TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-08-02DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117614
Kateřina Kheilová , Jaroslav Petr , Dalibor Řehák , Eva Chmelíková , Markéta Sedmíková
{"title":"The Src family kinases contribute to MII arrest maintenance in aging porcine oocytes","authors":"Kateřina Kheilová , Jaroslav Petr , Dalibor Řehák , Eva Chmelíková , Markéta Sedmíková","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mature mammalian oocytes arrest meiosis in metaphase II (MII). If the oocyte is not fertilized, it can spontaneously break the MII arrest. Spontaneous activation and postovulatory aging hinder precisely timed and regulated embryonic development. To elucidate the role of Src family protein tyrosine kinases (SFKs) in porcine oocyte MII arrest, activation, and aging, we used a specific SFK inhibitor and immunolocalization. The 24h-prolonged oocyte culture in the presence of SFK inhibitor 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(<em>t</em>-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2) increased (<em>P</em> < 0.05) the proportion of spontaneously activated porcine oocytes compared to controls. Further culture with PP2 inhibitor led to an increase (<em>P</em> < 0.05) in the parthenogenetic embryos and a decrease (<em>P</em> < 0.05) in lytic oocytes. SFK inhibition did not affect (<em>P</em> > 0.05) the proportion of ionophore A23187-activated oocytes. SFKs were localized in the perichromosomal region, in the pronuclei, in the cytoplasm, and on the plasma membrane of oocytes and parthenogenetic embryos after 24, 48, and 72 h of prolonged <em>in vitro</em> culture. The greatest SFKs fluorescence was detected after a 24h-prolonged culture on the plasma membrane of MII oocytes. In embryos and fragmented oocytes, intense fluorescence was detected in the cleavage furrow region and on the membrane of apoptotic vesicles, respectively.</div><div>Our results reveal the involvement of SFKs in MII arrest maintenance, though they don't appear to modulate the early processes of ionophore-stimulated parthenogenetic activation. Changes in the distribution of SFKs during prolonged culture suggest their role in signaling cascades associated with actin filament cytoskeleton organization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"248 ","pages":"Article 117614"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144756802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-07-31DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117613
Marisol Solange Yavorsky , Natalia Sigrid Norero , Maximiliano Joaquín Spetter , Susana Beatriz Pereyra , Andrea Elizabeth Verna , Naiara Urrutia Luna , Glenda Laura Ríos , Erika Analía González Altamiranda
{"title":"Detection and prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus in ovarian follicular fluid: A potential risk for in vitro embryo production","authors":"Marisol Solange Yavorsky , Natalia Sigrid Norero , Maximiliano Joaquín Spetter , Susana Beatriz Pereyra , Andrea Elizabeth Verna , Naiara Urrutia Luna , Glenda Laura Ríos , Erika Analía González Altamiranda","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) and anti-BVDV antibodies have been detected in ovarian follicular fluid of infected cows. The aim of this study was to assess both the frequency of BVDV detection and the prevalence of anti-BVDV antibodies in pooled follicular fluid obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries for <em>in vitro</em> embryo production. Additionally, we sought to determine whether specific antibodies present in these samples are able to neutralize different BVDV strains. BVDV RNA was detected by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), while viral viability was evaluated by using viral isolation (VI). Antibody titers against different BVDV strains (reference strain NADL-1a Vs145; field strain 13/558-1a; field strains 10/49-1b) were determined through viral neutralization (VN) assays. A total of 60 pooled follicular fluid samples from slaughterhouse ovaries were analyzed over a period of 19 months. Results showed that 45 % (27 out of 60) of the samples tested positive for BVDV RNA via RT-PCR and RT-qPCR, although no samples yielded viable virus through the VI technique. The seroprevalence of anti-BVDV antibodies was 98 % (59 out of 60), with antibody titers sufficient (1:136 