Trinucleate uterine epithelial cells as evidence for White-tail Deer trophoblast binucleate cell migration and as markers of placental binucleate cell dynamics in a variety of wild ruminants.

Introduction: The unicellular trophoblast epithelium of all ruminants so far investigated contains 15-20% binucleate cells with numerous secretory granules. Electron microscope (EM) studies of the domesticated cow, ewe, goat and deer species have established that these BNC migrate out of the trophoblast epithelium to fuse with the apposed maternal uterine epithelial cells or derivative to form fetomaternal tissue throughout pregnancy. However there is one careful EM study of the trophoblast of a wild ruminant, the White-tail deer, which found the usual number of BNC but no evidence of any migration or fusion.

Analysis and characterisation of bovine oocyte and embryo biomarkers by matrix-assisted desorption ionisation mass spectrometry imaging.

In the field of 'single cell analysis', many classical strategies like immunofluorescence and electron microscopy are the primary techniques of choice. However, these methodologies are time consuming and do not permit direct identification of specific molecular classes, such as lipids. In the present study, a novel mass spectrometry-based analytical approach was applied to bovine oocytes and embryos.

Review of issues concerning the use of reproductive inhibitors, with particular emphasis on resolving human-wildlife conflicts in North America.

This manuscript provides an overview of past wildlife contraception efforts and discusses the current state of research. Two fertility control agents, an avian reproductive inhibitor containing the active ingredient nicarbazin and an immunocontraceptive vaccine, have received regulatory approval with the Environmental Protection Agency and are commercially available in the USA. OvoControl G Contraceptive Bait for Canada Geese and Ovo Control for pigeons are delivered as oral baits.

Proteomics of cauda epididymal fluid from mature Holstein bulls.

The proteome of cauda epididymal fluid (CEF) from Holstein bulls was defined. Fluid was collected from the vas deferens, subjected to 2-D SDS-PAGE and spots identified by CapLC-MS/MS and MALDI-ToF/ToF. Because albumin accounted for 21.

Observations on the use of GonaCon in captive female elk (Cervus elaphus).

Overabundant populations of elk (Cervus elaphus) are a significant concern in some areas of the western United States because of potential ecologic damage and spread of brucellosis to domestic livestock. Brucella abortus is transmitted among elk through direct contact with aborted fetuses, placentas and associated fluids, or postpartum discharge of infected animals. Because transmission of brucellosis is dependent on pregnancy, contraception of cows could be used for both disease and population management.

The single-shot GnRH immunocontraceptive vaccine (GonaCon) in white-tailed deer: comparison of several GnRH preparations.

Problem: An effective, single-injection, multi-year, GnRH contraceptive agent is needed to control reproduction in overabundant white-tailed deer populations.

Method Of Study: Two GnRH conjugates, GonaCon (GnRH-KLH) and GonaCon-B (GnRH-blue protein), were prepared in emulsion form as one-injection and two-injection immunocontraceptive vaccine formulations. In addition, the GnRH-KLH protein conjugate was lyophilized and suspended in AdjuVac adjuvant to produce a fifth vaccine formulation.

Binding patterns of bovine seminal plasma proteins A1/A2, 30 kDa and osteopontin on ejaculated sperm before and after incubation with isthmic and ampullary oviductal fluid.

Previous studies from our laboratory have reported empirical associations between bovine seminal plasma protein(s) (BSP) A1/A2 and 30 kDa and osteopontin (OPN) in accessory sex gland fluid and bull fertility. These BSP and OPN are believed to bind to sperm at ejaculation and to remain bound until sperm reach the oviduct. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the topographical distribution of BSP A1/A2, 30 kDa and OPN binding on: (1) bovine ejaculated sperm; (2) ejaculated sperm incubated with isthmic oviductal fluid (ODF); (3) ejaculated sperm+isthmic ODF incubated in ampullary ODF.

Detection of osteopontin on Holstein bull spermatozoa, in cauda epididymal fluid and testis homogenates, and its potential role in bovine fertilization.

Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted extracellular matrix phosphoprotein identified in various tissues and fluids including those of the male and female reproductive tracts. OPN was previously identified as a 55 kDa high fertility marker in Holstein bull seminal plasma, produced by the ampulla and the vesicular gland. The objectives of this study were to characterize OPN on ejaculated and cauda epididymal sperm using immunofluorescence and western blot analysis, and to assess the role of sperm OPN in fertilization.

A cloning and expression analysis of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins expressed in trophoblasts of the white-tail deer placenta.

The pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are placental proteins that have been cloned from swine, sheep, goats, and cattle, but never from animals within the Cervidae family. The goal of this work was to characterize PAGs in white-tailed deer. Placenta and uterine tissues were collected from pregnant does at days 85 and 90 of pregnancy.

Modifications of surface carbohydrates on bovine spermatozoa mediated by oviductal fluid: a flow cytometric study using lectins.

