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Taru M, Katoh T, Koshimizu K, Kuribayashi S, Miura R, Hamano S, Shirasuna K. Inflammatory uterine microenvironment in long-term infertility repeat breeder cows compared with normal fertile cows. Vet Anim Sci 2024; 25:100369. [PMID: 38984268 PMCID: PMC11231747 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2024.100369] [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] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows is gradually declining, and one of the causes of this problem is the presence of long-term infertility repeat breeder cows (RBCs). The causes of RBCs are largely thought to be maternal factors, including the uterine environment. This study aimed to accurately investigate the uterine environment of RBCs using uterine tissue and fluid. Next, we investigated the effect of nobiletin in bovine endometrial epithelial cells to explore the possibility of improving the uterine environment of RBCs. Uterine fluid was collected by flushing the uterus and endometrial tissues were collected by biopsy on day 7 of the estrous cycle from both normal fertile cows and RBCs (n = 5 in each group). A comprehensive analysis of the uterus revealed that gene expression and altered pathways differed between normal fertile cows and RBCs. Especially, pathways of natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, cell cycle, and calcium signaling pathway were picked up in the uterine tissues of RBCs. In the uterine fluid, the levels of lipopolysaccharide were higher in the RBC than in normal group (P = 0.08). In in vitro experiment, treatment with the uterine fluid from RBCs upregulated inflammation-related pathways and molecules such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) in bovine endometrial epithelial cells. The treatment with nobiletin suppressed IL-8 induced by the treatment with uterine fluid. In conclusion, the uterine environment of RBCs was found to be in inflammatory condition, causing the lower reproductive performance. It is necessary to develop methods to improve to the anti-inflammatory state in the uterine environment of RBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maho Taru
- Department of Animal Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Taiga Katoh
- Department of Animal Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Karen Koshimizu
- Department of Animal Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Sohei Kuribayashi
- Department of Animal Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Miura
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Seizo Hamano
- Artificial Insemination Association of Japan, Tokyo 135-0041, Japan
| | - Koumei Shirasuna
- Department of Animal Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
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2
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Sánchez JM, Rabaglino MB, Bagés-Arnal S, McDonald M, Behura SK, Spencer TE, Lonergan P, Fernandez-Fuertes B. Sperm exposure to accessory gland secretions alters the transcriptomic response of the endometrium in cattle. Theriogenology 2024; 218:26-34. [PMID: 38295677 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.037] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
In cattle, mating to intact, but not vasectomised, bulls has been shown to modify the endometrial transcriptome, suggesting an important role of sperm in the modulation of the uterine environment in this species. However, it is not clear whether these changes are driven by intrinsic sperm factors, or by factors of accessory gland (AG) origin that bind to sperm at ejaculation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine whether ejaculated sperm, which are suspended in the secretions of the AGs, elicit a different endometrial transcriptomic response than epididymal sperm, which have never been exposed to AG factors. To this end, bovine endometrial explants collected from heifers in oestrus were (co-)incubated for 6 h alone (control), or with epididymal sperm or ejaculated sperm, following which transcriptomic changes in the endometrium were evaluated. Epididymal sperm elicited a more dramatic endometrial response than ejaculated sperm, in terms of the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Indeed, RNA-sequencing data analysis revealed 1912 DEGs in endometrial explants exposed to epididymal sperm compared with control explants, whereas 115 DEGs were detected between endometrial explants exposed to ejaculated sperm in comparison to control explants. The top pathways associated with genes upregulated by epididymal sperm included T cell regulation and TNF, NF-KB and IL17 signalling. Interestingly, ejaculated sperm induced downregulation of genes associated with T cell immunity and Th17 differentiation, and upregulation of genes involved in NF-KB signalling, in comparison to epididymal sperm. These data indicate that factors of AG origin modulate the interaction between sperm and the endometrium in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- José María Sánchez
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Belén Rabaglino
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sandra Bagés-Arnal
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Michael McDonald
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Susanta K Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Beatriz Fernandez-Fuertes
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
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3
