Assessing pregnancy outcomes in cow-calf operations after administration of modified-live or killed virus vaccinations at the initiation of synchronization for fixed-time AI.

The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive outcomes (artificial insemination [AI] pregnancy rates, season pregnancy rates, AI pregnancy losses) and calf traits (birth and weaning weights) after vaccination of suckled beef cows against bovine herpesvirus 1 and bovine viral diarrhea virus using commercially-available modified-live virus (MLV) or killed virus (KV) vaccine at the initiation of a fixed-time AI program. Previously-vaccinated cows (n = 2138) on 14 farms throughout Virginia were enrolled in the study during the Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 breeding seasons. Animals received a single vaccination injection at 10 d pre-breeding, corresponding with time of CIDR insertion at initiation of the 7-d CO-Synch + CIDR synchronization protocol.

Short-term consumption of the mycotoxin zearalenone by pubertal gilts causes persistent changes in the histoarchitecture of reproductive tissues.

Consumption of zearalenone (ZEN) detrimentally affects tissues and systems throughout the body, and these deleterious effects are especially pronounced in swine. The objectives of this project were to determine the effects of short-term consumption of ZEN (at concentrations that could be found on-farm) on growth, carcass weight, liver weight, and reproductive tissues of pubertal gilts, and to determine if the effects are transient or persistent. Cross-bred gilts (107.

Effects of temperament on reproductive performance of heifers enrolled in the 7-day CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release protocol.

Cattle temperament significantly impacts production traits such as reproduction. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of temperament on pregnancy rates to fixed-timed artificial insemination (TAI) in beef heifers. A total of 297 Angus influenced heifers from 3 different locations were evaluated for temperament based on chute score and exit velocity on the first day of the estrus synchronization protocol (d-9) and classified by temperament type based on temperament score (calm ≤ 3 < excitable).

Comparison of reproductive performance of AI- and natural service-sired beef females under commercial management.

The objective of this study was to assess differences in reproductive performance of natural service and artificial insemination () sired beef females based on pregnancy outcomes, age at first calving, and calving interval. Data were sourced from 8,938 cows sired by AI bulls and 3,320 cows sired by natural service bulls between 2010 and 2017. All cows were in a commercial Angus herd with 17 management units located throughout Virginia and represented spring and fall calving seasons.

Effects of short-term moderate ZEN consumption on uterosacral ligament elasticity in pubertal gilts.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a potent estrogenic toxin in swine, contributing to economic losses in herds via reproductive consequences such as pelvic organ prolapse (POP). To better understand the relationship between ZEN-consumption and reproductive symptoms, an animal feeding study with pubertal gilts was designed. The gilts were exposed to three different treatments: solvent-only feed for 21 days (n = 10), ZEN-spiked feed for 7 days followed by solvent-only feed for 14 days (n = 10), and ZEN-spiked feed for 21 days (n = 10).

Biaxial Stress Relaxation of Vaginal Tissue in Pubertal Gilts.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition characterized by displacement of the vagina from its normal anatomical position leading to symptoms such as incontinence, physical discomfort, and poor self-image. Conservative treatment has shown limited success and surgical procedures, including the use of mesh, often lead to severe complications. To improve the current treatment methods for prolapse, the viscoelastic properties of vaginal tissue need to be characterized.

Comparison of luteolysis and timed artificial insemination pregnancy rates after administration of PGF in the muscle or the ischiorectal fossa in cattle.

Prostaglandin F (PGF) is commonly injected intramuscularly (IM) in female cattle in synchronization protocols. A novel site for administration of PGF that improves beef quality assurance is the ischiorectal fossa (IRF). The objective of this study was to determine whether administration of PGF in the IRF results in a similar physiological response to an intramuscular injection.

Administration of recombinant bovine somatotropin prior to fixed-time artificial insemination and the effects on fertility, embryo, and fetal size in beef heifers.

Our objectives were to determine the effects of the administration of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) at the initiation of a fixed-time AI (TAI) protocol on concentrations of plasma IGF-1, follicle diameter, embryo/fetal size, and pregnancy rates in replacement beef heifers. Four hundred and fourteen Angus-based beef heifers were enrolled in a completely randomized design at 4 locations from January to July of 2016. All heifers were exposed to the 7-d CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol where they received a 100-µg injection of GnRH and a CIDR insert on day -9, 25 mg of PGF2α at CIDR removal on day -2, followed by a 100-µg injection of GnRH and TAI 54 ± 2 h later on day 0.

Effects of diet-induced obesity on metabolic parameters and reproductive function in female Ossabaw minipigs.

This study characterizes the effect of an excess-calorie, high-fat, high-cholesterol, high-fructose diet on metabolic parameters and reproductive function in female Ossabaw minipigs. Cycling sows were fed a hypercaloric, high-fat, high-cholesterol, and high-fructose diet (obese, n = 4) or a control diet (control, n = 5) for 13 mo. During the final 4 mo, ovarian ultrasonography was done, blood was collected, and weights and measures were taken.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells enhance healing of mandibular defects in the ramus of swine.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) injected locally or systemically on the bone regeneration of a 10-mm-diameter cylindrical noncritical-size defect in the ramus of the pig mandible.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen Yorkshire pigs, weighing 60 to 80 kg, received bilateral 10-mm-diameter cylindrical surgical defects in each ramus of the mandible. Pigs received 1) a direct injection into the defect of 2.

