Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alan J. Twomey, Andrew R. Cromie
Summary: Reducing the age at first calving (AFC) in beef cows is economically beneficial. Cows that calve at younger ages are more likely to receive assistance at calving but this risk can be minimized with good management. Overall, AFC has a small impact on key performance traits in beef herds.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Magdalena Schrank, Barbara Contiero, Antonio Mollo
Summary: This study evaluates dystocia in dogs, finding that the age and prior C-sections of bitches can impact the risk of future C-sections. Additionally, the timing and intervention of C-sections can significantly impact the survival rate of the offspring.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Javier Pinan, Beatriz Alegre, Roy N. Kirkwood, Cristina Soriano-ubeda, Magdalena Maj, Juan Carlos Dominguez, Rodrigo Manjarin, Felipe Martinez-Pastor
Summary: The study found that sows with 2-4 previous farrowings displayed the best fertility and prolificacy, with better artificial insemination results in autumn and winter. Reproductive performance in Iberian sows declines earlier in spring-summer, with a possible decrease in performance due to increased temperatures and day length in the spring.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Lok Hin Lee, Elizabeth Bradburn, Rachel Craik, Mohammad Yaqub, Shane A. A. Norris, Leila Cheikh Ismail, Eric O. O. Ohuma, Fernando C. C. Barros, Ann Lambert, Maria Carvalho, Yasmin A. A. Jaffer, Michael Gravett, Manorama Purwar, Qingqing Wu, Enrico Bertino, Shama Munim, Aung Myat Min, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Jose Villar, Stephen H. H. Kennedy, J. Alison Noble, Aris T. T. Papageorghiou
Summary: Accurate estimation of gestational age is crucial for obstetric care. Ultrasound measurement of fetal size is the best method, but its accuracy decreases in the later stages of pregnancy. This study presents a machine learning-based model that estimates gestational age using only ultrasound images. The model outperforms current ultrasound-based methods, even in cases of intrauterine growth restriction.
NPJ DIGITAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
G. M. Pereira, L. B. Hansen, B. J. Heins
Summary: This study compared calves of different breeds in terms of gestation length, calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth. The results showed that there were differences among the different breeds in these indicators, but certain breeds could increase gestation length and calf weight without increasing calving difficulty and stillbirth.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chee Wai Ku, Xiaoxuan Zhang, Valencia Ru-Yan Zhang, John Carson Allen, Nguan Soon Tan, Truls Ostbye, Thiam Chye Tan
Summary: Progesterone levels show an increasing trend during the first trimester of pregnancy, with a transient decline between gestational weeks 6-8. Maternal age, BMI, parity, gestational age, and pregnancy outcome at 16 weeks' gestation are associated with progesterone levels. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate normative values and personalize them based on maternal factors.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kristen J. Polinski, Sonia L. Robinson, Diane L. Putnick, Weihua Guan, Jessica L. Gleason, Sunni L. Mumford, Rajeshwari Sundaram, Pauline Mendola, Stephanie London, Edwina H. Yeung
Summary: DNAm GA may better reflect biological maturation and is associated with decreased odds of developmental delay in early childhood. However, GAA is not associated with developmental delays.
HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaotong Yang, Paula A. Benny, Elorri Cervera-Marzal, Biyu Wu, Cameron B. Lassiter, Joshua Astern, Lana X. Garmire
Summary: Variations in telomere length have been linked to aging, stress, and diseases. This study investigated the association between placental telomere length and preeclampsia. The results suggest that placental telomere length is not significantly different between severe preeclampsia cases and healthy controls, but it is negatively correlated with gestational age and influenced by race.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qing Cheng, Chensheng Lu, Hong Shen, Yuhan Yang, Hong Chen
Summary: The study showed that earthworms can significantly reduce the bioavailability of cadmium in soil and improve soil fertility. Higher ambient temperatures in spring can promote the reduction of cadmium bioavailability and increase soil fertility due to an increase in microbial populations.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Chunyi Tan, Chethana N. Ellewela, Sandeep S. Sandhu, Nir Melamed, Clifford L. Librach, Amir Aviram
Summary: This study aimed to develop new formulas for estimating gestational age based on first-trimester ultrasound scans and compare them with preexisting formulas. The research concluded that a cubic model appeared to provide a more accurate estimation of gestational age in the first trimester based on crown-rump length compared to previously published formulas.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY MFM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Stastna, Ludek Sidlo, Jirina Kocourkova, Tomas Fait
Summary: In the Czech Republic, there is a longer length of stay in hospital after childbirth, with higher risks for young mothers and mothers over the age of 35. The risk of longer hospitalization increases with age, especially for vaginal births. Therefore, fertility postponement contributes to increased healthcare costs associated with post-birth hospitalization.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Michael L. Eisenberg, Marie E. Thoma, Shufeng Li, Alexander C. McLain
Summary: The study found that TTP in the USA remained stable overall, but women over 30 and parous women had longer TTP. This may be related to declining fertility rates and increased use of infertility treatments.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Joachim Hartmann, Maria Munk Paerregaard, Jakob Norsk, Adrian Pietersen, Kasper Karmark Iversen, Henning Bundgaard, Alex Horby Christensen
Summary: The study found significant impact of gestational age on neonatal ECG parameters, with boys showing longer PR and QRS intervals and a more right-shifted QRS axis. Gestational age was directly associated with the development of the neonatal cardiac conduction system, and the use of GA-specific reference values can optimize clinical management.
