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Seneda MM, Costa CB, Zangirolamo AF, dos Anjos MM, de Paula GR, Morotti F. From the laboratory to the field: how to mitigate pregnancy losses in embryo transfer programs? Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20240032. [PMID: 39175993 PMCID: PMC11340798 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2024-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy losses negatively affect the cattle industry, impacting economic indices and consequently the entire production chain. Early embryonic failure has been an important challenge in the embryo industry because proper identification of embryo death at the beginning of gestation is difficult. This review aimed to provide a better understanding on reproductive failure and the relationship between early embryonic loss and different reproductive biotechniques. This review also considers insights and possible strategies for reducing early embryonic loss. The strategies addressed are as follows: i) great impact of rigorous embryo evaluation on reducing embryo losses; ii) selection of recipients at the time of transfer, taking into account health and nutritional status, and classification of the corpus luteum using ultrasound, either in area or vascularization; and iii) paternal effect as one of the factors that contribute to pregnancy losses, with a focus on embryo transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Marcondes Seneda
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Laboratório de Reprodução Animal, Londrina, PR, Brasil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Leite – INCT Leite, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - Fábio Morotti
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Laboratório de Reprodução Animal, Londrina, PR, Brasil
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Bueno Cordeiro Maldonado M, de Castro Lourenço V, de Oliveira Bezerra L, Feltrin IR, Mendes AF, Rocha CC, Pugliesi G, Ealy AD, Membrive CMB, Nogueira MFG. Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation changes prostaglandin concentration ratio and alters the expression of genes involved in maternal-fetal recognition from bovine trophoblast cells in vitro. Theriogenology 2023; 206:87-95. [PMID: 37201299 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.003] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Early embryonic mortality caused by maternal-fetal recognition failure in the three weeks after fertilization represents a major cause of reproductive inefficiency in the cattle industry. Modifying the amounts and ratios of prostaglandin (PG) F2α and PGE2 can benefit the establishment of pregnancy in cattle. Adding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to endometrial and fetal cells culture affects PG synthesis, but its effect on bovine trophoblast cells (CT-1) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of CLA (a mixture of cis- and trans-9, 11- and -10,12-octadecadienoic acids) on PGE2 and PGF2α synthesis and the expression of transcripts involved with maternal-fetal recognition of bovine trophectoderm. Cultures of CT-1 were exposed to CLA for 24, 48 and 72 h. Transcript abundance was determined by qRT-PCR and hormone profiles were quantified by ELISA. The PGE2 and PGF2α concentrations were reduced in the culture medium of CLA-exposed CT-1 compared to that of unexposed cells. Furthermore, CLA supplementation increased the PGE2:PGF2α ratio in CT-1 and had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the relative expression of MMP9, PTGES2, and PTGER4. The relative expression levels of PTGER4 were reduced (P < 0.05) in CT-1 cultured with 100 μM CLA than in the unsupplemented and 10 μM-CLA groups. Treatment of CT-1 with CLA decreased PGE2 and PGF2α synthesis but a biphasic effect of CLA was observed on the PGE2:PGF2α ratio and relative abundance of transcripts with 10 μM CLA providing maximal improvements in each endpoint. Our data suggest that CLA may influence eicosanoid metabolic process and extracellular matrix remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Guilherme Pugliesi
- University of São Paulo (USP-FMVZ), Pirassununga, São Paulo, 13635-900, Brazil
| | - Alan D Ealy
- School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
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Association of bovine viral diarrhea virus, bovine herpesvirus 1, and Neospora caninum with late embryonic losses in highly supplemented grazing dairy cows. Theriogenology 2022; 194:126-132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Effect of a Single Intrauterine Dose of Human Recombinant Galectin-1 Buffered on Pregnancy Rate in Inseminated Cows. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030419. [PMID: 35327611 PMCID: PMC8946135 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a single dose of exogenous galectin-1 in improving the pregnancy rate in inseminated cows, comparing the pregnancy rate of the two groups (treatment and control Groups) into 107 contemporary groups (YG) established. An ultrasound exam determined the pregnancy rate performed 25 to 35 days after the fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) of breeding beef cows (n = 3469). The pregnancy rate of cows that received a single dose of eGAL-1 (200 ± 10 µg), with an intrauterine administration (n = 1901), was compared with the pregnancy rate of cows inseminated using a conventional AI protocol (n = 1568), both comparing into the same YG. YGs were created considering the grouping of cows belonging to the same farm, with the same nutritional score and management, inseminated by the same inseminator and semen batch, and using the same estrus synchronization protocol). The statistical method used calculated the probability of obtaining pregnancy within each group. The administration of a single dose of eGAL-1 can increase the probability of obtaining pregnancy in beef cows by up to 8.68% (p < 0.0001), suggesting that a single dose of eGAL-1 during the FTAI procedure was reasonable in the beef cattle AI routine and can improve the pregnancy rate considerably.
