Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Eric Rhon-Calderon, Cassidy Hemphill, Lisa Vrooman, Casey Rosier, Yemin Lan, Teri Ord, Christos Coutifaris, Monica Mainigi, Richard Schultz, Marisa Bartolomei
Summary: TEBx affects the health of the placenta and embryo during early development, with some changes improving later in development and others worsening, leading to metabolic changes in adult offspring.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brian J. Cox, Kendra Naismith
Summary: Trophoblast plays a critical role in reproduction, cancer, and transplantation. Researchers integrate different datasets to validate the utility and applicability of hTSC models, and also study the process of human embryonic development.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Shingo Io, Mio Kabata, Yoshiki Iemura, Katsunori Semi, Nobuhiro Morone, Atsutaka Minagawa, Bo Wang, Ikuhiro Okamoto, Tomonori Nakamura, Yoji Kojima, Chizuru Iwatani, Hideaki Tsuchiya, Belinda Kaswandy, Eiji Kondoh, Shin Kaneko, Knut Woltjen, Mitinori Saitou, Takuya Yamamoto, Masaki Mandai, Yasuhiro Takashima
Summary: The study demonstrates that naive human pluripotent stem cells can recapitulate trophoblast development, establishing an authentic paradigm for human trophoblast development. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying trophoblast development and related diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Yinjuan Wang, Hao Ming, Leqian Yu, Jie Li, Linkai Zhu, Hai-Xi Sun, Carlos A. Pinzon-Arteaga, Jun Wu, Zongliang Jiang
Summary: A chemical cocktail enables the derivation and long-term culture of bovine trophoblast stem cells, which possess the potential to differentiate into mature trophoblast cells and exhibit similar characteristics to trophectoderm cells from early bovine embryos. These bovine TSCs provide a valuable model to study bovine placentation and early pregnancy failure.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Leqian Yu, Deirdre Logsdon, Carlos A. Pinzon-Arteaga, Jialei Duan, Toshihiko Ezashi, Yulei Wei, Ana Elisa Ribeiro Orsi, Seiya Oura, Lizhong Liu, Lei Wang, Kun Liu, Xiaoyun Ding, Linfeng Zhan, Junfei Zhang, Asrafun Nahar, Caitlen Stobbe, Mandy Katz-Jaffe, William B. Schoolcraft, Tao Tan, Gary C. Hon, Ye Yuan, Jun Wu
Summary: Recent advances in human blastoids have provided a new approach for modeling early human development and implantation. An optimized protocol for efficient generation of high-fidelity human blastoids has been reported, allowing for proteomics analysis and identification of specific signatures involved in blastoid signaling states. Additionally, the effects of endometrial stromal cells on trophoblast cell survival, proliferation, and syncytialization have been uncovered. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed similarities and differences between blastoids and blastocysts, as well as a population resembling early migratory trophoblasts during co-culture with endometrial stromal cells. This optimized protocol will facilitate broader use of human blastoids as a reliable model for human blastocysts.
Article
Cell Biology
Mai-Linh Nu Ton, Daniel Keitley, Bart Theeuwes, Carolina Guibentif, Jonas Ahnfelt-Ronne, Thomas Kjaergaard Andreassen, Fernando J. Calero-Nieto, Ivan Imaz-Rosshandler, Blanca Pijuan-Sala, Jennifer Nichols, Elia Benito-Gutierrez, John C. Marioni, Berthold Gottgens
Summary: The authors constructed a morphological and molecular atlas of rabbit development and compared it with the mouse atlas, suggesting that combining both can serve as a model for studying early primate development. They reported transcriptional and chromatin accessibility profiles for over 180,000 single cells and high-resolution histology sections from rabbit embryos. By comparing the transcriptional landscape of rabbits and mice, they demonstrated how this approach can provide new insights into early mammalian development.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pouya Dini, Theodore Kalbfleisch, Jose M. Uribe-Salazar, Mariano Carossino, Hossam El-Sheikh Ali, Shavahn C. Loux, Alejandro Esteller-Vico, Jamie K. Norris, Lakshay Anand, Kirsten E. Scoggin, Carlos M. Rodriguez Lopez, James Breen, Ernest Bailey, Peter Daels, Barry A. Ball
Summary: Most autosomal genes in the placenta show a biallelic expression pattern, while some exhibit allele-specific transcription depending on the parental origin of the chromosomes. Parentally expressed genes in equine pregnancy influence resource allocation between fetus and mother, with maternally expressed genes tending to shorten gestation and paternally expressed genes extending it. This study provides fundamental insights into parental gene expression during equine pregnancy.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mohamed Abdelrahman, Wei Wang, Aftab Shaukat, Muhammad Fakhar-e-Alam Kulyar, Haimiao Lv, Adili Abulaiti, Zhiqiu Yao, Muhammad Jamil Ahmad, Aixin Liang, Liguo Yang
Summary: In the past decade, animal nutrition science has made significant progress, thanks to advances in molecular technologies. Nutrigenomics and feedomics have provided a new perspective on the interaction between nutrition and genes, integrating comprehensive findings in animal physiology, molecular genetics, and biochemistry. They have also contributed to a better understanding of the diet-gut interaction in ruminants by considering the role of rumen microbes. This review highlights the potential contributions of nutrigenomics and feedomics in closing the knowledge gap about the cellular activities of different nutrients and discusses how nutritional management can impact ruminant health and production through genomics.