Article
Pediatrics
Anjum Shakya, Nisha Keshary Bhatta, Rupa Rajbhandari Singh, Shankar Prasad Yadav, Jitendra Thakur
Summary: This study aimed to develop gestational age specific percentile charts of birth weight, length, and head circumference for neonates. The percentile charts can be used as a reference for the local population and potentially establish a national reference curve for healthy neonates across different regions.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Khalid Siddiqui, Teena P. George, Salini Scaria Joy, Shaik Sarfaraz Nawaz
Summary: This study demonstrates a strong association between sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and gestational age in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The findings suggest that parity and gestational age should be considered when analyzing SHBG as a marker for GDM diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Haolin Li, Xiaomeng Pei, Hao Yu, Wei Wang, Dagan Mao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of APN/AdipoRon on autophagy and apoptosis in goat luteal cells, and found that autophagy and apoptosis play important roles in the structural regression of goat corpus luteum.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Yan-Qiu Wang, He-Xuan Qu, Yan-Wei Dong, Jia-Jia Qi, Hua-Kai Wei, Hao Sun, Hao Jiang, Jia-Bao Zhang, Bo-Xing Sun, Shuang Liang
Summary: This research reveals the crucial role of Ferroptosis Suppressor Protein 1 (FSP1) in regulating the development and quality of porcine early embryos. Inhibition of FSP1 impairs blastocyst formation, induces glutathione-independent ferroptosis, and leads to oxidative stress due to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Xiong Lai, Ruizhuo Liu, Mengyu Li, Yaochun Fan, Hongxia Li, Guotao Han, Ruijie Guo, Hairui Ma, Huimin Su, Wanjin Xing
Summary: This study identifies WDR54 as a protein involved in sperm-oocyte fertilization and shows that it interacts with IZUMO1 and JUNO. The formation of the JWIJ complex on the oocyte surface suggests its importance in sperm-oocyte adhesion and fusion. This discovery provides new insights into the mechanisms of mammalian sperm-oocyte adhesion and fusion.
Article
Reproductive Biology
S. Nandi, B. Sampath Kumar, P. S. P. Gupta, S. Mondal, V. Girish Kumar
Summary: This study examined the effects of plant bioactive compounds on the survival and growth parameters of ovine preantral follicles granulosa cells (GCs) and the expression of key developmental genes. The results showed that KAE, MYR and QUE had dose-dependent responses on the morphological and functional parameters of the cells, with KAE being the most potent in augmenting ovarian functions.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Francisco E. Martin-Cano, Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips, Laura Becerro-Rey, Eva da Silva, Javier Masot, Eloy Redondo, Antonio Silva-Rodriguez, Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola, Maria Cruz Gil, Fernando J. Pena
Summary: The presence of a more efficient glycolysis mechanism depending on pyruvate in stallion spermatozoa can counteract the detrimental effects of higher glucose concentrations. Incubating spermatozoa with 10 mM pyruvate in a modified Tyrode's media with 67 mM glucose showed increased motility and maintained viability. This improvement is attributed to the conversion of lactate to pyruvate and increased NAD(+) enhancing glycolysis efficiency.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Thanida Sananmuang, Denis Puthier, Catherine Nguyen, Kaj Chokeshaiusaha
Summary: Ongoing progress in mRNA-Sequencing technologies has contributed to the refinement of assisted reproductive technologies. This study utilized mRNA-Seq datasets of various mammalian species to analyze differential transcript usage (DTU) and identified ten cross-species DTU genes. Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of these genes in RNA and cell-cycle control mechanisms, suggesting their importance during oocyte maturation. Further exploration of these genes' transcript isoforms may lead to the discovery of novel markers for reproductive technologies.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Chenglei Song, Zhe Zhang, Yilin Wei, Yaqing Dou, Kunlong Qi, Xiuling Li, Feng Yang, Xinjian Li, Kejun Wang, Ruimin Qiao, Xuelei Han
