Celebrating a milestone and looking at the future of Theriogenology.

In 2024, Theriogenology turned 50! The purpose of this special issue is to emphasize the pivotal role of reproduction and fertility in improving the efficacy and sustainability of animal production in a range of environments (different production systems, different climates, or different consumer-related expectations). A first series of articles summarizes the possibilities and constraints linked to embryo production (in vivo and in vitro) as well as the potential of novel embryo technologies. A second series provides an overview of the future of production and reproduction for the next 20 years in different species and geographical areas.

Differential modulation of inflammatory cytokines by recombinant IL-10 in IL-1β and TNF-α ̶ stimulated equine chondrocytes and synoviocytes: impact of washing and timing on cytokine responses.

Osteoarthritis (OA) remains a challenging joint disorder necessitating effective anti-inflammatory interventions. In this study, our primary objective was to establish an in vitro protocol that replicates the clinical investigation of anti-inflammatory drugs intended for OA management. Focusing on recombinant IL-10 (r.

Comparison of Anaerobic Culture Methods for Detecting Clostridioides difficile in Bovine Faeces.

Background: The study of the epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile in populations is greatly facilitated by the ability to isolate and further characterize individual organisms, which requires effective culture protocols. In cattle, where little is known about the epidemiology of C. difficile, no studies have assessed or compared the performance of different assays for detecting C.

Evaluation of digital radiographic measurements for the diagnosis of acute laminitis.

Background: Traditional radiographic measurements of distal phalanx (Pd) displacement based on the outer hoof wall are not useful for diagnosis of acute laminitis.

Objectives: We hypothesised that the distance between the inner hoof wall and Pd ('lamellar lucent zone'; LLZ) measured on lateromedial digital radiographs would be increased in horses with acute and subacute laminitis compared with healthy horses.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study and in vivo experimental study.

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in a weanling donkey jack.

Objective: To describe the clinical presentation and diagnosis of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in a weanling miniature donkey jack.

Case Summary: A 5-month-old miniature donkey jack presented to a tertiary care facility for fever, cough, and increased respiratory rate and effort initially unresponsive to treatment with antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories. Clinical and diagnostic evaluations found no evidence of upper respiratory obstruction or bacterial pneumonia.

Automated acute pain prediction in domestic goats using deep learning-based models on video-recordings.

Facial expressions are essential in animal communication, and facial expression-based pain scales have been developed for different species. Automated pain recognition offers a valid alternative to manual annotation with growing evidence across species. This study applied machine learning (ML) methods, using a pre-trained VGG-16 base and a Support Vector Machine classifier to automate pain recognition in caprine patients in hospital settings, evaluating different frame extraction rates and validation techniques.

Multicenter study of factors associated with nonsurvival in hospitalized periparturient goats.

Background: Periparturient reproductive complications appear to be common in hospitalized goats. More information is needed about periparturient reproductive complications and survival in goats with these conditions.

Objective: Identify exposure factors associated with nonsurvival in periparturient does hospitalized ≤1 day or ≥2 days.

Effect of refreezing extender on stallion sperm quality and embryo production after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a valuable assisted reproduction technology in clinical practice, especially when semen availability is limited. Since the number of sperm required per ICSI cycle is much less than the number of sperm available in a standard straw of frozen semen, refreezing semen at lower sperm concentrations could yield multiple straws for ICSI use. However, there is little data on the effect of sperm refreezing on ICSI outcomes, especially on the effect of extender used for refreezing.

Quality assurance applied to semen analysis.

Artificial insemination is an important biotechnology employed in livestock production. Production of semen products requires analysis of sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Although adequate analytical procedures are essential to ensure product quality, several multicenter studies have reported large variations in semen analysis results within and across laboratories.

Prognostic and therapeutic implications of tumor-restrictive type III collagen in the breast cancer microenvironment.

Collagen plays a critical role in regulating breast cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. An improved understanding of both the features and drivers of tumor-permissive and -restrictive collagen matrices are critical to improve prognostication and develop more effective therapeutic strategies. In this study, using a combination of in vitro, in vivo and bioinformatic experiments, we show that type III collagen (Col3) plays a tumor-restrictive role in human breast cancer.

Insulin sensitivity, disposition index and insulin clearance in cystic fibrosis: a cross-sectional study.

Aims/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, disposition index and insulin clearance by glucose tolerance status in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we conducted an extended (ten samples) OGTT in individuals with pancreatic-insufficient CF (PI-CF). Participants were divided into normal glucose tolerance (NGT), early glucose intolerance (EGI), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and CF-related diabetes (CFRD) groups.

Single injection of intra-articular autologous protein solution in horses with acute interleukin-1B-induced synovitis decreases joint pathology scores.