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Tanida T, Tagami T, Sato H, Kyaw HM, Fujikawa T, Nagano M, Momozawa K, Yanagawa Y, Katagiri S. Effects of recombinant osteopontin expressed in Escherichia coli on the recovery of the endometrial epidermal growth factor profile and fertility in repeat breeder dairy cows. Theriogenology 2024; 217:159-168. [PMID: 38280277 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.011] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) shows a cyclic change with two peaks on days 2-4 and days 13-14 of the estrous cycle. In repeat breeder cows, loss of the peaks has been associated with reduced fertility. By infusing seminal plasma (SP) and osteopontin (OPN) derived from SP and milk into the vagina, their EGF profile and fertility are restored. However, SP is difficult to obtain, and both SP and OPN can transmit infectious diseases. While OPN can be sourced from recombinant protein without this risk, recombinant bovine OPN (rOPN) expressed in Escherichia coli should be examined for its effects on the EGF profile, since it does not undergo posttranslational modification, which is important for its biological activity. In study 1, PBS, SP (0.5 mL), and rOPN (0.3 mg) were infused into the vagina at estrus (day 0) in 74, 37, and 105 repeat breeder Holstein cows, respectively, with an altered EGF profile. The endometrial EGF concentrations were measured on day 3. Some cows (n = 58, 20, and 83, respectively) were inseminated immediately before the infusion and then diagnosed for pregnancy between days 30 and 35. The normalization rate of the EGF profile and conception rate in the rOPN group (58.1 % and 47.0 %, respectively) were not significantly different from those in the SP group (62.2 % and 45.0 %, respectively) but higher than those in PBS group (29.7 % and 28.1 %, respectively) (P < 0.05). In study 2, repeat breeder cows with an altered EGF profile were infused with PBS (n = 18) and rOPN (n = 17), while fertile controls with a normal EGF profile (n = 18) were infused with PBS. Two or three embryos were transferred into cows on day 7 and then recovered on day 14. Embryo recovery rates of the rOPN and fertile groups were comparable (58.7 % vs. 58.3 %) but higher than that of the PBS group (58.7 % vs. 32.0 %) (P < 0.05). The embryo recovery rate of cows with normalized EGF profile was higher than that of cows with unnormalized EGF profile (64.4 % vs. 16.7 %) (P < 0.05). The embryo sizes of cows in the rOPN and fertile groups were comparable but larger than those in the PBS group (P < 0.05). However, the embryo size was not correlated to the corresponding endometrial EGF concentrations. In conclusion, rOPN without posttranslational modifications normalized the EGF profile in repeat breeder cows. Improved fertility by normalization of the EGF profile could be attributed partly to the increased embryo viability up to day 14.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Tanida
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Tagami
- Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Hiroko Sato
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Hay Mar Kyaw
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | | | - Masashi Nagano
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, 35-1 Higashi-23, Towada, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Kenji Momozawa
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, 35-1 Higashi-23, Towada, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Yojiro Yanagawa
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Seiji Katagiri
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
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Phong V, Fujikawa T, Kawano K, Yanagawa Y, Katagiri S. Effects of prostaglandin F 2α treatment at follicular wave emergence on endometrial epidermal growth factor concentration on day 3 of the next estrous cycle and on fertility in dairy cows. Theriogenology 2023; 212:189-196. [PMID: 37748361 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.09.014] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate exposure to estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) may be the main causes of altered endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile, leading to reduced fertility in dairy cows. We hypothesized that PGF2α administration at different timings of the estrous cycle and stages of follicular development could change the profile of steroid hormones between luteolysis and estrus. This results in reduction in the peak concentration of endometrial EGF on day 3 (day 0 = estrus) in the next estrous cycle. In study 1, lactating Holstein cows were treated with PGF2α either on days 12-14 (selection phase group, n = 20) or on days 16-17 (control group, n = 24) of the estrous cycle. Blood samples were obtained before PGF2α treatment, 24 and 48 h after treatment, and on the day of estrus and ovulation for E2 and P4 assays. Endometrial tissues were collected by biopsy on day 3 for EGF assays. The duration from PGF2α treatment to both estrus and ovulation was longer in the selection phase group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The time between estrus and ovulation was longer in the selection phase group (P < 0.05). E2 concentrations were higher in the control group on the day of estrus (P < 0.05). P4 concentrations were not different between the groups. Endometrial EGF concentrations were lower in the selection phase group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In study 2, lactating Holstein cows were treated with PGF2α either on day 12 (selection phase group, n = 76) or day 16 (control group, n = 80). They were subjected to artificial insemination (AI) at estrus, and those that failed to ovulate by 24h after the first AI were subjected to second AI. On day 3, endometrial EGF concentration was determined. At estrus and on days 3 and 7, blood was collected for E2 and P4 assay from 20 randomly selected cows in each group before PGF2α treatment. The cows in the selection phase group exhibited lower EGF concentration, proportion of cows with normal EGF profile, and conception rate than cows in the control group (P < 0.05). On the day of estrus, E2 concentrations tended to be lower in the selection phase group than in the control group (P = 0.08). P4 concentrations were not different between the groups. These findings suggest that low E2 concentrations at estrus and low P4 concentrations for a prolonged period due to premature termination of CL in the absence of a dominant follicle are potential causes of altered endometrial EGF profile in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vuongtuan Phong
