Changes in plasma PLAC-1 concentration and its expression during early-mid pregnancy in bovine placental tissues - a pilot study.

Background: Placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC1) is a small secreted protein considered to be a molecule with a significant role in the development of the placenta and the establishment of the mother-foetus interface. This study aimed to confirm the presence of bovine PLAC1 and to examine its profile in the placenta and plasma in the first six months of pregnancy. The expression pattern of PLAC1 was analysed by RT-qPCR and Western Blotting.

The dependence between glycodelin and selected metalloproteinases concentrations in bovine placenta during early gestation and parturition with and without retained foetal membranes.

Pregnancy course depends on the appropriate connection between the mother and the developing foetus. Pregnancy is completed when the placenta is timely expelled. Placental retention is one of the possible pregnancy complications.

A pilot study on the relationship between thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFβ1) in the bovine placenta during early mid-pregnancy as well as parturition with normally released and retained placenta.

During pregnancy, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions for the development of the placenta and the fetus. However, during parturition, the placenta must be separated and subsequently removed as soon as possible to not expose the female to the possibility of infection. In this study, the relationship between thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFβ1) concentrations was described during bovine pregnancy (second, fourth, and sixth months; n = 3/each month), at normal parturition (NR) and parturition with fetal membrane retention (R).

Egg Yolk as a New Source of Peptides with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties.

A significant increase in interest in food-derived peptides obtained mostly through enzymatic reactions has been observed in the past few years. One of the best sources of bioactive peptides are defatted egg yolk proteins, which can potentially find application as high-quality nutritional supplements for infants with cow's milk protein intolerance and as natural preservatives. The aim of this study was to obtain peptides from defatted egg yolk protein, to study their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and to identify peptides with bioactive properties To control the course of the process, MALDI-TOF/MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of flight/mass spectrometry) spectra were also examined.

Effect of Sex Steroids and PGF on the Expression of Their Receptors and Decorin in Bovine Caruncular Epithelial Cells in Early-Mid Pregnancy.

Changes in the expression of various genes, including pregnancy-associated hormone receptors and extracellular matrix proteins, have been suggested to play a significant role in bovine placental development. This study aimed to examine the influence of sex steroids and PGF2α on decorin (DCN) expression in the epithelial cells of bovine caruncle in early−mid pregnancy in cows. The expression patterns of DCN, PTGFR, PGR and ESR1 were analyzed by RT-qPCR and Western blotting in primary caruncular epithelial cell cultures (PCECC) and placental tissue homogenates derived from the 2nd and 4th months of pregnancy.

Comparative Analysis of Saliva and Plasma Proteins Patterns in Pregnant Cows-Preliminary Studies.

Pregnancy is a physiological state that can be described, from a biochemical point of view, using protein patterns. The present study focused on the comparison of protein patterns between the saliva and plasma of pregnant cows to search for possible markers which are present both in plasma and saliva. Saliva and plasma were collected from healthy, pregnant (3-4 months) and non-pregnant (C; = 4) cows aged between 4 and 8 years (P; = 8) from the same farm.

Reference gene selection in bovine caruncular epithelial cells under pregnancy-associated hormones exposure.

Examination of transcriptional regulation occurring during pregnancy establishment and maintenance requires the identification of endogenous reference genes characterized by high expression stability. Since the expression of some reference genes may be modulated by pregnancy-associated hormones, the goal of our study was to identify suitable reference genes unaffected by hormonal treatment. In our study bovine caruncular epithelial cells were subjected to progesterone, estrogen and prostaglandin F treatment.

Antioxidative and Oxidative Profiles in Plasma and Saliva in Dairy Cows during Pregnancy.

Increased metabolism that occurs during pregnancy can result in oxidative stress which is harmful to cells and, consequently, for the proper functioning of the whole organism. Plasma and recently also saliva are important resources for evaluating physiological and pathological conditions in animals. The study aimed to investigate the influence of the metabolic state on the effectiveness of the antioxidant profile of plasma and saliva during the pregnancy of cows.

The role of dermatopontin in cell adhesion in bovine placenta during early-mid pregnancy and parturition - Pilot study.

Dermatopontin (DPT) is a small protein molecule thought to have a role in the formation of the extracellular architecture and adhesion. The aim of the study was to confirm the presence of DPT and to examine its role in placental cell adhesion during pregnancy, at parturition and postpartum in cows. Placental tissue samples were obtained at abattoir from healthy pregnant cows (n = 6) while parturient samples were collected during caesarian section and retrospectively divided into released up to 6 h (R; n = 5) and not released up to 6 h (NR; n = 4) foetal membranes.

The influence of progesterone and prostaglandin F on decorin and the adhesion of caruncular epithelial cells of bovine placenta at early-mid pregnancy-Part II.

One of the most important processes determining the proper course of gestation and its physiological termination in cows is the adhesion of epithelial cells allowing for direct contact of maternal and foetal parts of the placenta. Throughout pregnancy, placental cells are under strict hormonal control, which among others regulates the concentration and activity of specific proteins participating in the extracellular matrix remodelling of foetal membranes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of progesterone and prostaglandin F on the adhesion of epithelial cells at early-mid pregnancy in cows.

Effect of decorin and selected glycosylation inhibitors on the adhesion of caruncular epithelial cells of pregnant cows-part I.

Adhesion process ensures the formation of the appropriate connection between mother and foetus during placentation and further placental development, which determines physiological pregnancy course. Extracellular matrix of foetal membranes are a rich source of biologically active proteins, the synthesis of which is regulated by hormones. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, the protein profile of the placenta changes, thanks to which its remodelling is possible.

The comparison of pro- and antioxidative parameters in plasma and placental tissues during early phase of placental development in cows.

Physiological balance between pro- and antioxidative processes is crucial for placentation and further development of fetus and placenta. Parameters of pro- and antioxidative profile may serve as markers of proper course of pregnancy. The aim of study was to assess whether the balance between pro- and antioxidative parameters during placentation phase in bovine placenta is maintained.

Bee Pollen Supplementation to Aged Horses Influences Several Blood Parameters.

In humans and animals, aging leads to a decrease in immune function and an increased susceptibility to infection. Decreased immunity and an increase in the incidence of infectious diseases are particularly notable during the autumn. Bee pollen supplementation improves immunity and antioxidant enzyme activity, as well as general performance.

Activity of selected glycosidases and availability of their substrates in bovine placenta during pregnancy and parturition with and without retained foetal membranes.

The activity of glycosidases is crucial for the function and biological activity of proteins conjugated with sugar moieties, which play an important role in adhesion of cells during attachment and detachment of the foetal membranes. The aim of study was to describe the ability of bovine placental tissues to break down O-glycosidic bonds in different glycoproteins by the determination of activity of β-galactosidase, α-l-fucosidase, β-N-acetyl-hexosaminidase and sialidase in early-mid-pregnancy as well as at parturition with released and retained foetal membranes. Moreover, the availability of substrates for these glycosidases in placental homogenates was evaluated.