and 1:268) to neutralize the field strains tested. These findings indicate a high prevalence of BVDV RNA and extensive seroprevalence of anti-BVDV antibodies in pooled follicular fluid samples. The high antibody levels may compromise the sensitivity of VI, likely due to a viral inhibitory effect. Such inhibition could also influence the dynamics of infection throughout the <em>in vitro</em> embryo production process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"248 ","pages":"Article 117613"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144763862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-07-28DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117608
José Eduardo Vieira Chaves , Ana Caroline Chaves Vall Nicolás , Nayara Ribeiro Kussano , Laryssa Ketelyn Lima Pimenta , Venâncio Augusto Oliveira Silva , Alice Caroline Souza e Castro , Ana Cristina Menezes Mendes Gomes , Leonardo de França e Melo , Margot Alves Nunes Dode , José Felipe Warmling Sprícigo
{"title":"Intrafollicular immature oocyte transfer (IFIOT) for IN VIVO maturation of vitrified bovine oocytes","authors":"José Eduardo Vieira Chaves , Ana Caroline Chaves Vall Nicolás , Nayara Ribeiro Kussano , Laryssa Ketelyn Lima Pimenta , Venâncio Augusto Oliveira Silva , Alice Caroline Souza e Castro , Ana Cristina Menezes Mendes Gomes , Leonardo de França e Melo , Margot Alves Nunes Dode , José Felipe Warmling Sprícigo","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117608","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117608","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oocyte cryopreservation is fundamental for the advancement of reproductive biotechnologies, but its efficiency in cattle is limited. This study evaluated whether <em>in vivo</em> maturation through the intrafollicular immature oocyte transfer (IFIOT) can mitigate damage from vitrification. In a 2 × 2 design, fresh and vitrified oocytes were subjected to <em>in vitro</em> or <em>in vivo</em> maturation. Vitrified oocytes had lower metaphase II (MII) rates (P < 0.05) compared to fresh. However, <em>in vivo</em> maturation of vitrified oocytes increased MII rates (69.4 % vs. 45.7 %; P < 0.05) and reduced chromatin abnormalities (18.6 % vs. 33.7 %) compared to <em>in vitro</em> maturation. Electron microscopy revealed a higher incidence of vacuoles, damage, and disorganization of organelles in vitrified oocytes. The concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was lower (P < 0.05) in vitrified and fresh oocytes matured <em>in vivo</em> compared to those <em>in vitro</em> matured. Vitrification impaired embryonic development, reducing cleavage rates on day 2 and blastocyst rates on days 6 and 7. Embryos from fresh oocytes matured <em>in vivo</em> exhibited larger diameters, higher cell numbers, and lower proportions of apoptotic cells. Iron-reducing antioxidant activity did not differ among groups in the <em>in vitro</em> maturation medium and follicular fluid. In conclusion, IFIOT in vitrified oocytes improved MII rates and reduced chromatin abnormalities but did not alter intraoocyte ROS levels nor improve embryonic development. In fresh oocytes, IFIOT was effective, reducing ROS and producing blastocysts with faster development and better quality. These findings suggest that IFIOT can partially mitigate nuclear damage caused by vitrification, but additional studies are needed to explore cytoplasmic protection strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"248 ","pages":"Article 117608"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144749747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-07-27DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117611
Luisa Ramírez-Agámez, Jarred B. Crowley, Charles C. Love, Camilo Hernández-Avilés
