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Akbarinejad V, Cushman RA. Developmental programming of reproduction in the female animal. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 263:107456. [PMID: 38503204 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107456] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Successful reproduction is a cornerstone in food animal industry in order to sustain food production for human. Therefore, various methods focusing on genetics and postnatal environment have been identified and applied to improve fertility in livestock. Yet there is evidence indicating that environmental factors during prenatal and/or neonatal life can also impact the function of reproductive system and fertility in the animals during adulthood, which is called the developmental programming of reproduction. The current review summarizes data associated with the developmental origins of reproduction in the female animals. In this regard, this review focuses on the effect of plane of nutrition, maternal body condition, hypoxia, litter size, maternal age, parity, level of milk production and milk components, lactocrine signaling, stress, thermal stress, exposure to androgens, endocrine disrupting chemicals, mycotoxins and pollutants, affliction with infection and inflammation, and maternal gut microbiota during prenatal and neonatal periods on the neuroendocrine system, puberty, health of reproductive organs and fertility in the female offspring. It is noteworthy that these prenatal and neonatal factors do not always exert their effects on the reproductive performance of the female by compromising the development of organs directly related to reproductive function such as hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, oviduct and uterus. Since they can impair the development of non-reproductive organs and systems modulating reproductive function as well (e.g., metabolic system and level of milk yield in dairy animals). Furthermore, when these factors affect the epigenetics of the offspring, their adverse effects will not be limited to one generation and can transfer transgenerationally. Hence, pinpointing the factors influencing developmental programming of reproduction and considering them in management of livestock operations could be a potential strategy to help improve fertility in food animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Akbarinejad
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Robert A Cushman
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, US. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933-0166, United States
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Zhang L, Liu K, Liu Z, Tao H, Fu X, Hou J, Jia G, Hou Y. Fetal hypoxia expose caused autophagy in ovary granulosa cells via PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathway and mitigated by melatonin subheading. J Adv Res 2023:S2090-1232(23)00345-4. [PMID: 37956860 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.11.008] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal hypoxia has long-term effects on postnatal reproductive functions and the mitochondrial impairments of ovarian granulosa cells may be one of the causes. Melatonin applied to mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy in mammalian cells has been reported. However, the potential mechanisms by which fetal hypoxia damages reproductive function in neonatal female mice and the melatonin effects on this problem remain unclear. OBJECTIVES This research aimed to explore the mechanism that fetal hypoxia damages reproductive function in neonatal female mice and attempt to improve the reproductive function by treating with melatonin in vivo and in vitro. METHODS We established a fetal hypoxia model and confirmed that fetal hypoxia affects ovarian function by inducing GC excessive autophagy. Transcriptomic analysis, gene interference, cell immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blot were conducted to explore and verify the underlying mechanisms in mice GCs and KGN cells. Finally, melatonin treatment was executed on hypoxia-treated mice GCs and KGN cells and melatonin injection to fetal-hypoxia-treated mice to determine its effect. RESULTS The results of in vitro experiments found that fetal hypoxia led to mitochondrial dysfunction in ovarian GCs causing autophagic cell death. And the PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway mediated the occurrence of this process by transcriptome analysis of ovarian GCs from normal and fetal hypoxia mice, which was further verified in mice GCs and KGN cells. Additionally, melatonin administration prevented autophagic injuries and mitochondrial impairments in hypoxia-treated mice GCs and KGN cells. Meanwhile, in vivo experiments by melatonin injection ameliorated oxidative stress of ovary in fetal-hypoxia-treated mice and improved their low fertility. CONCLUSION Our data found that fetal hypoxia causes ovarian GCs excessive autophagy leading to low fertility in neonatal female mice and mitigated by melatonin. These results provide a potential therapy for hypoxic stress-related reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Kexiong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Haiping Tao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Xiangwei Fu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Breeding, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Sciences, Shihezi, China
| | - Jian Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Gongxue Jia
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Yunpeng Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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Zhu Q, Li Y, Ma J, Ma H, Liang X. Potential factors result in diminished ovarian reserve: a comprehensive review. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:208. [PMID: 37880734 PMCID: PMC10598941 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01296-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The ovarian reserve is defined as the quantity of oocytes stored in the ovary or the number of oocytes that can be recruited. Ovarian reserve can be affected by many factors, including hormones, metabolites, initial ovarian reserve, environmental problems, diseases, and medications, among others. With the trend of postponing of pregnancy in modern society, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) has become one of the most common challenges in current clinical reproductive medicine. Attributed to its unclear mechanism and complex clinical features, it is difficult for physicians to administer targeted treatment. This review focuses on the factors associated with ovarian reserve and discusses the potential influences and pathogenic factors that may explain the possible mechanisms of DOR, which can be improved or built upon by subsequent researchers to verify, replicate, and establish further study findings, as well as for scientists to find new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinying Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yi Li
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianhong Ma
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hao Ma
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolei Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory for Gynecologic Oncology Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, No.1, Donggangxi Rd, Chengguan District, 730000, Lanzhou, China.
