Maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation affects factors that regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in the testis of adult progeny.

Context A maternal high-fat diet is thought to pose a risk to spermatogenesis in the progeny. Aims We tested whether a maternal high-fat diet would affect Sertoli cell expression of transcription factors (insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I); glial-cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); Ets variant 5 (ETV5)) and cell proliferation and apoptotic proteins, in the testis of adult offspring. Methods Pregnant rats were fed ad libitum with a standard diet (Control) or a high-fat diet (HFat) throughout pregnancy and lactation.

Equine chorionic gonadotropin administered on day 5 of a 7-days fixed-time artificial insemination program improves ovulation synchrony and corpus luteum function in anestrous beef cows.

In order to assess the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) administered on Day 5 or 7 of a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol (FTAI) in anestrous suckled beef cows, two experiments were performed to determine the following endpoints: Experiment 1 (n = 22), preovulatory follicle (POF) diameter, ovulation time, corpus luteum (CL) area, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations; and Experiment 2 (n = 676), a field trial to evaluate conception rate using the same experimental design. In both experiments, a synchronization protocol using estradiol benzoate (EB) (Day 0), intravaginal progestin device (IVD) (Days 0 through 7), prostaglandin (PGF) (Day 7), eCG (Day 5 or 7), and GnRH (Day 9). Treatment consisted of administering 400 IU of eCG on Day 5 (T5) or Day 7 (T7 or control) concomitant with treatment with PGF2α.

Maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and lactation increases transcription factors, ETV5 and GDNF, and alters regulation of apoptosis and heat shock proteins in the testis of adult offspring in the rat.

We tested whether changes in Sertoli cell transcription factors and germ cell heat shock proteins (HSPs) are linked to the effects of maternal undernutrition on male offspring fertility. Rats were fed ad libitum with a standard diet (CONTROL) throughout pregnancy and lactation or with 50% of CONTROL intake throughout pregnancy (UNP) or lactation (UNL) or both periods (UNPL). After postnatal Day 21, 10 male pups per group were fed a standard diet ad libitum until postnatal Day 160 when testes were processed for histological, mRNA and immunohistochemical analyses.

Equine early pregnancy endocrine profiles and ipsilateral endometrial immune cell, gene expression and protein localisation response.

We investigated the early effects of the equine embryo on maternal serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), leptin and adiponectin, uterine immune cells and genes and proteins related to embryo development and the maintenance of pregnancy. Ipsilateral endometrial expression was assessed on Days 7 and 13 after ovulation for the following transcripts: oestrogen receptor ERα (ESR1), progesterone receptor (PGR), progestin and adipoQ receptor family member 5 (PAQR5), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), raf-1 proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (RAF1), p21-activated kinase 6 (PAK6), fibroblast growth factor family member 9 (FGF9), IGF1 and its receptor (IGF1R), mucin 1 (MUC1), osteopontin (OPN), leptin receptor (LEPR) and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2). Ipsilateral endometrial immunological cell infiltration and immunohistochemical protein localisation were evaluated on Days 7, 10 and 13 after ovulation for ERα, PGR, OXTR, PTGS2, IGF1, IGF1R, IGF2 and MUC1.

Heat shock protein HSP90 immunoexpression in equine endometrium during oestrus, dioestrus and anoestrus.

Heat shock proteins play a crucial role in cellular development, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) has been localised in the human endometrium, where its immunoexpression changes during the menstrual cycle. Similar studies have not been done for the equid species, so the present study aimed to describe endometrial HSP90 immunoexpression in mare endometrium.

Maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and lactation affects testicular morphology, the stages of spermatogenic cycle, and the testicular IGF-I system in adult offspring.

Maternal undernutrition decreases sperm production in male offspring, possibly through insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I). To test this hypothesis, we fed pregnant Wistar rats ad libitum with a standard diet (CONTROL) or fed 50% of CONTROL intake, either throughout pregnancy (UNP), lactation (UNL, or both (UNPL). After weaning, male offspring (n = 10 per treatment) were fed a standard diet until postnatal day 160, when testes process for histological and molecular analyses.

Lying Postures of Dairy Cows in Cubicles and on Pasture.

Cows housed indoors with cubicles are probably more restricted in their choice of lying posture and orientation compared with cows housed on pasture. We therefore compared lying postures on pasture in Uruguay and the Netherlands with lying postures in cubicles in the Netherlands, also recording orientation on pasture in Uruguay and divider and bedding type in Dutch cubicles. We visited one farm with four herds in Uruguay, doing live observations, and 25 Dutch farms, taking pictures of cows.

Carbohydrate source offered in the diet did not affect metabolic status or milk yield in dairy cows.