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Wang K, Thomas C, Zhang S, Wathes DC, Cheng Z. Comparison of the Ability of High and Low Virulence Strains of Non-cytopathic Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus-1 to Modulate Expression of Interferon Tau Stimulated Genes in Bovine Endometrium. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:659330. [PMID: 33898551 PMCID: PMC8062762 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.659330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a pestivirus with a single-stranded, positive sense RNA genome. It is endemic in many cattle populations, causing major economic losses in part due to reduced fertility. BVDV exhibits great genetic diversity and is classified as type 1 or 2 (BVDV-1, BVDV-2) with either non-cytopathogenic (ncp) or cytopathogenic (cp) biotypes. Differing strains of ncpBVDV differ in virulence, affecting clinical outcome. BVDV replicates in the reproductive tract, affecting host immunity and embryo survival. This study used an in vitro model of primary bovine endometrial cell cultures to compare the effects of two BVDV ncp type 1a strains of differing virulence (termed HO and KY) on endometrial transcription of candidate interferon stimulated genes (ISG) using qPCR. Half the cultures were stimulated with interferon tau (IFNT, the conceptus produced pregnancy recognition factor) in the presence or absence of viral infection. Cultures were replicated on cells from 10 BVDV-free cows. IFNT treatment stimulated transcription of 10 candidate ISGs, whereas both ncpBVDV-1 strains alone inhibited transcription of 8/10 ISGs. In combined BVDV-1+IFNT cultures, the stimulatory effect of IFNT on expression of GBP4, ISG15, HERC5, RSAD2, IFIH1, IFIT3, and MX1 was significantly inhibited by HO, but only ISG15, RSAD2, IFI27, and IFIT3 were decreased by KY. Inhibition by HO was generally greater. The IFNT-induced expression of TRIM56 was, however, increased by HO. These data show that HO, the more virulent ncpBVDV-1 strain, has a greater capacity to inhibit key antiviral pathways. These differences need confirmation at the protein level but may influence immune tolerance of the host. They could also reduce fertility by increasing uterine susceptibility to bacterial infection and disrupting IFNT-mediated pregnancy recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom.,Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Carole Thomas
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - D Claire Wathes
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Zhangrui Cheng
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom
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Qin X, Yang S, Zhang Y, Li L, Li P, Long M, Guo Y. Effects of non-esterified fatty acids on relative abundance of prostaglandin E 2 and F 2α synthesis-related mRNA transcripts and protein in endometrial cells of cattle in vitro. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 221:106549. [PMID: 32861111 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cows nearing parturition have a negative energy balance (NEB), which is closely associated with lesser fertility. The NEB results in greater fat mobilisation and production of a large amount of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). Prostaglandins (PG), especially prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), have important functions in regulating reproductive function. There, however, is little known about how the synthesis and release of PG are affected by NEFA. In this study, there was a focus on effects of NEFA on PG secretion as well as relative abundances of mRNA transcript and protein for PG synthetases and PG receptors in bovine endometrial (BEND) cells. Proliferation rate of BEND cells decreased in a concentration-dependent manner as NEFA increased in the media. The concentrations of PGE2 and PGF2α in NEFA treatment groups also decreased, while the ratio of PGE2/PGF2α and the relative abundances of proteins and mRNA that regulate PG synthesis and PG receptor mRNA transcripts and protein were greater as the NEFA concentration increased. Collectively, when there were large NEFA concentrations in the medium, there was a lesser release of PGE2 and PGF2α, however, there was a greater ratio of PGE2/PGF2α and relative abundances of mRNA transcripts and protein for PG synthetases and PG receptors in BEND cells, which changed the internal milieu and physiological function of the uterus with possible effects on fertility after calving. These findings provide important information that will help for further investigation of associations between NEB and fertility in dairy cows during the non-lactation to lactation-transition period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqiang Qin
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110161, China
| | - Shuhua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110161, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110161, China
| | - Lin Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110161, China
| | - Peng Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110161, China.
