The recipient metabolome explains the asymmetric ovarian impact on fetal sex development after embryo transfer in cattle.

In cattle, lateral asymmetry affects ovarian function and embryonic sex, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The plasma metabolome of recipients serves to predict pregnancy after embryo transfer (ET). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the plasma metabolome exhibits distinct lateral patterns according to the sex of the fetus carried by the recipient and the active ovary side (AOS), i.

Alteration of the embryonic microenvironment and sex-specific responses of the preimplantation embryo related to a maternal high-fat diet in the rabbit model.

The maternal metabolic environment can be detrimental to the health of the offspring. In a previous work, we showed that maternal high-fat (HH) feeding in rabbit induced sex-dependent metabolic adaptation in the fetus and led to metabolic syndrome in adult offspring. As early development representing a critical window of susceptibility, in the present work we aimed to explore the effects of the HH diet on the oocyte, preimplantation embryo and its microenvironment.

Biomarker metabolite mating of viable frozen-thawed in vitro-produced bovine embryos with pregnancy-competent recipients leads to improved birth rates.

Selection of competent recipients before embryo transfer (ET) is indispensable for improving pregnancy and birth rates in cattle. However, pregnancy prediction can fail when the competence of the embryo is ignored. We hypothesized that the pregnancy potential of biomarkers could improve with information on embryonic competence.

Analytical Methodology for a Metabolome Atlas of Goat's Plasma, Milk and Feces Using H-NMR and UHPLC-HRMS.

Metabolomics has been increasingly used in animal and food sciences. Animal health is one of the most important factor that can also alter animal integrity and welfare. Some studies have already investigated the link between health and metabolic profile of dairy animals.

Optimization of Sample Preparation for Metabolomics Exploration of Urine, Feces, Blood and Saliva in Humans Using Combined NMR and UHPLC-HRMS Platforms.

Currently, most clinical studies in metabolomics only consider a single type of sample such as urine, plasma, or feces and use a single analytical platform, either NMR or MS. Although some studies have already investigated metabolomics data from multiple fluids, the information is limited to a unique analytical platform. On the other hand, clinical studies investigating the human metabolome that combine multi-analytical platforms have focused on a single biofluid.

Metabolomic analysis of oviduct fluid on day 3 post-estrus in Holstein heifers.

The metabolites in the oviduct fluid (OF) of both oviducts were analyzed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) in Holstein heifers on day 3 after synchronized estrus. Twenty-six metabolites were quantified, among which lactate, glycine and myoinositol were the most abundant. Six metabolites including glycine and myoinositol varied in amount according to the proximity to the corpus luteum.

Metabolomic differences in blastocoel and uterine fluids collected in vivo by ultrasound biomicroscopy on rabbit embryos†.

The success of embryo development and implantation depends in part on the environment in which the embryo evolves. However, the composition of the uterine fluid surrounding the embryo in the peri-implantation period remains poorly studied. In this work, we aimed to develop a new strategy to visualize, collect, and analyze both blastocoelic liquid and juxta-embryonic uterine fluid from in vivo peri-implantation rabbit embryos.

Metabolomic Profiling of Beef, Dairy, and Crossbred Cattle: A Between-Breeds Meta-Analysis.

Cattle breeds may differ substantially in their metabolism. However, the metabolomes of dairy and beef cattle are not well-known. Knowledge of breed-specific metabolic features is essential for biomarker identification and to adopt specific nutritional strategies.

Metabolomic identification of pregnancy-specific biomarkers in blood plasma of BOS TAURUS beef cattle after transfer of in vitro produced embryos.

Blood biomarkers may help to predict pregnancy in recipients of in vitro produced (IVP) embryos. Using H nuclear magnetic resonance, we quantified 36 metabolites in the blood plasma of recipients (90% heifers, healthy, 1.95 years on average at the time of 1st embryo transfer -ET-) collected at Day-0 (estrus) and Day-7 (before ET time).

Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of female and male pre-hatching embryo metabolites at the embryo-maternal interface.

Introduction: Bovine female and male embryos differentially release metabolites with signalling effects to culture media. However, it is unknown if the embryo-maternal interface (EMI) metabolome is modified by embryonic sex.

Objective: To analyse using a combination of 1H NMR and a co-culture of endometrial cells the EMI.

Blood Plasma Metabolomics Predicts Pregnancy in Holstein Cattle Transferred with Fresh and Vitrified/Warmed Embryos Produced in Vitro.

Metabolomics may identify biomarkers in blood that differentiate pregnant from open embryo recipients. Fresh and vitrified/warmed, in vitro-produced embryos were transferred to Holstein recipients (discovery group). Recipient blood plasma collected on Day-0 (estrus) and Day-7 (before embryo transfer) were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance ( = 36 metabolites quantified).

Metabolomic Profile of Oviductal Extracellular Vesicles across the Estrous Cycle in Cattle.

