Is anti-müllerian hormone useful for monorchidism diagnosis in the tomcat?

Monorchidism is an uncommon condition in tomcats, defined by the congenital absence of one of the testicles. Due to the lack of information regarding possible biomarkers, most monorchidism cases require laparotomy in order to differentiate it from cryptorchidism. Human data suggest that monorchid patients have lower serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels when compared to cryptorchids, premises that has been also scrutinized in veterinary medicine.

MicroRNAs bta-novel-miR-117, bta-novel-miR-234 and bta-novel-miR-417 have adverse effects on blastocyst formation.

In a previous study we found that the levels of the novel microRNAs (miRNAs) bta-novel-miR-117 bta-novel-miR-234 and bta-novel-miR-417 (P < 0.001) are significantly up-regulated in extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the culture medium of degenerating embryos compared to blastocysts. Because the functions of these novel miRNAs are still unknown, we investigated their regulatory roles during bovine blastocyst development by adding their mimics and inhibitors to the culture medium.

Oocyte holding and in vitro maturation duration between 28 and 34 hours do not affect equine OPU-ICSI outcomes.

Previous studies in the horse highlight the potential benefit of prolonged in vitro maturation (IVM) (34 h) compared to short IVM (24 h) with or without prior oocyte holding, but little is known about the optimal IVM duration within this interval. To determine the effect of oocyte holding and duration of IVM ranged between 28 and 34 h on nuclear maturation, cleavage, blastocyst formation, and pregnancy rates, a retrospective study was performed in an equine clinical OPU-ICSI setting. The study included data of 2114 aspirated oocytes from 201 OPU-ICSI sessions.

Bta-miR-665 improves bovine blastocyst development through its influence on microtubule dynamics and apoptosis.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain microRNAs (miRNAs), which are important regulators of embryonic development. Nevertheless, little is known about the precise molecular processes controlling blastocyst development and quality. In a previous study, we identified bta-miR-665 as one of the miRNAs more abundantly present in extracellular vesicles of embryo-conditioned culture media of blastocysts compared to degenerate ones.

Anti-Müllerian hormone as a diagnostic marker for testicular degeneration in dogs: insights from cryptorchid models.

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of infertility in male dogs in clinical practice mirrors current trends seen in human medicine. Acquired infertility is notably more common in dogs compared to congenital causes, with conditions such as testicular degeneration leading to irreversible loss of fertility. Current diagnostic methods for testicular degeneration, such as histopathological and cytological examinations, rely on testicular biopsy or fine needle aspiration, making them less feasible for routine use.

Meconium microbiota in naturally delivered canine puppies.

Background: Microbial colonization during early life has a pivotal impact on the host health, shaping immune and metabolic functions, but little is known about timing and features of this process in dogs. The objectives of this study were to characterize the first step of intestinal microbiota development in naturally delivered canine puppies and to investigate its relationship with the maternal bacterial flora, using traditional culture and molecular analyses. Sixty puppies of two breeds, Appenzeller Cattle Dog (n = 3 dams) and Lagotto Romagnolo (n = 6), housed in the same breeding kennel, were included in the study.

From follicle to blastocyst: microRNA-34c from follicular fluid-derived extracellular vesicles modulates blastocyst quality.

Background: Within the follicular fluid, extracellular vesicles (EVs) guide oocyte growth through their cargo microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we investigated the role of EVs and their cargo miRNAs by linking the miRNAs found in EVs, derived from the fluid of an individual follicle, to the ability of its oocyte to become a blastocyst (competent) or not (non-competent).

Methods: Bovine antral follicles were dissected, categorized as small (2-4 mm) or large (5-8 mm) and the corresponding oocytes were subjected to individual maturation, fertilization and embryo culture to the blastocyst stage.

Immunological defense mechanisms of ejaculates and the spread of viral infectious diseases through pig semen.

This review focuses on the mechanisms of immune tolerance and antimicrobial defense in the male genital tract of the pig. Sperm cells are foreign to the immune system and, therefore, they must be protected from the immune system. The blood-testis-barrier is mediated by a physical barrier between adjacent Sertoli cells, several cell types within the testis, and interactions between immunomodulatory molecules.