{"title":"Blastocyst production by conventional in vitro fertilization (cIVF) in horses: Effects of sperm storage method, incubation timing of cool-stored semen before gamete co-incubation, and comparisons between cIVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)","authors":"Luisa Ramírez-Agámez, Jarred B. Crowley, Charles C. Love, Camilo Hernández-Avilés","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Currently, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) on <em>in vitro</em>-matured equine oocytes obtained by transvaginal oocyte aspiration (TVA) is the method of choice for <em>in vitro</em> production of equine blastocysts in a clinical setting. A protocol for conventional <em>in vitro</em> fertilization (cIVF) using either <em>fresh</em> or <em>frozen/thawed</em> stallion sperm incubated under capacitating conditions (Tyrode's Albumin Lactate Pyruvate medium + penicillamine, hypotaurine, epinephrine; FERT-PHE) has been recently reported. Several factors that may impact the clinical applicability of this cIVF protocol have yet to be studied. In Experiment 1, a comparison between <em>fresh</em>, <em>cool-stored</em>, or <em>frozen/thawed</em> sperm from a fertile stallion (OP) for cIVF was performed. Differences on cleavage rate (embryos with ≥8 blastomeres at day 5 of culture), blastocyst rate (blastocysts/cleaved embryos), and the number of blastocysts per mare TVA/cIVF cycle were not detected among <em>fresh</em> (68 % [38/56]; 18 % [7/38]; 1), <em>cool-stored</em> (61 % [34/56]; 21 % [7/34]; 1), and <em>frozen/thawed</em> sperm (54 % [29/54]; 21 % [6/29]; 1), respectively (P > 0.05). In Experiment 2, the effect of incubation time (22 vs. 10 h) that <em>cool-stored</em> sperm were exposed to the FERT-PHE medium before gamete co-incubation was studied. Differences on cleavage rate (45 % [29/64] vs. 56 % [47/84]), blastocyst rate/cleaved embryos (28 % [8/29] vs. 19 % [9/47]), and number of blastocysts per mare TVA/cIVF cycle (1.1 vs. 1.3) were not detected between treatment groups (P > 0.05). In Experiment 3, <em>frozen/thawed</em> sperm from 2 fertile stallions (OP vs. HW) was processed to compare cIVF and ICSI cycles. Differences on cleavage rates were not detected between stallions in cIVF (OP: 41 % [16/39] vs. HW: 52 % [34/65]; P > 0.05) or ICSI cycles (OP: 34 % [22/64] vs. HW: 53 % [19/36]; P > 0.05); nor detected when the stallion values were combined: cIVF (48 % [50/104]) vs. ICSI (41 % [41/100]; P > 0.05). Differences on blastocyst rate/cleaved embryos were not detected between stallions in cIVF (OP: 13 % [2/16] vs. HW: 26 % [9/34]) or ICSI cycles (OP: 45 % [10/22] vs. HW 42 % [8/19]; P > 0.05); but when stallion values were combined, blastocyst rate/cleaved embryos was lower for cIVF (22 % [11/50]) than for ICSI (44 % [18/41]) cycles (P < 0.05). The number of blastocysts per mare TVA cycle was lower for stallion OP in cIVF (0.4) than for stallion HW in ICSI (2; P < 0.05), while similar for stallions OP and HW in cIVF cycles (1.5), and stallion OP in ICSI cycles (1.4; P > 0.05). Six blastocysts from cIVF (n = 3) or ICSI (n = 3) cycles produced with frozen/thawed sperm from stallion HW were vitrified, warmed, and transferred into recipient mares. All mares were confirmed pregnant at days 14, 28, and 45 of gestation. In conclusion, in this study, the production of cIVF-derived blastocysts was similar for","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"248 ","pages":"Article 117611"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-07-26DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117610
Xu Wang , Mingyu Li , Nan Jiang , Long Jin , Chuang Li
{"title":"L-epicatechin partially alleviates Ochratoxin A–induced oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress and improves developmental competence of porcine embryos during in vitro culture","authors":"Xu Wang , Mingyu Li , Nan Jiang , Long Jin , Chuang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117610","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species, is commonly found in various food products and is known to cause oxidative stress. It also exhibits embryotoxic effects in several animals, including pigs. In porcine in vitro embryo production (IVP), Oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are key factors that impair embryo development and quality. This study evaluated the effects of L-epicatechin (L-E), a natural polyphenol, on embryonic development under OTA-induced stress in a porcine model. Supplementation with L-E significantly improved cleavage and blastocyst formation rates, reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased glutathione (GSH) levels as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). In addition, L-E maintained mitochondrial membrane potential, enhanced mitochondrial activity, and partially restored ATP production. ER stress-related markers, including sXBP1, GRP78, and CHOP, were downregulated in embryos treated with L-E. These results suggest that 1 mg/L of L-E partially mitigates OTA-induced cellular stress and promotes embryo viability by regulating oxidative balance, organelle function, and apoptosis. L-E may serve as a beneficial additive to improve culture conditions and developmental outcomes in porcine IVP systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"248 ","pages":"Article 117610"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117602
