VPBrowse: Genome-based representation of MS/MS spectra to quantify 10,000 bovine proteins.

SWATH is a data acquisition strategy acclaimed for generating quantitatively accurate and consistent measurements of proteins across multiple samples. Its utility for proteomics studies in nonlaboratory animals, however, is currently compromised by the lack of sufficiently comprehensive and reliable public libraries, either experimental or predicted, and relevant platforms that support their sharing and utilization in an intuitive manner. Here we describe the development of the Veterinary Proteome Browser, VPBrowse (http://browser.

A novel transdermal ketoprofen formulation for analgesia in cattle.

Ketoprofen is registered in many countries for injectable administration in cattle. Because it is soluble in a wide range of excipients, development of a novel transdermal (TD) ketoprofen formulation was pursued to provide a convenient and pain-free route of administration in cattle. One hundred and six excipient combinations were screened using in vitro techniques (Franz diffusion cells), with a 20% ketoprofen formulation dissolved in a combination of 45%:45% ethanol and isopropyl myristate (IPM) and 10% eucalyptus oil achieving maximal penetration of ketoprofen through bovine skin.

Plasma proteomic changes in response to surgical trauma and a novel transdermal analgesic treatment in dogs.

Assessment of pain responses and inflammation during animal surgery is difficult because traditional methods, such as visual analogue scores, are not applicable while under anaesthesia. Acute phase proteins (APPs), such as C-reactive protein and haptoglobin, that are typically monitored in veterinary research, do not show a significant change until at least 2 h post-surgery and therefore, immediate pathophysiological changes are uncertain. The current study used sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH-MS) to investigate plasma proteome changes that occur immediately following surgery in dogs and also to assess the efficacy of a novel transdermal ketoprofen (TK) formulation.

Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of a Novel Transdermal Ketoprofen Formulation in Healthy Dogs.

Dogs undergo various surgical procedures such as castration, ovariohysterectomy, and other orthopedic procedures, which are known to cause inflammation and pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are very effective analgesics for alleviating postoperative pain in veterinary medicine. Ketoprofen is currently approved in Australia and the United States for treating different painful conditions in dogs.

Data-Independent Acquisition Enables Robust Quantification of 400 Proteins in Non-Depleted Canine Plasma.

Mass spectrometry-based plasma proteomics offers a major advance for biomarker discovery in the veterinary field, which has traditionally been limited to quantification of a small number of proteins using biochemical assays. The development of foundational data and tools related to sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH)-mass spectrometry has allowed for quantitative profiling of a significant number of plasma proteins in humans and several animal species. Enabling SWATH in dogs enhances human biomedical research as a model species, and significantly improves diagnostic and disease monitoring capability.

Investigation of cattle plasma proteome in response to pain and inflammation using next generation proteomics technique, SWATH-MS.

Pain assessment in farm animals has primarily relied on a combination of behavioral and physiological responses, although these are relatively subjective and difficult to quantify. It is essential to develop more effective biomarkers of pain in production animals since they are frequently exposed to routine surgical husbandry procedures. More effective biomarkers of pain would improve welfare, limit the loss of productivity associated with pain and permit better assessment of analgesics.

Leveraging homologies for cross-species plasma proteomics in ungulates using data-independent acquisition.

The collection of blood plasma is minimally invasive, and the fluid is a rich source of proteins for biomarker studies in both humans and animals. Plasma protein analysis by mass spectrometry (MS) can be challenging, though modern data acquisition strategies, such as sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra (SWATH), enable reproducible quantitation of hundreds of proteins in non-depleted plasma from humans and laboratory model animals. Although there is strong potential to enhance veterinary and translational research, SWATH-based plasma proteomics in non-laboratory animals is virtually non-existent.

Effect of Endometrial Sampling Procedures on Subsequent Pregnancy Rate of Cattle.