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | | | - Kohei Kawano
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan; Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Yojiro Yanagawa
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Seiji Katagiri
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
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5
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Fernandez-Fuertes B. Review: The role of male reproductive tract secretions in ruminant fertility. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100773. [PMID: 37567680 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100773] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Male fertility largely depends on the ability to produce sperm that can transmit the paternal information onto the next generation. However, the factors that are critical for sperm function and the subsequent development of healthy offspring are still not completely understood in ruminants. Importantly, sperm function is not completely encoded by germ cell DNA, but rather, depends on sequential acquisition, loss, and modification of elements through interaction with secretions from the testes, epididymides, and accessory glands (collectively termed seminal plasma). In addition, these secretions can play a role in the inheritance of paternal environmental effects by progeny. This is likely achieved directly, by the regulation of sperm epigenetic effectors, and indirectly, by altering the female environment in which the individual develops. This review will provide an overview of the different organs that contribute to seminal plasma in ruminants, and summarise how their secretions shape sperm function and modulate the female reproductive tract. Finally, some consideration will be given to the potential of paternal factors to affect embryo development and offspring health in ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Fernandez-Fuertes
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
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Kyaw HM, Sato H, Tagami T, Yanagawa Y, Nagano M, Katagiri S. Effects of milk osteopontin on the endometrial epidermal growth factor profile and restoration of fertility in repeat breeder dairy cows. Theriogenology 2022; 184:26-33. [PMID: 35255245 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.02.008] [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: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) shows a cyclic change with two peaks on Days 2-4 and 13-14 during the estrous cycle. An altered (i.e., loss of the two peaks) profile has been linked to reduced fertility in repeat breeder cows. We previously demonstrated that a form of osteopontin (OPN), with a molecular weight of 29 kDa and found in bull seminal plasma (SP), normalized the EGF profile and restored fertility in repeat breeder cows. OPN has many molecular forms due to post-translational modifications and is abundant in bovine milk. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether mOPN normalizes the endometrial EGF profile and restores fertility in repeat breeder dairy cows with an altered EGF profile. OPN was separated by one-step anion-exchange column chromatography from the whey of bovine milk. Purified mOPN was verified by Western blotting and peptide mass fingerprinting analyses. The OPN fraction showed three major protein bands of 61, 37 and 31 kDa (peptides I, II, and III, respectively) on SDS-PAGE. All three major bands were identified as OPNs by Western blotting and their tryptic peptide masses were matched at approximately 50, 40, and 10%, respectively, to the bovine OPN amino acid sequence by a peptide mass finger printing analysis. The three bands accounted for approximately 85% of the total protein content and 6-23 mg of OPN was obtained from 1 L of bovine milk. A lyophilized eluate containing 1.3 mg of mOPN (171 cows), 0.5 mL of frozen SP (62 cows), and PBS (84 cows) was infused at estrus into the vagina of repeat breeder cows with an altered EGF profile. Some of the cows treated with mOPN, SP, and PBS (46, 50, and 45 cows, respectively) were inseminated immediately before the infusion and then examined for pregnancy between Days 60 and 65. The rate at which mOPN to normalize the EGF profile (56.1%) was similar to that of SP (58.1%) and higher than that of PBS (23.8%) (P < 0.05). The conception rate after the infusion of mOPN (43.5%) was similar to that of SP (40.0%) and higher than that of PBS (22.2%) (P < 0.05). The present results indicate that the infusion of mOPN into the vagina is a treatment option for repeat breeder cows with an altered EGF profile. Further studies are needed to compare the capacity of the three OPN molecules in milk to normalize the EGF profile, together with their molecular characteristics due to post-translational modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hay Mar Kyaw
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Hiroko Sato
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Tagami
- Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology, Division of Fundamental AgriScience Research, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Yojiro Yanagawa
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Masashi Nagano
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Seiji Katagiri
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
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NINPETCH N, BADRAKH D, KAWANO K, YANAGAWA Y, NAGANO M, KATAGIRI S. Leptin receptor expression and its change in association with the normalization of EGF profile after seminal plasma treatment in repeat breeder dairy cows. J Reprod Dev 2022; 68:209-215. [PMID: 35228409 PMCID: PMC9184825 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Factors associated with high milk production levels have been linked to alterations in the endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile, a cause of reduced fertility in dairy cows.