The objective of the present study was to characterize and quantify changes in exposed saccharide residues of bovine sperm during capacitation in oviductal fluid (ODF) using flow cytometry (FC). Bovine sperm were incubated with 0% or 50% non-luteal ODF for 30 min or 3.5 h.

Proteins of the accessory sex glands associated with the oocyte-penetrating capacity of cauda epididymal sperm from holstein bulls of documented fertility.

We previously reported that accessory sex gland fluid (AGF) from high fertility (HF) bulls influenced the oocyte-penetrating capacity of cauda epididymal sperm from low fertility (LF) bulls, based on in vitro fertilization (IVF) assays. The present study determined if AGF proteins were associated with these effects. Nineteen IVF assays with 12 bulls were grouped as follows.

A comprehensive proteomic analysis of the accessory sex gland fluid from mature Holstein bulls.

The expression of proteins in accessory sex gland fluid (AGF) of proven, high use mature Holstein bulls was evaluated. Thirty-seven bulls with documented fertility based on their non-return rates were studied. AGF was obtained by artificial vagina after bulls were surgically equipped with cannulae in the vasa deferentia.

Proteins of the cauda epididymal fluid associated with fertility of mature dairy bulls.

We evaluated the relationships between proteins in cauda epididymis fluid (CEF) and fertility scores of dairy bulls. Fertility was expressed as the percentage point deviation (PD) of bull nonreturn rate from the average fertility of all bulls at an artificial insemination center. The number of services for each bull ranged from 1074 to 52 820, and PD values ranged from +7.

Identification of proteins in the accessory sex gland fluid associated with fertility indexes of dairy bulls: a proteomic approach.

We evaluated the expression of proteins in the accessory sex gland fluid (AGF) and their relationships with fertility indexes of dairy bulls. Fertility was normalized as the percentage point deviation of their nonreturn rates (PD) from the average fertility of all bulls from a given artificial insemination center. Services associated with each sire ranged from 269 to 77 321 and PD values from +7.

Detection of Fas ligand in the bovine oviduct.

Presence of a Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) system defines the immune-privileged status of certain tissues such as placenta. This study examined the fluids and tissue(s) of the bovine oviduct, where both spermatozoa and early embryos escape elimination by the female immune system, for the presence and the distribution of Fas and FasL, which might provide an explanation for the immune-privileged site of this organ. In the present study, the immunolocalisation of FasL and Fas, as well as the gene expression of FasL, were determined in the uterotubal junction (UTJ), isthmic (I) and ampullar (A) segments of the oviduct during oestrus and the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle.

Effect of plasmin on movement characteristics of ejaculated bull spermatozoa.

Proteolytic enzymes appear to have an essential role in multiple phases of mammalian fertilization. Several observations suggest that the plasminogen activator/plasmin system might also play a role in mammalian fertilization. Movement characteristics of bovine sperm incubated with different concentrations of plasmin were investigated using a computer-assisted automated semen analysis system.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha in the bovine oviduct during the estrous cycle: messenger RNA expression and effect on secretion of prostaglandins, endothelin-1, and angiotensin II.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha is an important physiological mediator of cell-to-cell communication. Recent observations suggest that TNFalpha is involved in the control of reproductive functions. The present study examined the role of TNFalpha in the secretion of factors involved in regulating smooth muscle contraction, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and angiotensin II (Ang II), as it was in the original by the cow oviduct at different stages of the estrous cycle using an in vitro microdialysis system.

In search of the active PZP epitope in white-tailed deer immunocontraception.

Native porcine zona pellucida (PZP) has been shown to be highly effective as an immunocontraceptive in white-tailed deer. However, the immunogenicity of PZP extracted from pig ovaries may vary from lot to lot and the extract has the potential of containing either viral or pathogenic material. Determination of the immunocontraceptive epitopes of PZP would allow portions of the molecule to be synthesized or inserted into a recombinant system for production of a consistent and safe vaccine.

Immunohistochemical localization of microsomal PGE synthase-1 and cyclooxygenases in male mouse reproductive organs.

We investigated the tissue distribution and cellular localization of microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 in the male mouse reproductive organs. Northern blotting revealed that the mPGES-1 mRNA was expressed intensely in the epididymis and weakly in the lung, spleen, skin, kidney, colon, and brain. In the male reproductive tract, the expression of mPGES-1 increased from the testis to the cauda epididymis and was highest in the vas deferens when examined by Northern blotting, RT-PCR, and Western blotting.

Capacitation and induction of the acrosome reaction in bull spermatozoa with norepinephrine.

Identification of norepinephrine (NE) within the microenvironment of the bovine oviduct suggests a potential role for catecholamines in the events surrounding fertilization. Previous studies have shown that the catecholamines capacitate and induce the acrosome reaction in spermatozoa from several species. The current project was undertaken to investigate the role of catecholamines in bovine sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction.