Effects of energy balance of hormones, ovarian activity, and recovered oocytes in lactating Holstein cows using transvaginal follicular aspiration

The effects of energy balance on hormonal secretion patterns and the structure of recovered oocytes were evaluated in 20 lactating Holstein cows during two trial periods. Cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments formulated so that dry matter consumption was 3.6% of body weight (high energy; 1.78 Mcal/kg) or 3.2% of body weight (low energy; 1.52 Mcal/kg). Ovum recovery procedures were conducted twice weekly between d 30 and 100 of lactation. Follicle size and number were recorded. Follicular fluid aspirated from the largest follicle and serum samples were collected for hormone assay. Milk yield averaged 41.6 +/- 0.3 kg/d (mean +/- SE) for high energy fed cows and 32.8 +/- 0.3 kg/d for low energy fed cows. Oocyte numbers increased linearly from d 30 to 100 postpartum. Cows fed high energy diets produced more good (+) oocytes than did cows fed low energy diets.

The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and related factors in 188 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: One of the most important concerns about systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the presence of oral lesions, which in turn is one of the diagnostic criteria for SLE. Regarding the wide range of oral lesions and the absence of comprehensive data in Iran, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and related factors in patients with SLE at three rheumatology clinics in Tehran. Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 188 patients by observation, clinical examination, completing questionnaire and also evaluating patients’ medical records. The lesions explored were ulcer, erythema, erythematous center with white striae or spots, and white plaques. Related factors taken into consideration were age, sex, smoking, frequency of pregnancy, oral health status, duration of disease, medications taken daily dosage of corticosteroid drugs, and the state of disease control. Sampling was done by the continuous method and data obtained were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0 and ordinal regression tests. Findings: Out of 188 patients, 102 (54.3%) patients had oral mucosal lesions. The most prevalent lesion was ulcer (28.1%) and the most common region involved was the buccal and labial mucosa. Conclusion: With regard to the high prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in patients with SLE, it is of paramount importance to emphasize early detection of these lesions as a mean of diagnosis of disease and faster initiation of treatment.

Effect of clinical mastitis and other diseases on reproductive performance of Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of clinical mastitis and (or) other diseases on reproductive performance in lactating Holstein cows. Cows (n=967) from a commercial dairy farm were divided into four groups retrospectively: cows with clinical mastitis and other diseases (MD, n=54), clinical mastitis only (M, n=154), other diseases only (D, n=187), and cows with no record of clinical mastitis or other diseases (H, n=572). Days in milk at first service (DIMFS), services per conception (S/C), days not pregnant (DNP), the rate at which animals became pregnant over time and the proportion of cows that remained non-pregnant during 224 days of lactation were evaluated. Groups MD and M had greater (P<0.05) DNP compared with H (155+/-15 and 140+/-5 vs. 88+/-2, respectively). Moreover, MD and M had greater (P<0.05) S/C compared with H (3.0+/-0.4 and 2.1+/-0.1 vs. 1.6+/-0.1, respectively). The rate at which animals became pregnant over time was less (P<0.05) for MD and M and tended (P=0.1) to be less for D when compared with H. In addition, proportion of cows that remained non-pregnant by 224 days of lactation was greater (P<0.05) in MD, M, and D compared with H. Cows with mastitis were also divided into three groups according to the day of occurrence of the first case of clinical mastitis: (1) clinical mastitis occurred before 56 days postpartum (MP1); (2) clinical mastitis occurred between 56 and 105 days after parturition (MP2); and (3) clinical mastitis occurred after 105 days postpartum (MP3) Regardless of the time of occurrence, DNP was greater (P<0.05) for cows with mastitis compared with H. Time of mastitis occurrence affected S/C in that cows in MP2 and MP3 had a greater S/C compared with H cows (P<0.05). Reproductive efficiency was decreased by the presence of clinical mastitis alone because a greater proportion of cows with mastitis remained non-pregnant over time. Moreover, a greater proportion of cows with mastitis or diseases remained non-pregnant by 224 postpartum. Furthermore, the negative effects on reproduction were exacerbated when cows experienced both clinical mastitis and other diseases.