Selection and application of small non-coding RNAs for normalizing RT-qPCR data of bovine preimplantation embryo conditioned medium.

Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) present in the conditioned medium (CM) of bovine preimplantation embryos are potential noninvasive biomarkers for assessing embryo quality. Accurate quantification of sncRNA levels in the spent CM is of utmost importance in this regard. RT-qPCR is considered as the gold standard for quantifying RNA.

Induction of in vivo-like ciliation in confluent monolayers of re-differentiated equine oviduct epithelial cells†.

We recently developed re-differentiated equine oviduct epithelial cell (REOEC) monolayers demonstrating various in vivo morphological characteristics, but lacking secondary ciliation. In this study, we evaluated the effects of fetal bovine serum, reproductive steroid hormones, Wnt- and Notch ligands and inhibitors, and different EOEC seeding densities, in both conventional wells and on microporous membranes, on EOEC morphology and, in particular, secondary ciliation. REOEC monolayers were assessed by confocal microscopy after combined staining of nuclei, cilia, and the cytoskeleton.

How to beat the bull: Lycopene as a tool to improve in vitro fertilization efficiency in bulls with high polyspermy.

High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from in vitro conditions compromise oocyte quality and subsequent polyspermy prevention by the zona and membrane block. Antioxidant supplementation, like lycopene, during in vitro maturation (IVM) mitigates ROS effects, yet, its efficacy in blocking polyspermy remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the effect of lycopene supplementation during IVM on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and developmental parameters.

Comparative Evaluation of Diagnostic Methods for Subclinical Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Intact Breeding Male Dogs.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an androgen-related non-neoplastic enlargement of the prostate gland that commonly affects both reproductive capabilities and the general health of intact dogs. The subclinical form of BPH can be challenging to diagnose due to a lack of clinical signs, even if rectal palpation is performed. Left untreated, this condition poses risks to the dogs' health and breeding status.

The reproductive microbiome in dogs: Friend or foe?

The microbiome of the reproductive tract is an area of research in full development. Specifically, the microbiome may be involved in reproductive health, disease, and pregnancy outcomes, as has been shown in humans and animals, including dogs. The aim of the present review was to summarize current knowledge on the microbiome of the canine reproductive tract, to expose the controversial role that some bacterial agents may play in canine subfertility, and to highlight future research perspectives.

tRNA-derived fragments from embryonic extracellular vesicles modulate bovine embryo hatching.

Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) have been shown to be involved in early embryo development and repression of endogenous retroelements in embryos and stem cells. However, it is unknown whether tsRNAs also regulate embryo hatching. In this study, we mined the sequencing data of a previous experiment in which we demonstrated that the microRNA (miRNA) cargo of preimplantation embryonic extracellular vesicles (EVs) influences embryo development.

Deep-Learning Based Quantification of Bovine Oocyte Quality From Microscopy Images.

The success rate of bovine in vitro embryo reproduction is low and highly dependent on the oocyte quality. The selection of the oocyte to be fertilized is done by the embryologists' visual examination of oocytes. It is time-consuming, subjective, and inconsistent between specialists in the area.

MicroRNA-146b negatively affects bovine embryo development and quality.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which can be carried inside extracellular vesicles (EVs), play a crucial role in regulating embryo development up to the blastocyst stage. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying blastocyst development and quality are largely unknown. Recently, our group identified 69 differentially expressed miRNAs in extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from culture medium conditioned by bovine embryos that either developed to the blastocyst stage or did not (non-blastocysts).

Manual versus deep learning measurements to evaluate cumulus expansion of bovine oocytes and its relationship with embryo development in vitro.

Cumulus expansion is an important indicator of oocyte maturation and has been suggested to be indicative of greater oocyte developmental capacity. Although multiple methods have been described to assess cumulus expansion, none of them is considered a gold standard. Additionally, these methods are subjective and time-consuming.

A comparative study of canine epididymal sperm collection techniques and cryopreservation.

Introduction: An optimized collection method and freezing protocol for preservation of epididymal spermatozoa remains a topic of interest to many scientists. The current study focused on the collection and preservation of canine epididymal spermatozoa. During the process of collection of canine epididymal spermatozoa, blood content can occur, which may affect sperm cryopreservation in a negative way.