Characterization of decellularized porcine oviduct- and uterine-derived scaffolds evaluated by spermatozoa-based biocompatibility and biotoxicity.

Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) are widely utilized in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering due to their ability to promote cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. In reproduction, research is focused on the utilization of these scaffolds to treat pathologies causing reproductive dysfunction or to improve assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs). We developed an efficient protocol employing the immersion-agitation technique to decellularize porcine oviductal and uterine sections, comparing the efficacy of fresh versus frozen treatments.

In vitro exposure of porcine sperm to functionalized superparamagnetic nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology and its applications have advanced significantly in recent decades, contributing to various fields, including reproduction. This study introduces a novel method to label porcine oocytes with nanoparticles (NPs) bound to oviductin (OVGP1, Ov) for use in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). Despite promising developments, concerns about NP toxicity in gametes necessitate thorough investigation.

Artificial intelligence and porcine breeding.

Livestock management is evolving into a new era, characterized by the analysis of vast quantities of data (Big Data) collected from both traditional breeding methods and new technologies such as sensors, automated monitoring system, and advanced analytics. Artificial intelligence (A-In), which refers to the capability of machines to mimic human intelligence, including subfields like machine learning and deep learning, is playing a pivotal role in this transformation. A wide array of A-In techniques, successfully employed in various industrial and scientific contexts, are now being integrated into mainstream livestock management practices.

Proteomic Insights into Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoa Proteins of Small-Spotted Catsharks, : Implications for Reproductive Conservation in Aquariums.

In the ex situ conservation of chondrichthyan species, successful reproduction in aquaria is essential. However, these species often exhibit reduced reproductive success under human care. A key aspect is that conventional sperm analyses do not provide insights into the functional competence of sperm.

Development of decellularization protocols for female cat reproductive organs.

Decellularization is an innovative method to create natural scaffolds by removing all cellular materials while preserving the composition and three-dimensional ultrastructure of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The obtention of decellularized reproductive organs in cats might facilitate the development of assisted reproductive techniques not only in this species but also in other felids. The aim was to compare the efficiency of three decellularization protocols on reproductive organs (ovary, oviduct, and uterine horn) in domestic cats.

Magnetic-Assisted Control of Eggs and Embryos via Zona Pellucida-Linked Nanoparticles.

Eggs and embryo manipulation is an important biotechnological challenge to enable positioning, entrapment, and selection of reproductive cells to advance into a new era of nature-like assisted reproductive technologies. Oviductin (OVGP1) is an abundant protein in the oviduct that binds reversibly to the zona pellucida, an extracellular matrix that surrounds eggs and embryos. Here, the study reports a new method coupling OVGP1 to magnetic nanoparticles (NP) forming a complex (NPOv).

The type 2 inflammatory response favors recognition of tumor antigens by IgE in breast cancer.

Background: Several studies describe an inverse statistical relationship between the presence of an allergy and development of cancer. However, the immunological mechanism involved in the relationship between these two degenerative diseases has not been explored.

Aims: The main objective of this study was to explore the possibility that the lymphocyte T helper (Th) 2 response, a characteristic of allergy, induces recognition of tumor antigens.

Artificial insemination of all ejaculated sperm fractions accelerates embryo development and increases the uterine vascularity in the pig.

The semen of boar is characterized by ejaculation in well-differentiated fractions with specific concentration, composition, and volume. The 'sperm-rich fraction' (SRF), the most concentrated seminal fraction, is habitually collected in insemination centers to make artificial insemination (AI) doses. The absence of the other fractions in AI doses could alter the uterine reaction to AI and not trigger essential responses that could maximize fertility.

Impact of inclusion of post-spermatic ejaculate fraction in boar seminal doses on sperm metabolism, quality, and interaction with uterine fluid.

Boar ejaculate is composed of sperm cells and seminal plasma (SP) and is emitted in different fractions (pre-sperm fraction; spermatic-rich fraction; intermediate fraction; post-spermatic fraction), with different composition of SP and volume, which could influence the sperm quality during seminal doses preparation, conservation, and interaction with the female reproductive tract. In artificial insemination (AI) centers, seminal doses are usually prepared with the spermatic-rich and intermediate fractions, but the inclusion of other ejaculate fractions, although controversial, is beginning to be applied. The objective was to evaluate the synergic effect of accumulative ejaculated fractions on sperm functionality during seminal doses preparation, throughout storage and after incubation with uterine fluid (UF).

N-thiocarboxyanhydrides, amino acid-derived enzyme-activated HS donors, enhance sperm mitochondrial activity in presence and absence of oxidative stress.

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (HS) donors are crucial tools not only for understanding the role of HS in cellular function but also as promising therapeutic agents for oxidative stress-related diseases. This study aimed to explore the effect of amino acid-derived N-thiocarboxyanhydrides (NTAs), which release physiological HS levels in the presence of carbonic anhydrase, on porcine sperm function during short-term incubation with and without induced oxidative stress. For this purpose, we employed two HS-releasing NTAs with release half-lives (t) in the range of hours that derived from the amino acids glycine (Gly-NTA) or leucine (Leu-NTA).