Brief exposure to progesterone during a critical neonatal window prevents uterine gland formation in mice.

Uterine gland development (adenogenesis) in mice begins on Postnatal Day (PND) 5 and is completed in adulthood. Adenogenesis depends on estrogen receptor 1, and progesterone (P4) inhibits mitogenic effects of estrogen on uterine epithelium. This progestin-induced effect has been used to inhibit uterine gland development; progestin treatment of ewes for 8 wk from birth has produced infertile adults lacking uterine glands.

Human endothelial colony forming cells undergo vasculogenesis within biphasic calcium phosphate bone tissue engineering constructs.

An important consideration in bone regeneration is the need for expedited neovascularization within the defect site. Formation of a vascular network is critical for cell viability and normal function leading to tissue regeneration, but spontaneous angiogenesis is too slow to yield sufficient vessel formation. In this pilot study, human umbilical cord blood (hUCB)-derived endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) were evaluated for in vivo vasculogenesis in the macropores of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP)/bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) bone tissue engineering constructs.

Analysis of the roles of microporosity and BMP-2 on multiple measures of bone regeneration and healing in calcium phosphate scaffolds.

Osteoinductive agents, such as BMP-2, are known to improve bone formation when combined with scaffolds. Microporosity (<20 μm) has also been shown to influence bone regeneration in calcium phosphate (CaP) scaffolds. However, many studies use only the term "osteoconductive" to describe the effects of BMP-2 and microporosity on bone formation, and do not assess the degree of healing that occurred.

Azoospermia in an 8-month-old boar due to bilateral obstruction at the testis/epididymis interface.

An 8-month-old Yorkshire boar was presented for apparent azoospermia. Two semen collections also revealed azoospermia. Ultrasonographic examination of the gonads revealed bilateral caput epididymal dilatation and anechoic fluid within the tubules.

The effect of BMP-2 on micro- and macroscale osteointegration of biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds with multiscale porosity.

It is well established that scaffolds for applications in bone tissue engineering require interconnected pores on the order of 100 microm for bone in growth and nutrient and waste transport. As a result, most studies have focused on scaffold macroporosity (>100 microm). More recently researchers have investigated the role of microporosity in calcium phosphate -based scaffolds.

Multiscale osteointegration as a new paradigm for the design of calcium phosphate scaffolds for bone regeneration.

The role of macropore size (>100 microm) and geometry in synthetic scaffolds for bone regeneration has been studied extensively, but successful translation to the clinic has been slow. Significantly less attention has been given to porosity at the microscale (0.5-10 microm).

Accelerated wound closure of pressure ulcers in aged mice by chitosan scaffolds with and without bFGF.

Pressure ulcers are a significant healthcare concern, especially for elderly populations. Our work served to ameliorate the chronicity of these ulcers by addressing ischemia-reperfusion injury mediated by neutrophils and the concomitant loss of vasculature in these wounds. To this end, chitosan scaffolds loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) contained in gelatin microparticles were developed and tested for clinical relevance in an aged mouse model.

Normal hematology and hematologic disorders in potbellied pigs.

Potbellied pigs have become a notable portion of small animal and farm animal practitioners' caseload. Relatively little information is readily accessible for the veterinary practitioner in regard to normal hematologic values or alterations of the hemogram in response to disease, however. This article is a review of blood collection techniques in swine adaptable to potbellied pigs in addition to collection artifacts observed in the swine hemogram.

The mechanical properties and osteoconductivity of hydroxyapatite bone scaffolds with multi-scale porosity.

The relative osteoconductivity and the change in the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds with multi-scale porosity were compared to scaffolds with a single pore size. Non-microporous (NMP) scaffolds contained only macroporosity (250-350 microm) and microporous (MP) scaffolds contained both macroporosity and microporosity (2-8 microm). Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was incorporated into all scaffolds via gelatin microspheres prior to implantation into the latissimus dorsi muscle of Yorkshire pigs.

Reduction of polyspermic penetration using biomimetic microfluidic technology during in vitro fertilization.

Efforts to improve the in vitro embryo production process in pigs have included modifying culture medium and number of spermatozoa inseminated in order to reduce the incidence of polyspermy. Polyspermy is a pathological condition which results in aberrant embryonic development. The microchannels are designed to more closely mimic the function of the oviduct and create a flow pattern of spermatozoa past the oocytes similar to the pattern in the oviduct.

Developments in in vitro technologies for swine embryo production.

Several modifications have been made to in vitro production (IVP) systems to allow more efficient production of viable porcine embryos. Although in vitro production of pig embryos has been studied for over 30 years, the overall blastocyst production rate remains low. The low blastocyst rate is due to several factors, including polyspermic oocyte penetration, low rate of male pronucleus formation and less than optimal in vitro culture systems.