Polyethyleneimine-mediated gene transfection in porcine fetal fibroblasts.

Polyethylenimine (PEI) has been explored as an efficient non-viral system for delivering genes to cells; however, there were no protocols for its use in porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFF). Therefore, we compared different concentrations of FITC-PEI (0.625, 1.

The Sire Effect on Gestational Length in Wagyu Cattle.

This study investigated the factors influencing gestation length in a herd of Wagyu cattle in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Fifty-five multiparous purebred Wagyu cows underwent a Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) protocol using semen from a bull randomly selected from five bulls representing three distinct genetic lines. Following birth, we recorded the calves' gender, weight, and gestation length.

The microbiome effect on the female reproductive performance.

The female reproductive function is coordinated by the endocrine system driven by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. While not directly part of the female reproductive system, the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in overall health, including reproductive health. The gut microbiome communicates bidirectionally with the brain via the gut-brain axis, influencing stress levels, mood, and hormonal balance, which can impact reproductive health and fertility.

Association between anti-Müllerian hormone levels and reproductive parameters in Wagyu cattle raised in Brazil.

The production of embryos has sped up the dissemination of superior genetic material. However, the variation among the cattle response to oocyte and embryo production is a challenging factor. This variation is even higher in the Wagyu cattle as the breed has a small effective population size.

Whole-Exome Sequencing Indicated New Candidate Genes Associated with Unilateral Cryptorchidism in Pigs.

Introduction: Cryptorchidism is a hereditary anomaly characterized by the incomplete descent of one or both testicles to the scrotum. One of the challenges of this anomaly is that the retained testicle maintains its endocrine function. As a consequence, cryptorchid animals produce hormone-tainted meat in comparison to castrated animals and are likely to be more aggressive.

Estrus Synchronization of Replacement Gilts Using Estradiol Cipionate and PGF and Its Effects on Reproductive Outcomes.

In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of using estrogen-induced prolonged luteal function followed by prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) treatment to synchronize estrus in gilts. On day12 of the estrus cycle (D0 = first day of standing estrus), 52 gilts were assigned at random to two experimental groups: non-treated gilts (CON, n = 22), serving as controls, and prolonged luteal function group (CYP, n = 30), receiving a single treatment with 10 mg of estradiol cypionate intramuscularly Starting on day 12, blood samples were collected for estradiol and progesterone assays. Estrus detection started on day 17.

Housing Conditions and a Challenge with Lipopolysaccharide on the Day of Estrus Can Influence Gene Expression of the Corpus Luteum in Gilts.

The corpus luteum (CL) is a temporary endocrine gland that plays a decisive role in the reproductive physiology of gilts. Recently, it has been suggested that exogenous factors may compromise the normal functioning of the CL. In the present study, we aimed to understand to what extent an acute and systemic challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the day of estrus could compromise gene expression of gilts’ CLs housed in different welfare conditions.

induced pluripotency from urine-derived cells in porcine.

Background: The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) has been a game-changer in translational and regenerative medicine; however, their large-scale applicability is still hampered by the scarcity of accessible, safe, and reproducible protocols. The porcine model is a large biomedical model that enables translational applications, including gene editing, long term and offspring analysis; therefore, suitable for both medicine and animal production.

Aim: To reprogramme into pluripotency, and herein urine-derived cells (UDCs) were isolated from porcine urine.

Can detomidine replace medetomidine for pharmacological semen collection in domestic cats?

Among the different methods used for semen collection from domestic cats, the pharmacological collection by urethral catheterization becomes disruptive. Medetomidine is the elected α-adrenoceptor agonist for that, but in several countries, it is not commercially available. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of detomidine compared to medetomidine in collecting semen by urethral catheterization in domestic cats.

Distribution difference of colostrum-derived B and T cells subsets in gilts and sows.

Piglets are highly vulnerable to infections, but colostrum provides them with some protection. The function of colostrum components is unknown, as is if the amount and subsets of leukocytes in colostrum differ between gilts and sows. This study serially characterized leukocyte populations in colostrum for differential leukocyte counts.

A rare case of heteropaternal twin calves after natural mating in Brazil.

Twin birth is a complex condition observed in most livestock animals, when the female gives birth to two or more offspring, generally out of the same mating. In cattle, it is a rare condition (3 to 5%) and depends on the genetic background and environmental factors. Twin birth is a result of multiple ovulations, being more common in dairy rather than in beef cattle.

The dynamics of gene expression, lipid composition and DNA methylation reprogramming are different during in vitro maturation of pig oocytes obtained from prepubertal gilts and cycling sows.