Conception rates and serum progesterone concentration in dairy cattle administered gonadotropin releasing hormone 5 days after artificial insemination

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of administration of exogenous GnRH 5days after artificial insemination (AI) on ovarian structures, serum progesterone concentration, and conception rates in lactating dairy cows. In experiment 1, 23 Holstein cows were synchronized using the Ovsynch protocol. Five days after AI (day 0) cows were assigned randomly to receive either saline (saline; n=11) or 100microg GnRH (GnRH; n=12). To examine ovarian structures, ultrasonography was performed on day 1 and every other day beginning on day 5 until day 13. On days 5 and 13 blood samples were obtained to measure serum progesterone concentrations. All cows in the GnRH-treated group developed an accessory corpus luteum (CL), whereas cows in the saline group did not. Mean serum progesterone concentrations did not differ between GnRH and saline groups on day 5 (1.64+/-0.46ng/ml versus 2.04+/-0.48ng/ml). On day 13 serum progesterone concentrations were greater (P<0.05) in the GnRH group compared with saline (5.22+/-0.46ng/ml versus 3.36+/-0.48ng/ml). In experiment 2, 542 lactating cows, at two different commercial dairies, were used to test the effect of administering GnRH 5 days after AI on conception rates. Cows were synchronized and detected for estrus according to tail chalk removal. Cows detected in estrus received AI within 1h after detection of estrus. Five days after AI, cows were assigned randomly to receive either GnRH (n=266) or saline (n=276). Pregnancy status was determined by palpation per rectum of uterine contents approximately 40 days after AI. There was no effect of farm on conception rate. There was no effect of treatment as conception rates did not differ between GnRH and saline groups (26.7% GnRH versus 24.3% saline). Regardless of treatment, days in milk, parity, milk yield, and number of services had no effect on the odds ratio of pregnancy. In summary, the results of this study indicated that GnRH administered 5 days after AI increased serum progesterone by developing an accessory CL but did not improve conception rates in dairy cattle.

Effects of ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration on oocyte recovery and hormonal profiles before and after GnRH treatment

Endocrine changes and recovered oocytes were evaluated during 16 wk of ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration (TVFA) and prior to and following administration of GnRH at the cessation of aspiration. Nonlactating previously aspirated (PAC, n = 4) and non-aspirated, (AC, n = 4) Holstein cows were subjected to 16 wk of twice-weekly aspiration. Four control cows (OAC) were aspirated 1 time only at the final TVFA session (wk 16). Jugular blood samples were collected from all cows during aspiration, before and after the final TVFA session, and during an 18-d period following cessation of aspiration. Ovarian activity was monitored in all cows after cessation of aspiration for 18 d. The PAC and AC cows averaged 3.4 +/- 1.2 (+/- SE) and 6.8 +/- 1.2 oocytes per session, respectively. Progesterone concentrations during TVFA did not differ between the PAC and AC (0.8 +/- 0.1 and 0.9 +/- 0.1 ng/mL, respectively). Progesterone concentration in OAC was 4.5 +/- 0.2 ng/mL before TVFA, while the PAC and AC averaged 0.5 +/- 0.2 and 0.3 +/- 0.2 ng/mL, respectively, at 16 wk. At Week 16 LH was 1.0 +/- 0.2 ng/mL and it increased to 7.5 +/- 0.1 ng/mL after GnRH treatment. The LH concentration before the final aspiration session was higher at peak amplitude in PAC than in AC groups and peak length was longer in OAC than in AC cows (P < 0.07). Between 18 and 24 h after the last aspiration there were more LH peaks and greater peak frequencies in PAC than in OAC cows (P < 0.07), and the interval between peaks was longer in PAC and AC cows (P < 0.10) than in OAC cows. Mean FSH concentrations were lower (P < 0.01) for OAC than for PAC and AC groups at 20 and 24 h after the last aspiration. Follicle numbers after GnRH varied most among treatment groups for follicles < 9 mm, with the PAC, AC and OAC averaging 5.1 +/- 1.0, 5.1 +/- 1.0, and 3.8 +/- 1.0 follicles/d, respectively. Progesterone concentrations increased to 1.1 +/- 0.3 ng/mL in PAC cows and 2.5 +/- 0.3 and 3.4 +/- 0.3 ng/mL in AC and OAC groups, respectively, during the 18-d period. These results suggest that long-term TVFA affects progesterone, LH and FSH profiles and ovarian dynamics in cows.

