Maternal Undernutrition Effect on Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein (PAG) Concentration in Sheep Carrying Single and Multiple Fetuses.

To the best of our knowledge, no studies in the literature have reported on the relationship between the pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentration and undernutrition during pregnancy in sheep. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of undernutrition on the blood concentration of PAGs in pregnant ewes carrying single and multiple fetuses, undergoing either dietary energy restriction or receiving 100% of their energy requirements during the period of maximal placenta growth. From d 24 to 100 of pregnancy, the ewes were fed ryegrass hay and two different iso-proteic concentrates, fulfilling either 100% of the ewes' energy requirements (control group; n = 30, 14 singleton pregnancies, 16 multiple pregnancies) or only 50% (feed-restricted group; n = 29; 11 singleton pregnancies, 18 multiple pregnancies).

Diagnosing american bison pregnancy during its two last trimesters: Comparison between rectal palpation associated with ultrasonography and hormonal assays in serum or in feces.

The study aimed to propose sensitive, specific and easy pregnancy diagnosis for American Bison. Trans-rectal Palpation and Ultrasonography (TRPUS), concentration of Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAG), Progesterone (P4), Estrone (E1), Estrone-Sulfate (E1S) in serum and P4 and E1S in feces were compared. Immunoassay was used for PAG, whereas steroids were assayed using Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry.

Interferon-Tau in Maternal Peripheral Blood and Its Relationship with Progesterone and Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins in the Early Phases of Gestation in Water Buffalo.

The aim of this study was to investigate the interferon tau (IFNt) concentration in the peripheral maternal blood during the early phase of pregnancy in buffalo cows and improve the knowledge on the physiological importance of circulating IFNt, evaluating the possible interaction with pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and progesterone (P4). Blood samples were taken from buffalo cows on day 0 (day of AI), 7, 14, 18, 28, and 40 post insemination for the IFNt, PAG, and P4 analysis and to determine the IFNt mRNA expression. The animals were categorized ex post into Pregnant, Non-pregnant and Embryo mortality groups.

Goji Berry in the Diet of the Rabbit Buck: Effects on Semen Quality, Oxidative Status and Histological Features of the Reproductive Tract.

Goji berry (GB) shows beneficial effects on human health, although its effects on the male rabbit have been little investigated. This study examines the impact of GB dietary supplementation on the semen traits, antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma, and histological features of the reproductive tract of rabbit buck. Eighteen rabbits were distributed into two dietary groups: one receiving a commercial feed (Control), and the other a feed supplemented with 1% of GB (Goji).

Omics Technologies in Veterinary Medicine: Literature Review and Perspectives in Transfusion Medicine.

Background: Omics technologies represent a new analytical approach that allows a full cellular readout through the simultaneous analysis of thousands of molecules. The application of such technologies represents a flourishing field of research in human medicine, especially in transfusion medicine, while their application in veterinary medicine still needs to be developed.

Summary: Omics technologies, especially proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics, are currently applied in several fields of human medicine.

Gene expression of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins-1 (PAG-1), interferon-tau (IFNt) and interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) as diagnostic and prognostic markers of maternal-fetal cellular interaction in buffalo cows.

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein -1 (PAG-1) mRNA expression in the maternal circulation of pregnant buffaloes during the early stage of pregnancy. Contemporaneously, the mRNA expression levels of Interferon-tau (IFNt) and some Interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) (interferon stimulated gene 15 ubiquitin-like modifier interferon, ISG15; Mixoviruses resistance 1 and 2, MX1 and MX2; 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthase 1,OAS1) were evaluated in order to expand our knowledge of the molecular processes involved in the early stages of pregnancy and to identify potential biomarkers of maternal-fetal cellular interaction in buffalo. The study was conducted on 38 synchronized and artificially inseminated buffalo cows (d 0), divided ex post into 3 groups: Pregnant (n = 17), Non-pregnant (n = 15) and Embryo mortality (n = 6).

Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: Effects on reproductive and productive performance and meat quality in rabbit breeding.