Endometrial infections are a common cause of reproductive loss in cattle. Accurate diagnosis is important to reduce the economic losses caused by endometritis. A range of sampling procedures have been developed which enable collection of endometrial tissue or luminal cells or uterine fluid.

A Novel Transdermal Ketoprofen Formulation Provides Effective Analgesia to Calves Undergoing Amputation Dehorning.

There is a critical need to ensure that all cattle undergoing surgical husbandry procedures are provided effective pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are most commonly used, and typically are administered by intramuscular (IM) injection. However, administration of NSAIDs via this route to large numbers of cattle which are handled only once or twice a year, typical of many rangeland beef production systems, presents significant occupational health and safety and mis-administration risks.

X chromosome variants are associated with male fertility traits in two bovine populations.

Background: Twenty-five phenotypes were measured as indicators of bull fertility (1099 Brahman and 1719 Tropical Composite bulls). Measurements included sperm morphology, scrotal circumference, and sperm chromatin phenotypes such as DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency. We estimated the heritability of these phenotypes and carried out genome-wide association studies (GWAS) within breed, using the bovine high-density chip, to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL).

Effects of increased scrotal temperature on semen quality and seminal plasma proteins in Brahman bulls.

Environmental temperature has effects on sperm quality with differences in susceptibility between cattle subspecies and breeds, but very little is known about the seminal plasma protein (SPP) changes resulting from testicular heat stress. Scrotal insulation (SI) for 48 hr was applied to Brahman (Bos indicus) bulls. Semen was collected at 3-day intervals from before, until 74 days post-SI.

An update on boar semen assessments by flow cytometry and CASA.

In the quest for predicting fertility of an individual, enhancing semen handling, dilution and storage protocols, and understanding the impact of environment and, andrologists have changed their approaches to semen analysis. The technologies used today are fast developing and readily implemented in research. Semen is one of a few naturally occurring monocellular suspensions, so sperm function analysis by flow cytometry (FC) and utilization of fluorochromes is an ideal technique for high throughput, objective and accurate analysis.

Making the most of sperm activation responses: experiments with boar spermatozoa and bicarbonate.

Attempting to extract useful and reliable information about semen quality and its fertility potential remains a difficult exercise, partly because the sperm heterogeneity within samples often renders simple statistical analyses rather meaningless. In fact, a mean and standard deviation may reflect neither the very fast swimming activities of the most active cells nor the slow and sluggish activities of others. Herein we propose that the information value within semen samples can be maximised if current knowledge about sperm activation mechanisms is exploited before undertaking the measurements.

Pharmacokinetics of esomeprazole following intravenous and oral administration in healthy dogs.

Investigation into the pharmacokinetic profile of esomeprazole was conducted using eight healthy dogs after intravenous (IV) and oral (po) administration in a two-part randomized crossover study. The dogs were fasted for a minimum of 12 hours and then received esomeprazole either intravenously (dose range 0.93-1.

Effects of HSPA8, an evolutionarily conserved oviductal protein, on boar and bull spermatozoa.

Previous studies have shown that a soluble protein fraction derived from preparations of apical plasma membrane (APM) of the oviductal epithelium enhances the in vitro survival of mammalian spermatozoa. Here, we show that the survival enhancing property of the soluble protein fraction seems to depend significantly upon heat shock 70 kDa protein 8 (HSPA8 previously known as HSPA10). The following findings in the present study enabled us to draw this conclusion: first, using proteomic analysis, we identified a subset of 70 kDa oviductal surface proteins that bound to spermatozoa, one of which was HSPA8.

Sperm selection and competition in pigs may be mediated by the differential motility activation and suppression of sperm subpopulations within the oviduct.

When spermatozoa from two or more boars are mixed and females inseminated, the resulting litters are often skewed in favour of one male but there is currently no satisfactory physiological explanation for this effect. However, to reach the oocytes, the spermatozoa must enter the oviduct where they are exposed to factors that modulate their activity. They either become sequestered within the oviductal sperm reservoir or bypass the reservoir and proceed towards the oocytes.