Time and Incidence of Ovulation and Conception Rates After Incorporating Estradiol Cypionate into a Timed Artificial Insemination Protocol

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of estradiol cypionate (ECP), when incorporated into a conventional GnRH-PGF(2alpha)-GnRH timed artificial insemination protocol (Ovsynch), on systemic estradiol (E(2)), time and incidence of ovulation, luteal development, and conception rate in Holstein cows. Our objective was to determine if administration of 0.25 mg of ECP at the time of the second GnRH injection would effectively synchronize ovulation and increase conception rate. In Experiment 1, lactating Holstein cows (n = 23; 58.7 +/- 1.2 d in milk) were synchronized with PGF(2alpha) (at d -10). Ten days later, Ovsynch was initiated with the administration of 100 mug of GnRH (d 0) followed by PGF(2alpha) on d 7. On d 9, cows were assigned randomly to be treated with either GnRH + 0.25 mg of ECP (OVS-ECP; n = 11) or GnRH and 1 mL of cottonseed oil (OVS-C; n = 12). Ovarian activity was monitored by ultrasonography on d 0, 7, and 9. To determine the time of ovulation, ultrasound examinations were conducted at 12 and 20 h posttreatment and then at least every 3 h until either 36 h posttreatment or ovulation was observed. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 7, 9, and 16 for progesterone analysis. Blood samples also were collected at the time of treatment (d 9, 0 h) and at 6, 12, 20, and 28 h for E(2) analysis. Incidence of ovulation did not differ between treatments. Mean ovulation time relative to the second GnRH administration was similar between treatments. Serum progesterone concentration did not differ between treatments at any time. Serum E(2) concentration was not different at the time of treatment (0 h); however, mean E(2) concentration was greater for the OVS-ECP group at 6 and 12 h after treatment compared with OVS-C. In Experiment 2, lactating dairy cows (n = 333) in 3 commercial herds were randomly assigned to OVS-ECP (n = 169) or OVS-C (n = 164). Cows were inseminated 22 to 24 h posttreatment. Conception rates did not differ between treatments. Estradiol cypionate treatment was successful in increasing serum E(2) when administered at the time of the second dose of GnRH in the Ovsynch protocol. Conception rates, however, were not affected by treatment.

Association of CagPAI integrity with severeness of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastritis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The Helicobacter pylori cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI) is involved in delivery of CagA effector protein and peptidoglycan into host cells and also in IL-8 induction in the human gastric tissue. Diversity of cagPAI may affect disease status and clinical outcome of the infected patients. Our study was aimed to investigate diversity of this island and its intactness in Iranian patients to investigate possible associations between cagPAI integrity and pathological changes of the infected tissue.

MATERIAL/PATIENTS AND METHODS

Out of the 75 patients, H. pylori strains were obtained from 30 patients with severe active gastritis (SAG) (n=11), moderate chronic gastritis (CG) (n=14) and intestinal metaplasia/dysplasia (IM) (n=5). Intactness of the cagPAI was determined using 12 sets of primer pairs specific for functionally important loci of cagPAI by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

The cagPAI positive strains were significantly observed in patients with SAG (52.4%) in comparison to those presenting CG (33.3%) and IM (14.3%). In addition, the presence of intact cagPAI was 87.5% in H. pylori strains isolated from patients with SAG, which was higher than those obtained from patients with CG (12.5%) or IM (0%). A significant increase in the frequency of cagα-cagY and cagW-cagT segments, as exterior proteins of the CagPAI, was illustrated in strains from SAG patients compared with those from patients with CG.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these results strongly proposed an association between the severity of histopathological changes and intactness of cagPAI in the gastric tissue of patients infected with H. pylori.

Dopamine Antagonist Alters Serum Cortisol and Prolactin Secretion in Lactating Holstein Cows

The role of dopamine in regulating glucocorticoid and prolactin secretion was investigated in lactating Holstein cows by characterizing serum cortisol and prolactin responses to fluphenazine, a dopamine receptor antagonist. Twelve anovulatory cows received an intravenous bolus injection of either saline (n = 6) or 0.3 mg of fluphenazine/kg of body weight (n = 6) in wk 2 postpartum. Blood samples were collected every 30 min for 4 h before and 4 h after saline or fluphenazine injection. Serum progesterone concentration was 0.13 +/- 0.1 ng/mL and did not differ between groups. No difference in serum cortisol concentrations was detected between groups before treatments. Fluphenazine increased serum cortisol concentrations within 30 min after fluphenazine administration (>30 ng/mL) and concentrations remained elevated throughout the sampling period. Cortisol remained unchanged in saline-treated cows (<10 ng/mL). Prolactin concentrations also increased after fluphenazine administration (103.1 +/- 3.1 ng/mL), but were unaffected by saline (18 +/- 3.1 ng/mL). Prolactin concentrations remained elevated throughout the sampling period in fluphenazine-treated cows. Our results indicated that a dopamine antagonist increased cortisol, suggesting that endogenous dopamine, at least in part, regulates cortisol and prolactin secretion. These effects are regulated through dopamine receptors in anovulatory lactating dairy cows during the early postpartum period.