Rabbit breeding has many critical aspects related to reproduction, production, and animal welfare, which reduce its profitability as well as consumer attractiveness. Dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) seems to be a good nutritional strategy to improve several aspects of rabbit breeding, enhance animal welfare and produce a new functional food considered healthy for human consumption. For this reason, the main available scientific research regarding the physiological effects of n-3 PUFA rich products supplemented to the rabbit diet will be reviewed.

Interferon Tau (IFNt) and Interferon-Stimulated Genes (ISGs) Expression in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and Correlation with Circulating Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) during Peri-Implantation and Early Pregnancy in Buffalo Cows.

The objective of this study was to analyze interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and interferon tau (IFNt) gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes during the peri-implantation period and until 40 days of pregnancy in buffalo cows. Relationships were also examined between the expression of ISGs and IFNt and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) peripheral plasma concentration. Buffalo cows were synchronized and artificially inseminated (d 0).

Use of GnRH Treatment Based on Pregnancy-Associated Glyco-Proteins (PAGs) Levels as a Strategy for the Maintenance of Pregnancy in Buffalo Cows: A Field Study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of GnRH administrated at day 35 after artificial insemination (AI) on the reproductive performance of buffalo cows. In ten buffalo farms in the period January−February, 481 buffalo cows were subjected to estrus synchronization protocol and fixed-time artificial insemination (Ovsynch−TAI program). Radioimmunoassays (RIA) for pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) were used to detect pregnancy at day 28 after AI (cut-off value: ≥1 ng/mL).

Using Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) to Improve Reproductive Management: From Dairy Cows to Other Dairy Livestock.

Pregnancy success represents a major issue for the economic income of cattle breeders. Early detection of pregnant and non-pregnant animals, as well as the prediction of early pregnancy failure, can influence farm management decisions. Several diagnostic tools for pregnancy are currently available.

Blood thyroid hormones, insulin and leptin, metabolites and enzymes in transition dairy ewes, as affected by dietary linseed and physiological stage.

This study investigated the effects of dietary linseed and physiological state on blood concentrations of some metabolic hormones and indicators, in transition dairy ewes. From 21 d before lambing to 60 d post-partum, ewes were provided with one of three isoenergetic and iso‑nitrogenous pelleted concentrates, without (CTR, n = 21), or with 100 (EL-10, n = 22) or 200 g/kg (EL-20, n = 22) of extruded linseed. Animals were fed alfalfa hay ad libitum and had access to mixed pasture.

Goji Berries Supplementation in the Diet of Rabbits and Other Livestock Animals: A Mini-Review of the Current Knowledge.

In the last decades, several nutraceutical substances have received great attention for their potential role in the prevention and treatment of different diseases as well as for their beneficial effects in promoting the health of humans and animals. Goji berries (GBs) are the fruit of and other species of , used in traditional Chinese medicine, and they have recently become very popular in the Occidental world because of their properties, such as anti-aging, antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotective, cytoprotective, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. These effects are essentially evaluated in clinical trials in humans; in experimental animal models, such as mice and rats; and in cell lines in studies.

Dietary Supplementation with Goji Berries ( Modulates the Microbiota of Digestive Tract and Caecal Metabolites in Rabbits.

Goji berries show health benefits, although the possible mechanisms of action, including compositional changes in the gut microbiome, are still not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Goji berry supplementation on microbiota composition and metabolites in the digestive tracts of rabbits. Twenty-eight New Zealand White rabbits were fed with a commercial feed (control group, C; = 14) or the same diet supplemented with 3% of Goji berries (Goji group, G; = 14), from weaning (35 days old) until slaughter (90 days old).

Goji Berry () Supplementation during Pregnancy Influences Insulin Sensitivity in Rabbit Does but Not in Their Offspring.

This study investigated the effects of Goji berry ( dietary supplementation during pregnancy on insulin sensitivity of rabbit does and their offspring. Starting from two months before the artificial insemination, 75 New Zealand White does were fed only commercial standard diet (C) or supplemented with 1% (G1) and 3% (G3) of Goji berries. Their offspring received a standard diet but kept the nomenclature of the mother's group.

