Characterization of agouti-signaling protein (ASIP) in the bovine ovary and throughout early embryogenesis.

The oocyte expresses certain genes during folliculogenesis to regulate the acquisition of oocyte competence. Oocyte competence, or oocyte quality, is directly related to the ability of the oocyte to result in a successful pregnancy following fertilization. Presently, approximately 40 % of bovine embryos will develop to the blastocyst stage in vitro.

Comparing Behavior Outcomes with Rubber Dam or IsoVac Isolation in Patients Undergoing Moderate Sedation.

To evaluate the behavior of moderately sedated pediatric patients treated using rubber dam (RD) or IsoVac isolation.
A retrospective chart review was completed for patients who underwent restorative procedures under moderate sedation. Behavioral and Frankl scores were evaluated to determine which isolation technique (RD or IsoVac) resulted in better behavior outcomes.

Linoleic and linolenic acids reduce the effects of heat stress-induced damage in pig oocytes during maturation in vitro.

Elevated environmental temperatures can induce heat stress which could reduce fertility and early embryonic development. Fatty acids can initiate an endergonic reaction that absorbs cellular heat and decreases intracellular temperature. This study's objective was to minimize heat stress-induced damage to in vitro matured oocytes by supplementing maturation media with either 50 μM linoleic or linolenic acid or both (25 or 50 μM) during maturation at either 38.

Identification of the DNA binding element of ZNFO, an oocyte-specific zinc finger transcription factor in cattle.

The maternal effect genes are essential components of oocyte competence, which orchestrate the early developmental events before zygotic genome activation (ZGA). The Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) domain-containing zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) constitute the largest transcription factor family in mammals. As a novel maternal effect gene, ZNFO was identified previously in our laboratory.