Theriogenology最新文献

{"title":"FOXP3+ T cells and immune dysregulation in canine pyometra","authors":"Zhiqiang Li ,&nbsp;Wei Zhao ,&nbsp;Xin Deng ,&nbsp;Murat Onur Yazlık ,&nbsp;Hüseyin Özkan ,&nbsp;Shiyi Liu ,&nbsp;Ling Mei ,&nbsp;Shangfeng Li ,&nbsp;Jiasui Zhan ,&nbsp;Binhong Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117445","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117445","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Canine pyometra is a suppurative uterine infection associated with immune dysregulation. This study investigated the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and associated factors in the pus accumulation within the canine uterus. Sixteen client-owned intact bitches, eight diagnosed with pyometra and the other eight healthy animals undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy, were enrolled. Blood samples were collected into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-coated tubes for flow cytometry. Tissue samples were obtained after ovariohysterectomy and used to examine localization of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-2Rα as key regulators of Treg functions. Gene expression was analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results of flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase in the population of Tregs in the uterine tissue and their corresponding decrease in the peripheral blood. This shift is likely reflective of the recruitment of Tregs from the peripheral blood to the decidua in pyometra. There was a marked upregulation in the expression of IL-2 in the uterine tissue. There was dysregulation in the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by Tregs (such as IL-10) and pro-inflammatory factors secreted by effector T cells (such as RORγt and IL-17A), which gave a deeper insight into the mechanism underlying the immune dysfunction in canine pyometra. Taken together, these observations elucidate the dynamic changes in Tregs and related factors during canine uterine pyometra, thus providing a new perspective on the equilibrium of the uterine immune microenvironment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 117445"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143848368","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}

{"title":"Effect of injection conditions on the efficiency of intrafollicular immature oocyte transfer (IFIOT)","authors":"Ana Caroline Chaves Vall Nicolás ,&nbsp;Otávio Augusto Costa de Faria ,&nbsp;Marcelo Sant Ana Borges ,&nbsp;Nayara Ribeiro Kussano ,&nbsp;Ivo Pivato ,&nbsp;Carlos Frederico Martins ,&nbsp;José Felipe Warmling Sprícigo ,&nbsp;Margot Alves Nunes Dode","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117446","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117446","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We investigated whether injection conditions affect the efficiency of intrafollicular immature oocyte transfer (IFIOT). Four types of needles (27G Gingival, 27G WTA, 27G Spinal, and 30G Gingival), two volumes of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, 10 and 20 μL), and two quantities (25 and 50) of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were tested using slaughterhouse ovaries. COCs were injected into follicles ≥10 mm and aspirated. Resistance during injection, reflux, and retention of COCs in the system, as well as recovery and denudation rates were evaluated. Based on these <em>in vitro</em> tests, the 27G Spinal needle with 10 μL were selected for <em>in vivo</em> evaluation using 25 (T25) or 50 (T50) COCs. Simultaneously, groups of 25–30 COCs were used for <em>in vitro</em> embryo production (IVP). After 9 days, uterine flushing was performed, and the diameter and cell number of the embryos produced via IFIOT and IVP were determined. The 10-μL volume was then compared with the previously used 60-μL volume. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. The recovery rates of the structures and embryos were not affected (<em>P &gt;</em> 0.05) by the quantity of COCs or the quality of injection. However, the 60-μL volume resulted in higher recovery rates of structures than did the 10-μL volume (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05). The IFIOT and IVP embryos showed similar diameters and cell numbers (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). We conclude that the 27G Spinal needle with a volume of approximately 60 μL is the most recommended for IFIOT.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 117446"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143848431","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}

{"title":"Effects of an eCG-like glycoprotein treatment and nutritional status on reproductive performance in suckled beef cows subjected to a progesterone-based 7-d Co-Synch protocol","authors":"Alejandro M. Rodríguez ,&nbsp;Sebastian Maresca ,&nbsp;Sebastian López-Valiente ,&nbsp;Santiago Pérez-Wallace ,&nbsp;María G. Bilbao ,&nbsp;Nathan M. Long ,&nbsp;Ana Meikle ,&nbsp;Julián A. Bartolomé","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117443","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117443","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a synthetic eCG-like glycoprotein treatment, body condition score changes, and postpartum nutritional supplementation on follicular and luteal characteristics and pregnancy rates in suckled beef cows synchronized with a 7-d Co-Synch protocol. In Experiment I, 1218 suckled cows received a progesterone intravaginal device (1.0 g; IVD) and 100 μg GnRH on Day −10. On Day −3, IVDs were removed, and cows received 0.5 mg sodium cloprostenol and were randomly assigned to receive either 400 IU eCG-like glycoprotein (eCG-like; n = 602) or no eCG-like glycoprotein (Control; n = 616). On Day 0, 100 μg GnRH was given concurrently with TAI. Body condition score (BCS) was recorded on Day −10 and 35, and its change was calculated. Corpus luteum (CL) presence was evaluated on Day −10, and pregnancy (P/TAI) on Day 35. In cows without CL, eCG-like increased estrus expression rate (EER; 58.2 vs. 45.3 %; P = 0.01). In cows that lost BCS, eCG-like increased P/TAI (47.2 vs. 32.1 %; P = 0.01). In Experiment II, 72 cows, 21 d postpartum, were assigned to supplemented (SUP; 4 kg of corn daily) or non-supplemented (NSUP) diets for 80 days. Cows were subjected to the same synchronization protocol and eCG-like glycoprotein treatment described in Exp. I. Nutritional SUP increased (P ≤ 0.05) body weight and BCS. Dominant follicle (DF) growth tended to be greater in eCG-like group than Control (1.2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.3 mm/d; P = 0.08), while the SUP group exhibited greater ovulation rate and CL area compared with NSUP (P ≤ 0.03). The eCG-like treatment increased EER in cows without CL and P/TAI in those losing BCS. Although eCG-like tended to improve DF growth, no interaction was observed between nutritional and eCG-like treatment on follicular and luteal characteristics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 117443"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143835283","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}

{"title":"Blood haemoglobin concentrations in free farrowing sows and their piglets are associated with farrowing performance characteristics and sow traits","authors":"C. Bolliger ,&nbsp;L. Jahn ,&nbsp;G. Schüpbach-Regula ,&nbsp;H. Nathues ,&nbsp;A. Grahofer","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117441","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117441","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Haemoglobin concentration (HbC) in sows and/or their piglets might influence the farrowing process. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the HbC of breeding sows and piglets and their performance characteristics at farrowing in a free farrowing system. In total 103 sows and their 1615 piglets were included. The investigated parameters included the HbC in all sows and the HbC in approximately 5 piglets per litter (n = 496). In addition, parity, litter size, litter weight, placenta weight, stillbirth rate, piglet expulsion duration, farrowing duration and other sow and piglet traits were evaluated. The mean HbC of the sows was 106.2 ± 10.36 g/l and of the litter was 93.6 ± 9.6 g/l. The univariant analysis revealed that sows with a HbC &lt;100 g/l (low HbC) had a significantly higher median parity number (5.0, p = 0.003), litter size (18, p &lt; 0.001) and placenta weight (4.9 kg, p &lt; 0.001) compared to sows with a HbC ≥100 g/l (high HbC) (3.0; 15; 3.9 kg). The median piglet expulsion duration was significantly longer in low HbC sows (290min p = 0.005; compared to high HbC sows (224min). No significant correlation could be determined between the HbC of the sows and the HbC of their offspring (Pearson correlation: r = 0.124, p = 0.263). In the multivariable regression model, pre-partum HbC in sows decreased with an increase in litter size (beta = −0.88), was 6.62 g/l higher in low parity sows (1 + 2 vs &gt; 2) and tended to be 3.02 g/l higher in sows that received obstetrical intervention.</div><div>This study showed that the HbC of the sows and the piglets were significantly associated with several performance characteristics. It could serve as a useful indicator in farrowing management, contributing to better farrowing outcomes and promoting improved health and vitality in piglets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 117441"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143838085","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}

