Single-Step Genomic Prediction of Superovulatory Response Traits in Japanese Black Donor Cows.

We assessed the performance of single-step genomic prediction of breeding values for superovulatory response traits in Japanese Black donor cows. A total of 25,332 records of the total number of embryos and oocytes (TNE) and the number of good embryos (NGE) per flush for 1874 Japanese Black donor cows were collected during 2008 and 2022. Genotype information on 36,426 autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for 575 out of the 1,874 cows was used.

Bayesian estimation of genetic parameters for superovulatory response traits in Japanese Black donor cows using count data models.

We estimated genetic parameters for two in vivo embryo production-related superovulatory response traits-total number of embryos and oocytes (TNE) and number of good embryos (NGE)-in Japanese Black donor cows through Bayesian count regression analysis. We used 20,257 records of superovulation treatments from 1546 Japanese Black cows, with 1102 (5.4%) zero-count records for TNE and 3533 (17.

Genetic relationship between superovulatory response traits and carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle.

We estimated the genetic correlations between superovulatory response traits and carcass traits in Japanese Black cattle. As regards the superovulatory response traits in cows, we analyzed the phenotypic records of the total number of embryos and oocytes (TNE) and the number of good embryos (NGE) collected from 1532 donors between 2008 and 2018. As regards the carcass traits in fattened animals, we analyzed the phenotypic records for cold carcass weight, rib eye area, rib thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, estimated yield percent, and marbling score for 1448 progenies derived from 596 donors and slaughtered between 2004 and 2020.

Estimation of genetic parameters for superovulatory response traits in Japanese Black cows.

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for superovulatory response traits in order to explore the possibility of genetic improvement in Japanese Black cows. We analyzed 19 155 records of the total number of embryos and oocytes (TNE) and the number of good embryos (NGE) collected from 1532 donor cows between 2008 and 2018. A two-trait repeatability animal model analysis was performed for both.

Fertility risk factors in transferring Japanese Black embryos into dairy heifers: An epidemiological study.

The aims of this study were 1) to summarize the current status of Japanese Black (JB) embryo transfer into Holstein heifers, which is carried out on a commercial basis in Japan, and 2) to reveal fertility risk factors, including those from the environment (year and season of transfer), recipient (age, number of transfers, clinical status of the ovaries) and embryo (quality, stage, state, genetic background). We used data from 4467 JB fresh or frozen embryo transfers into Holstein heifers conducted by Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center during 2016-2018, and the differences in fertility risk due to factors related to the environment, recipient, and embryo were statistically evaluated. Differences in fertility risk due to each variable were observed, leading to significant differences in fertility with respect to year of transfer, embryo quality, embryo state, and embryo breed.

Intranasal midazolam administration enhances amnesic effect in rats.

Intranasal (i.n.) administration of midazolam has been shown to be effective and safe for its sedative, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant effects.

Anti-human leukocyte antigen-DR (MHC class II) humanized monoclonal antibody, IMMU-114, suppresses human to bovine cellular responses.

Unlabelled: The effect of an anti-human leukocyte antigen-DR (MHC class II) humanized monoclonal antibody, IMMU-114, against the human to bovine cellular response was investigated.

Methods: Human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cocultured with inactivated self-PBMCs (Self), bovine PBMCs with control antibody (Xeno), or bovine PBMCs with IMMU-114 (IMMU-114). Cellular responses were investigated by thymidine incorporation assay, CFSE (carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester)-mixed lymphocyte reaction, and cytokine production in culture medium.

Donor cells at the G1 phase enhance homogeneous gene expression among blastomeres in bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos.

The success rate of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos to full term has been reported to be higher with G1 cells than with G0 cells. To better understand the reason for this, we analyzed the kinetics of luminescence activity in bovine SCNT embryos from G0 and G1 cells carrying a luciferase gene under the control of the β-actin promoter during early embryonic development. At 60-h postfusion, when bovine embryonic gene activation (EGA) begins, the luminescence activity was higher in G1-SCNT embryos than G0-SCNT embryos.

Comparison of early development in utero of cloned fetuses derived from bovine fetal fibroblasts at the G1 and G0/G1 phases.

In bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT), embryos are more likely to develop to full term when they are derived from fibroblasts at the G1 phase instead of cells at the G0/G1 phase. To better understand the reason for this difference, we examined morphological development in the early pregnancy of NT embryos using G1 phase cells (G1-NT embryos) and G0/G1 phase cells (G0/G1-NT embryos). Blastocysts derived from G1 and G0/G1-NT embryos were transferred to recipient heifers, and the conceptuses at day 50 of gestation were retrieved non-surgically using prostaglandin F(2alpha) and oxytocin.

Subjecting holstein heifers to stress during the follicular phase following superovulatory treatment may increase the female sex ratio of embryos.

The sex ratio of mammals has previously been shown to be affected by maternal stress. In our previous study, the proportion of female embryos collected from superovulated and artificially inseminated Holstein heifers that were frequently placed in stanchions and subjected to transrectal examinations of the ovaries during the follicular phase tended to be higher than the expected 50%. The goal of the present study was to test the validity of this observation using a greater number of heifers.

Administration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells into the uterine horn to improve pregnancy rate following bovine embryo transfer.

Embryo transfer (ET) has been used to improve reproductive efficiency and genetic make-up in bovine species. However, the success rate of ET has not been improved since its inception. Here we examined whether administration of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into the uterine horn can improve pregnancy rates following bovine ET.

Early development in utero of bovine nuclear transfer embryos using early G1 and G0 phase cells.

Bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) embryos can develop to normal calves, but the success rates are still quite low. Recently, enhanced development of bovine NT embryos to full term has been achieved using fibroblasts at the early G1 phase instead of cells at the quiescent (G0) phase. In the present study, we examined the morphological development in utero of NT embryos using early G1 phase cells (eG1-NT embryos) and G0 phase cells (G0-NT embryos).

Relationships among estrous behavior, superovulatory response and grade 1 embryo sex ratio in superovulated Holstein heifers.

In this study, we first attempted to determine whether the timing of artificial insemination affects the sex ratio of seven-day-old embryos in superovulated Holstein heifers. The superovulatory treatment consisted of eight decreasing doses of FSH for 4 days and 2 doses of PGF(2alpha) given with the last two doses of FSH. The superovulated heifers were given a GnRH analogue 48 h after the first PGF(2alpha) treatment and were artificially inseminated 48 h (n=10) or 56 h (n=8) after the first PGF(2alpha) treatment.

alpha1,3-Galactosyltransferase-gene knockout in cattle using a single targeting vector with loxP sequences and cre-expressing adenovirus.

Background: Gene targeting in large animals has the potential to be useful in medicine as well as in agriculture. Previously, we reported the first successful targeting of the bovine alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase (alpha1,3GT) gene and establishment of a heterozygous knockout cell line. In this report, we generated both heterozygous and homozygous knockout bovine cell lines, and alpha1,3GT-gene knockout cattle.

Early morphological nuclear events and developmental capacity of embryos reconstructed with fetal fibroblasts at the M or G1 phase after intracytoplasmic nuclear injection in cattle.

We examined morphological nuclear events during the first cell cycle of bovine embryos reconstructed with somatic cells at the M and G1 phases (M-embryos and G1-embryos, respectively) by intracytoplasmic nuclear injection, and the subsequent development of these embryos in vitro and in vivo. Bovine fetal fibroblasts (BFFs) at the M or G1 phase were directly injected into enucleated oocytes, and activated immediately. Only half (48%) of the M-embryos extruded polar body-like cells (PBCs) at 6 h post injection (hpi).

Examination of a modified cell cycle synchronization method and bovine nuclear transfer using synchronized early G1 phase fibroblast cells.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer has a low success rate, due to a high incidence of fetal loss and increased perinatal morbidity/mortality. One factor that may affect the successful development of nuclear transfer embryos is the cell cycle stage of the donor cell. In order to establish a cell cycle synchronization method that can consistently produce cloned embryos and offspring, we examined the effects of different combinations of three cell treatments on the recovery rate of mitotic phase cells using bovine fetal fibroblasts.

Heterozygous disruption of the alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase gene in cattle.

Background: Animal cloning techniques have enabled gene disruption in several species. Here, we report the first successful disruption of the alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase (alpha1,3-GT) gene in cattle.

Methods: The alpha1,3-GT gene of the Japanese Black cow (JBC) was used to construct pGT-6, a targeting vector for the bovine alpha1,3-GT gene, and pGT-6 was introduced into the fetal fibroblast cell line JBC906 by the lipofection method.