The effect of age and FSH stimulation on the ovarian follicular response, nuclear maturation, and gene expression of cumulus-oocyte complexes in prepubertal gilts.

This study investigated the effects of age and FSH treatment on the ovarian response, follicular fluid (FF) biochemical composition, nuclear maturation, and molecular profile of cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) recovered from prepubertal gilts. Thirty-five prepubertal gilts were separated according to age [140 (n = 20) or 160 (n = 15) days], and within each age, the gilts were allotted to receive either 100 mg of FSH [treated; G140+FSH (n = 10) and G160+FSH (n = 7)] or saline solution [control; G140+control (n = 10) and G160+control (n = 8)]. Thus, four experimental groups were included in this study.

Use of two new formulations as bovine embryo manipulation solution.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two Embryo Manipulation Solutions (EMS and EMS supplemented) in maintenance of the viability of embryos, initially using structures derived from mice (first phase). Next, the efficiency of these solutions in routines of bovine embryo transfer was evaluated (second stage). Mice embryos were used in the stages of early blastocyst, and compact morula grades I and II.

Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BHV1) infection in testes and epididymis from bulls from a slaughterhouse.

Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BHV1) is an agent associated with reproductive disease in cattle. Viral pathogenicity is related to disorders such as temporary infertility, embryonic death, and abortions in affected animals. Considering that natural infections in genital organs of males are understudied, this investigation evaluated the presence of BHV1 in both testicular and epididymal tissues obtained from naturally infected bulls by the evaluation of the presence of the BHV1 genome and antigens.

Correction: Bovine herpesvirus 1 can cross the intact zona pellucida of bovine oocytes after artificial infection.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 can cross the intact zona pellucida of bovine oocytes after artificial infection.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) is an important bovine pathogen, responsible for respiratory diseases and reproductive problems. This study investigated the penetration capacity of BHV1 into oocytes after co-incubation for either 1 h or 24 h. Immunofluorescence assays in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and denuded oocytes (without the presence of cumulus cells) were performed and evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Detection of bovine herpesvirus 1 in genital organs of naturally infected cows.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) is a causative agent of respiratory diseases in cattle, and infection with BoHV-1 can cause reproductive failure. There are few studies regarding infections in natural conditions in the reproductive organs of bovine animals. In this context, this study investigated the presence of BoHV-1 in the uterus, oviducts, and ovarian tissues of naturally infected cows.

Ocelot and oncilla spermatozoa can bind hen egg perivitelline membranes.

We evaluated the capacity of ocelot and oncilla spermatozoa to bind to the perivitelline membranes (PVMs) of hen eggs in a sperm binding assay (S-PVM). In addition, a device that improves the standardization of the assay was developed. The number of sperm bound to the PVM in fresh (T1) and frozen-thawed (T2) semen from both species was compared to the sperm quality observed in routine tests.