Xiaofen Yang , Haoying Gan , Yuwei Bai , Tingzi Yu , Dongping Zhou , Yun Wang , Ruru Jia , Chunye Wei , Mingzhe Lu , Fenghua Lu
{"title":"Individual variations in buffalo somatic cell cloning efficiency: Synergistic regulation by mitochondria and chromatin remodeling","authors":"Xiaofen Yang , Haoying Gan , Yuwei Bai , Tingzi Yu , Dongping Zhou , Yun Wang , Ruru Jia , Chunye Wei , Mingzhe Lu , Fenghua Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117602","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The molecular mechanisms underlying differences in somatic cell cloning efficiency among buffalo fetal fibroblasts (BFFs) from different individuals remain poorly understood. Our study conducted a comparative analysis of mitochondrial function and chromatin remodeling capacity of BFFs from different individuals, and tracked the mitochondria in the embryos derived from SCNT and IVF. These findings revealed that BFFs with high cloning efficiency displayed well-preserved mitochondrial morphology and ultrastructure, increased mitochondrial DNA copy number and ATP levels, elevated antioxidant capacity, enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential, and significantly upregulated expression levels of mitochondria-related genes. Meanwhile, BFFs with high cloning efficiency demonstrated significantly higher DNA enrichment, lower heterochromatin levels, and differential expression levels of chromatin remodeling-related genes. Furthermore, the persistence of donor cell mitochondria during cloned embryo development was observed, whereas sperm-derived mitochondria during IVF embryo development were rarely detectable. Collectively, our results suggest a tight connection between the mitochondria and chromatin remodeling of donor cells, and demonstrating their synergistic impact on cloning efficiency, providing the crucial experimental evidence for nucleo-mitochondrial interactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"248 ","pages":"Article 117602"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144738621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117596
J.C.S. Marques , T.A. Burnett , J. Denis-Robichaud , A.M.L. Madureira , W.A. Gomes , A.M. Bega , A. Moore , R.S. Conceicao , S. Moore , Ronaldo L.A. Cerri
{"title":"Tail chalk improved detection of true estrus alerts from an automated activity monitor system in a cohort study","authors":"J.C.S. Marques , T.A. Burnett , J. Denis-Robichaud , A.M.L. Madureira , W.A. Gomes , A.M. Bega , A. Moore , R.S. Conceicao , S. Moore , Ronaldo L.A. Cerri","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117596","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to assess how two estrus detection tools, an automated activity monitor (AAM) and tail chalk (TC), were associated with true estrus events in lactating Holstein cows. Cows with days in milk ≥5 were monitored twice daily for estrus alerts, identified by the AAM and a TC score of 3 (<50 % of chalk remaining). Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on the day of alert to confirm estrus (cows with a follicle ≥10 mm and corpus luteum ≤24 mm). For AAM‐identified events, peak activity and duration of estrus were measured. Mixed logistic and linear regression models were used to assess associations for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively. A total of 1714 events were recorded, of which 1098 from 371 cows were considered in true estrus (AAM only: n = 629; TC only: n = 86; AAM + TC: n = 383). Cows with both AAM and TC alerts had higher odds of true estrus compared to those with only AAM alerts (OR = 4.24; 95 %CI = 3.05–5.87) or only TC alerts (OR = 17.70; 95 %CI = 11.90–26.34). Cows having AAM and TC alert had greater peak activity index (AAM only = 221.64 ± 7.07; AAM + TC = 323.89 ± 9.13) and longer duration of estrus (AAM only = 8.37 ± 0.27 h; AAM + TC = 13.17 ± 0.33 h) compared to cows with AAM alerts only. In conclusion, TC could be used as a marker of high-intensity estrus and, when combined with an AAM, improves identification of true estrus in dairy cows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"248 ","pages":"Article 117596"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144756801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-07-23DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117604