Oviductal extracellular vesicles (oEVs) have been proposed as key modulators of gamete/embryo maternal interactions. The aim of this study was to examine the metabolite content of oEVs and its regulation across the estrous cycle in cattle. Oviductal EVs were isolated from bovine oviducts ipsilateral and contralateral to ovulation at four stages of the estrous cycle (post-ovulatory stage, early and late luteal phases, and pre-ovulatory stage).

Metabolomic profiling of bovine oviductal fluid across the oestrous cycle using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

In the present study we tested whether regulation of the metabolome in bovine oviductal fluid depended on the stage of the oestrous cycle, the side relative to ovulation and local concentrations of steroid hormones. Luminal fluid samples from both oviducts were collected in the preovulatory, postovulatory, mid- and late luteal phases, from cyclic cows at a local abattoir (18-27 cows per stage and side). The metabolomes were assessed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-NMR).

Sire effect on early and late embryonic death in French Holstein cattle.

We investigated the effect of maternal sire on early pregnancy failure (between D0, day of insemination and D90) in their progeny during the first and second lactations (n=3508) in the Holstein breed. The estimated breeding value (EBV) for cow fertility of 12 bulls (reliability⩾0.95) was used to create the following three groups: low, medium and high EBV (EBV from -0.

Validation of bovine oestrous-specific synthetic molecules with trained scent dogs; similarities between natural and synthetic oestrous smell.

Oestrous detection is crucial for successful dairy cow reproduction. Bulls identify cows in oestrus by oestrous-specific odours especially in urine and vaginal fluid. These have been used to train dogs to detect cows in heat.

Comparison of three devices for the automated detection of estrus in dairy cows.

Considerable technological advances have been made in the automated detection of estrus in dairy cattle, but few studies have evaluated their relative performance on the same animals or assessed cow-related factors that affect their performance. Our objective was to assess the performance and reliability of three devices commercially available in France for cow estrus detection. The devices were a pedometer (PM; Afitag) and two activity meters (AM1; Heatime-RuminAct, and AM2; HeatPhone).

Data-derived reference profiles with corepresentation of progesterone, estradiol, LH, and FSH dynamics during the bovine estrous cycle.

Subfertility in cows is often associated with alterations in the hormonal patterns involved in the regulation of the estrous cycle. Reference profiles are needed to ground modeling projects aimed at describing these alterations and to develop tools for detecting abnormal dynamics. Various schematic views of LH, FSH, progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) patterns have been published but with no clear indication of the extent to which they are derived from real data.

Can video cameras replace visual estrus detection in dairy cows?

A 6-mo experiment was conducted in a dairy herd to evaluate a video system for estrus detection. From October 2007 to April 2008, 35 dairy cows of three breeds that ranged in age from 2 to 6 yr were included in the study. Four daylight cameras were set up in two free stalls with straw litter and connected to a computer equipped with specific software to detect movement.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection associated with central nervous system complications.

We describe two children who had central nervous system complications, encephalitis and meningoencephalitis, temporally associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. M pneumoniae was identified as the cause of the illnesses on the basis of at least a fourfold increase in complement fixation antibody titers. Despite extensive viral and bacterial investigation, no evidence of any other pathogen was found.

Topical therapy for oropharyngeal symptoms of myasthenia gravis.

Inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase are commonly used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. We studied a patient with mainly bulbar myasthenia gravis who did not tolerate oral pyridostigmine despite a clear clinical response. Treatment with nebulized pyridostigmine reduced her symptoms without systemic side effects.

Analysis of human thymocyte subpopulations using discontinuous gradients of albumin: precursor lymphocytes in human thymus.

Precursor lymphocytes, obtained from human tissue on bovine serum albumin (BSA) gradients followed by removal of sheep erythrocyte (E)-reactive thymocytes on Ficoll, are the predominant lymphoid subpopulation found in young fetal thymuses. This subpopulation shows a progressive decline in relative numbers during fetal life, accompanied by a rise in both the relative and absolute numbers of E-reactive thymocytes. Precursor thymocytes differentiate in vitro to E-reactive cells resembling T cells in their morphology, sedimentation on BSA gradients, and response to phytohemagglutinin.

Isolation on discontinuous gradients of bovine albumin of a subpopulation of human lymphocytes exhibiting precursor characteristics.

Purified subpopulations of lymphocytes were obtained from discontinuous bovine serum albumin (BSA) gradients and by rosetting sheep erythrocytes (E) or EAC1-3. Cells from layers 1 to 3 of the BSA gradient which failed to rosette with E were highly reactive with EAC1-3 and with anti-human IgM. Demonstrating a high spontaneous rate of DNA synthesis and primitive morphology, these cells responded to pokeweed mitogen, concanavalin A and alloantigens, but not to phytohemagglutinin or soluble antigens.