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Martin GB. Frontiers in sheep reproduction - making use of natural responses to environmental challenges to manage productivity. Anim Reprod 2022; 19:e20220088. [PMID: 36504919 PMCID: PMC9731180 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This review addresses advances, directions and opportunities for research on sheep reproduction in the context of the global challenges of food security and climate change, and demand for 'clean, green and ethical' (CGE) animal management. The foundation of CGE management is an understanding of the physiological processes through which the reproductive system responds to changes in the animal's environment. These days, to the main environmental factors (photoperiod, nutrition, pheromones), we need to add stress from extreme weather events. With respect to nutrition in rams, we now have a deeper understanding of the responses of the brain centres that control gonadotrophin secretion (the kisspeptin system). At testis level, we have found that nutrition affects non-coding RNAs in Sertoli cells and germ cells, thus affecting the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. This proliferation-apoptosis balance is also affected during prenatal development, when undernutrition or stress in pregnant ewes seems to elicit epigenetic changes in developing gonads that could affect offspring fertility in adult life. With respect to nutrition in ewes, metabolic signals act directly on ovarian follicles, and thus change ovulation rate, but the variety of signals now includes the adipokines. An early concern was that nutritional supplements that increase ovulation rate would also increase embryo mortality but we now know that embryo survival is improved under field conditions. Finally, we had always thought that the efficiency gains from early puberty in lambs could only be achieved by accelerating fat accumulation, but we now know that faster muscle growth will achieve the same goal, offering two advantages in meat production systems. With respect to pheromones ('ram effect'), we have a deeper understanding of the brain responses (kisspeptin system) but, most importantly, a realization that the response of ewes to the ram signal involves cell division in memory centres. Many opportunities remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme Bruce Martin
- UWA Institute of Agriculture, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia,UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia,Corresponding author:
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Sui Y, Lu Y, Zuo S, Wang H, Bian X, Chen G, Huang S, Dai H, Liu F, Dong H. Aflatoxin B 1 Exposure in Sheep: Insights into Hepatotoxicity Based on Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Injury, Apoptosis, and Gut Microbiota Analysis. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120840. [PMID: 36548738 PMCID: PMC9787800 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread fungal toxin Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is an inevitable pollutant affecting the health of humans, poultry, and livestock. Although studies indicate that AFB1 is hepatotoxic, there are few studies on AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity in sheep. Thus, this study examined how AFB1 affected sheep liver function 24 h after the animals received 1 mg/kg bw of AFB1 orally (dissolved in 20 mL, 4% v/v ethanol). The acute AFB1 poisoning caused histopathological injuries to the liver and increased total bilirubin (TBIL) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels. AFB1 also markedly elevated the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 while considerably reducing the expression of antioxidation-related genes (SOD-1 and SOD-2) and the anti-inflammatory gene IL-10 in the liver. Additionally, it caused apoptosis by dramatically altering the expression of genes associated with apoptosis including Bax, Caspase-3, and Bcl-2/Bax. Notably, AFB1 exposure altered the gut microbiota composition, mainly manifested by BF311 spp. and Alistipes spp. abundance, which are associated with liver injury. In conclusion, AFB1 can cause liver injury and liver dysfunction in sheep via oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and gut-microbiota disturbance.
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Wathes DC. Developmental Programming of Fertility in Cattle-Is It a Cause for Concern? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192654. [PMID: 36230395 PMCID: PMC9558991 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle fertility remains sub-optimal despite recent improvements in genetic selection. The extent to which an individual heifer fulfils her genetic potential can be influenced by fetal programming during pregnancy. This paper reviews the evidence that a dam's age, milk yield, health, nutrition and environment during pregnancy may programme permanent structural and physiological modifications in the fetus. These can alter the morphology and body composition of the calf, postnatal growth rates, organ structure, metabolic function, endocrine function and immunity. Potentially important organs which can be affected include the ovaries, liver, pancreas, lungs, spleen and thymus. Insulin/glucose homeostasis, the somatotropic axis and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis can all be permanently reprogrammed by the pre-natal environment. These changes may act directly at the level of the ovary to influence fertility, but most actions are indirect. For example, calf health, the timing of puberty, the age and body structure at first calving, and the ability to balance milk production with metabolic health and fertility after calving can all have an impact on reproductive potential. Definitive experiments to quantify the extent to which any of these effects do alter fertility are particularly challenging in cattle, as individual animals and their management are both very variable and lifetime fertility takes many years to assess. Nevertheless, the evidence is compelling that the fertility of some animals is compromised by events happening before they are born. Calf phenotype at birth and their conception data as a nulliparous heifer should therefore both be assessed to avoid such animals being used as herd replacements.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Claire Wathes
- Department for Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
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