| | - Miao Long
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110161, China.
| | - Yang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110161, China.
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Wathes DC, Oguejiofor CF, Thomas C, Cheng Z. Importance of Viral Disease in Dairy Cow Fertility. ENGINEERING (BEIJING, CHINA) 2020; 6:26-33. [PMID: 32288965 PMCID: PMC7104734 DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2019.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Many viral diseases are endemic in cattle populations worldwide. The ability of many viruses to cross the placenta and cause abortions and fetal malformations is well understood. There is also significant evidence that viral infections have additional actions in dairy cows, which are reflected in reduced conception rates. These effects are, however, highly dependent on the time at which an individual animal first contracts the disease and are less easy to quantify. This paper reviews the evidence relating to five viruses that can affect fertility, together with their potential mechanisms of action. Acute infection with non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in mid-gestation increases abortion rates or causes the birth of persistently infected calves. BVDV infections closer to the time of breeding can have direct effects on the ovaries and uterine endometrium, which cause estrous cycle irregularities and early embryo mortality. Fertility may also be reduced by BVDV-induced immunosuppression, which increases the susceptibility to bacterial infections. Bovine herpesvirus (BHV)-1 is most common in pre-pubertal heifers, and can slow their growth, delay breeding, and increase the age at first calving. Previously infected animals subsequently show reduced fertility. Although this may be associated with lung damage, ovarian lesions have also been reported. Both BHV-1 and BHV-4 remain latent in the host following initial infection and may be reactivated later by stress, for example associated with calving and early lactation. While BHV-4 infection alone may not reduce fertility, it appears to act as a co-factor with established bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes to promote the development of endometritis and delay uterine repair mechanisms after calving. Both Schmallenberg virus (SBV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) are transmitted by insect vectors and lead to increased abortion rates and congenital malformations. BTV-8 also impairs the development of hatched blastocysts; furthermore, infection around the time of breeding with either virus appears to reduce conception rates. Although the reductions in conception rates are often difficult to quantify, they are nevertheless sufficient to cause economic losses, which help to justify the benefits of vaccination and eradication schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chike F Oguejiofor
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
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Cheng Z, Brown LE, Wathes DC. Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Infection Disrupts Uterine Interferon Stimulated Gene Regulatory Pathways During Pregnancy Recognition in Cows. Viruses 2019; 12:E1. [PMID: 31861316 PMCID: PMC7020065 DOI: 10.3390/v12010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In cattle, conceptus-derived interferon tau (IFNT) is the pregnancy recognition (PR) signal. Our previous studies showed that non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhoea virus (ncpBVDV) infection inhibited IFNT-induced interferon stimulated gene (ISG) expression, potentially causing early embryonic death. This study investigated the effect of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection on upstream regulatory pathways of ISG production using an established PR model. Uterine endometrial cells from 10 apparently healthy and BVDV free cows were cultured and treated with 0 or 100 ng/mL IFNT for 24 h in the presence or absence of ncpBVDV infection. Microarray and pathway analysis were used to determine the IFNT-induced upstream regulators. Expression of the genes associated with the identified pathways were quantified with qPCR. IFNT challenge activated the signalling pathways associated with IFN receptors, JAK1/TYK2, IRFs and STATs and ncpBVDV infection inhibited the activation of IFNT on this pathway. Inhibition of this upstream signalling pathway may thus reduce ISG production to disrupt maternal PR. In addition, the reduction of uterine immunity by ncpBVDV infection may predispose the animals to uterine infection, which in turn impairs their reproductive performance. This provides a mechanism of how BVDV infection leads to early pregnancy failure in cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangrui Cheng
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK; (L.E.B.); (D.C.W.)
