 6, 9, 12, and 18 hours after top-dressing with a peak at 12 hours (52.4 vs 26.0 μM; P < 0.001) and returned to basal by 24 hours. Cows fed RPM had a small increase in milk protein percentage (3.08 vs 3.00%; P = 0.04) with no differences on milk yield and milk protein yield. Additionally, in multiparous cows, RPM feeding increased milk protein (3.03 vs 2.95%; P = 0.05) and fat (3.45 vs 3.14%; P = 0.01) percentages, although no effects were observed in primiparous cows. In multiparous cows fed RPM, pregnancy loss was lower between Days 28 to 61 (19.6 [10/51] vs. 6.1% [3/49]; P = 0.03) or between Days 32 to 61 (8.9 [4/45] vs. 0 [0/0] %; P = 0.03), although, there was no effect of treatment on pregnancy loss in primiparous cows. Consistent with data on pregnancy loss, RPM feeding increased embryonic abdominal diameter (P = 0.01) and volume (P = 0.009) and amniotic vesicle volume (P = 0.04) on Day 33 of pregnancy in multiparous cows but had no effect on embryonic size in primiparous cows. Thus, the increase in plasma Met concentrations after feeding RPM was sufficient to produce a small increase in milk protein percentage and to improve embryonic size and pregnancy maintenance in multiparous cows. Further studies are needed to confirm these responses and understand the biological mechanisms that underlie these responses as well as the timing and concentrations of circulating Met that are needed to produce this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Z. Toledo
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, Unites States of America
| | - Giovanni M. Baez
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, Unites States of America
| | - Alvaro Garcia-Guerra
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, Unites States of America
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Nelson E. Lobos
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, Unites States of America
| | - Jerry N. Guenther
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, Unites States of America
| | - Eduardo Trevisol
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, Unites States of America
| | - Daniel Luchini
- Adisseo USA Inc., Alpharetta, Georgia, Unites States of America
| | - Randy D. Shaver
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, Unites States of America
| | - Milo C. Wiltbank
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, Unites States of America
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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46
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Bartolac LK, Lowe JL, Koustas G, Grupen CG, Sjöblom C. Vitrification, not cryoprotectant exposure, alters the expression of developmentally important genes in in vitro produced porcine blastocysts. Cryobiology 2017; 80:70-76. [PMID: 29221996 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The vitrification of embryos is common practice in advanced livestock breeding programs and in human fertility clinics. Recent studies have revealed that vitrification results in aberrant expression of a number of stress related genes. However, few studies have examined the effect that vitrification has on developmentally important genes, and none have been conducted in porcine embryos. The aim of this study was to determine the effects that different vitrification procedures and cryoprotectant combinations have on the expression of imprinted genes in in vitro produced (IVP) porcine blastocysts. The transcript levels of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) were lower in all groups of vitrified blastocysts compared to that in non-vitrified control blastocysts (P < 0.05). Expression levels of IGF2 and IGF2 receptor (IGF2R) in blastocysts that had been exposed to cryoprotectants without being vitrified were similar to that in non-vitrified control blastocysts (P > 0.05). Furthermore, blastocysts vitrified using ethylene glycol and propanediol combined, and those vitrified in a closed device, had IGF2R transcript levels similar to that in non-vitrified control blastocysts (P > 0.05). In conclusion, vitrification, but not exposure to cryoprotectants, caused aberrant expression of the imprinted genes IGF2 and IGF2R. Vitrification protocols that incorporated propanediol or a closed device were found to be least disruptive of gene expression in IVP porcine blastocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise K Bartolac
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia; Westmead Fertility Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Jenna L Lowe
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
| | - George Koustas
- Westmead Fertility Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Christopher G Grupen
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
| | - Cecilia Sjöblom
- Westmead Fertility Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
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47
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Cordova A, King WA, Mastromonaco GF. Choosing a culture medium for SCNT and iSCNT reconstructed embryos: from domestic to wildlife species. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2017; 59:24. [PMID: 29152322 PMCID: PMC5680814 DOI: 10.1186/s40781-017-0149-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decades, in vitro culture media have been developed to successfully support IVF embryo growth in a variety of species. Advanced reproductive technologies, such as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), challenge us with a new type of embryo, with special nutritional requirements and altered physiology under in vitro conditions. Numerous studies have successfully reconstructed cloned embryos of domestic animals for biomedical research and livestock production. However, studies evaluating suitable culture conditions for SCNT embryos in wildlife species are scarce (for both intra- and interspecies SCNT). Most of the existing studies derive from previous IVF work done in conventional domestic species. Extrapolation to non-domestic species presents significant challenges since we lack information on reproductive processes and embryo development in most wildlife species. Given the challenges in adapting culture media and conditions from IVF to SCNT embryos, developmental competence of SCNT embryos remains low. This review summarizes research efforts to tailor culture media to SCNT embryos and explore the different outcomes in diverse species. It will also consider how these culture media protocols have been extrapolated to wildlife species, most particularly using SCNT as a cutting-edge technical resource to assist in the preservation of endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cordova
