Article
Reproductive Biology
F. Magata, M. Urakawa, F. Matsuda, Y. Oono
Summary: The use of sexed semen to produce bovine embryos results in embryos with slower growth, reduced cell numbers, and decreased viability compared to embryos produced with unsorted semen. These differences may be attributed to abnormalities during the first cleavage and could explain the reduced fertility observed in embryos derived from sexed semen.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Chunhui Zhu, Fang Chen, Shengmin Zhang, Hong She, Yun Ju, Xidong Wen, Chunxia Yang, Yan Sun, Naijun Dong, Tongmin Xue, Kaifeng Liu, Feng Li, Hengmi Cui
Summary: The study results indicate that an increase in sperm DFI significantly reduces the success rate of fresh embryo transfer cycles, as well as the biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate of frozen embryo transfer cycles.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Juan Carlos Gutierrez-Anez, Andrea Lucas-Hahn, Klaus-Gerd Hadeler, Patrick Aldag, Heiner Niemann
Summary: The study found that adding melatonin during in vitro culture can improve cumulus-oocyte competence and embryo development in prepubertal and adult dairy cattle, enhancing embryo quality.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. B. Clasen, C. Bengtsson, H. N. Kallstrom, E. Strandberg, W. F. Fikse, L. Rydhmer
Summary: Breeding technologies such as sexed semen, beef semen, genomic testing, and dairy crossbreeding are readily available to Swedish dairy farmers, but their use is limited in the country. A survey with a discrete choice experiment showed that farmers strongly prefer sexed semen and beef semen, while genomic testing is also widely favored. However, buying embryos was not preferred by any group of respondents.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jordi Ribas-Maynou, Yentel Mateo-Otero, Marina Sanchez-Quijada, Sandra Recuero, Ariadna Delgado-Bermudez, Marc Llavanera, Marc Yeste
Summary: Sperm telomere length may serve as a biomarker for embryo development in pigs, as sperm with longer telomeres lead to higher rates of morulae and blastocysts.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Line Hjorto, Trine Andersen, Morten Kargo, Anders Christian Sorensen
Summary: In this study, we compared the effects of optimum-contribution selection (OCS) and truncation selection (TRS) on the size of a beef cattle population under the same genetic gain and rate of inbreeding. The results showed that OCS and multiple ovulation and embryo transfer can achieve fewer selected sires and dams compared to TRS, while maintaining similar genetic gain and rate of inbreeding. This breeding scheme is recommended for beef cattle destined for use on dairy females due to its economic and environmental benefits.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Huijun Chen, Jian Li, Sufen Cai, Sha Tang, Suimin Zeng, Chang Chu, Carl-Friedrich Hocher, Benjamin Rosing, Bernhard K. Kramer, Liang Hu, Ge Lin, Fei Gong, Berthold Hocher
Summary: Blastocyst transfer after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection increases the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Xiangfei Wang, Ruolin Mao, Meng Wang, Rui Long, Lei Jin, Lixia Zhu
Summary: This meta-analysis investigates the impact of recryopreservation on embryo viability and the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The findings suggest that recryopreservation can result in decreased embryo survival, clinical pregnancy rates, and live birth rates compared to single cryopreservation.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Jose Denis-Robichaud, Artur C. C. Fernandes, Jose E. P. Santos, Ronaldo L. A. Cerri
Summary: This study evaluated the factors influencing fertilization and embryo development. The study found that structures from primiparous cows, cows with higher progesterone concentration, and cows with fewer accessory spermatozoa were less likely to be fertilized or of better quality. Additionally, embryos with more blastomeres or without nonviable blastomeres were more likely to be of better quality.
