Exploration of age-related changes in reproductive parameters of female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

The decline in reproductive efficiency during post-peak period of production in poultry species holds significant economic implications. This study aimed to investigate the productive and reproductive performance of Japanese quails across distinct production stages and the association between these parameters and some genes expression and histometric alterations within the reproductive system. A total of 180 quails from a commercial flock were selected at varying egg production stages, including young, mature, and old, with 45 female and 15 male quails allocated to each group.

Reproductive outcomes in Holstein heifers synchronized with timed-AI protocols that provide for a lengthened proestrus.

This study compared reproductive outcomes among two protocols for synchronization of ovulation that provide for a lengthened proestrus with the conventional oestradiol-based protocol currently used for timed-AI (TAI). Holstein heifers (13-15 months) at one location were assigned randomly to one of three TAI protocols. Heifers (n = 150) in the 7-day oestradiol benzoate (EB) group received a progesterone device (Cue-Mate) and 2 mg EB on Day 0; 500 μg of cloprostenol (PGF) and Cue-Mate removal on Day 7; 1 mg of EB on Day 8 and TAI on Day 9 (54 h after Cue-Mate removal).

Calcitriol combined with fish oil in the diet of Chukar partridge can ameliorate laying performance by improving oviduct histomorphometry and functions.

The effects of calcitriol (CT) and/or fish oil (FO) on performance, oviposition time, sex ratio and morphology of the reproductive system of laying Chukar partridges were studied. Female (n = 48) and male (n = 16) partridges were used in a completely randomised design using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement and were randomly allocated to either of four experimental treatments with four cage replicates of three females and one male each. Female birds received no FO (CON - FO) or were orally administered with 0.

Melatonin as a Smart Protector of Pregnancy in Dairy Cows.

The experimental objective was to examine the role of melatonin and its pathways in the maintenance of pregnancy in lactating dairy cows. Blood samples were collected at days 0, 16 and 32 after timed AI from cows (n = 200) in order to consider plasma melatonin concentrations and to conduct AOPP (advanced oxidation products of proteins) and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) tests. Luminal endometrial cells were collected at day 16 using a Cytobrush in all cows to determine mRNA expressions of melatonin receptor 1 (), mouse double minute 2 (), MDM2 binding protein (), , apoptosis Regulator (), p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA, gene symbol BBC3), mucin 1 () and leukemia inhibitory factor ().

Peripheral leucocyte molecular indicators of inflammation and oxidative stress are altered in dairy cows with embryonic loss.

Objective of experiment was to determine whether oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation altered embryonic loss in dairy cows. Blood samples were collected at days 0, 16, 32 and 60 after timed (AI) from 200 Holstein cows to determine embryonic loss based on interferon-stimulated gene-15 (ISG15) mRNA expression (day 16) and ultrasound at day 32 and day 60. Leucocyte expressions of mRNA TLR2, TLR4, TNF-α, IL1B, IL10, STAT3 (inflammation), PTGS2, PTGES (prostaglandin synthesis), and PLA2G4A and ALOX5AP (eicosanoid metabolism) at days 0 and 16 were determined.

Reproductive performance, expression of TRAP6 and TGF-β4 genes in utero-vaginal junction mucosa, and indicators of liver function in female Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) breeders fed with fish oil and calcitriol during the egg-laying period.

Reproductive attributes, expression of TRAP6 and TGF-β mRNA in the mucosa of the utero-vaginal junction (UVJ) of oviduct, and liver function were evaluated in Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) breeders subjected to long-term oral administration of fish oil (FO) and/or calcitriol (CT). A total of forty-eight 1.5-year-old laying Chukar partridges and 16 age-matched males (female:male ratio of 3:1) were randomly allocated to four groups (4 replicates of 3 female birds and one male bird each).

Detrimental effects of long-term exposure to heavy metals on histology, size and trace elements of testes and sperm parameters in Kermani Sheep.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been hypothesized as a cause of declining sheep reproductive efficiency. Understanding the long-term effects of EDCs such as heavy metals on reproductive health requires investigation in 'real life' of sheep that are reared in industrial areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term exposure of Kermani rams to high levels of environmental heavy metals probably emitted from a copper smelter at KhatoonAbad in ShahreBabak, Kerman province.

Effects in broiler hens of genetic lines differing in fertility, biotin supplementation, and age on relative abundance of oviductal transforming growth factor-β and carbonic anhydrase mRNA transcripts.