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Reese ST, Franco GA, Poole RK, Hood R, Fernadez Montero L, Oliveira Filho RV, Cooke RF, Pohler KG. Pregnancy loss in beef cattle: A meta-analysis. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 212:106251. [PMID: 31864492 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy loss in beef cattle causes both management and economic challenges to a producer. A meta-analysis was conducted to quantify reproductive failures that occur during fertilization, early embryonic development, and late embryonic/early fetal development periods of gestation in beef cattle. The meta-analysis included more than 56,000 diagnostic records in 159 studies from 48 papers with 12 studies included in fertilization and pre- blastocyst loss analysis (FERT; days 1-7 of gestation), 107 in early embryo (EEM; days 7-32), and 40 in late embryo/early fetal period (LEF; days 32-100) analysis. Although fertilization rates are reportedly high in beef cattle, significant developmental failure occurs within the first 7 days of gestation. Approximately 28.4 % of embryos will not develop past day 7 of gestation with most embryonic losses occurring before day 4. By the conclusion of the first month of gestation, 47.9 % of cows submitted to a single insemination at day 0 will not be pregnant. Overall, LEF between days 32-60 and 100 was 5.8 %. Bos indicus animals had greater (P = 0.001) EEM compared to Bos taurus, but there was no difference (P = 0.39) for the LEF period between subspecies. Primiparous cows had greater EEM (P = 0.002) compared to nulliparous heifers and multiparous cows; and nulliparous heifers had a greater LEF compared to primiparous and multiparous cows (P = 0.048). Collectively, these cumulative findings provide a baseline assessment of pregnancy loss specific to beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Reese
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - G A Franco
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - R K Poole
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - R Hood
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - L Fernadez Montero
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - R V Oliveira Filho
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - R F Cooke
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - K G Pohler
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.
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Mechanisms linking bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection with infertility in cattle. Anim Health Res Rev 2019; 20:72-85. [PMID: 31895016 DOI: 10.1017/s1466252319000057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an important infectious disease agent that causes significant reproductive and economic losses in the cattle industry worldwide. Although BVDV infection is known to cause poor fertility in cattle, a greater part of the underlying mechanisms particularly associated with early reproductive losses are not clearly understood. Previous studies reported viral compromise of reproductive function in infected bulls. In females, BVDV infection is thought to be capable of killing the oocyte, embryo or fetus directly, or to induce lesions that result in fetal abortion or malformation. BVDV infections may also induce immune dysfunction, and predispose cattle to other diseases that cause poor health and fertility. Other reports also suggested BVDV-induced disruption of the reproductive endocrine system, and a disruption of leukocyte and cytokine functions in the reproductive organs. More recent studies have provided evidence of viral-induced suppression of endometrial innate immunity that may predispose to uterine disease. Furthermore, there is new evidence that BVDV may potentially disrupt the maternal recognition of pregnancy or the immune protection of the conceptus. This review brings together the previous reports with the more recent findings, and attempts to explain some of the mechanisms linking this important virus to infertility in cattle.
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Chaudhari RK, Mahla AS, Singh AK, Singh SK, Pawde AM, Gandham RK, Singh G, Sarkar M, Kumar H, Krishnaswamy N. Effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid rich fish oil on the endometrial prostaglandin production in the doe ( Capra hircus ). Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2018; 135:27-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Zhang SD, Dong SW, Wang DS, Oguejiofor CF, Fouladi-Nashta AA, Yang ZQ, Yan ZT. Differential proteomic profiling of endometrium and plasma indicate the importance of hydrolysis in bovine endometritis. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:9324-9337. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-12365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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