Article
Andrology
Kazuko Ogata, Maria Portia B. Nagata, Hirofumi Nishizono, Tadayuki Yamanouchi, Hideo Matsuda, Yuki Ogata, Kumiko Takeda, Yutaka Hashiyada, Kenichi Yamashita
Summary: This study focused on using a microfluidic sperm sorter to collect highly motile spermatozoa from frozen-thawed bull semen and found that the sorted spermatozoa exhibited significantly higher motility, membrane integrity, mitochondrial function, and ATP production compared to unsorted spermatozoa. The results suggest that the device has great potential in assisted reproduction by strictly selecting high-quality spermatozoa.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Maayan Hagbi Bal, Avi Harlev, Ruslan Sergienko, Eliahu Levitas, Iris Har-Vardi, Atif Zeadna, Aya Mark-Reich, Hadas Becker, Noa Ben-David, Lechaim Naggan, Tamar Wainstock
Summary: The study found an association between IVF treatment and offspring neoplasm risk, especially for offspring transferred as fresh embryos, at an earlier embryotic stage, or after harvesting three or more oocytes.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Huixiao Chen, Ping Sun, Na Zhang, Shangge Lv, Yongzhi Cao, Lei Yan
Summary: This study assessed the effect of uterine septum resection on reproductive outcomes in patients with secondary infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The results showed that uterine septum resection improved the pregnancy rates and live birth rates in these patients.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yixuan Wu, Mingzhu Cao, Yanshan Lin, Zijin Xu, Zhu Liang, Qing Huang, Sichen Li, Lei Li, Yaming Meng, Chunyan An, Haiying Liu, Jianqiao Liu
Summary: The study found that inactivated COVID-19 vaccines have minimal impact on IVF outcomes, including ovarian stimulation, embryo development, and pregnancy rates.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Asha M. Miles, Jana L. Hutchison, Paul M. VanRaden
Summary: Dairy producers have improved fertility of their herds by selecting bulls with higher conception rate evaluations. However, recent analysis of historical data revealed low ET reporting accuracy, with only 1% of ET calves having corresponding records and 2% being incorrectly reported as artificial inseminations. Recalculating fertility evaluations with a revised data set showed little effect on most bulls, but had a larger impact on younger bulls popular for ET use and genomic selection. Therefore, improving ET reporting accuracy is crucial for accurate fertility evaluations.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Peter J. Hansen
Summary: The embryo produced by in vitro techniques has significant potential for genetic improvement and is a crucial component in various technologies. Overcoming technical obstacles and optimizing culture conditions are necessary for fully utilizing the opportunities offered by in vitro-produced embryos.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eliab Estrada-Cortes, William Ortiz, Maria B. Rabaglino, Jeremy Block, Owen Rae, Elizabeth A. Jannaman, Yao Xiao, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: Provision of the methyl-donor choline to preimplantation embryos can alter their developmental program to increase gestation length, birth weight, and weaning weight, and cause postnatal changes in muscle DNA methylation associated with genes related to anabolic processes and cellular growth, highlighting the importance of embryo nutritional status for health and well-being after birth.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Eliab Estrada-Cortes, Elizabeth A. Jannaman, Jeremy Block, Thiago F. Amaral, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: The study found that adding colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) and serum to bovine embryos cultured in vitro can impact embryo development and the phenotype of resulting calves. Serum increased the percentage of cleaved embryos developing into blastocysts, while CSF2 had a smaller effect. Gestation length was shortest for pregnancies established with serum-treated embryos. Adding CSF2 during the preimplantation period influenced the accumulation of intramuscular and subcutaneous fat in resultant calves.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Viju Vijayan Pillai, Tiffany G. Kei, Shailesh Gurung, Moubani Das, Luiz G. B. Siqueira, Soon Hon Cheong, Peter J. Hansen, Vimal Selvaraj
Summary: TGF beta 1 plays a crucial role in the differentiation of trophoblast cells, and inhibition of RhoA/Rock promotes self-renewal and proliferation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thiago F. Amaral, Joao Gabriel Viana de Grazia, Luany Alves Galvao Martinhao, Felipe De Col, Luiz Gustavo B. Siqueira, Joao Henrique M. Viana, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: The study aimed to optimize in vitro embryo production in cattle. The results showed that the proportion of embryos becoming blastocysts in culture was influenced by the type of serum in the medium and the addition of specific embryokines. The sire also had a significant effect on embryonic development and pregnancy rate.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
L. M. Jensen, E. A. Jannaman, J. E. Pryce, A. De Vries, P. J. Hansen
Summary: Heat stress has negative consequences for milk production and reproduction of dairy cattle, and there is genetic variation among cows in their ability to resist these effects. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Australian breeding value for heat tolerance (ABVHT) in predicting cow differences in the effects of heat stress on body temperature regulation, milk production, and reproductive function.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Erly Luisana Carrascal-Triana, Adriana Moreira Zolini, Antonio Ruiz de King, Jurandy Mauro Penitente-Filho, Peter J. Hansen, Ciro Alexandre Alves Torres, Jeremy Block
Summary: This study investigated the effects of supplementation with ascorbate, dithiothreitol (DTT) or caspase-3 inhibitor (z-DEVD-fmk) on the post-thaw survival of in vitro-produced bovine embryos. The results showed that the addition of 0.1 mM ascorbate to the freezing medium improved re-expansion rates and hatching rate of the embryos, while reducing intracellular ROS levels and DNA fragmentation.
REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Froylan Sosa, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: The study found that CSF2 can protect the developmental competence of bovine embryos under heat shock, especially at the zygote and two-cell stages.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Belen Rabaglino, Dessie Salilew-Wondim, Adriana Zolini, Dawit Tesfaye, Michael Hoelker, Pat Lonergan, Peter J. J. Hansen
Summary: This study developed a gene signature model to predict embryonic competence for survival by integrating transcriptomic data from blastocysts and elongating conceptuses. The potential biomarkers were validated with independent embryonic data sets using machine-learning algorithms. The results showed that the predictions of embryonic development fate based on these biomarkers were highly accurate.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Camila J. Cuellar, Muhammad Saleem, L. M. Jensen, P. J. Hansen
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between the ability of cattle to regulate body temperature during heat stress and their milk production capacity, as well as the impact of genetic groups on the seasonal depression in milk yield. The findings suggest that Brown Swiss and crossbred cows have better body temperature regulation during heat stress compared to Holsteins, but they are not more resistant to heat stress in terms of milk yield. Therefore, genetic differences in thermotolerance may exist independently of regulation of body temperature.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Froylan Sosa, Kyungjun Uh, Jessica N. Drum, Katy S. Stoecklein, Kimberly M. Davenport, M. Sofia Ortega, Kiho Lee, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: This study investigates the role of CSF2RA in the development of bovine embryos. The results show that inactivation of CSF2RA leads to lower development rates of embryos to the blastocyst stage and changes in gene expression. The CSF2 signaling pathway enhances the likelihood of blastocyst formation and affects functions such as cell signaling and glycosylation.
REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Quinn A. Hoorn, Maria Belen Rabaglino, Tatiane S. Maia, Masroor Sagheer, Dailin Fuego, Zongliang Jiang, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: The study characterizes the expression of genes encoding cell signaling ligands in bovine endosalpinx and endometrium and analyzes spatial changes in gene expression. It finds that these cell signaling ligands may influence early embryonic development and highlights the distinct expression profiles of the oviduct and endometrium.
PHYSIOLOGICAL GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Daniel L. Stanton, Alexander Graf, Tatiane S. Maia, Helmut Blum, Zongliang Jiang, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: It is not known when a functional circadian clock is established in the developing embryo. Lack of expression of key genes involved in the clock mechanism is indicative that a functional circadian clock mechanism is absent in the mammalian preimplantation embryo through the blastocyst stage of development.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Quinn A. Hoorn, Gabriel A. Zayas, Eduardo E. Rodriguez, Laura M. Jensen, Raluca G. Mateescu, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: This study identified QTLs and candidate SNPs associated with pregnancy outcomes in beef heifers, including a large QTL associated with a group of protocadherin genes. Confirmation of these associations with larger populations could lead to the development of genomic predictions of reproductive function in beef cattle. Moreover, additional research is warranted to study the function of candidate genes associated with QTLs.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Peter J. Hansen
Summary: Graduate education is crucial for academic scientists as it carries the responsibility of guiding students towards their career and life goals. Being a good mentor involves developing an education framework and adapting it to each student's needs based on experience, advice, and individual personality. Most importantly, mentors should be invested in the success and well-being of their students.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
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.
