Fine-tuned adaptation of embryo-endometrium pairs at implantation revealed by transcriptome analyses in Bos taurus.

Interactions between embryo and endometrium at implantation are critical for the progression of pregnancy. These reciprocal actions involve exchange of paracrine signals that govern implantation and placentation. However, it remains unknown how these interactions between the conceptus and the endometrium are coordinated at the level of an individual pregnancy.

Evaluation of age, weaning weight, body condition score, and reproductive tract score in pre-selected beef heifers relative to reproductive potential.

Background: Artificial insemination is a preferred breeding method for beef heifers as it advances the genetic background, produces a predictive and profitable calving season, and extends the heifer's reproductive life span. As reproductive efficiency in heifers is key for the success of beef cattle production systems, following artificial insemination, heifers are exposed to a bull for the remainder of the breeding season. Altogether, up to 95% of heifers might become pregnant in their first breeding season.

Transcriptome data of peripheral white blood cells from beef heifers collected at the time of artificial insemination.

The reproductive performance of heifers within their first breeding season influences the success of beef cattle operations. Therefore, a means to identify infertile and late breeding heifers before the start of the breeding season holds great promise for the future of the beef industry. Pubertal beef heifers were subjected to estrous synchronization and fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI).

Extraction of total RNA from single-oocytes and single-cell mRNA sequencing of swine oocytes.

Objective: Analyses of single oocytes are essential for a fine dissection of molecular features governing developmental competence. We adapted the phenol-chloroform procedure for the purification of total RNA from single oocytes.

Results: Key modifications include the use of Phasemaker™ tubes, a second chloroform wash of the aqueous phase, and the precipitation of the RNA with glyclogen in a 200 μl micro-centrifuge tube.

Transcriptome profiles in peripheral white blood cells at the time of artificial insemination discriminate beef heifers with different fertility potential.

Background: Infertility is a longstanding limitation in livestock production with important economic impact for the cattle industry. Female reproductive traits are polygenic and lowly heritable in nature, thus selection for fertility is challenging. Beef cattle operations leverage estrous synchronization in combination with artificial insemination (AI) to breed heifers and benefit from an early and uniform calving season.