There was evaluation of effects of biotin administration on oviductal abundance of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and carbonic anhydrase (CA) mRNA transcript in younger and older broiler hens of relatively lesser and greater fertility lines. Additionally, effects of biotin supplementation on attenuation of age-related subfertility were evaluated. Hens from the relatively greater (Line D, n = 60) and lesser (Line B, n = 60) fertility rate line were randomly assigned to three treatment groups.

Oral administration of royal jelly may improve the preservation of rooster spermatozoa.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of royal jelly (RJ) on liquid and frozen storage of rooster spermatozoa. Twenty-five 30-week-old of Mazandaran native breeder roosters were randomly divided into five treatments (n = 5 roosters/group). Experimental treatments are designed to include a control group and various levels (0.

Postpartum health disorders in lactating dairy cows and its associations with reproductive responses and pregnancy status after first timed-AI.

The objective was to evaluate the association between postpartum health disorders, reproductive responses and pregnancy status in lactating multiparous cyclic Holstein cows. Cows were retrospectively categorized as healthy (n = 70) or sick (n = 60) based on postpartum health records and serum metabolites. Sick cows were further categorized as having metabolic (MET; n = 35), infectious (INF; n = 15), or both diseases (MET/INF; n = 10).

Association of CYP1A1 M2 (A2455G) Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Breast Cancer in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran: A Case-control Study.

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent women malignancies in the world. The cytochrome P450 1A1 () is a key enzyme in xenobiotics metabolism. Moreover, CYP1A1 plays a critical role in the etiology of breast cancer by involving in 2-hydroxylation of estrogen.

Antioxidant levels, copper and zinc concentrations were associated with postpartum luteal activity, pregnancy loss and pregnancy status in Holstein dairy cows.

The role of oxidative stress in the control of female reproduction has not been fully elucidated in ruminants; however, it seems that antioxidants can make influence to the reproductive axis at different levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between antioxidant status and concentrations of trace minerals (chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn)) with postpartum luteal activity and fertility in Holstein dairy cows. The cows (n = 100, a parity range of 2-5, and a body condition score (BCS) of 3.

Effects of dietary curcumin supplementation on seminal quality indices and fertility rate in broiler breeder roosters.

1. Decreased semen quality is an underlying contributor to age-related subfertility in broiler breeder roosters. This study investigated the effects of dietary curcumin (derived from turmeric) supplementation as an antioxidant source on semen quality and fertility in broiler breeder roosters.

Polymorphism detection of promoter region of IFN-γ and IL-2 genes and their association with productive traits in Mazandaran native breeder fowls.

To identify polymorphism in interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) genes, blood samples were collected from 380 breeder hens of the Mazandaran native fowls breeding station. DNA extraction was performed through a modified saltingout method and fragments of 670 and 659 bp from the promoter regions of IFN-γ and IL-2 genes were amplified by using specific primers, respectively. Following genotyping in the IFN-γ gene using the 509I restriction enzyme, two alleles of A and G with the frequencies of 0.

TGF-β4 and HSP70 responses in breeder hens treated with thyroxine.

A hypothesis was tested that long-term administration of thyroxine (T) in broiler breeder hens would affect fertility, sperm penetration rate, and the duration of fertility. Relative abundance of oviductal TGF-β4 and HSP70 mRNA was determined to ascertain whether T treatment affected these genes, and modulated the sustained storage of spermatozoa within the uterovaginal sperm storage tubules of hens. A total of 70, 47-week-old Cobb 500 breeder hens was randomly allotted to two treatment groups (T treatment (ET) and control).

Modifications of the G6G timed-AI protocol improved pregnancy per AI and reduced pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows.

In dairy cows, subjected to a G6G protocol, objectives were to determine effects of (1) extending the interval from prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) during presynchronization; and (2) adding a second PGF2α treatment before artificial insemination (AI), on ovarian response, plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations and pregnancy per AI (P/AI). In a 2×2 factorial design, lactating cows were randomly assigned to one of four timed AI (TAI) protocols: (1) G6G (n=149), one injection of PGF2α, GnRH 2 days later and a 7-day Ovsynch (GnRH, 7 days, PGF2α, 56 h, GnRH, 16 h, TAI) was initiated 6 days later; (2) G6GP (n=144), an additional PGF2α treatment (24 h after the first) during Ovsynch of the G6G protocol; (3) MG6G, one injection of PGF2α, GnRH 4 days later before initiation of the G6G protocol; and (4) MG6GP, an additional PGF2α treatment (24 h after the first) during Ovsynch of the MG6G protocol. Blood samples were collected (subset of 200 cows) at first GnRH and PGF2α of the Ovsynch, and at TAI to measure P4.

