Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge Lopez-Tello, Zoe Schofield, Raymond Kiu, Matthew J. Dalby, Douwe van Sinderen, Gwenaelle Le Gall, Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri, Lindsay J. Hall
Summary: This study demonstrates that the bacterium Bifidobacterium breve UCC2003, a key member of the maternal gut microbiota, modulates maternal body adaptations, placental structure, and nutrient transporter capacity, with implications for fetal metabolism and growth.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chelsie B. Steinhauser, Colleen A. Lambo, Katharine Askelson, Gregory W. Burns, Susanta K. Behura, Thomas E. Spencer, Fuller W. Bazer, Michael Carey Satterfield
Summary: Placental development is modified in response to maternal nutrient restriction, leading to different fetal growth rates. Differences in gene expression and function were found between SGA and NR NonSGA placentomes, with overrepresentation of genes related to natural-killer-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in SGA placentomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Chiara Pagamici, Roger Stephan
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence of pregnant sheep and lambs being slaughtered in Switzerland and found that 7.6% of female animals were pregnant at slaughter, with 25.5% in the third trimester of pregnancy. As it is uncertain whether fetuses can feel pain, measures should be taken to minimize the slaughter of pregnant animals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Weicheng Zhao, Amy C. Kelly, Rosa I. Luna-Ramirez, Christopher A. Bidwell, Miranda J. Anderson, Sean W. Limesand
Summary: This study found that skeletal muscle of fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (FGR) has lower mitochondrial respiration rate and altered transcriptomic profiles associated with energy metabolism. FGR skeletal muscle showed attenuated pyruvate oxidation, possibly due to the inability of pyruvate to enter the TCA cycle, and fatty acid oxidation might compensate for the attenuated energy metabolism. The findings provide phenotypic and molecular evidence for adaptive deficiencies in FGR skeletal muscle.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sophie Schutte, Diederik Esser, Els Siebelink, Charlotte J. R. Michielsen, Monique Daanje, Juri C. Matualatupauw, Hendriek C. Boshuizen, Marco Mensink, Lydia A. Afman
Summary: This study examined the additional effects of nutrient quality on energy restriction (ER) and found that a high-nutrient-quality ER diet is more effective for weight loss, blood lipids, and overall metabolic health than a low-nutrient-quality ER diet. This is especially true for overweight, insulin-sensitive individuals who may benefit more from a high-nutrient-quality ER diet.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Cheukyau Luk, Natalie J. Haywood, Katherine I. Bridge, Mark T. Kearney
Summary: The vascular endothelium plays a crucial role in maintaining whole organism homeostasis by secreting a variety of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory vasoactive molecules. Dysfunction of the endothelium, characterized by imbalanced secretion of regulatory factors, may contribute to the progression of cardiometabolic syndromes. Understanding and targeting the crosstalk between the endothelium and adipose tissue could lead to novel therapeutic opportunities.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yi Zhang, Konosuke Otomaru, Kazunaga Oshima, Yuji Goto, Ichiro Oshima, Susumu Muroya, Mitsue Sano, Sanggun Roh, Takafumi Gotoh
Summary: The study indicated that maternal nutrition had tissue-specific effects on adipose tissue development in fetus of Wagyu cattle, with low maternal nutrition leading to increased BAT development and high maternal nutrition stimulating SAT development compared to TVAT and PAT.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Simran Sethi, Stephanie A. Giza, Estee Goldberg, Mary-Ellen E. T. Empey, Sandrine de Ribaupierre, Genevieve D. M. Eastabrook, Barbra de Vrijer, Charles A. McKenzie
Summary: This pilot study aimed to quantify the T-1 and T-2* relaxation times of fetal tissues in relation to gestational age, showing relatively stable T-1 values across tissues over 28-38 weeks GA, while the T-2* values of the spleen and muscle decreased significantly during this period.
JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Dan Jiao, Kaixi Ji, Hu Liu, Wenqiang Wang, Xiukun Wu, Jianwei Zhou, Yunsheng Zhang, Huitong Zhou, Jon G. H. Hickford, Allan A. Degen, Guo Yang
Summary: There are differences in cold tolerance between Hu and Altay sheep. Under cold exposure of the lambs, UCP1-dependent thermogenesis and calcium- and cAMP-signaling pathways were activated, and different fat tissues were activated in Hu and Altay lambs. Several candidate genes involved in thermogenesis including UCP1, ADRB3, ADORA2A, ATP2A1, RYR1 and IP6K1 were identified.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Oluwatobiloba Osikoya, Spencer C. Cushen, Contessa A. Ricci, Styliani Goulopoulou
Summary: The study found that inhibition of COX signaling suppressed the anti-dilatory effects of PVATmedia, while PVATmedia had no effect on the contribution of the NOS/NO pathway to ACh-induced relaxation in uterine arteries from pregnant rats, indicating that the anti-dilatory effects of uterine PVAT are mediated in part by COX-dependent mechanisms.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Eileen I. Chang, Byron Hetrick, Stephanie R. Wesolowski, Carrie E. McCurdy, Paul J. Rozance, Laura D. Brown
Summary: The study found that a two-week insulin infusion in IUGR fetal sheep can promote myoblast proliferation, but does not increase fiber or myonuclear number. Additionally, intrinsic defects in IUGR fetuses may limit their ability to restore fiber number.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cassandra M. Herring, Fuller W. Bazer, Gregory A. Johnson, Heewon Seo, Shengdi Hu, Mohammed Elmetwally, Wenliang He, Daniel B. Long, Guoyao Wu
Summary: Supplementing L-arginine (Arg) during early gestation in gilts improves the survival and development of conceptuses. This is achieved by increasing the number of viable fetuses, enhancing placental blood vessel development, improving embryonic survival, increasing placental weight and fetus weight, and promoting the growth of amniotic and allantoic fluids. Arg supplementation also stimulates the syntheses of nitric oxide (NO) and polyamines in the placenta, increases the transportation of water and amino acids, and upregulates the expression of angiogenic factors and aquaporins.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Aviad Rabinowich, Netanell Avisdris, Ayala Zilberman, Daphna Link-Sourani, Sapir Lazar, Jacky Herzlich, Bella Specktor-Fadida, Leo Joskowicz, Gustavo Malinger, Liat Ben-Sira, Liran Hiersch, Dafna Ben Bashat
Summary: This study aimed to quantify the normal whole-body subcutaneous lipid deposition in third trimester fetuses and explore the differences between appropriate for gestational age (AGA), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses. Fat-water MRI was used, and it was found that lipid deposition increased with gestation, and FGR and SGA fetuses had lower lipid deposition compared to AGA fetuses.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sharmila Ahmad, Markus Hodal Drag, Suraya Mohamad Salleh, Zexi Cai, Mette Olaf Nielsen
Summary: Early or postnatal malnutrition can impact gene expression in adipose tissues differently, with significant differences observed in perirenal adipose tissue. Mismatched pre- and postnatal feeding leads to long-term programming of adipose tissue remodeling and immunity-related pathways, with implications for metabolic dysfunctions.
Article
Cell Biology
Sharmila Ahmad, Markus Hodal Drag, Suraya Mohamad Salleh, Zexi Cai, Mette Olaf Nielsen
Summary: By constructing gene coexpression networks, our study found that perirenal adipose tissue (PER) exhibited changes in cell cycle regulation, gene expression, transmembrane transport, and metabolic processes in response to prenatal malnutrition, while subcutaneous adipose tissue (SUB) in males showed alterations in adenosine diphosphate metabolism and development. PER was identified as the primary target of prenatal malnutrition, while SUB played a minor role. These sex-specific modules were associated with prenatal nutrition and adipocyte size distribution patterns.
PHYSIOLOGICAL GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Brandie DePaoli Taylor, Michael F. Criscitiello, Tyne Hernandez, Brooke Norwood, Akaninyene Noah, Fuller W. Bazer
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between IFN epsilon and preterm birth by measuring its levels and suggests a possible association between IFN epsilon and medically indicated preterm birth, particularly in cases of preterm preeclampsia. These preliminary findings suggest a need for larger longitudinal studies.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohammed A. Elmetwally, Xilong Li, Gregory A. Johnson, Robert C. Burghardt, Cassandra M. Herring, Avery C. Kramer, Cynthia J. Meininger, Fuller W. Bazer, Guoyao Wu
Summary: Dietary supplementation with l-arginine during early pregnancy can promote embryonic survival and placental vascular development by increasing the expression of genes and proteins related to angiogenesis.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Claire Stenhouse, Katherine M. Halloran, Robyn M. Moses, Heewon Seo, Dana Gaddy, Gregory A. Johnson, Guoyao Wu, Larry J. Suva, Fuller W. Bazer
Summary: This study found that progesterone and interferon tau (IFNT) play a role in regulating phosphate, calcium, and vitamin D signaling in the ovine endometrium.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Katherine M. Halloran, Claire Stenhouse, Robyn M. Moses, Heewon Seo, Gregory A. Johnson, Guoyao Wu, Fuller W. Bazer
Summary: Progesterone and interferon tau play important roles in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in ruminants. Agmatine and polyamines are crucial for the survival, growth, and development of mammalian conceptuses. This study shows that P4 and IFNT work together to regulate the expression of genes involved in the metabolism and transport of polyamines during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy in sheep.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Claire Stenhouse, Katherine M. Halloran, Emily C. Hoskins, Makenzie G. Newton, Robyn M. Moses, Heewon Seo, Kathrin A. Dunlap, Michael C. Satterfield, Dana Gaddy, Gregory A. Johnson, Guoyao Wu, Larry J. Suva, Fuller W. Bazer
Summary: This study investigated the effects of exogenous progesterone on calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D signaling at the maternal-conceptus interface. The results showed that progesterone treatment affected the expression of regulators involved in mineral transport and metabolism, highlighting its novel role in late pregnancy.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Veterinary Sciences
Dariusz J. Skarzynski, Fuller W. Bazer, Juan G. Maldonado-Estrada
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claire Stenhouse, Fuller W. Bazer, Cheryl J. Ashworth
Summary: Sex influences birth weight, with males being heavier than females. Male piglets have higher stillbirth rates and preweaning mortality, despite more maternal investment. Current research indicates that there are sex-specific differences in placental and endometrial structure and function, affecting pathways such as angiogenesis, apoptosis, and proliferation. Understanding the relationship between fetal sex and molecular signaling in the placenta and endometria is crucial for the agriculture industry and for addressing skewed litter sex ratios.
MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gregory A. Johnson, Heewon Seo, Fuller W. Bazer, Guoyao Wu, Avery C. Kramer, Bryan A. McLendon, Joe W. Cain
Summary: Conceptus elongation and early placentation require energy expenditure, increased glucose, fructose, and amino acids in the uterine lumen, and coordination of multiple metabolic pathways for conceptus development.
MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katherine M. Halloran, Claire Stenhouse, Robyn M. Moses, Avery C. Kramer, Nirvay Sah, Heewon Seo, Simon G. Lamarre, Gregory A. Johnson, Guoyao Wu, Fuller W. Bazer
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of one carbon metabolism and serinogenesis in ovine conceptuses during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy. It also reveals that glucose and fructose are the preferred substrates for generating formate required for nucleotide synthesis.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cassandra M. Herring, Fuller W. Bazer, Gregory A. Johnson, Heewon Seo, Shengdi Hu, Mohammed Elmetwally, Wenliang He, Daniel B. Long, Guoyao Wu
Summary: Supplementing L-arginine (Arg) during early gestation in gilts improves the survival and development of conceptuses. This is achieved by increasing the number of viable fetuses, enhancing placental blood vessel development, improving embryonic survival, increasing placental weight and fetus weight, and promoting the growth of amniotic and allantoic fluids. Arg supplementation also stimulates the syntheses of nitric oxide (NO) and polyamines in the placenta, increases the transportation of water and amino acids, and upregulates the expression of angiogenic factors and aquaporins.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Claire Stenhouse, Makenzie G. Newton, Katherine M. Halloran, Robyn M. Moses, Nirvay Sah, Larry J. Suva, Fuller W. Bazer
Summary: Recent evidence shows the important roles of progesterone and interferon tau in the regulation of calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D signaling in the uteri of pregnant sheep. However, the effects of progesterone and estradiol, and their respective receptors, on mineral signaling during the estrous cycle have not been investigated. This study found that the expression of certain genes and proteins related to mineral signaling was different at different stages of the estrous cycle. Overall, these results suggest that progesterone and its receptor play important roles in regulating mineral signaling during the estrous cycle in ewes.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xilong Li, Fuller W. Bazer, Gregory A. Johnson, Robert C. Burghardt, Guoyao Wu
Summary: This study used gilts as an animal model to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with L-citrulline (Cit) on placental angiogenesis and embryonic survival. Compared to the control group, Cit supplementation significantly increased the number of viable fetuses, placental blood vessels, placental weight, and fluid volumes. Additionally, Cit supplementation enhanced the synthesis of NO and polyamines, as well as the expression of angiogenic factors and aquaporins in the placenta. Overall, dietary Cit supplementation improved conceptus development and survival by enhancing placental NO and polyamine synthesis and promoting angiogenesis.
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Makenzie G. Newton, Claire Stenhouse, Katherine M. Halloran, Nirvay Sah, Robyn M. Moses, Wenliang He, Guoyao Wu, Fuller W. Bazer
Summary: The synthesis and secretion of polyamines in the uterus of ewes are regulated by changes in progesterone, estradiol, and their receptors. These hormones and receptors play important roles in the reproductive performance of mammals by affecting the secretion and transport of nutrients in the uterine lumen.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Claire Stenhouse, Katherine M. Halloran, Makenzie G. Newton, Robyn M. Moses, Nirvay Sah, Larry J. Suva, Dana Gaddy, Fuller W. Bazer
Summary: Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) plays a critical role in phosphate transport and homeostasis at the maternal-conceptus interface in ruminants.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xilong Li, Gregory A. Johnson, Huaijun Zhou, Robert C. Burghardt, Fuller W. Bazer, Guoyao Wu
Summary: This study found that dietary supplementation with L-arginine can affect gene expression in the placenta, thereby improving placental growth and embryonic/fetal survival in swine. The results indicate that L-arginine plays a regulatory role in various important metabolic and physiological processes.
FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE-LANDMARK
(2022)