Therefore, we examined the leptin system that connects nutritional status and reproduction in dairy cattle related to reduced fertility in repeat breeder cows. Plasma leptin concentrations
were measured in 18 heifers, 20 high-yielding control cows, and 26 repeat breeder cows, showing an altered EGF profile. Then, all repeat breeder cows were infused with seminal plasma (SP)
into the vagina at the next estrus to normalize the EGF profile, while heifers and control cows were infused with vehicle alone. All animals were examined for EGF profiles. Eighteen repeat
breeder cows, nine heifers, and nine control cows were also determined for leptin receptor (Ob-R) expression levels in the estrous cycle before and after the infusion. SP
normalized the EGF profile in 53.8% of the repeat breeder cows. Leptin concentrations were similar in all groups, regardless of the treatment results for the EGF profile. In contrast,
Ob-R levels in repeat breeder and control cows were similar and higher than those in heifers before SP treatment. Ob-R in repeat breeders showing a normal
EGF profile after treatment decreased to an intermediate level between heifers and control cows and may provide a clue to take measures against repeat breeding in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nattapong NINPETCH
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Dagvajamts BADRAKH
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Kohei KAWANO
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Yojiro YANAGAWA
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Masashi NAGANO
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Seiji KATAGIRI
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
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8
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KAWANO K, YANAGAWA Y, NAGANO M, KATAGIRI S. Effects of heat stress on the endometrial epidermal growth factor profile and fertility in dairy cows. J Reprod Dev 2022; 68:144-151. [PMID: 35095040 PMCID: PMC8979802 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile is an indicator of uterine function and fertility in cattle. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of heat stress on the
endometrial EGF profile and fertility in lactating Holstein cows. The endometrial EGF profiles of 365 cows in the Hokkaido and Kyushu regions were examined between June and September (heat
stress period, n = 211) and between October and January (control period, n = 154). EGF profiles were investigated using uterine endometrial tissues obtained by biopsy 3 days after estrus
(Day 3). The proportion of cows with an altered EGF profile was higher between June and September than between October and January (41.2 vs. 16.2%, P < 0.05). The effects
of rectal temperature on Days 0 and 3 on the endometrial EGF profile were also assessed in cows (n = 79) between June and September in the Kyushu region. A single embryo was transferred to
cow on Day 7 to evaluate fertility (n = 67). Regardless of the rectal temperature on Day 3, the proportion of cows with an altered EGF profile was higher (64.1 vs. 30.0%, P
< 0.05) and the pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (ET) was lower (26.7 vs. 51.4%, P < 0.05) in cows with a rectal temperature ≥ 39.5°C on Day 0 than in cows with a
rectal temperature < 39.5°C on Day 0. The present results indicate that alterations in the endometrial EGF profile induced by an elevated body temperature on Day 0 contributed to
reductions in fertility in lactating dairy cows during the heat stress period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei KAWANO
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Yojiro YANAGAWA
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Masashi NAGANO
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Seiji KATAGIRI
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
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9
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Recuero S, Sánchez JM, Mateo-Otero Y, Bagés-Arnal S, McDonald M, Behura SK, Spencer TE, Kenny DA, Yeste M, Lonergan P, Fernandez-Fuertes B. Mating to Intact, but Not Vasectomized, Males Elicits Changes in the Endometrial Transcriptome: Insights From the Bovine Model. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:547. [PMID: 32766237 PMCID: PMC7381276 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An appropriate female reproductive environment is essential for pregnancy success. In several species, including mice, pigs and horses, seminal plasma (SP) components have been shown to modulate this environment, leading to increased embryo viability and implantation. Due to the characteristics of mating in the aforementioned species, SP comes into direct contact with the uterus. However, it is questionable whether any SP reaches the uterus in species that ejaculate inside the vagina, such as humans and cattle. Hence, we hypothesized that sperm, perhaps acting as a vehicle for SP factors, play a more important role in the modulation of the