Background: Autologous protein solution (APS) has been shown to decrease lameness in horses with osteoarthritis (OA). Synovitis is an early driver of OA, providing an opportunity to intervene in the progression of disease via intra-articular (IA) therapeutics.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a single IA APS injection in horses with interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced synovitis.

Effects of dietary zinc on the gut microbiome and resistome of the gestating cow and neonatal calf.

Zinc is an essential trace element required in the diet of all species. While the effects of zinc have been studied in growing calves, little is known about the effect of zinc on the microbiota of the gestating cow or her neonatal calf. Understanding factors that shape the gut health of neonatal animals and evaluating the effect of dietary supplements in adult gestating animals is important in promoting animal health and informing feeding practices.

Estimation of glucose absorption, insulin sensitivity, and glucose effectiveness from the oral glucose tolerance test.

Context: Glucose tolerance during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is affected by variations in glucose effectiveness (GE) and glucose absorption and thus affects minimal model calculations of insulin sensitivity (SI). The widely used OGTT SI by Dalla Man et al. does not account for variances in GE and glucose absorption.

Transvaginal aspiration, oocyte maturation and production of blastocysts and a pregnancy via ICSI in an endangered breed: Baudet du Poitou donkey.

Two Poitou donkey jennies were presented for clinical oocyte recovery and embryo production via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Both jennies underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration on two occasions. Recovered oocytes were held overnight then placed into maturation culture, using standard methods for mare oocytes.

Can axial loading restore in vivo disc geometry, opening pressure, and T2 relaxation time?

Background: Cadaveric intervertebral discs are often studied for a variety of research questions, and outcomes are interpreted in the in vivo context. Unfortunately, the cadaveric disc does not inherently represent the LIVE condition, such that the disc structure (geometry), composition (T2 relaxation time), and mechanical function (opening pressure, OP) measured in the cadaver do not necessarily represent the in vivo disc.

Methods: We conducted serial evaluations in the Yucatan minipig of disc geometry, T2 relaxation time, and OP to quantify the changes that occur with progressive dissection and used axial loading to restore the in vivo condition.

Comparison of four in vitro test methods to assess nucleus pulposus replacement device expulsion risk.

Background: Nucleus replacement devices (NRDs) are not routinely used in clinic, predominantly due to the risk of device expulsion. Rigorous in vitro testing may enable failure mechanisms to be identified prior to clinical trials; however, current testing standards do not specify a particular expulsion test. Multiple methods have therefore been developed, complicating comparisons between NRD designs.

Early-phase insulin secretion during mixed-meal tolerance testing predicts β-cell function and secretory capacity in cystic fibrosis.

Unlabelled: Insulin secretion within 30 minutes of nutrient ingestion is reduced in people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) and pancreatic insufficiency and declines with worsening glucose tolerance. The glucose potentiated arginine (GPA) test is validated for quantifying β-cell secretory capacity as an estimate of functional β-cell mass but requires technical expertise and is burdensome. This study sought to compare insulin secretion during mixed-meal tolerance testing (MMTT) to GPA-derived parameters in PwCF.

Dogs can detect an odor profile associated with biofilms in cultures and biological samples.

Introduction: The study investigated the utilization of odor detection dogs to identify the odor profile of biofilms in pure samples and in biosamples from animals and humans with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Biofilms form when bacterial communities aggregate on orthopedic implants leading to recalcitrant infections that are difficult to treat. Identifying PJI biofilm infections is challenging, and traditional microbiological cultures may yield negative results even in the presence of clinical signs.

A missed opportunity: A scoping review of the effect of sex and age on osteoarthritis using large animal models.

Objective: The objective was to critically analyze the published literature accounting for sex differences and skeletal age (open vs. closed physis) in preclinical animal models of OA, including the disaggregation of data by sex and skeletal maturity when data is generated from combined sex and/or multi-aged cohorts without proper confounding.

Method: A scoping literature review of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and SCOPUS was performed for studies evaluating the effect of sex and age in experimental studies and clinical trials utilizing preclinical large animal models of OA.

Ad libitum feeding systems for lactating sows: effects on productivity and welfare of sows and piglets.

The nutritional requirements of sows change during lactation and thus require adapted and dynamic feeding regimes that consider the sows' behavioral needs and production traits. The present study evaluated the effect of four different feeding systems on productivity and aspects of the welfare of 61 sows and their piglets during lactation. A non-ad libitum system (CON) was compared with two computer-monitored (COMP, COMP + ) ad libitum feeding systems, that allowed sows to access feed via displacement of an electronic sensor, as well as a third purely mechanical ad libitum feeding system (MECH).

Open Approach to the Transversus Abdominis Plane in Horses: A Cadaver Feasibility Study.

The study's objective was to evaluate the feasibility and dispersion of an open approach to the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in eight adult equine cadavers. A ventral midline incision was made, starting 2 cm cranial to the umbilicus and extending 25 cm cranially. In total, 0.