One-Step In Vitro Generation of ETV2-Null Pig Embryos.

Each year, tens of thousands of people worldwide die of end-stage organ failure due to the limited availability of organs for use in transplantation. To meet this clinical demand, one of the last frontiers of regenerative medicine is the generation of humanized organs in pigs from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) via blastocyst complementation. For this, organ-disabled pig models are needed.

Analysis of Uterine Blood Flow in Breeding Sows through the Estrus and Early Diestrus, and after Artificial Insemination.

This study aimed to determine uterine blood flow indices by transabdominal Doppler ultrasound in sows (n = 18) under different conditions: (i) sows after estrus detection (day 0, D0); (ii) sows 2 h after artificial insemination (AI), performed 24 h after detection of estrus (day 1, D1); (iii) sows in early diestrus (day 5, D5). Moreover, three different types of seminal doses were used for AI depending on the ejaculate fraction included (F1: doses containing only the rich fraction of the ejaculate; F2: F1 + the transition fraction between rich and poor fractions; F3: F2 and poor fraction). The statistical analysis revealed significant differences in some indices regarding the period of analysis (D0, D1, and D5).

Self-directed learning using computer simulations to study veterinary physiology: Comparing individual and collaborative learning approaches.

Background: Advances in technology enable new educational resources geared towards situated learning and leading students to a more active education. Self-directed learning methodologies used along with simulators may represent a good alternative to traditional teaching methods. The aims of this study were to analyse veterinary students' degree of acceptance of self-directed learning using the PhysioEx simulator in physiology, and to evaluate self-directed learning outcomes using different approaches (individual vs.

Reproductive fluids, added to the culture media, contribute to minimizing phenotypical differences between in vitro-derived and artificial insemination-derived piglets.

The addition of reproductive fluids (RF) to the culture media has shown benefits in different embryonic traits but its long-term effects on the offspring phenotype are still unknown. We aimed to describe such effects in pigs. Blood samples and growth parameters were collected from piglets derived from in vitro-produced embryos (IVP) with or without RF added in the culture media versus those artificially inseminated (AI), from day 0 to month 6 of life.

Relevance of the Ejaculate Fraction and Dilution Method on Boar Sperm Quality during Processing and Conservation of Seminal Doses.

During boar semen processing and distribution, maximizing the work protocols in the laboratories becomes essential for the conservation of seminal doses. One of the recent implementations in the boar studs to improve efficiency has been semi-automatic semen collection systems, which do not allow to discard fractions of the ejaculate. The objective of this work was to evaluate the dilution method and vibrations (simulating delivery transport) effect on sperm quality (motility, viability, morphology, thermo-resistance test) according to the fraction of ejaculate collected.

Comparative Study of Semen Parameters and Hormone Profile in Small-Spotted Catshark (): Aquarium-Housed vs. Wild-Captured.

Several chondrichthyan species are threatened, and we must increase our knowledge of their reproductive biology in order to establish assisted reproductive protocols for ex situ or in situ endangered species. The small-spotted catshark () is one of the most abundant shark species of the Mediterranean coast and is easy to maintain in aquaria; therefore, it is considered an ideal reproductive model. This study aimed to compare male reproductive function in aquarium-housed ( = 7) and wild-captured animals, recently dead ( = 17).

Protein Identification of Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma in Bottlenose Dolphin ().

Proteins play an important role in many reproductive functions such as sperm maturation, sperm transit in the female genital tract or sperm-oocyte interaction. However, in general, little information concerning reproductive features is available in the case of aquatic animals. The present study aims to characterize the proteome of both spermatozoa and seminal plasma of bottlenose dolphins () as a model organism for cetaceans.

Evidence of haptoglobin in the porcine female genital tract during oestrous cycle and its effect on in vitro embryo production.

Recent evidence supports involvement of the acute phase protein haptoglobin in numerous events during mammalian reproduction. The present study represents an in-depth investigation of haptoglobin expression and secretion in the porcine oviduct and uterus, and assesses its effect on porcine in vitro embryo production. A systematic study was made of sows in different oestrous stages: late follicular, early luteal and late luteal stages.

Characterization of Bottlenose Dolphin Sperm Based on Morphometric Traits.

Bottlenose dolphin () males follow many reproductive strategies to ensure their paternity. However, little is known about the sperm traits, including morphometric features, that contribute to their reproductive success. Our aim was to study dolphin sperm morphometry (a total of 13 parameters) in two adult males to evaluate (i) presumptive sperm subpopulations, (ii) the correlation of sperm morphometry with testosterone levels and (iii) the effect of refrigerated storage on the sperm morphometry.