Therapeutic Application of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Domestic Animals.

Recently, the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been extensively studied in both human and veterinary medicine. EVs are nano-sized particles containing biological components commonly found in other biological materials. For that reason, EV isolation and characterization are critical to draw precise conclusions during their investigation.

Could assisted reproductive techniques affect equine fetal membranes and neonatal outcome?

Embryo transfer (ET) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are widely used in equine species, but their effects on fetal adnexa and neonates have not been investigated yet. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate whether pregnancies obtained by ET or ICSI could be associated with the presence of macroscopic alterations of fetal membranes (FM) and umbilical cord (UC) and if the use of these techniques could influence neonatal outcome. Sixty-six light breed mares hospitalized at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Bologna, for attending delivery were included in the study.

Beyond Canine Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Transplantation: An Update on Their Secretome Characterization and Applications.

A dog is a valuable animal model and concomitantly a pet for which advanced therapies are increasingly in demand. The characteristics of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have made cell therapy more clinically attractive. During the last decade, research on the MSC therapeutic effectiveness has demonstrated that tissue regeneration is primarily mediated by paracrine factors, which are included under the name of secretome.

Effect of Maca aqueous extract addition to a freezing extender for canine semen.

This study investigated the effect of the addition of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) to the freezing extender on the post-thaw quality of dog semen. Ten canine ejaculates were frozen following a two-step protocol using a tris-glucose-citrate egg yolk extender with or without the addition of 10 µl/mL of aqueous extract of Maca (Maca and ctrl groups, respectively). Prior to (fresh semen) and after freezing (T0) sperm motility, kinetic parameters, viability and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), as well as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated.

Gross and histological examination of Wharton's Jelly in the equine umbilical cord.

Wharton's jelly (WJ) is fundamental for the well-being of the fetus, binding to the umbilical vessels and protecting them from twisting and compression. Gross and microscopic studies have been undertaken on the umbilical cord (UC) of human placentae in both normal and high-risk pregnancies, however there is limited research on equine UC. The aim of this study was to describe microscopically and immunohistochemically the equine UC in normal pregnancies, with particular attention to WJ.

Stem Cells in Domestic Animals: Applications in Health and Production.

In the last decade, researchers described Mesenchymal Stem/stromal cells (MSCs) as a possible population of cells for cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine, both for humans and animals [...

Assessment of an open-access CASA software for bovine and buffalo sperm motility analysis.

The aim of this study was to verify the reliability of an open access CASA software (BGM) to evaluate the sperm motility of cattle and buffalo, comparing motility and kinematic parameters to those of a commercial one (HTM). Thirty frozen-thawed samples for each species were analyzed with both HTM and BGM, after 1 h of incubation at 37 °C. Sperm viability and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated through flow cytometric analysis.

Overnight holding aids in selection of developmentally competent equine oocytes.

The demand for equine in vitro produced embryos has increased over the last decade. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of an extended IVM or a prolonged period before fertilization, including holding time, on equine immature oocyte developmental competence. Oocytes, collected from abattoir-derived ovaries, were divided into 4 groups: H0/24 (n = 165) 0 h holding + standard 24-26 h IVM; H8/36 (n = 160) 8 h holding + 36 h IVM; H20/24 (n = 187) 20 h holding + 24 h IVM; H0/44 (n = 164) 0 h holding + 44 h IVM.

Shipping Temperature, Time and Media Effects on Equine Wharton's Jelly and Adipose Tissue Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Characteristics.

To use Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) in equine patients, isolation and expansion are performed in a laboratory. Cells are then sent back to the veterinary clinic. The main goal of storage conditions during cell transport is to preserve their biological properties and viability.

An Update on Applications of Cattle Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Attention on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) research has increased in the last decade mainly due to the promising results about their plasticity, self-renewal, differentiation potential, immune modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties that have made stem cell therapy more clinically attractive. Furthermore, MSCs can be easily isolated and expanded to be used for autologous or allogenic therapy following the administration of either freshly isolated or previously cryopreserved cells. The scientific literature on the use of stromal cells in the treatment of several animal health conditions is currently available.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Maca Addition to an Extender for Chilled Canine Semen.

Antioxidant supplementation has been proposed as a new strategy to improve the long-term preservation of semen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Maca supplementation of semen extender on quality-related canine semen parameters during cooling. Ejaculates from nine dogs were cooled for 7 days in the absence (control group) or in the presence of 10, 20 and 50 μL/mL of an aqueous extract of Maca.

Equilibration time with cryoprotectants, but not melatonin supplementation during in vitro maturation, affects viability and metaphase plate morphology of vitrified porcine mature oocytes.

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of different equilibration times with cryoprotectants on viability and metaphase plate morphology of vitrified-warmed porcine mature oocytes (Experiment 1) and to evaluate the effects of supplementation with 10 M melatonin during in vitro maturation on these parameters (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, 2,392 mature oocytes were vitrified using different equilibration times of oocytes with cryoprotectants (3, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60 and 80 min). Fresh oocytes matured in vitro for 44 hr (n = 509) were used as controls.

Peptide Mediated Adhesion to Beta-Lactam Ring of Equine Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Pilot Study.

Regenerative medicine applied to skin lesions is a field in constant improvement. The use of biomaterials with integrin agonists could promote cell adhesion increasing tissue repair processes. The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the effect of an α4β1 integrin agonist on cell adhesion of equine adipose tissue (AT) and Wharton's jelly (WJ) derived MSCs and to investigate their adhesion ability to GM18 incorporated poly L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds.