{"title":"Effect of porcine oviductal fluid-derived extracellular vesicle supplementation on in vitro embryonic developmental competence and the production efficiency of cloned pigs","authors":"Jun-Hyeong Kim ,&nbsp;Joohyun Shim ,&nbsp;Nayoung Ko ,&nbsp;Hyoung-Joo Kim ,&nbsp;Yongjin Lee ,&nbsp;Seonggyu Bang ,&nbsp;Ayeong Han ,&nbsp;Sanghoon Lee ,&nbsp;Hyunil Kim ,&nbsp;Jongki Cho ,&nbsp;Kimyung Choi","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117442","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117442","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from oviductal epithelial cells help with fertilization and embryo development. Although the effects of EVs on the developmental competence of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos are known, their impact on the production efficiency of cloned pigs in surrogate mothers is unclear. We evaluated the effects of porcine oviductal fluid-derived EVs (oEVs) on the <em>in vitro</em> development of SCNT embryos and production efficiency in cloned pigs. Embryos were treated with isolated and characterized oEVs for 48 h, corresponding to the residence time of fertilized embryos in the oviduct. In both parthenogenetic activation (PA) and SCNT embryos, oEV-treated groups exhibited higher rate of blastocyst formation than the controls. Gene expression analysis revealed increased expression of genes essential for early embryonic development in four-cell stage SCNT embryos, including those involved in pluripotency (<em>POU5F1</em>; <em>POU class 5 homeobox 1</em>), genome stability (<em>Zinc finger and SCAN domain containing 4</em>), and DNA damage response (<em>Checkpoint kinase 1</em>). Additionally, gene expression analysis of blastocysts from SCNT embryos showed increased expression of pluripotency (<em>POU5F1</em>) and Wnt signal transduction (<em>Axis</em> <em>inhibition</em> <em>protein</em> <em>2</em>). Transfer of day-2 <em>in vitro</em> cultured SCNT embryos into surrogate mothers revealed no significant difference in production efficiencies between the control and experimental groups. Thus, enhanced early embryonic developmental competence observed <em>in vitro</em> following oEV treatment of PA or SCNT embryos did not translate into improved production efficiency of cloned pigs following embryo transfer to surrogate mothers. Hence, the impact of oEV treatment on live birth outcomes requires further investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 117442"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143838084","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}

{"title":"Tissue regression-related changes in connexin 43 and zonula occludens 1 gene and protein expression in the hen oviduct","authors":"Karolina Frydrych,&nbsp;Dominika Wolak,&nbsp;Anna Sowa,&nbsp;Anna Hrabia","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117444","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117444","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A growing body of evidence has highlighted the involvement of intercellular junctions in the remodeling of various tissues in physiological and pathological conditions. In this study, the hypothesis was that the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43 protein/<em>GJA1</em> gene) and zonula occludens 1 (ZO1), crucial molecules of gap junctions and tight junctions, respectively, changes in the regressing oviduct of non-laying hens. Accordingly, the mRNA transcript and protein abundance of Cx43 and ZO1 and their protein localization in the oviduct of hens subjected to a fasting-induced pause in egg laying were examined. All oviductal parts (the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, shell gland, and vagina) were harvested on the sixth day of the experiment from the control (laying) hens and hens that had been fasted for five consecutive days (non-laying). qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were applied to examine gene expression, protein abundance, and protein localization, respectively. Fasting caused a decrease in the oviduct weight, concomitantly with histological changes in the oviductal wall, including epithelial thinning, tubular gland degeneration, and disorganization of tissue architecture. Segment-specific expression patterns of Cx43 and ZO1 genes were observed, with the lowest mRNA transcript and protein abundance being noted in the magnum. In the fasted hens, <em>GJA1</em> mRNA transcript abundance did not change in the oviductal parts compared to the control hens; however, an increase in <em>ZO1</em> mRNA level was observed in the shell gland. Cx43 protein abundance was reduced in the infundibulum and shell gland, whereas ZO1 protein abundance was increased in the shell gland of the fasted birds. Reduced and irregular immunoreactivity of Cx43 and ZO1 proteins was observed in the oviduct of the non-laying hens. The results demonstrate that fasting-induced oviductal tissue regression was accompanied by alterations in the expression and localization of Cx43 and ZO1 proteins, indicating the potential role of these proteins in the control of cell-cell communication, paracellular permeability, and mucosal barrier formation in the hen oviduct.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 117444"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143835285","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}

