Altered expression of systemic and ovarian factors involved in the recruitment and activation of immune cells in bovine cystic ovarian disease.

Despite the involvement of both immune cells and soluble factors in the etiopathogenesis of cystic ovarian disease (COD), the precise interplay between these components in this reproductive condition remains unclear. Based on this, in the present study we aimed to evaluate the expression of key molecules involved both locally and systemically in the recruitment, infiltration and activation of immune cells in Holstein cows diagnosed with follicular cysts (N = 5). For this, animals from commercial dairy farms located in the milk-productive region of Santa Fe, Argentina were included after their diagnosis were confirmed by ultrasonographic examination and hormonal evaluation.

Development of a biotechnology process for the production of a novel hyperglycosylated long-acting recombinant bovine follicle-stimulating hormone.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is an important protein used for bovine ovarian hyperstimulation in multiple ovulation and embryo transfer technology (MOET). Several attempts to produce bovine FSH (bFSH) in recombinant systems have been reported, nonetheless, up to date, the most commonly used products are partially purified preparations derived from porcine or ovine (pFSH or oFSH) pituitaries. Here we describe the development of a biotechnology process to produce a novel, hyperglycosylated, long-acting recombinant bFSH (LA-rbFSH) by fusing copies of a highly O-glycosylated peptide.

A Gamma-adapted subunit vaccine induces broadly neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants and protects mice from infection.

In the context of continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), one strategy to prevent the severe outcomes of COVID-19 is developing safe and effective broad-spectrum vaccines. Here, we present preclinical studies of a RBD vaccine derived from the Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variant adjuvanted with Alum. The Gamma-adapted RBD vaccine is more immunogenic than the Ancestral RBD vaccine in terms of inducing broader neutralizing antibodies.

Development of a suitable manufacturing process for production of a bioactive recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin (reCG) in CHO-K1 cells.

Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone produced by pregnant mares that has been used to improve reproductive performance in different domestic species. Several strategies to produce the hormone in a recombinant way have been reported; nevertheless, no approach has been able to produce a recombinant eCG (reCG) with significant in vivo bioactivity or in sufficient quantities for commercial purposes. For this reason, the only current product available on the market consists of partially purified preparations from serum of pregnant mares (PMSG).

Changes in the Proliferation/Apoptosis Balance in the Bovine Ovary: A Key Early Event in Follicular Persistence.

The objective of this work was to evaluate proliferation and apoptosis in the bovine ovary in a model of follicular persistence induced by low levels of progesterone to detect incipient changes during cystic ovarian disease development on the expected day of ovulation (day 0) and after 5, 10, and 15 days of follicular persistence. We analyzed cell proliferation by evaluating the expression of Ki-67 and apoptosis by evaluating caspase-3, BAX, and BCL2 expression. Proliferation was similar in the granulosa and theca cells of antral follicles in the P0 group (treated with progesterone up to the expected day of ovulation) and in the control group.

Follicular Cysts: A Single Sign and Different Diseases. A View from Comparative Medicine.

Ovarian cystic follicles are the sign of important causes of reproductive failure in numerous species. In this review, some morphological, endocrinological and clinical aspects of cystic follicles in women, cows, mares, sows and bitches are discussed. Follicular cysts are the consequence of the failure of a mature follicle to ovulate at the appointed time of ovulation in the estrous cycle.

BMP2, 4 and 6 and BMPR1B are altered from early stages of bovine cystic ovarian disease development.

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is an important cause of subfertility in dairy cattle. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), mainly BMP2, BMP4 and BMP6, play a key role in female fertility. In this study, we hypothesized that an altered BMP system is associated with ovarian alterations contributing to COD pathogenesis.

Characterization of persistent follicles induced by prolonged treatment with progesterone in dairy cows: an experimental model for the study of ovarian follicular cysts.

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is a major factor contributing to poor reproductive efficiency of lactating dairy cows. The objective of the present study was to analyze the endocrine profile, growth dynamics, and histologic characteristics of persistent ovarian follicles-cysts developing in response to long-term administration of intermediate levels of progesterone. To this end, after synchronization of cows, a low dose of progesterone was administered for 5, 10, and 15 days after the expected day of ovulation in treated cows (groups P5, P10, and P15, respectively), using an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device.

Molecular aspects of bovine cystic ovarian disease pathogenesis.

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is one of the main causes of reproductive failure in cattle and causes severe economic loss to the dairy farm industry because it increases both days open in the post partum period and replacement rates due to infertility. This disease is the consequence of the failure of a mature follicle to ovulate at the time of ovulation in the estrous cycle. This review examines the evidence for the role of altered steroid and gonadotropin signaling systems and the proliferation/apoptosis balance in the ovary with cystic structures.

mRNA expression pattern of gonadotropin receptors in bovine follicular cysts.

Follicular growth and steroidogenesis are dependent on gonadotropin binding to their receptors in granulosa and theca cells of ovarian follicles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression patterns of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHCGR) in ovarian follicular structures from cows with cystic ovarian disease (COD) as compared with those of regularly cycling cows. Relative real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of FSHR mRNA in granulosa cells was highest in small antral follicles, then decreased significantly as follicles increased in size, and was lowest in cysts.

Role of activin, inhibin, and follistatin in the pathogenesis of bovine cystic ovarian disease.

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is an important cause of infertility in dairy cattle. Although many researchers have focused their work on the endocrine changes related to this disease, evidence indicates that intraovarian components play an important role in follicular persistence. Activin, inhibin, and follistatin participate as intraovarian regulatory molecules involved in follicular cell proliferation, differentiation, steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, and corpus luteum function.

Changes in the expression of Heat Shock Proteins in ovaries from bovines with cystic ovarian disease induced by ACTH.

Cystic ovarian disease (COD), which is considered one of the most important causes of reproductive failure in dairy cattle, induces intraovarian changes in the expression of numerous genes. The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in the expression of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) in ovaries from bovines with cystic ovarian disease induced by ACTH. Immunoreactivity for Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) in ovaries of cows with induced COD showed differential expression patterns in growing follicles from the control group.