This study aimed to characterize the gene expression, lipid composition and DNA methylation reprogramming during in vitro maturation (IVM) of pig oocytes with different developmental competencies. We used prepubertal gilts and cycling sows as a model to obtain oocytes with different levels of competency. We found that genes involved in lipid metabolism, SLC27A4, CPT2 and PLIN2, and DNA methylation, DNMT3A, TET1 and TET3, possessed altered transcript expression levels during IVM.

Evaluation of candidate reference genes for investigation of the uterine tissue and corpus luteum of pigs on day 6 after artificial insemination.

Housekeeping genes (HKG) are genes necessary for the maintenance of basal cellular functions, regardless of the specific roles within a tissue. It, therefore, is expected that these genes will maintain a relatively constant expression profile when there are varying physiological conditions. The identification of tissue specific reference genes is highly important for the normalization of gene expression profiles among different tissues.

Comparison between electroporation and polyfection in pig sperm: efficiency and cell viability implications.

SummaryThe aim of this study was to optimize protocols for electroporation (EP) and polyfection (PLF) using polyethyleneimine (PEI) for pig sperm transfection and to determine which method was the most efficient. For EP standardization, different voltages, amounts and times of electric pulses were tested using propidium iodide (PI) as reporter. For PLF standardization, different concentrations of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled PEI (PEI/FITC) were incubated with sperm for different periods of time.

Identification of Genetic Regions Associated with Scrotal Hernias in a Commercial Swine Herd.

In this paper, we have used two approaches to detect genetic associations with scrotal hernias in commercial pigs. Firstly, we have investigated the effects of runs of homozygosity (ROH) with the appearance of scrotal hernias, followed by a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS). The phenotype classification was based on visual appearance of scrotal hernias.

Influence of bovine sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress on early embryo in vitro development outcome.

Sperm chromatin fragmentation may be caused by a number of factors, the most significant of which is reactive oxygen species. However, little is known about the effect of sperm oxidative stress (OS) on DNA integrity, fertilization, and embryonic development in cattle. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of sperm OS susceptibility on the DNA fragmentation rate and in vitro embryo production (IVP) in a population of bulls.

Effects of the utilization of homeopathic elements in commercial diluent on swine sperm viability.

It has been speculated that the homeopathic treatment of sperm cells in order to improve semen quality could be promising. However, few data is available and its use in spermatozoa requires investigation. It is well established that mitochondrial membrane potential is an important viability parameter of spermatozoa and it is intimately related to reproductive efficiency.

Effect of culture media on porcine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization or parthenogenetic activation after oocyte maturation with cycloheximide.

This study evaluated the effects of reversible meiotic inhibition and different culture media (PZM3 or NCSU23) on production of porcine embryos by either in vitro fertilization (IVF) or parthenogenetic activation (PA). Oocytes from abattoir-derived ovaries were allocated into two groups for maturation: CHX (5 μg/ml cycloheximide for 10 h) or Control (no CHX). The percentage of metaphase II (MII) oocytes was determined at 36, 40 or 44 h of in vitro maturation.

Effects of gonadotropin-exposed medium with high concentrations of progesterone and estradiol-17beta on in vitro maturation of canine oocytes.

During the process of maturation in the oviduct, canine oocytes in the germinal vesicle stage are exposed to decreasing levels of estradiol-17beta and increasing levels of progesterone. However, hormone concentrations in the microenvironments in which they act are higher than serum concentrations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the meiotic competence of canine oocytes harvested from anestrous bitches in culture medium containing high concentrations (20 microg ml(-1)) of estradiol-17beta and/or progesterone in association to gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone) using three different maturation periods (48, 72, and 96 h).

In vitro maturation of pig oocytes with different media, hormone and meiosis inhibitors.

This study evaluated in vitro maturation of pig oocytes in two maturation media (TCM199 and NCSU23) supplemented with 10% porcine follicular fluid (pFF) or 0.1% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and four hormonal treatments. The best media was then used to evaluate the effect of reversible meiosis inhibitors cycloheximide (5 microgram/ml) [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED]and butyrolactone I (12.

In vitro canine oocyte nuclear maturation in homologous oviductal cell co-culture with hormone-supplemented media.

The aim of the present research was to verify the influence of oviductal cell co-culture previously supplemented with steroids (estrogen, progesterone, or both) on IVM rates for oocytes from anestrous bitches that were cultured in vitro for 48, 72 and 96 h. Oocytes harvested from anestrous bitches were selected and allocated into four groups: Group 1 (co-culture in oviductal epithelial cells without hormonal supplementation-control); Group 2 (estrogen supplementation); Group 3 (progesterone supplementation); Group 4 (estrogen+progesterone supplementation). The oviductal epithelial cell culture was established 72 h prior to oocyte co-culture.