Relationship of anogenital distance with fertility in nulliparous Holstein heifers

Anogenital distance (AGD), defined as the distance from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris, in lactating dairy cows of first and second parity, has been reported to be inversely related to fertility and moderately heritable. Thus, AGD may be a useful reproductive phenotype for future genetic selection to improve fertility. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize AGD in nulliparous dairy heifers; and (2) determine if the inverse relationship between AGD and fertility, found in lactating dairy cows, is also evident in nulliparous heifers. We measured AGD in 1,692 Holstein heifers from 16 herds in Western Canada (Alberta and British Columbia) and one herd in the United States (Washington State). Data were analyzed using MEANS, UNIVARIATE, LOGISTIC, ROC, GLIMMIX, and LIFETEST procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). Mean (±standard deviation) age at AGD measurement was 13.9 ± 1.5 mo, and AGD was normally distributed with a mean of 107.3 ± 10.5 mm, ranging from 69 to 142 mm. With every 1-mm increase in AGD, the predicted probability of pregnancy was reduced by 1.9%. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimum threshold AGD that predicted the probability of pregnancy. Based on the optimum threshold AGD, data from heifers were categorized into short (≤110 mm) and long (>110 mm) AGD groups, and associations between AGD groups and fertility measures were determined. Heifers with short AGD required fewer services per conception (1.5 vs. 1.7) than heifers with long AGD. Consequently, heifers with short AGD conceived earlier (448.4 vs. 454.3 d) and had greater pregnancy to first AI than those with long AGD (58.3 vs. 49.6%). Moreover, heifers with long AGD had reduced hazard (hazard ratio of 0.59) for pregnancy up to 450 d of life compared with those with short AGD. In summary, AGD was normally distributed and highly variable in the population. In addition, an inverse relationship between AGD and fertility measures in nulliparous heifers was evident, confirming an earlier report of a similar relationship in lactating dairy cows. These findings strengthen the potential for AGD to be used as a fertility trait and management tool in future selection programs.

Signaling and molecular basis of bone marrow niche angiogenesis in leukemia

Angiogenesis, the process of blood vessel formation, is necessary for tissue survival in normal and pathologic conditions. Increased angiogenesis in BM niche is correlated with leukemia progression and resistance to treatment. Angiogenesis can interfere with disease progression and several angiogenic (such as vascular growth factors) as well as anti-angiogenic factors (i.e. angiostatin) can affect angiogenesis. Furthermore, miRs can affect the angiogenic process by inhibiting angiogenesis or increasing the expression of growth factors. Given the importance of angiogenesis in BM for maintenance of leukemic clones, recognition of angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors and miRs as well as drug resistance mechanisms of leukemic blasts can improve the therapeutic strategies. We highlight the changes in angiogenic balance within the BM niche in different leukemia types. Moreover, we explored the pathways leading to drug resistance in relation to angiogenesis and attempted to assign interesting candidates for future research.

Associations between anogenital distance and measures of fertility in lactating North American Holstein cows: A validation study