Effect of cyclical cold stress during embryonic development on aspects of physiological responses and HSP70 gene expression of chicks.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of cyclical lower incubation temperature at different embryonic ages on the hatchability, body and organs weights, thyroid hormones, and liver HSP70 gene expression of newly hatched chicks. In a completely randomized design, fertile eggs of a broiler breeder (34 weeks of age) were assigned to three treatment groups with six replicates and 145 eggs per each. The treatment groups were as: control group (C) that eggs were incubated at 37.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid supplementation alters the expression of genes involved in the endocannabinoid system in the bovine endometrium and increases plasma progesterone concentrations.

Endocannabinoids are derived from phospholipids and reduce fertility by interfering with implantation. Identification of changes in the expression of genes of the endocannabinoid system as a result of dietary inclusion of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is critical to the advancement of our understanding of the nutritional regulation of uterine function. An experiment was conducted on transition cows to evaluate the expression of key endocannabinoid genes in bovine endometrium in response to dietary supplementation with CLA.

Impact of supplementary royal jelly on in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes: genes involved in apoptosis and embryonic development.

Optimizing culture conditions lead to the improvement of oocyte developmental competence and additives with anti-oxidative activity in culture media improved embryonic development. Royal jelly (RJ) is a product from the cephalic glands of nurse bees that has considerable health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of RJ on the maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst rates and gene expression in the oocyte and cumulus cells during in vitro maturation (IVM) of sheep oocyte.

The effect of feeding excess arginine on lipogenic gene expression and growth performance in broilers.

1. Reducing excess fat accretion is important for both human health and animal production. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of arginine (Arg) on the regulation of lipogenic gene expression and on growth performance.

Changes in some blood parameters and production performance of old laying hens due to growth hormone and testosterone injection.

The experiment was designed to study the changes in some blood parameters and production performance of old laying hens after injection of different doses of growth hormone (GH) and testosterone (Ts). A total of 160 old laying hens (HyLine W-36) at 73 weeks of age were weighed individually and randomly allocated to four treatments with four replicates and 10 birds in each replicate in a completely randomized design. Growth hormone and Ts hormones were injected subcutaneously.

Oral exposure of broiler breeder hens to extra thyroxine modulates early adaptive immune responses in progeny chicks.

Based on the findings of a recent study suggesting a decreased cold-induced ascites incidence in broiler progeny from hyperthyroid (HYPER) breeder hens, and a controversy on the effects of hyperthyroidism on immunocompetence, the present study was conducted to determine the probable adverse effect of induced maternal hyperthyroidism on immune function in progeny chicks. Breeder hens (n = 88) were randomly allotted to the control or HYPER groups and received common or thyroxine (T4)-added (1 mg/L) water, respectively. The hens were artificially inseminated, and hatching eggs (n = 924) were incubated.

Prestorage in ovo injection of biological buffers: an approach to improve hatchability in long-term stored eggs.

A hypothesis was tested that the in ovo injection of biological buffers may reinforce the buffering capacity of albumen, thereby withstanding the increase in albumen pH during storage and improving hatchability and chick quality in long-term stored eggs. Hatching eggs (n = 2,420) were randomly assigned to 11 treatment groups (4 replicates of 55 eggs each) and injected (d 1) with distilled water, 25 or 50 mM HEPES (H25 and H50), Bicine (B25 and B50), Tris (T25 and T50), and Bis-Tris-propane (BTP25 and BTP50) solutions or were not injected (intact: control; or pricked with a needle: N). The eggs were then stored for 14 d during which the egg internal characteristics were evaluated at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 13 d of storage (n = 924 in total) and the remaining eggs (n = 1,496) were incubated.

Effects of different polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementations during the postpartum periods of early lactating dairy cows on milk yield, metabolic responses, and reproductive performances.

In spite of the difficulties in delivering PUFA to ruminants, studies have generally indicated that the PUFA of the omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-3 [α-linolenic acid; eicosapentaenoic (EPA), C20:5 omega-3; docosahexaenoic (DHA), C22:6 omega-3] families are the most beneficial to improving reproduction in cows. The objectives were to determine if a diet enriched in α-linolenic acid (omega-3) or linoleic acid (omega-6) would influence milk production and composition, metabolic status, and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows. High-yielding multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 120) with no overt clinical illnesses were blocked according to calving date and parity.