M.L. Neubert , S. Henneberg , A. Riedel , Y. Schulze , M. Hürland , J.H. Osmers , C. Wesenauer , M. Jung , Á.C. Bajcsy , M. Schulze
{"title":"Improving long-term storage of liquid-preserved bovine semen: Effect of extender, cooling protocol and holding temperature on sperm quality and fertility","authors":"M.L. Neubert , S. Henneberg , A. Riedel , Y. Schulze , M. Hürland , J.H. Osmers , C. Wesenauer , M. Jung , Á.C. Bajcsy , M. Schulze","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117604","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117604","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Liquid preservation of bull semen provides a resource-efficient method for utilizing elite genetic material. However, the optimal preservation method including extender, cooling rate, and holding temperature is not fully defined. This study aimed to improve the long-term storage of liquid preserved bull semen (LS) for at least seven days. Semen from nine Holstein-Friesian bulls was diluted in a split-sample procedure with Caprogen or a fully synthetic extender (FSE) and subjected to three cooling protocols: direct cooling to 16 °C (A), direct cooling to 5 °C (B), and stepwise cooling with holding phase at 16 °C before further cooling to 5 °C (C). Sperm quality was assessed on day one (d1), four (d4), seven (d7), and ten (d10) of semen storage based on thermo-resistance test after 30 min and 120 min incubation at 38 °C (TRT30/120), morphologically intact spermatozoa (MIS), and plasma membrane and acrosome integrity (PMAI). Generalized linear mixed models revealed that Caprogen outperformed FSE across all parameters (<em>P</em> < 0.001) on d1, d4, and d7. On d7, storage at 5 °C (B/C) resulted in significantly (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) higher sperm quality compared to 16 °C (A). In a second trial, 99 Holstein-Friesian cows were inseminated with either LS stored for seven days at 5 °C (LS<sub>7</sub>, Protocol B, n = 53 cows) or frozen-thawed semen (FS, control, n = 46 cows). <em>In vivo</em>, the first-service conception rate was 49.05 % for LS<sub>7</sub> and 52.17 % for FS (<em>P</em> = 0.38). Therefore, LS stored at 5 °C in Caprogen maintains sperm quality for seven days and represents a viable alternative for artificial insemination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"249 ","pages":"Article 117604"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-07-23DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117607
Bahareh Akhtarshenas , Rasoul Kowsar , Mehdi Hajian , Leila Soltani , Nima Tanhaei Vash
{"title":"Protective effects of ρ-coumaric acid loaded on zinc oxide -nanoparticles on the quality of goat sperm during liquid preservation and developmental competence of resultant embryos","authors":"Bahareh Akhtarshenas , Rasoul Kowsar , Mehdi Hajian , Leila Soltani , Nima Tanhaei Vash","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117607","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117607","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The storage of sperm at low temperatures can cause oxidative stress and damage, leading to decreased different functional parameters and fertilizing capacity. Nanoparticles (NPs) with antioxidative properties can be useful in improving sperm function and male fertility. Therefore, the current research aimed to study the supplementation of semen extender with ρ-coumaric acid (ρ-CA), ρ-coumaric acid-nanoparticles (PCNPs), zinc chloride (ZnCl<sub>2</sub>), zinc oxide-NPs (ZnO-NPs), ρ-coumaric acid loaded on ZnO-nanoparticles (ρ-CA-ZnONPs) or their combinations and its effect on goat sperm quality parameters and fertility ability during cooling storage. Pooled semen from five Saanen goat was diluted and then supplemented with 100 μM ρ-CA, 0.1 μM PCNPs, 150 μg/mL ZnCl<sub>2</sub>, 1 μg/mL ZnO-NPs, ρ-CA + ZnCl<sub>2</sub>, PCNPs + ZnO-NPs