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Thomson EE, Beltman ME, Crowe MA, McAloon CG, Furlong JG, Duane MM, Brennan JPN, McDonald MM, Kelly ET. Association between maternal growth in the pre-conception and early gestational period of nulliparous dairy heifers with anti-Müllerian hormone in their female offspring. Reprod Domest Anim 2024; 59:e14498. [PMID: 37902253 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is secreted by granulosa cells of healthy, growing follicles and is positively correlated with the ovarian reserve. Maternal and environmental factors, such as nutrition, disease, parity and endocrine disruptors, are thought to have a profound impact on ovarian reserve development during early foetal life. For genetic progress, it can be advantageous to breed dairy replacements from heifers to expedite the generation interval; however, there is some evidence that nulliparous animals produce female offspring with smaller ovarian reserves compared with multiparous animals. The objective of this prospective, observational study was to determine whether maternal growth in the pre-conception and early gestational period of nulliparous dairy heifers is associated with pre-weaning AMH concentrations in their female offspring. Our hypothesis was that excessive growth in this period would negatively impact AMH concentrations. Seasonal, pasture-based dairy heifer calves (n = 156) born from nulliparous dams, from six Irish farms, were blood sampled at an average of 60 days of age in spring 2022 and tested for AMH. Mixed-effects linear regression models were constructed with Box-Cox transformed AMH concentration as the dependent variable. The independent variables tested included maternal average daily gain (ADG) from pre-breeding examination (PBE) to pregnancy diagnosis (PD) between 30 and 60 days in calf (DIC), ADG from PBE to PD over 60 DIC and ADG between the two PDs. Calf breed and age at sampling were forced into the models, and the farm was treated as a random effect in all models. We found that as ADG increased from the pre-breeding period to their first PD visit, the AMH concentration in their offspring reduced. However, ADG explained only a small amount of the variation in AMH concentrations (marginal R2 = 0.041). In conclusion, the results of our study suggest that excessive growth prior to conception and in early gestation of nulliparous heifers could impact the ovarian reserve of their female offspring, and may imply that farmers should avoid excessive growth in the immediate pre-breeding and early gestational periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilidh E Thomson
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | - Marijke E Beltman
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | - Mark A Crowe
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | - Conor G McAloon
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | - John G Furlong
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | - Mary M Duane
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | - Jane P N Brennan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | | | - Emmet T Kelly
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
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Mueller ML, McNabb BR, Owen JR, Hennig SL, Ledesma AV, Angove ML, Conley AJ, Ross PJ, Van Eenennaam AL. Germline ablation achieved via CRISPR/Cas9 targeting of NANOS3 in bovine zygotes. Front Genome Ed 2023; 5:1321243. [PMID: 38089499 PMCID: PMC10711618 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1321243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
NANOS3 is expressed in migrating primordial germ cells (PGCs) to protect them from apoptosis, and it is known to be a critical factor for germline development of both sexes in several organisms. However, to date, live NANOS3 knockout (KO) cattle have not been reported, and the specific role of NANOS3 in male cattle, or bulls, remains unexplored. This study generated NANOS3 KO cattle via cytoplasmic microinjection of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in vitro produced bovine zygotes and evaluated the effect of NANOS3 elimination on bovine germline development, from fetal development through reproductive age. The co-injection of two selected guide RNA (gRNA)/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes (i.e., dual gRNA approach) at 6 h post fertilization achieved a high NANOS3 KO rate in developing embryos. Subsequent embryo transfers resulted in a 31% (n = 8/26) pregnancy rate. A 75% (n = 6/8) total KO rate (i.e., 100% of alleles present contained complete loss-of-function mutations) was achieved with the dual gRNA editing approach. In NANOS3 KO fetal testes, PGCs were found to be completely eliminated by 41-day of fetal age. Importantly, despite the absence of germ cells, seminiferous tubule development was not impaired in NANOS3 KO bovine testes during fetal, perinatal, and adult stages. Moreover, a live, NANOS3 KO, germline-ablated bull was produced and at sexual maturity he exhibited normal libido, an anatomically normal reproductive tract, and intact somatic gonadal development and structure. Additionally, a live, NANOS3 KO, germline-ablated heifer was produced. However, it was evident that the absence of germ cells in NANOS3 KO cattle compromised the normalcy of ovarian development to a greater extent than it did testes development. The meat composition of NANOS3 KO cattle was unremarkable. Overall, this study demonstrated that the absence of NANOS3 in cattle leads to the specific deficiency of both male and female germ cells, suggesting the potential of NANOS3 KO cattle to act as hosts for donor-derived exogenous germ cell production in both sexes. These findings contribute to the understanding of NANOS3 function in cattle and have valuable implications for the development of novel breeding technologies using germline complementation in NANOS3 KO germline-ablated hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maci L. Mueller
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Bret R. McNabb
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Joseph R. Owen
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Sadie L. Hennig
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Alba V. Ledesma
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mitchell L. Angove
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Alan J. Conley
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Pablo J. Ross
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Gómez-Redondo I, Planells B, Navarrete P, Gutiérrez-Adán A. Role of Alternative Splicing in Sex Determination in Vertebrates. Sex Dev 2021; 15:381-391. [PMID: 34583366 DOI: 10.1159/000519218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