Summary: In this study, the changes in protein levels in boar sperm with different liquid preservation abilities were analyzed. Key proteins related to sperm liquid preservation ability were identified. The findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of boar sperm liquid preservation ability.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Genevieve M. VanWye, Emily G. Smith, Christine Spinka, Michael F. Smith, Matthew C. Lucy, Jordan M. Thomas
Summary: A series of experiments evaluated treatment schedules for controlling the estrous cycle in beef heifers. The results showed that the duration of progestin treatment and the timing of prostaglandin administration had an impact on estrus expression and pregnancy rates.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Hongwei Duan, Shuai Yang, Longfei Xiao, Shanshan Yang, Zhenxing Yan, Fang Wang, Xiaofei Ma, Lihong Zhang, Yong Zhang, Junjie Hu, Xingxu Zhao
Summary: This study first elucidated the mechanism by which melatonin regulates progesterone secretion in the corpus luteum of sheep, namely by promoting progesterone secretion through the regulation of autophagy. This has important implications for further exploring the role of melatonin in regulating sheep ovarian function.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Zhijie Zheng, Yingfang Guo, Yonghui Zheng, Haichong Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates that miR-92b plays a protective role in LTA-induced endometritis by targeting FZD10 and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus alleviating uterine injury.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Areeg Almubarak, Sanghoon Lee, Il-Jeoung Yu, Yubyeol Jeon
Summary: This study found that Nobiletin (NOB) can promote the cryosurvival and embryo development of porcine sperm after in vitro fertilization (IVF). The addition of NOB improves sperm motility, acrosome integrity, viability, and mitochondrial membrane potential, reduces lipid peroxidation, and increases cleavage and blastocyst formation rates. Furthermore, NOB treatment upregulates the expression of genes related to pluripotency and cell differentiation in the resulting embryos.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Yuan Li, Lishu Li, Wenjie Xiong, Xing Duan, Huaming Xi
Summary: This study investigated the cytotoxicity and toxicological mechanisms of fluorochloridone (FLC) on cultured goat Sertoli cells. The results showed that FLC exposure induced oxidative stress, promoted apoptosis and autophagy, inhibited lysosomal biogenesis, and blocked autophagic flux in goat Sertoli cells. FLC also caused mitochondrial dysfunction and disturbed mitophagy, leading to cell apoptosis. The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) reduced FLC-induced ROS accumulation and reversed the disorder of autophagy levels.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Gabriela Ramos Leal, Thais de Almeida Oliveira, Mariana Pedrosa de Paula Guimaraes, Lucas Francisco Leodido Correia, Erlandia Marcia Vasconcelos, Joanna Maria Goncalves Souza-Fabjan
Summary: This study investigated the time course of lipid accumulation during IVM and the effects of lipid modulators on cat oocytes. The results showed that adding lipid modulators can reduce lipid content and improve viability after cryopreservation.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Isabella Rio Feltrin, Amanda Guimaraes da Silva, Cecilia Constantino Rocha, Priscila Assis Ferraz, Paola Maria da Silva Rosa, Thiago Martins, Juliano Coelho da Silveira, Milena Lopes Oliveira, Mario Binelli, Guilherme Pugliesi, Claudia Maria Bertan Membrive
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of E2 treatment on Nelore heifers on day 15 of the estrous cycle, finding that E2 promoted an increase in PGFM concentrations and accelerated functional and structural luteolysis by upregulating the expression of PGR and OXTR. This suggests that within 3 hours after E2 stimulus, the expression of these receptors is associated with triggering luteolysis in cattle.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Aline Matos Arrais, Angelo Jose Burla Dias, Claudio Luiz Melo de Souza, Alinne Gloria Curcio, Marco Roberto Bourg de Mello
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of phospholipase C (PLC) on the capacitation of cryopreserved ovine semen. The results showed that the inhibitor U73122 can prevent premature capacitation and acrosome reaction induced by the freezing procedure, without affecting the kinetics and integrity of the sperm membranes.