American Bison (Bison bison) reproductive endocrinology: serum Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAG), Progesterone, Estrone and Estrone-Sulfate in non pregnant animals and during gestation.

This study describes concentrations of Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAG), progesterone (P4), estrone (E1) and estrone-sulfate (E1S) in American Bison sera. In 2 ranches, mature American Bison were sampled once a year for 2 yr. Subsequent American Bison cows calving days were reported.

Adrenal Gland Ultrasonographic Measurements and Plasma Hormone Concentrations in Clinically Healthy Newborn Thoroughbred and Standardbred Foals.

Adrenal hormones, ACTH plasma concentrations and the ultrasonographic evaluation of the adrenal glands are considered complementary in clinical evaluations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in several species. In dogs, age, size and weight have a significant effect on the ultrasonographic size of the adrenal glands. In neonatal foals, ultrasonographic evaluation and measurements of the adrenal glands have been demonstrated to be reliable; however, the effect of individual variables on ultrasonographic features has not been investigated, and the clinical usefulness of adrenal gland ultrasonography is still not known.

Effect of Goji Berry () Supplementation on Reproductive Performance of Rabbit Does.

Goji berry shows a wide range of beneficial properties in human health, but only a few studies evaluated its effects in livestock animals. The objective of this research was to assess the effects of goji berry supplementation on the hormonal profile, productive, and reproductive performance of does. Two months before artificial insemination, 105 nulliparous does were randomly divided into three groups ( = 35) based on the dietary treatment: commercial diet (C), or a diet supplemented with either 1% (G1), or 3% (G3) of goji berry, respectively.

Effects of Feed Supplementation on Nesfatin-1, Insulin, Glucagon, Leptin, T3, Cortisol, and BCS in Milking Ewes Grazing on Semi-Natural Pastures.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of feed supplementation on body condition score (BCS) and different metabolic hormones concentration in lactating sheep reared in Italian Central Apennine pastures during the grazing summer period. In this study, 24 Comisana x Appenninica pluriparous ewes from June until August were divided into two homogenous groups: the control group (UNS) was free to graze, while the other group (SUP), in addition to grazing, was supplemented with 600 g/day/head of cereals. At the start of the supplementation and at an interval of 9-10 days until the end of experimentation, BCS evaluation and blood withdrawal to assay nesfatin-1, insulin, glucagon, leptin, triiodothyronine and cortisol levels were performed.

Approaches to Identify Pregnancy Failure in Buffalo Cows.

The aim of this work was to find the best strategy to diagnose pregnancy failures in buffalo. A total of 109 animals belonging to a buffalo herd subjected to a synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) program were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected at days 0, 14, 25, 28 and 40 after AI for the determination of progesterone (P4) and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) by the radioimmunoassay (RIA) method.

Impact of Goji Berries () Supplementation on the Energy Homeostasis of Rabbit Does: Uni- and Multivariate Approach.

This study examined the effects of goji berries dietary supplementation on the energetic metabolism of doe. Thirty days before artificial insemination, 75 New Zealand White does were assigned to three different diets: commercial standard diet (C) and supplemented with 1% (LG) and 3% (HG) of goji berries, respectively. Body conditions, hormones and metabolites were monitored until weaning.

Ultrasonographic measurement of the adrenal gland in neonatal foals: reliability of the technique and assessment of variation in healthy foals during the first five days of life.

Background: Adrenal gland ultrasonographic measurements are useful in clinical evaluation of patients with adrenal dysfunction in several species. In human healthy neonates, the ultrasonographic size of the adrenal glands decreases during the first days of life. Ultrasonography of adrenal glands was demonstrated to be feasible in neonatal foals.

Plasmatic Profile of Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein (PAG) during Gestation and Postpartum in Sarda and Lacaune Sheep Determined with Two Radioimmunoassay Systems.

This study was carried out to determine ovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (oPAG) levels in the plasma of Sarda and Lacaune ewes throughout gestation and in the first month postpartum, using two heterologous radioimmunoassays (RIA-706 and RIA-srPool) and to study the correlations between PAG levels and fetal gender and number. On Day 18 of pregnancy, PAG concentrations were detected in 90.1% and 80.