During the process of sex determination, a germ-cell-containing undifferentiated gonad is converted into either a male or a female reproductive organ. Both the composition of sex chromosomes and the environment determine sex in vertebrates. It is assumed that transcription level regulation drives this cascade of mechanisms; however, transcription factors can alter gene expression beyond transcription initiation by controlling pre-mRNA splicing and thereby mRNA isoform production. Using the key time window in sex determination and gonad development in mice, it has been reported that new non-transcriptional events, such as alternative splicing, could play a key role in sex determination in mammals. We know the role of key regulatory factors, like WT1(+/-KTS) or FGFR2(b/c) in pre-mRNA splicing and sex determination, indicating that important steps in the vertebrate sex determination process probably operate at a post-transcriptional level. Here, we discuss the role of pre-mRNA splicing regulators in sex determination in vertebrates, focusing on the new RNA-seq data reported from mice fetal gonadal transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamín Planells
- Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, Madrid, Spain.,School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Sánchez JM, Gómez-Redondo I, Browne JA, Planells B, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Lonergan P. MicroRNAs in amniotic fluid and maternal blood plasma associated with sex determination and early gonad differentiation in cattle†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:345-358. [PMID: 33889937 PMCID: PMC8335352 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab079] [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] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We hypothesized that sexually dimorphic differences exist in the expression of miRNAs in amniotic fluid (AF) and maternal blood plasma (MP) in association with the process of sex determination and gonad differentiation in cattle. Amniotic fluid and MP were collected from six pregnant heifers (three carrying a single male and three a single female embryo) following slaughter on Day 39 postinsemination, coinciding with the peak of SRY expression. Samples (six AF and six MP) were profiled using an miRNA Serum/Plasma Focus PCR Panel. Differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified in AF (n = 5) and associated MP (n = 56) of male vs. female embryos (P < 0.05). Functional analysis showed that inflammatory and immune response were among the 13 biological processes enriched by miRNAs DE in MP in the male group (FDR < 0.05), suggesting that these sex-dependent DE miRNAs may be implicated in modulating the receptivity of the dam to a male embryo. Further, we compared the downstream targets of the sex-dependent DE miRNAs detected in MP with genes previously identified as DE in male vs. female genital ridges. The analyses revealed potential targets that might be important during this developmental stage such as SHROOM2, DDX3Y, SOX9, SRY, PPP1CB, JARID2, USP9X, KDM6A, and EIF2S3. Results from this study highlight novel aspects of sex determination and embryo–maternal communication in cattle such as the potential role of miRNAs in gonad development as well as in the modulation of the receptivity of the dam to a male embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Sánchez
- Animal and Crops Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.,Departamento de Reproducción Animal, INIA, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - John A Browne
- Animal and Crops Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | | | | | - Pat Lonergan
- Animal and Crops Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Gómez-Redondo I, Planells B, Cánovas S, Ivanova E, Kelsey G, Gutiérrez-Adán A. Genome-wide DNA methylation dynamics during epigenetic reprogramming in the porcine germline. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:27. [PMID: 33536045 PMCID: PMC7860200 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01003-x] [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] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prior work in mice has shown that some retrotransposed elements remain substantially methylated during DNA methylation reprogramming of germ cells. In the pig, however, information about this process is scarce. The present study was designed to examine the methylation profiles of porcine germ cells during the time course of epigenetic reprogramming. Results Sows were artificially inseminated, and their fetuses were collected 28, 32, 36, 39, and 42 days later. At each time point, genital ridges were dissected from the mesonephros and germ cells were isolated through magnetic-activated cell sorting using an anti-SSEA-1 antibody, and recovered germ cells were subjected to whole-genome bisulphite sequencing. Methylation levels were quantified using SeqMonk software by performing an unbiased analysis, and persistently methylated regions (PMRs) in each sex were determined to extract those regions showing 50% or more methylation. Most genomic elements underwent a dramatic loss of methylation from day 28 to day 36, when the lowest levels were shown. By day 42, there was evidence for the initiation of genomic re-methylation. We identified a total of 1456 and 1122 PMRs in male and female germ cells, respectively, and large numbers of transposable elements (SINEs, LINEs, and LTRs) were found to be located within these PMRs. Twenty-one percent of the introns located in these PMRs were found to be the first introns of a gene, suggesting their regulatory role in the expression of these genes. Interestingly, most of the identified PMRs were demethylated at the blastocyst stage. Conclusions Our findings indicate that methylation reprogramming in pig germ cells follows the general dynamics shown in mice and human, unveiling genomic elements that behave differently between male and female germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sebastián Cánovas
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, Murcia, Spain.,Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria, IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU, Murcia, Spain
| | - Elena Ivanova
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Gonadal development and sex determination in mouse. Reprod Biol 2020; 20:115-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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