and 0.001 μM ρ-CA-ZnONPs. All samples were assessed for sperm parameters at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h of storage and embryo developmental competence. Among all the treatments, supplementation of the extender with ρ-CA-ZnONPs and PCNPs + ZnO-NPs showed the greatest improvement of sperm viability, motility and plasma membrane integrity. Additionally, ρ-CA-ZnONPs was found to decrease ROS generation, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage compared to other treatments. It was observed that treatment of semen with ρ-CA-ZnONPs significantly affected blastocyst rate, the total cell number (TCN), trophectoderm (TE), and inner cell mass (ICM). Also, the best results were obtained when using ρ-CA-ZnONPs in the network and principal component analysis. Therefore, it is recommended to find and use the most effective concentration of ρ-CA-ZnONPs in an extender to prevent damage to goat semen during the cooling storage process and consequent fertility ability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"248 ","pages":"Article 117607"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
TheriogenologyPub Date : 2025-07-22DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117601
Mehmet Akköse , Mehmet Rıfat Vural
{"title":"Effect of season during late gestation on metabolic alterations, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress status in dairy cows and offspring","authors":"Mehmet Akköse , Mehmet Rıfat Vural","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated oxidative stress, metabolic and inflammatory alterations, health status, and milk production in dairy cows that experienced heat stress in the dry period, and the effects on their newborn calves. The study material comprised 53 healthy Holstein cows, of which some experienced heat stress during the dry period (summer group; n = 25) whereas others did not (winter group; n = 28). The cows' body condition score and lactation number ranges were 3.0–3.5 and 2–5, respectively. Blood sampling for the cows was performed 21 days before the expected calving date and at the actual calving time, and for the calves immediately after birth (before colostrum intake) and at 24 h after birth. Each cow was sampled for colostrum from the first milking after calving. The serum samples of both cows and calves were analyzed for inflammatory parameters (haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, interferon gamma (IFN-γ)), oxidative stress indicators (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase, nitric oxide (NO), paraoxanase (PON), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI)), and metabolic parameters (total protein (TP), creatinine, albumin, bilirubin, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase (ALP)). The colostrum samples were analyzed for both immunoglobulin G (IgG) and lactoferrin concentrations, while the calves’ blood samples at 24 h after birth were analyzed for IgG concentration. Comparing the summer and winter group animals, respiratory rates (70.8 + 13.3 and 42.4 + 6.8, respectively) and rectal temperature (39.6 + 0.4 °C and 39.0 + 0.3 °C, respectively) were higher in the summer group animals. The gestation length was 7 days shorter in the summer group than winter group (270.21 ± 6.69 days and 277.44 ± 4.26 days, respectively), while colostral IgG concentration was lower (154.17 ± 56.96 mg/dl and 224.51 ± 91.10 mg/dl, respectively). Metritis/clinical endometritis incidence was higher in summer group. Cows in the summer group presented with lower serum cholesterol, ALP, IL-10, TNF-α, OSI, and catalase levels, and increased serum TP, MDA, NO, SOD, and GSH-Px levels. Calves born to the summer group cows displayed decreased serum ALP activity and increased serum MDA, NO, catalase, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-1β, and haptoglobin levels. In conclusion, experience of heat stress during the summer dry period led to: 1) induction of oxidative stress and disruption of metabolic processes in the dairy cows; 2) induction of oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions in their newborn calves; 3) higher incidence of postpartum health problems and milk yield losses in the dairy cows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"249 ","pages":"Article 117601"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}