Article
Cell Biology
Lisa A. Vrooman, Eric A. Rhon-Calderon, Kashviya V. Suri, Asha K. Dahiya, Yemin Lan, Richard M. Schultz, Marisa S. Bartolomei
Summary: Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) involve manipulating gametes and embryos in vitro to produce offspring. ART pregnancies have increased risks of low birth weight, abnormal placenta formation, pregnancy complications, and imprinting disorders. This study found that embryo culture during specific stages of preimplantation development can lead to reduced fetal:placental ratio, abnormal placental morphology, and reduced DNA methylation in placentas. The findings also suggest that extended culture to the blastocyst stage induces additional placental DNA methylation changes compared to embryos transferred at the morula stage, and there are sex differences in DNA methylation loss. By identifying the vulnerable developmental windows, this study provides a basis for optimizing culture conditions to reduce risks associated with ART pregnancies.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Baojiang Wu, Zhiqing Yang, Yijie Liu, Jianwen Li, Chen Chen, Xihe Li, Siqin Bao
Summary: This study used a defined medium to derive ACL-ESCs and ACL-XEN cells from one blastocyst and successfully generated ACL-blastoids by combining ACL-ESCs and ACL-XEN cells with ACL-blastoid medium in a three-dimensional culture system. The lineage markers expression analysis showed that ACL-ESCs and ACL-XEN cells represented ICM and PrE lineages. This study provides a valuable ACL culture system for deriving and maintaining two distinct cell lines and also contributes to our understanding of early embryogenesis and the application of stem cells.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shun Saito, Shota Yamamura, Nanami Kohri, Hanako Bai, Masashi Takahashi, Manabu Kawahara
Summary: WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (WWTR1) is a key player in the Hippo pathway and plays a crucial role in the differentiation of trophectoderm (TE) cells during preimplantation development. Knockdown of WWTR1 resulted in reduced TE cell numbers and expression of TE-specific genes in bovine embryos, highlighting the importance of WWTR1 in TE cell development.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lei Luo, Yan Shi, Huanan Wang, Zizengchen Wang, Yanna Dang, Shuang Li, Shaohua Wang, Kun Zhang
Summary: The emergence of the first three lineages during development is regulated by a network of transcription factors, but the specific regulation varies among different mammals. This study establishes a gene inactivation system in bovine early embryos and investigates the functional consequences of three critical lineage-specific genes (SOX2, OCT4, and CDX2). The results reveal that SOX2 knockout leads to a failure in pluripotency establishment in bovine blastocysts, affecting the expression of other lineage-specific genes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lauren A. Eaves, Catherine M. Bulka, Julia E. Rager, Amaree J. Gardner, Aubrey L. Galusha, Patrick J. Parsons, T. Michael O'Shea, Rebecca C. Fry
Summary: Prenatal exposure to toxic metals is associated with adverse birth and later-in-life outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metal concentrations in the umbilical cord and altered gene expression networks in placental tissue. The results showed that certain metals, such as lead and cadmium, were associated with changes in gene expression and the dysregulation of important pathways in the placenta. These findings provide insights into the potential mechanisms underlying metal-induced diseases.
Article
Developmental Biology
Anish Dattani, Tao Huang, Corin Liddle, Austin Smith, Ge Guo
Summary: Stabilization of human naive pluripotent stem cells and suppression of trophectoderm differentiation require inhibition of Tankyrase. XAV939 prevents trophectoderm induction by reducing YAP activation and stabilizing nuclear angiomotin. Depletion of YAP1 or TAZ in naive pluripotent stem cells allows efficient self-renewal and resistance to trophectoderm differentiation.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
R. S. Bisinotto, E. S. Ribeiro, L. F. Greco, D. Taylor-Rodriguez, A. D. Ealy, H. Ayres, F. S. Lima, N. Martinez, W. W. Thatcher, J. E. P. Santos
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of follicular wave and progesterone concentration on growth of the ovulatory follicle, conceptus elongation, uterine IFN-tau concentration, and transcriptome of conceptus and endometrium in pregnant cows. The results indicated that progesterone concentration had an impact on the growth of ovulatory follicle, but overall had minimal effects on the conceptus and endometrium transcriptome.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yao Xiao, Froylan Sosa, Lesley R. de Armas, Li Pan, Peter J. Hansen
Summary: Gene expression analysis in preimplantation embryos using a direct synthesis and specific-target pre-amplification method showed reliable results for sexing and other gene expression studies. Calibration curve analysis of PCR results validated 93.75% of genes tested, demonstrating the method's robustness. The study also showed that within-assay variation increased when cycle threshold values exceeded 18, indicating limitations in sensitivity at higher levels of gene expression.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Reproductive Biology
Peter J. Hansen, Marc-Antoine Driancourt
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
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)