Effect of platelet lysate on uterine response of mares susceptible to persistent mating-induced endometritis.

Many mares are susceptible to persistent mating-induced endometritis (PMIE), an important cause of reduced fertility. Platelet lysate (PL) derives from freeze-thawing platelets after concentration, so that growth factors are released from the platelets. Among the advantages of PL compared to platelet-rich plasma (PRP), it can be frozen stored and allogenic use for PL might also be conceivable.

Biological characteristics and metabolic profile of canine mesenchymal stem cells isolated from adipose tissue and umbilical cord matrix.

Despite the increasing demand of cellular therapies for dogs, little is known on the differences between adult and fetal adnexa canine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and data on their metabolic features are lacking. The present study aimed at comparing the characteristics of canine adipose tissue (AT) and umbilical cord matrix (UC) MSCs. Moreover, for the first time in the dog, the cellular bioenergetics were investigated by evaluating the two main metabolic pathways (oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis) of ATP production.

Luteal Blood Flow and progesterone concentration during first and second postpartum estrous cycle in lactating dairy cows.

The aim of the present study was to determine the differences in corpus luteum (CL) functionality between the first postpartum estrous cycle and the following cycle in lactating dairy cows. Luteal blood flow (LBF), luteal size and blood progesterone (P4) concentration were monitored during the first and second postpartum estrous cycle. During the first and second postpartum estrous cycle, the mean LBF value increased (p < .

Superovulation protocols for dairy cows bred with SexedULTRA™ sex-sorted semen.

The objective was to compare embryo yield and quality in lactating dairy cows superovulated (SO) with varying amounts of gonadotropins and FSH:LH ratios and inseminated with SexedULTRA™ sex-sorted semen. The SO treatments (n = 77) involved 3 protocols: groups F700 and F1000 were given total doses of 700 and 1,000 IU of Folltropin (FSH:LH ratio 49:1), respectively, whereas group F700P300 was given 700 IU of Folltropin + 300 IU of Pluset (FSH:LH ratio 1:1). Cows were artificially inseminated 3 times over a 10-hr interval with frozen-thawed SexedULTRA™ sex-sorted semen (total of 10 × 10 sex-sorted sperm), starting 18 hr after onset of oestrus, with embryos/ova recovered 7 d after oestrus.

Heterologous Wharton's Jelly Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Application on a Large Chronic Skin Wound in a 6-Month-Old Filly.

A complex feedback of growth factors, secreted by a variety of cell types, is responsible for the mediation of skin healing. Despite the recent advances in wound healing management, this fails up to 50% and skin wounds can still be considered one of the main causes of morbidity, both in human and veterinary medicine. Regenerative medicine, involving mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), is nowadays a promising solution for skin wound healing.

In vitro developmental competence of horse embryos derived from oocytes with a different corona radiata cumulus-oocyte morphology.

The increase in demand for in vitro produced horse embryos is fostering the development of commercial laboratories for this purpose. Nevertheless, blastocyst production after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is still not as great as desired in most of these laboratories. In relation to horse oocyte classification, both expanded and compact cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) are used for in vitro embryo production.

Could hypoxia influence basic biological properties and ultrastructural features of adult canine mesenchymal stem /stromal cells?

The aim of the present study was to compare canine adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells cultured under normoxic (20% O) and not severe hypoxic (7% O) conditions in terms of marker expression, proliferation rate, differentiation potential and cell morphology. Intra-abdominal fat tissue samples were recovered from 4 dogs and cells isolated from each sample were cultured under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Proliferation rate and adhesion ability were determined, differentiation towards chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages was induced; the expression of CD44, CD34, DLA-DQA1, DLA-DRA1 was determined by PCR, while flow cytometry analysis for CD90, CD105, CD45 and CD14 was carried out.

Macroscopic characteristics of the umbilical cord in Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Warmblood horses.

The umbilical cord (UC), the connection between mother and fetus via the umbilical vessels, carries nutrients and oxygenated blood to the fetus through the umbilical vein and removes deoxygenated blood and waste products via the umbilical arteries. It is designed to protect blood flow to the fetus during pregnancy. In equine medicine, only a few studies have described the UC, and most of these involved Thoroughbreds.

Wharton's Jelly Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Comparing Human and Horse.

Wharton's jelly (WJ) is an important source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) both in human and other animals. The aim of this study was to compare human and equine WJMSCs. Human and equine WJMSCs were isolated and cultured using the same protocols and culture media.

Ultrastructural characteristics and immune profile of equine MSCs from fetal adnexa.

Both in human and equine species, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from amniotic membrane (AM) and Wharton's jelly (WJ), may be particularly useful for immediate use or in later stages of life, after cryopreservation in cell bank. The aim of this study was to compare equine AM- and WJ-MSCs features that may be relevant for their clinical employment. MSCs were more easily isolated from WJ, even if MSCs derived from AM exhibited more rapid proliferation ( < 0.

Alkaline phosphatase added to capacitating medium enhances horse sperm-zona pellucida binding.

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is present in equine seminal plasma and spermatozoa, but its functional role is not fully understood yet. Being that, sperm-oocyte interaction in equine species has been reported to be enhanced at a slightly basic pH, this work aimed at verifying whether exogenous alkaline phosphatase exerts any role on stallion spermatozoa and sperm-oocyte interaction at different pHs (7.4; 8.