Increasing the provision of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) during the prepartum period is a feeding strategy that has been recommended to facilitate the transition to the onset of lactation and improve dairy cow performance, but results are contradictory, probably because most studies have confounded the effects of level and source of energy. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of the source of carbohydrate offered in the prepartum diet on postpartum cow performance. Holstein dairy cows (n=24) were assigned to receive diets with either low (LNFC), or high (HNFC) levels of NFC during the last 3 weeks before expected calving date according to a randomized complete block design.

Effect of side of the corpus luteum and pregnancy on estrogen and progesterone receptor expression and localization in the endometrium of mares.

The effect of side of corpus luteum on uterine gene expression and protein localization of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in healthy cyclic and pregnant mares 13 days after ovulation (day 0) was investigated. Transcervical biopsies were performed to collect endometrium ipsilateral and contralateral regarding the side of corpus luteum on day 13 post-ovulation in cyclic (n = 6) and pregnant (n = 6) mares. Blood samples were collected daily from day 0 until the day of biopsy for 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) determinations.

In utero betamethasone affects 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and inhibin-α immunoexpression during testis development.

Prenatal glucocorticoids, commonly used in women at risk of preterm delivery, can predispose the newborn to disease in later life. Since male reproductive function is likely to reflect testis development during fetal life, we studied the effects of prenatal glucocorticoids on two key intra-testicular factors that play roles in cellular proliferation and differentiation, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and inhibin-α. Pregnant sheep (n=42) were treated with betamethasone (0.

Effect of pre-partum feed supplementation on post-partum ovarian activity, milk production and calf growth of small holder dairy Cattle in Cameroon.

Seventy-two cows were selected for an on-farm study on the effect of feed supplementation before calving on milk production, ovarian activity and calf growth of Holstein, indigenous Red Fulani cows and their crosses. Pre-partum feed supplementation was done using cotton seed cake (80%), maize (18%), bone meal (1%) and kitchen salt (1% NaCl). Supplementation levels consisted of a low supplementation fed at 1 kg per animal per day and high supplementation fed at 2 kg per animal per day.

Effect of cow parity and synchronization method with PGF2α on conception rates of Bos indicus cows in Cameroon.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of two synchronization methods with prostaglandins F2α (PGF2α) on heifers and multiparous cows. Fourty-three Bos indicus cows (white and Red Fulani) were divided into four groups in a two-by-two factorial structure, parity x method of synchronization. The synchronization methods consisted of a two-dose regime which involved injection of animals on day 0 with PGF2α (Lutalyse) at 5 ml per cow intramuscularly.

Comparison between two progesterone sources and two oestradiol formulations in a Heatsynch protocol for postpartum cycling dairy cows in pasture.

To compare an injectable progesterone (MAD-4) with an intravaginal device (IPD), and natural O17 with synthetic oestradiol (OB) in a synchronisation protocol, 51 cows were divided into four groups. Each group was treated with one of the two sources of progesterone and one of the two oestradiol formulations. Oestrus behaviour, follicle diameter, and pregnancy rates were evaluated.

Apoptosis-related protein expression during pre- and post-natal testicular development after administration of glucocorticoid in utero in the sheep.

Pre-natal glucocorticoids are used in women at risk of preterm delivery to induce foetal lung maturation. However, glucocorticoids can produce negative outcomes for other tissues such as the reproductive system. We therefore tested the effects of pre-natal betamethasone on testicular morphology and apoptotic protein immune expression during pre- and post-natal development.

Endometrial expression of leptin receptor and members of the growth hormone-Insulin-like growth factor system throughout the estrous cycle in heifers.

The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is expressed in bovine uterus during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy and is acknowledged to play an important role in regulating the development of the embryo and uterus. The leptin receptor (LEPR) is also expressed in the bovine uterus although it is not known whether its expression varies during the estrous cycle. In this study, the expression of the IGF-I and -II, the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R), GH receptor (GHR) and LEPR transcripts was determined on endometrial transcervical biopsies collected on days 0 (estrus), 5, 12 and 19 of the cow estrous cycle (n=8).

Effect of prepartum diet on postpartum ovarian activity in Holstein cows in a pasture-based dairy system.

The hypothesis was that supplementation during the late prepartum period will differentially affect reproductive and productive variables according to parity. Primiparous (n=22) and multiparous (n=22) pregnant autumn calving Holstein cows were stratified in two groups according to parity (primiparous or multiparous) and within each group were randomly assigned to two treatments: (a) low supplemented (LS) or (b) high supplemented (HS) prepartum diet. The LS group was offered 5.

Effect of prepartum energetic supplementation on productive and reproductive characteristics, and metabolic and hormonal profiles in dairy cows under grazing conditions.

The effect of cracked corn grain supplementation (3.5 kg/day) during 3 weeks before the expected calving date on milk production and composition, body condition score (BCS), metabolic and hormonal profiles and length of postpartum anoestrus was evaluated in multiparous Holstein dairy cows under grazing conditions (Energy supplemented group, n = 10; Control group, n = 10). Body condition score was weekly recorded during the peripartum period, from days -21 to +35 (parturition = day 0).

