Acute-phase protein α-1-acid glycoprotein is negatively associated with feed intake in postpartum dairy cows

Proteomic Approaches to Unravel the Molecular Dynamics of Early Pregnancy in Farm Animals: An In-Depth Review

Infertility is a major problem in farm animals, which has a negative economic effect on farm industries. Infertility can be defined as the inability of animals to achieve a successful pregnancy. Early pregnancy is crucial to establish a successful pregnancy, and it is reported that 70-80% and 20-30% of total embryonic loss occur in cattle and pigs, respectively, during the first month of pregnancy. The advanced high-throughput proteomics techniques provide valuable tools for in-depth understanding of the implantation process in farm animals. In the present review, our goal was to compile, assess, and integrate the latest proteomic research on farm animals, specifically focused on female reproduction, which involves endometrial tissues, uterine fluids, oviductal fluids, and microRNAs. The series of studies has provided in-depth insights into the events of the implantation process by unfolding the molecular landscape of the uterine tract. The discussed data are related to pregnant vs. non-pregnant animals, pregnancy vs. oestrous cycle, different days of the early pregnancy phase, and animals with uterine infections affecting reproduction health. Some of the studies have utilized non-invasive methods and in vitro models to decipher the molecular events of embryo-maternal interaction. The proteomics data are valuable sources for discovering biomarkers for infertility in ruminants and new regulatory pathways governing embryo-uterine interaction, endometrium receptivity, and embryonic development. Here, we envisage that the identified protein signatures can serve as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers to develop new therapeutics against pregnancy diseases.

Hematological Normality, Serum Biochemistry, and Acute Phase Proteins in Healthy Beef Calves in the Brazilian Savannah

The Brazilian savannah region, characterized by high average temperatures, well-defined rainy and dry seasons, soil with low productive potential, and high pressure for parasitic diseases, is home to the highest percentage of the beef herd, which is the world's largest commercial beef producer. Therefore, breeds that present rusticity combined with productivity are the focus of research in cattle breeding in the region. Considering their geographic particularities and their effects on the animals' blood parameters, the objective was to study the behavior of hematological variables, serum biochemistry, and acute phase proteins in beef calves at weaning age. Jugular blood samples were collected in a single day from 30 weaning calves (about eight months old and 200 kg of body weight) from the following breeds: Nellore, Senepol, Nellore × Aberdeen Angus cross, Nellore × Senepol cross, and Nellore × Aberdeen Angus × Senepol cross. Hematological data were obtained using an automatic cell counter, serum biochemical measurements were obtained using commercial kits, and the electrophoretogram was obtained using the SDS-page technique. In general, the results were consistent with data already published in similar situations regarding health status, age, and level of metabolic activity. However, differences observed between groups can be explained by differences observed in other concurrent variables like temperament. The pure zebu breed was more reactive than pure taurine. While crossbreds showed intermediate values, and parasitic infestation, the pure taurine breed with higher parasite infestation, while the zebu breed had lower values, which produced effects in some laboratory tests, and generated differences between breeds. In conclusion, the reference intervals available for healthy animals can be routinely used without interference from the geographic region for animals produced without nutritional failures as long as changes are recorded in pathological, infectious, metabolic, or nutritional deficiency situations. However, it is suggested that a study covering a larger number of herds may demonstrate a greater geographic effect on the studied variables.

High-resolution structural variants catalogue in a large-scale whole genome sequenced bovine family cohort data

BACKGROUND

Structural variants (SVs) are chromosomal segments that differ between genomes, such as deletions, duplications, insertions, inversions and translocations. The genomics revolution enabled the discovery of sub-microscopic SVs via array and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, paving the way to unravel the functional impact of SVs. Recent human expression QTL mapping studies demonstrated that SVs play a disproportionally large role in altering gene expression, underlining the importance of including SVs in genetic analyses. Therefore, this study aimed to generate and explore a high-quality bovine SV catalogue exploiting a unique cattle family cohort data (total 266 samples, forming 127 trios).

RESULTS

We curated 13,731 SVs segregating in the population, consisting of 12,201 deletions, 1,509 duplications, and 21 multi-allelic CNVs (> 50-bp). Of these, we validated a subset of copy number variants (CNVs) utilising a direct genotyping approach in an independent cohort, indicating that at least 62% of the CNVs are true variants, segregating in the population. Among gene-disrupting SVs, we prioritised two likely high impact duplications, encompassing ORM1 and POPDC3 genes, respectively. Liver expression QTL mapping results revealed that these duplications are likely causing altered gene expression, confirming the functional importance of SVs. Although most of the accurately genotyped CNVs are tagged by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ascertained in WGS data, most CNVs were not captured by individual SNPs obtained from a 50K genotyping array.

CONCLUSION

We generated a high-quality SV catalogue exploiting unique whole genome sequenced bovine family cohort data. Two high impact duplications upregulating the ORM1 and POPDC3 are putative candidates for postpartum feed intake and hoof health traits, thus warranting further investigation. Generally, CNVs were in low LD with SNPs on the 50K array. Hence, it remains crucial to incorporate CNVs via means other than tagging SNPs, such as investigation of tagging haplotypes, direct imputation of CNVs, or direct genotyping as done in the current study. The SV catalogue and the custom genotyping array generated in the current study will serve as valuable resources accelerating utilisation of full spectrum of genetic variants in bovine genomes.

Susceptibility of Human Plasma N-glycome to Low-Calorie and Different Weight-Maintenance Diets

Aberrant plasma protein glycosylation is associated with a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular, and immunological disorders. To investigate plasma protein glycosylation alterations due to weight loss and successive weight-maintenance diets, 1850 glycomes from participants of the Diogenes study were analyzed using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC). The Diogenes study is a large dietary intervention study in which participants were subjected to a low-calorie diet (LCD) followed by one of five different weight-maintenance diets in a period of 6 months. The most notable alterations of the plasma glycome were 8 weeks after the subjects engaged in the LCD; a significant increase in low-branched glycan structures, accompanied by a decrease in high-branched glycan structures. After the LCD period, there was also a significant rise in N-glycan structures with antennary fucose. Interestingly, we did not observe significant changes between different diets, and almost all effects we observed immediately after the LCD period were annulled during the weight-maintenance diets period.

Invited review: Mechanisms of hypophagia during disease

Suppression of appetite, or hypophagia, is among the most recognizable effects of disease in livestock, with the potential to impair growth, reproduction, and lactation. The continued evolution of the field of immunology has led to a greater understanding of the immune and endocrine signaling networks underlying this conserved response to disease. Inflammatory mediators, especially including the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β, are likely pivotal to disease-induced hypophagia, based on findings in both rodents and cattle. However, the specific mechanisms linking a cytokine surge to decreased feeding behavior are more difficult to pin down and likely include direct effects on appetite centers in the brain, alteration of gastric motility, and modulation of other endocrine factors that influence appetite and satiety. These insights into the mechanisms for disease-induced hypophagia have great relevance for management of neonatal calves, mature cows transitioning to lactation, and cows experiencing mastitis; however, it is not necessarily the case that increasing feed intake by any means possible will improve health outcomes for diseased cattle. We explore conflicting effects of hypophagia on immune responses, which may be impaired by the lack of specific substrates, versus apparent benefits for controlling the growth of some pathogens. Anti-inflammatory strategies have shown promise for promoting recovery of feed intake following some conditions but not others. Finally, we explore the potential for early disease detection through automated monitoring of feeding behavior and consider which strategies may be implemented to respond to early hypophagia.