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Liu Q, Zhang M, Guo T, Wu S, Zong Y, Xu C, Zhu Z, Zhang Y, Cao Z. Expression Profiling of Circular RNAs in Early Pregnant Jianghuai Buffaloes. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202748. [PMID: 36290133 PMCID: PMC9597768 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary CircRNA transcriptome sequencing technology is widely used in the study of germ-line stem cell proliferation and differentiation and early embryonic development, but the research on early pregnancy diagnosis in female animals is still in the preliminary stage, and the specific regulatory mechanism has not been reported. Here, we identified numerous differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) in the venous blood of the distinctive local breed of Chinese Jianghuai buffalo. Analysis of the enrichment showed that DECs were mainly enriched in the epidermal growth factor receptor-signaling pathway that is important for embryonic development and pregnancy maintenance. These findings have provided a better understanding of buffalo pregnancy establishment and a potential basis for improving early pregnancy diagnosis techniques in buffalo. Abstract Circular RNA (circRNA) is expressed in cells and tissues of several species. However, the expression of circRNAs in the blood of Jianghuai buffaloes during early pregnancy has not been reported. In this study, we identified the DECs in the blood of Jianghuai buffaloes and annotated the functions of these DECs. The results showed that there were 890 DECs between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, of which more than 80% were exon-derived circRNAs, including 323 up-regulated circRNAs and 567 down-regulated circRNAs. Enrichment analysis revealed that DECs were mainly enriched in the epidermal growth factor receptor-signaling pathway important for embryonic development and pregnancy maintenance. In addition, most DECs have multiple miRNA targets, suggesting that these DECs have the potential to function as miRNA sponges. In conclusion, several DECs are present between pregnant and non-pregnant Jianghuai buffaloes, and these DECs are associated with embryo implantation and pregnancy establishment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuchen Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Mengya Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Tenglong Guo
- Department of Animal Engineering, Huaian Bioengineering Vocational College, Huaian 223001, China
| | - Sucheng Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yanfeng Zong
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Changzhi Xu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zhihua Zhu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yunhai Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (Z.C.); Tel.: +86-551-6578-6537 (Y.Z. & Z.C.)
| | - Zubing Cao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (Z.C.); Tel.: +86-551-6578-6537 (Y.Z. & Z.C.)
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Annandale A, Fosgate GT, Eksteen CA, Kremer WDJ, Bok HGJ, Holm DE. Electromyographic Analysis of Muscle Activation Patterns During Bovine Transrectal Palpation and the Development of the Bovine Pregnancy Diagnosis Improvement Exercise Program. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EDUCATION 2021; 48:686-697. [PMID: 33657330 DOI: 10.3138/jvme-2020-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The unusual and tiring physical activity of bovine transrectal palpation (TRP) requires a novel approach to improve students' TRP and pregnancy diagnosis (PD) skills. It has been shown that students who participated in an exercise program and students who had a grip strength (GS) of more than 30 kilograms performed better in bovine PDs. Participation in the exercise program increased students' sensitivity (ability to identify pregnant cows) but did not increase total arm muscle strength. To identify which muscles are used during TRPs and to improve the exercise program, an electromyographic (EMG) analysis was used to identify muscle activation patterns and muscle activity levels during bovine TRPs. Eight subject matter experts (SMEs) each palpated two live cows and one Breed'n Betsy® rectal examination simulator while an EMG Triggered Stimulator recorded muscle activity. Muscle activation was higher for forearm muscles compared with all other examined muscle groups (p < .001); was higher during retraction of the uterus and palpation of left and right uterine horn, compared with palpation of cervix, uterine body, left ovary, and right ovary (p < .001); and showed an endurance pattern. Findings have been used to modify the previously developed exercise program in effort to improve students' TRP and PD skills. The Bovine PD Improvement Exercise Program is available to students through an online application (http://icarus.up.ac.za/vetmlp/) and aims to not only improve GS and TRP accuracy but also stamina and well-being while adding fun to busy study schedules.
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Annandale A, Fosgate GT, Eksteen CA, Kremer WDJ, Bok HGJ, Holm DE. Influence of an Exercise Program, Muscle Strength, Proprioception, and Arm Length on Veterinary Students' Bovine Pregnancy Diagnosis Accuracy. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EDUCATION 2021; 48:196-210. [PMID: 32758090 DOI: 10.3138/jvme.2019-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bovine pregnancy diagnosis (PD) by transrectal palpation (TRP) is an important skill for veterinary graduates. Factors influencing students' PD accuracy were investigated to optimize bovine PD by TRP training without increasing live animal exposure. The objective was to determine whether arm length and strength, proprioception, and exposure to a 6-week exercise training program were significantly associated with students' PD accuracy. Veterinary students (n = 128) who had previously received formal theoretical and practical training in bovine TRP and PD (live cows and TRP simulators) were assessed for PD accuracy on live cows. Prior to assessment, arm muscle strength measurement, an exercise program, and additional TRP sessions on Breed'n Betsy® simulators and live cows were offered to the students. Seventy-eight students volunteered to participate in the arm length measurement, muscle strength, and proprioception testing. Of these, 35 randomly allocated students completed a 6-week exercise program, after which muscle strength was reassessed. Each student performed PDs on six cows of which the pregnancy status, ranging from 6 weeks to 9 months pregnant or not pregnant, was predetermined by an experienced veterinarian. PD accuracy was measured as sensitivity and specificity, being defined as the proportion of pregnant or nonpregnant cows, respectively, correctly identified by the student. It is concluded that hand grip strength and participation in an exercise program are significant predictors of veterinary students' PD accuracy. Implementation of an exercise program aimed at improving grip strength in the veterinary curriculum is a novel approach to improve bovine TRP and PD training.
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Annandale A, May CE, van der Leek ML, Fosgate GT, Kremer WD, Bok HG, Holm DE. Effect of a high-intensity one-week training programme and student-level variables on the bovine transrectal palpation and pregnancy diagnosis skills of final-year veterinary students. Vet Rec 2020; 187:e99. [PMID: 32978275 DOI: 10.1136/vr.105909] [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: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To improve bovine transrectal palpation (TRP) and pregnancy diagnosis (PD) training, the effect of a high-intensity one-week training programme for veterinary elective students (N=59) with an interest in production animal practice was evaluated. METHODS Training consisted of exposure to rectal examination simulators, abattoir organs, theory materials and live cow PDs supervised by experienced large animal practitioners. Palpation skills were assessed before and after training using a validated TRP Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in non-pregnant cows. Each student then performed PDs (n=12) on cows of known pregnancy status. Students' PD accuracy was measured as sensitivity and specificity, being respectively defined as the proportion of pregnant and non-pregnant cows correctly identified. RESULTS Students' scores improved from the first to the second OSCE (P=0.03), mostly as a result of improved ability to identify uterine symmetry/asymmetry and the presence/absence of a corpus luteum on the right ovary (P<0.01 and P=0.03, respectively). Overall student sensitivity and specificity of PD were 89.1 per cent (95 per cent CI 78.1-92.2 per cent) and 67.7 per cent (95 per cent CI 60.1-74.5 per cent), respectively. CONCLUSION This prospective cohort study describes a strategy to improve students' TRP skills with the potential to reduce training time and animal use at teaching institutions by outsourcing student training to private practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annett Annandale
- Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Catherine E May
- Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Martin L van der Leek
- Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Geoffrey T Fosgate
- Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Wim Dj Kremer
- Utrecht University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Harold Gj Bok
- Utrecht University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dietmar E Holm
- Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, South Africa
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