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Canada.,Reproductive Physiology, Toronto Zoo, Scarborough, Ontario Canada
| | - W A King
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Canada
| | - G F Mastromonaco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Canada.,Reproductive Physiology, Toronto Zoo, Scarborough, Ontario Canada
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48
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Estrella CAS, Kind KL, Derks A, Xiang R, Faulkner N, Mohrdick M, Fitzsimmons C, Kruk Z, Grutzner F, Roberts CT, Hiendleder S. Remodelling of the bovine placenta: Comprehensive morphological and histomorphological characterization at the late embryonic and early accelerated fetal growth stages. Placenta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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49
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Lucas ES, Watkins AJ. The Long-Term Effects of the Periconceptional Period on Embryo Epigenetic Profile and Phenotype; The Paternal Role and His Contribution, and How Males Can Affect Offspring's Phenotype/Epigenetic Profile. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1014:137-154. [PMID: 28864989 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-62414-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The number of adults afflicted with heart disease, obesity and diabetes, central components of metabolic disorder, has grown rapidly in recent decades, affecting up to one quarter of the world's population. Typically, these diseases are attributed to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking. However, studies have now identified strong associations between patterns of growth during foetal and neonatal life and an increase predisposition towards developing heart disease, obesity and diabetes in adult life. While the connection between a mother's diet and the long-term health of her offspring has been studied in great detail, our understanding of whether offspring health might be affected by a father's diet remains limited. Greater insight into the impact that paternal nutrition has on sperm quality, epigenetic status and potential offspring programming mechanisms is needed to redress this parental-programming knowledge imbalance. Disturbances in paternal reproductive epigenetic status represents one key mechanism linking paternal diet with the programing of offspring development and adult health, as many enzymatic processes involved in epigenetic regulation use metabolic intermediates to modify DNA and histones. Here, poor paternal nutrition could result in perturbed sperm and testicular epigenetic status, impacting on post-fertilisation gene transcriptional regulation and protein expression in offspring tissues, resulting in increased incidences of metabolic disorder in adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma S Lucas
- Division of Reproductive Health, Clinical Science Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Adam J Watkins
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
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50
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Gerger RPC, Zago FC, Ribeiro ES, Gaudencio Neto S, Martins LT, Aguiar LH, Rodrigues VHV, Furlan FH, Ortigari I, Sainz RD, Ferrell CL, Miglino MA, Ambrósio CE, Rodrigues JL, Rossetto R, Forell F, Bertolini LR, Bertolini M. Morphometric developmental pattern of bovine handmade cloned concepti in late pregnancy. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 29:950-967. [DOI: 10.1071/rd15215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cloning procedures often interfere with conceptus growth and life ex utero, in a set of symptoms known as abnormal offspring syndrome (AOS). The aim of the present study was to compare the developmental pattern of in vivo-derived (IVD), IVF-derived and handmade cloning-derived (NT-HMC) Day 225 bovine concepti using established procedures. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on Day 30 following blastocyst transfer on Day 7. Conceptus morphometry was assessed by ultrasonography on Day 51, and on Day 225 pregnant cows were killed for morphological examination of concepti. Pregnancy outcome was similar between groups, with greater pregnancy losses in the first trimester (70.6%) and smaller fetuses on Day 51 in the NT-HMC group than in the IVD (14.3%) and IVF (20.0%) groups. However, NT-HMC-derived concepti were twofold larger on Day 225 of gestation than controls. A higher frequency (63.5%) of placentomes larger than the largest in the IVD group was observed in the NT-HMC group, which may be relevant to placental function. Conceptus traits in the IVF group were similar to the IVD controls, with only slight changes in placentome types. Morphological changes in cloned concepti likely affected placental function and metabolism, disrupting the placental constraining mechanism on fetal growth in mid- to late pregnancy.
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