Validation of a human progesterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit for use on serum of cattle in Cameroon.

A study aimed at validating a human progesterone enzyme immunoassay kit was carried out on cattle at Bambui, Cameroon. Progesterone ELISA Kits (EH-511) were obtained from Clinpro International. Forty-one cows were selected, of which 19 were pregnant and 22 within 14 days post partum.

Reproductive efficiency in grazing lactating dairy cows under a programmed reproductive management system.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a reproductive management program consisting of combinations of Ovsynch/TAI and prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) treatments in Holstein dairy cows under a pasture-based dairying system.

Design: Field trial.

Procedure: A total of 1177 cows in 8 commercial dairy farms were randomly allocated to control and treatment groups.

Studies of the transition cow under a pasture-based milk production system: metabolic profiles.

This study describes the effect of parity (multiparous versus primiparous) and body condition score (BCS) at calving (<3 or > or =3; scale 1-5) on variations of BCS, body weight (BW) and metabolic profiles in Holstein cows grazing on improved pastures. Forty-two cows were studied (21 multiparous and 21 primiparous) from 2 months before to 3 months after calving. BCS, BW and milk production were measured every 2 weeks.

Effects of parity and body condition at parturition on endocrine and reproductive parameters of the cow.

The effect of parity (multiparous vs primiparous) and body condition score (BCS; <3.0 or > or =3.0, lean vs fat) at parturition on metabolic and endocrine profiles from 1 month before to 2 months after parturition were studied in 42 Holstein cows grazing on improved pastures.

Treatment of suckling beef cattle with a progestagen sponge and oestradiol benzoate or equine chorionic gonadotrophin.

The ovarian responses of anoestrus beef cows to a combined treatment with medroxy-progesterone acetate (MAP) sponges and oestradiol benzoate or equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) were evaluated. Forty-five suckling Hereford cows were allocated to three equal groups. Group 1 received a MAP sponge for seven days plus an injection of 2 mg oestradiol benzoate when the sponge was inserted (day 0) and 1 mg when the sponge was withdrawn; group 2 received identical treatment until day 7, when a dose of 400 iu of eCG was administered, and group 3 were left untreated as control animals.

Evaluation of two different oestrus-synchronisation methods with timed artificial insemination and resynchronisation of returns to oestrus in lactating Holstein cows.

To examine the outcomes of adding medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) to the ovsynch protocol with the traditional ovsynch protocol in both cycling and anoestrus cows, and to evaluate a resynchronisation protocol, 742 cows averaging more than 40 days postpartum were assigned to the following four treatments: (1) ovsynch (OVS): day 0: GnRH; day 7: PGF2alpha; day 9: a similar dose of GnRH; day 10: timed artificial insemination (TAI), approximately 16-20h later; (2) ovsynch+MAP (MAP): the same ovsynch protocol plus an intravaginal insert made of polyurethane sponge impregnated with 300mg of MAP immediately after the first GnRH treatment and on day 7, at the time of the PG treatment, the sponge was removed; (3) resynchronisation (MAP+ODB): 1mg of oestradiol benzoate (ODB) on day 13 after TAI and a new sponge impregnated with MAP was inserted and; on day 20, 1mg of ODB was given and the sponge removed; and (4) no resynchronisation (No MAP): only oestrus detection and AI at any repeat oestrus detected after TAI. Progesterone was measured in milk samples collected on days -17, -10, -3, 13 and 20 (TAI=day 0). Based on milk P4 at days -17 and -10, 27.

Use of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) in lactating Holstein cows within an Ovsynch protocol: follicular growth and hormonal patterns.

To evaluate the effects of incorporating medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) in an Ovsynch protocol, cyclic lactating dairy cows were assigned randomly to two groups (control and MAP, n=8 each). Ovsynch treatment (Day 0: GnRH, Day 7: PG, Day 9: GnRH) was initiated at random stages of the estrous cycle (control) and an intravaginal polyurethane sponge impregnated with 300mg of MAP was inserted intravaginally in the MAP group at Day 0 and removed at Day 7 of the Ovsynch protocol (MAP treatment). Ovaries were scanned daily from Day 0 until the second GnRH treatment on Day 9 and from then every 6h for 36 h.

Factors affecting the reproductive efficiency of artificial insemination programmes in a seasonal breeding pasture-based dairy system with the aid of milk progesterone.

To determine the factors affecting reproductive efficiency in a seasonal breeding artificial insemination (AI) programme in dairy herds in Uruguay, a field trial was conducted on three dairy farms. Lactating cows (n=328) intended to be bred at the following breeding period were selected. The trial started 1 week before the beginning of the breeding period and lasted 80 days or until first service.