{"title":"Transmembrane protein 95 as a promising molecular marker of ram sperm functionality","authors":"Cristina Palacin-Martinez ,&nbsp;Mercedes Alvarez ,&nbsp;Cristina Soriano-Úbeda ,&nbsp;Luis Anel-Lopez ,&nbsp;Rafael Montes-Garrido ,&nbsp;Marta Neila-Montero ,&nbsp;Paulino de Paz ,&nbsp;Luis Anel ,&nbsp;Marta F. Riesco","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The optimization of preservation protocols (refrigeration and freezing) in ovine species is necessary for a wider diffusion of artificial insemination in this species. Besides the ram sperm quality assays, the characterization of novel proteins could be crucial for improving these protocols employing biomarkers. The protein transmembrane 95 (TMEM95) is a sperm membrane protein associated with oocyte-sperm fusion previously described in bull or mouse. However, this protein has not yet been characterized in the ram until now. In this work, different experimental groups based on sperm functionality: capacitated, refrigerated at different times (5 °C 24 h, 5 °C 48 h, and 5 °C 72 h), and frozen-thawed sperm samples were analyzed and compared to initial sperm quality samples (15 °C 3 h) to characterize the expression of this novel protein and its relationship with other sperm quality markers (motility, kinetic parameters, viability, apoptosis-like events, mitochondrial function, acrosome-reacted, zinc content as marker of capacitation). In addition, capacitation status was tested by Fluozin-3, a novel fluorescent probe measuring zinc content used for the first time in ram sperm. After capacitation induction, as expected, acrosome reactive spermatozoa and zinc signature 2 and 3 were significantly increased, while linearity was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased compared to non-capacitated samples. Concerning TMEM95, its profile was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) increased after the capacitation process, confirming its relationship with this spermatozoa status. Attending to preservation processes, as expected, semen quality decreased progressively during liquid storage, and a significant (P &lt; 0.05) decrease was observed at 24 h according to fast progressive motility and linearity. TMEM95 profile showed the same decrease tendency, showing a significant reduction (P &lt; 0.05) at 48 h with respect to the control samples. Finally, after the cryopreservation process, the semen quality of the thawed samples suffered a detrimental effect compared to the initial control sample, concerting all studied parameters accomplished by a significant (P &lt; 0.05) decrease in TMEM95 profile compared to initial control samples. When we analyzed the TMEM95 correlation with other sperm quality markers, the highest positive correlations observed were with low sperm quality parameters in capacitated samples, such as apoptosis-like changes and acrosome-reaction. On the other hand, the highest positive correlations observed between TMEM95 and sperm quality parameters in preservation process samples were observed with suitable sperm quality parameters (motility, viability, and mitochondrial functionality).</div><div>According to our results, this novel protein could be considered a predictor of early damage in ram sperm preservation protocols (cooling and freezing), considering its relationship with capacitation and membrane integrity status.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 117440"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143835284","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}

{"title":"Bovine oocyte vitrification and recovery with ethylene glycol and either propylene glycol or dimethyl sulfoxide","authors":"Ashlyn Brewer ,&nbsp;Emily Girka ,&nbsp;Ashton Dalton,&nbsp;Emilio Gutierrez-Castillo,&nbsp;Kenneth R. Bondioli","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117439","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117439","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cryopreservation of female gametes allows for preservation and transportation of superior genetics; however, cryoinjury and cryoprotectant toxicity often affects the viability of oocytes that do survive the procedure due to the use of suboptimal protocols designed for embryo cryopreservation. With significant differences in cryoprotectant sensitivity and plasma membrane permeability between oocytes and embryos, there is a continued need to develop protocols accounting for the unique physiology of oocytes. In this study, oocyte recovery after vitrification with ethylene glycol and either dimethyl sulfoxide or propylene glycol were evaluated with reduced equilibration time compared to prior studies. In mature oocytes thawed after cryopreservation with the combination of dimethyl sulfoxide and ethylene glycol displayed increased mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced reactive oxygen species compared to those cryopreserved with propylene glycol and ethylene glycol (P &lt; 0.05). The combination of propylene glycol and ethylene glycol only displayed improved recovery of the meiotic spindle measured by microtubule arrangement and chromosome distribution (P &lt; 0.05). There were no differences in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration or the number of ATP-depleted oocytes between those cryopreserved with dimethyl sulfoxide or propylene glycol (P &gt; 0.05). Both mitochondrial and meiotic spindle functionality are vital for embryo development, and the concentration of cryoprotectants required to achieve vitrification affects both aspects of oocyte physiology. Further improvements to oocyte vitrification protocols are necessary to minimize damage induced during the procedure and improve reliability of the technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 117439"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143824684","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}