Anogenital distance (AGD) has been defined in dairy cows as the distance from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris. Initial reports on nulliparous Holstein heifers and first- and second-parity Holstein cows have found inverse relationships between AGD and measures of fertility. Our primary objective was to determine the relationship between AGD and measures of fertility in a larger population of North American Holstein cows to validate our previous finding that AGD is inversely related to fertility. Secondary objectives were to determine the associations between AGD and parity, and milk yield. Using digital calipers, we measured AGD in 4,709 Holstein cows [mean ± standard deviation (SD); parity 2.3 ± 1.4; days in milk (DIM) 154 ± 94; 305-d mature equivalent (ME) milk yield 13,759 ± 2,188 kg] from 18 herds in Western Canada and 1 herd in the USA. Anogenital distance (mm) was normally distributed with a mean (±SD) of 132 ± 12, ranging from 95 to 177, and a median of 133. Anogenital distance was linearly but inversely associated with pregnancy to first artificial insemination (P/AI1). For every 1-mm increase in AGD, the estimated probability of P/AI1 decreased by 0.8%. The optimum AGD cut-point that predicted probability of P/AI1 with sensitivity and specificity of 45 and 55%, respectively, was 129 mm. Consequently, data were categorized into either short (≤129) or long (>129) AGD groups across parities, and associations between AGD, parity (first, second, and third+), and fertility measures were determined. Rates of P/AI1 were greater (36 vs. 30%) in short- than in long-AGD cows; short-AGD cows required fewer AI per conception (2.3 vs. 2.4) and had fewer days open (137 vs. 142), and a greater proportion of short-AGD cows (67 vs. 64%) was pregnant by 150 DIM compared with long-AGD cows. The rates of pregnancy up to 150 (hazard ratio of 0.91) and 250 DIM (hazard ratio of 0.93) were smaller in long- than in short-AGD cows. Anogenital distance had a weak positive association with both parity (r = 0.22) and 305-d ME milk yield (r = 0.04). Results indicate an inverse relationship between AGD and measures of fertility in lactating cows, validating our earlier report. We infer that although selecting cows for short AGD is expected to have an adverse effect on milk yield, the anticipated gain in fertility will outweigh the small decline in milk yield, strengthening the potential of AGD as a novel reproductive phenotype for use in future breeding programs to improve fertility.

Platelet and Haemostasis are the Main Targets in Severe Cases of COVID-19 Infection; a System Biology Study

Introduction:

Many proteomics-based and bioinformatics-based efforts are made to detect the molecular mechanism of COVID-19 infection. Identification of the main protein targets and pathways of severe cases of COVID-19 infection is the aim of this study.

Methods:

Published differentially expressed proteins were screened and the significant proteins were investigated via protein-protein interaction network using Cytoscape software V. 3.7.2 and STRING database. The studied proteins were assessed via action map analysis to determine the relationship between individual proteins using CluePedia. The related biological terms were investigated using ClueGO and the terms were clustered and discussed.

Results:

Among the 35 queried proteins, six of them (FGA, FGB, FGG, and FGl1 plus TLN1 and THBS1) were identified as critical proteins. A total of 38 biological terms, clustered in 4 groups, were introduced as the affected terms. “Platelet degranulation” and “hereditary factor I deficiency disease” were introduced as the main class of the terms disturbed by COVID-19 virus.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that platelet damage and disturbed haemostasis could be the main targets in severe cases of coronavirus infection. It is vital to follow patients’ condition by examining the introduced critical differentially expressed proteins (DEPs).

Effect of Simultaneous Thawing of Multiple 0.5-mL Straws of Semen and Sequence of Insemination on Conception Rate in Dairy Cattle

The objectives of this study were to determine 1) the effect of simultaneous thawing of multiple 0.5-mL straws of semen and sequence of insemination (first, second, third, or fourth) on conception rates in dairy cattle, 2) whether the conception rates achieved following AI by professional AI (PAI) technicians and herdsman-inseminators (HI) differed, and 3) the effect of elapsed time from initiation of thawing straws of semen to seminal deposition on conception rates in dairy cattle. Four dairies with PAI and four with HI participated in the study. Initial data recorded included beginning thaw time, cow identification number, and time of seminal deposition. Herd records were retrieved following pregnancy diagnosis. Conception rates of dairy cows (n = 1025) were not affected by sequence of insemination (first, second, third, or fourth). Conception rates for herds using PAI were 40, 47, 41, and 50%. Conception rates for herds using HI were 24, 20, 33, and 30%. Average conception rates of dairy cows differed between PAI and HI (45 vs. 27%, respectively). The difference in mean conception rate achieved by PAI and HI was not attributable to milk production, parity, service number or stage of lactation. The elapsed time from initial thaw to completion of fourth AI was shorter for PAI than for HI, 7.6 vs. 10.9 min, respectively. Although the average conception rate differed between PAI and HI, elapsed time from initial thaw to completion of fourth AI and sequence of insemination (first, second, third, or fourth) had no effect on conception rate within inseminator group.