Follicular structures of cows with cystic ovarian disease present altered expression of cytokines

IL-6/IL-10 and IL-1β/IL-4 ratios associated with poor ovarian response in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization

The aim of this work was to evaluate whether serum cytokines levels are associated with ovarian response in IVF. 149 patients were included in a retrospective study. Cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL- 6, IL-8, IL-10, VEGF, IFNγ, TNFα, IL-1α, IL-1β, MCP-1 and EGF were measured by sandwich immunoassay previously to ovarian stimulation. Performing hierarchical cluster analysis, we observed that the antral follicle count, the total oocytes recovered and the MII recovered are grouped in the same cluster as the cytokines IL-2-4-6-10-1α-1β, IFNγ y TNFα. Then, we found that the ratio between IL and 6 and IL-10 was higher in low responder women (2.15 versus 1.55; p = 0.035). If we establish 0.9 as a cut-off for the IL-6/IL-10, we observed that above this value the risk of having a low response to ovarian stimulation was more than 3 times greater than below this value (22.9 % versus 6.0 %; p = 0.007). Also, the ratio IL-1β/IL-4 was higher in patients with normal or suboptimal response (0.62 versus 0.34; p = 0.034) and any patient with low response had a value greater than 0.7 (p = 0.003). As a conclusion, the IL-6/IL-10 and IL-1β/IL-4 ratios showed differences between normoresponder women and patients with low ovarian response.

Effect of precalving body condition score on insulin signaling and hepatic inflammatory state in grazing dairy cattle

During postpartum, high-production dairy cows show a temporary period of insulin resistance, during which glucose uptake by peripheral tissues is reduced to prioritize milk production. However, this can further increase their negative energy balance by compromising liver function, especially in cows with excessive body condition score (BCS) and a pro-inflammatory state. Based on this, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatic expression of proteins of the insulin signaling pathway (PI3K) and of the cytokines TNFα, IL-6 and NF-κB, as well as the plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, triglycerides (TAG), insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin sensitivity indexes, and the hepatic content of TAG during the transition period in cows with different BCS. Sixteen Holstein cows were selected 14 days before the expecting calving date and classified into 2 groups: low BCS (LBCS) ≤ 3.25 (n = 9) and high BCS (HBCS) ≥ 3.5 (n = 7). Blood and liver samples were obtained 14 (±3) days before the expected calving date and 4 (±3), 14 (±3) and 28 (±3) days after calving. The concentration of NEFA was higher in the HBCS group than in the LBCS group. Glucose concentration showed an interaction effect, with a greater concentration on day 28 in HBCS. Insulin concentration showed no changes. While the pAkt/total Akt ratio was lower in the HBCS group, the TNFα protein expression was higher only on day 4 postcalving in the HBCS group. In agreement with these results, the insulin sensitivity indexes RQUICKI and RQUICKI_BHBA were lower in the HCBS group. The results suggest an insulin resistance and a pro-inflammatory state in the liver of cows with HBCS.

Cystic ovary disease impairs transport speed, smooth muscle contraction, and epithelial ion transport in the bovine oviduct

Cystic ovary disease (COD) is a common cause of bovine infertility but the impact of this disease on the oviduct is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of COD on particle transport speed (PTS), ciliary beat frequency, myosalpinx contraction, and epithelial ion transport. Oviducts were obtained from cows affected by COD and compared with those of healthy, mid-diestrus cows. PTS and CBF were examined using live-cell imaging. Smooth muscle contraction and epithelial ion transport were investigated using organ baths and Ussing chambers. Our results showed that muscarinic receptors are involved in cholinergic signaling in the oviduct and that forskolin-induced cyclic AMP production is involved in active ion transport in the oviductal epithelium. Oviducts from cows with luteal cysts revealed significantly decreased PTS (p = 0.02). Further to that, in the oviducts of COD cows, the cholinergic regulation of smooth muscle contractions and active epithelial ion transport were significantly diminished (p < 0.0001). These results imply that in COD cows, oviductal transport is compromised by decreased fluid flow speed and reduced cholinergic regulation of smooth muscle contraction and ion transport. This knowledge contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of COD supporting the development of novel therapeutic concepts for infertility treatment.

Ovarian cysts, an anovulatory condition in dairy cattle

Ovarian cysts are one of the most common ovarian dysfunctions in dairy cattle, which can lead to a considerable economic loss through its high incidence and can reduce the reproductive performance. Anestrus is the most significant clinical sign observed in dairy cattle suffering from this condition. For diagnosis, most of the veterinarians use a combination of methods, from ultrasonography as an additional approach to trans-rectal palpation and symptomatology when assessing ovarian cysts. Although the Ovsynch treatment seems to be preferred, the pregnancy rate after this treatment is relatively low. Despite such reports on dairy cattle ovarian cysts, the data is insufficient to validate all the characteristics of this condition. This review summarizes what the literature has so far provided from definition to treatment of ovarian cysts in dairy cattle.