{"title":"Expression of leptin and its long-form receptor in the porcine corpus luteum during pregnancy and the protective role of leptin in corpus luteum function in vitro","authors":"Wenlong Zhang,&nbsp;Jiang Peng,&nbsp;Ning Wang,&nbsp;Zulian Shi,&nbsp;Jiaman Wu,&nbsp;Dewen Tong","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although the hormone leptin and its long-form receptor (LEPR) have been identified in the porcine ovary, their direct roles in mediating corpus luteum (CL) function in pregnant sows have not been clearly defined. In this study, we investigated leptin and LEPR expression in the porcine CL during pregnancy and evaluated the effect of the hormone on CL function <em>in vitro</em>. Leptin and LEPR were continuously expressed in the CL throughout pregnancy, and their expression patterns were generally similar, with higher levels in the early and middle stages of pregnancy and lower levels in the late stage. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both leptin and LEPR were predominantly localized in the luteal cells, with strong immunostaining observed in the early and middle stages CL and weak immunostaining in the late stage. Leptin 1–100 nM concentrations significantly increased the viability of cultured luteal cells (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and promoted their release of progesterone (P4) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, leptin attenuated the prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α)-induced decreases in cell viability and P4 release. Additionally, leptin was found to have stimulatory effects on luteinizing hormone (LH) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) release but an inhibitory effect on PGF_2α secretion. In conclusion, the presence of leptin and LEPR in the CL and the stimulatory effects of the hormone on the viability of luteal cells and their release of P4, LH, and PGE₂ suggest that leptin has a positive regulatory effect on CL function in pregnant sows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"242 ","pages":"Article 117402"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143838086","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}

{"title":"Effect of dietary omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids and herbal antioxidants on sperm quality and fatty acid profile in rams","authors":"S. Abdollahzadeh ,&nbsp;A. Riasi ,&nbsp;M.H. Nasr‐Esfahani ,&nbsp;M. Tavalaee ,&nbsp;F. Jafarpour","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117438","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117438","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An increased ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in spermatozoa has been associated with impaired sperm parameters and elevated sperm DNA damage in human and different animal species. The present study investigated the impact of dietary omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio on sperm quality, fatty acid profile, and DNA damage in rams. A total of 19 Shall rams were allocated to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement design, receiving either a low or high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (LR: low ratio [4:1] and HR: high ratio [10:1]), with or without the addition of a 1:1 blend of Rosemary (<em>Salvia rosmarinus</em>) and Pennyroyal (<em>Mentha pulegium</em>) for 10 weeks. The HR without herbal antioxidant considered as control group. Feeding LR diets (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) improved sperm parameters including semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, and membrane integrity (40 %, 58 %, 41 %, and 15 %, respectively). Additionally, rams fed with LR diets had lower (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) sperm DNA damage indexes, as indicated by aniline blue, chromomycin A3, and acridine orange (36 %, 90 %, and 68 %, respectively). The LR diets increased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) the concentration of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids in sperm, and reduced the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in sperm (71 %, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), seminal plasma (35 %, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.01), and blood plasma (55 %, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Overall, our findings revealed that supplementation of a low ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in rams’ diet positively affected their semen quality by incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into the sperm structure and seminal plasma, resulting in improved sperm parameters and reduced DNA damage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"241 ","pages":"Article 117438"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143820523","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}