maternal uterine environment in these species. In addition, changes elicited by SP and/or sperm may originate in the vagina and propagate to more distal regions of the female reproductive tract. To test these hypotheses, a bovine model in which heifers were mated to intact or vasectomized bulls or were left unmated was used. RNA-sequencing of endometrial samples collected 24 h after mating with a vasectomized bull did not reveal any differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in comparison with control samples. However, the endometrium of heifers mated with intact bulls exhibited 24 DEGs when compared to heifers mated with vasectomized bulls, and 22 DEGs when compared to unmated control heifers. The expression of a set of cytokines (IL6, IL1A, IL8, and TNFA) and candidate genes identified in the endometrial RNA-sequencing (PLA2G10, CX3CL1, C4BPA, PRSS2, BLA-DQB, and CEBPD) were assessed by RT-qPCR in the vagina and oviductal ampulla. No differences in expression of these genes were observed between treatments in any region. However, mating to both intact and vasectomized bulls induced an increase in IL1A and TNFA expression in the vagina compared to the oviduct. These data indicate that sperm, but not secretions from the accessory glands alone, induce modest changes in endometrial gene expression after natural mating in cattle. However, it is not clear whether this effect is triggered by inherent sperm proteins or SP proteins bound to sperm surface at the time of ejaculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Recuero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Department of Biology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - José María Sánchez
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Department of Biology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sandra Bagés-Arnal
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael McDonald
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Susanta K Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Centre, Teagasc Grange, Meath, Ireland
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Department of Biology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Beatriz Fernandez-Fuertes
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Department of Biology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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10
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Mateo-Otero Y, Sánchez JM, Recuero S, Bagés-Arnal S, McDonald M, Kenny DA, Yeste M, Lonergan P, Fernandez-Fuertes B. Effect of Exposure to Seminal Plasma Through Natural Mating in Cattle on Conceptus Length and Gene Expression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:341. [PMID: 32478076 PMCID: PMC7235327 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that paternal factors have an impact on offspring development. These studies have been mainly carried out in mice, where seminal plasma (SP) has been shown to regulate endometrial gene expression and impact embryo development and subsequent offspring health. In cattle, infusion of SP into the uterus also induces changes in endometrial gene expression, however, evidence for an effect of SP on early embryo development is lacking. In addition, during natural mating, the bull ejaculates in the vagina; hence, it is not clear whether any SP reaches the uterus in this species. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine whether SP exposure leads to improved early embryo survival and developmental rates in cattle. To this end, Day 7 in vitro produced blastocysts were transferred to heifers (12-15 per heifer) previously mated to vasectomized bulls (n = 13 heifers) or left unmated (n = 12 heifers; control). At Day 14, heifers were slaughtered, and conceptuses were recovered to assess size, morphology and expression of candidate genes involved in different developmental pathways. Additionally, CL volume at Day 7, and weight and volume of CL at Day 14 were recorded. No effect of SP on CL volume and weight not on conceptus recovery rate was observed. However, filamentous conceptuses recovered from SP-exposed heifers were longer in comparison to the control group and differed in expression of CALM1, CITED1, DLD, HNRNPDL, PTGS2, and TGFB3. In conclusion, data indicate that female exposure to SP during natural mating can affect conceptus development in cattle. This is probably achieved through modulation of the female reproductive environment at the time of mating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - José María Sánchez
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sandra Recuero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sandra Bagés-Arnal
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael McDonald
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David A. Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Beatriz Fernandez-Fuertes
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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