Theriogenology最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of an artificial intelligence system for bull sperm morphology evaluation","authors":"Susy Urli ,&nbsp;Francesca Corte Pause ,&nbsp;Talissa Dreossi ,&nbsp;Martina Crociati ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Stradaioli","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117504","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117504","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The morphological characteristics of bull spermatozoa are usually evaluated visually using bright-field microscopy according to the guidelines proposed by the Society for Theriogenology (SFT) for the Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BBSE). However, analysis is labor consuming and requires experienced personnel to obtain reliable results. Nevertheless, the artificial insemination industry increasingly demands the implementation of genomic selection schemes for young bulls. Hence, there is a growing need for a more standardized technique to analyze semen quality, particularly for the evaluation of spermatozoa abnormalities that affect semen freezing suitability and fertilizing capacity. Therefore, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm for the automated classification of microscope-acquired images of spermatozoa was developed using neural networks, specifically YOLO networks, based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that were able to learn and extract relevant features from complex visual data through image segmentation. The aim was to assess the algorithm ability to identify sperm cells in microscope-acquired images, establish their viability and to classify morphology based on a simplified scheme which included only normal or major/minor defect categories. The dataset comprised 8243 images, which were labeled and annotated with bounding boxes to allow the segmentation algorithm to learn. The performance obtained by the algorithm showed an accuracy of 82 %, although it was not observed for all classes (excluding a probable case of overfitting where accuracy reached 100 %), and a precision of 85 % in the correct classification of spermatozoa morphology. Results thereby confirmed the potential applicability of the algorithm in bull semen analysis without excluding its future implementation for achieving optimal performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"245 ","pages":"Article 117504"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144204149","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":"Late gestation heat stress induces inflammation and impacts nutrient transfer signature in the placenta of dairy cows","authors":"Leticia T. Casarotto ,&nbsp;Helen N. Jones ,&nbsp;Pascale Chavatte-Palmer ,&nbsp;Jillian M. Lance ,&nbsp;Hirys Olmo ,&nbsp;Geoffrey E. Dahl","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117506","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117506","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The conditions within the uterus where a mammalian fetus develops are crucial in shaping its physiological functions later in life. Changes in the availability of nutrients, oxygen, and hormones in the maternal blood stream can influence tissue development. We hypothesized that late gestation heat stress leads to alterations in gene expression in the cotyledonary tissue related to acute inflammation and impact the mechanisms of placental nutrient uptake, affecting the trajectory of fetal growth. Multiparous pregnant Holstein cows had lactation terminated (i.e. dried-off) at 232 ± 5 days of gestation and were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: cooling (<strong>CL</strong>; access to the shade of a barn plus forced ventilation via fans and water soakers over the feed lane to provide active evaporative cooling) or heat-stress (<strong>HT</strong>; access to the shade of a barn and natural ventilation, no active cooling) for the entire duration of their dry period. Maternal plasma (n = 28/trt) cortisol concentrations were measured at days −14, −7 prior to and at parturition. At delivery, placental cotyledonary tissue samples were collected and analyzed for gene expression (n = 4–5/trt). During the final weeks of gestation, treatment impacted plasma cortisol concentrations as calving approached (p = 0.04), wherein HT dams exhibited lower plasma cortisol concentrations than CL dams at −14 days (9.65 vs. 13.09 ± 1.5 ng/ml; p &lt; 0.001) and at parturition (16.97 vs. 22.32 ± 1.4 ng/ml; p &lt; 0.001), combined with significant changes in placental gene pathways associated with acute inflammation and cortisol synthesis and secretion. Specifically, pathways related to interleukin-6 (<em>IL6</em>) and NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 <em>(NLRP3)</em>, which regulate inflammation, were upregulated by HT, suggesting placental inflammation. Additionally, pathways involved in nutrient transfer and amino acid metabolism were impaired, as HT downregulated key genes responsible for these functions, especially serine biosynthesis. These findings indicate that HT during late gestation leads to dysregulation of cortisol secretion pattern in maternal plasma, resulting in reduced cortisol levels in the HT animals. Additionally, it also caused placental inflammation impacting feto-maternal transfers, highlighting the importance of late gestation period on fetal development and managing maternal environmental stressors in dairy production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"245 ","pages":"Article 117506"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144211981","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":"Efficacy of transient nutritional supplementation with an independent action stimuli pathway to support oocyte quality retrieved via ovum pick-up in the early postpartum period of lactating anovulatory goats","authors":"Alfredo José Herrera Conde ,&nbsp;César Carneiro Linhares Fernandes ,&nbsp;Juliana Paula Martins Alves ,&nbsp;Camila Muniz Cavalcanti ,&nbsp;Alessandra Façanha Bezerra ,&nbsp;Maria Raquel Lopes Silva ,&nbsp;Anna Clara Accioly Ferreira ,&nbsp;José Ricardo de Figueiredo ,&nbsp;Dárcio Ítalo Alves Teixeira ,&nbsp;Davide Rondina","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117507","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of short-term nutritional stimuli, on the quality of oocytes recovered from anovulatory goats in the early postpartum period. On the 28th postpartum day (PPD), 30 donors were assigned to three treatments: the control group (n = 9), which received a basal diet; the glycerin group (GLY, n = 10), which supplemented with 150 mL of glycerin for seven days; and the glutamate group (GLU, n = 11), which received an intravenous injection of 0.175 mg/kg BW of glutamate for seven days. On the 25th PPD, donors received 60 mg by MPA sponge for 10 days. On the 33rd PPD, donors received 0.263 mg i.m. of cloprostenol, 80 mg of FSH and 300 IU of eCG. On the 35th PPD, LOPU was performed. The GLY group exhibited greater follicular depletion (−26 %; P &lt; 0.001) and a larger intraovarian blood perfusion area (+63 %; P &lt; 0.05) after FSH administration. At LOPU, the GLY group also had a lower peripheral beta-hydroxybutyrate level, a higher number of large follicles (+50 %; P &lt; 0.05), and a greater number of viable oocytes recovered (+49 %; P &lt; 0.05). Oocytes from the GLU group showed lower expression of the NRF1 gene (−68 %; P &lt; 0.05), whereas those from the GLY group exhibited underexpression of the GPx gene (−41 %; P &lt; 0.05). Thus, the use of glucogenic precursor was shown to positively influence ovarian response in goats during the PP, improving the quality of the recovered oocytes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"245 ","pages":"Article 117507"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144178520","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":"Beyond the scrotal circumference: Exploring phenotypic, nutritional and metabolic traits associated with early sexual development in young Nelore (Bos indicus) bulls","authors":"Bruna Lima Chechin Catussi ,&nbsp;Romulo Germano de Rezende ,&nbsp;Pedro Nacib Jorge-Neto ,&nbsp;Laura Nataly Garcia-Oliveros ,&nbsp;Emanuele Almeida Gricio ,&nbsp;Lucas Oliveira e Silva ,&nbsp;Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini ,&nbsp;Pietro Sampaio Baruselli","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117505","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117505","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the associations among phenotypic, reproductive, nutritional, and metabolic traits with early sexual development in <em>Bos indicus</em> bulls. A total of 128 prepubertal Nelore bulls (11.1 ± 0.1 months old) were evaluated in an automatic feedlot system during a 70-day period. Parameters assessed on days −70 (beginning of the feedlot) and 0 (end of the feedlot) included body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), scrotal circumference (SC), rectal temperature (RT), scrotal surface temperature (SST), testicular parenchyma (via transcutaneous ultrasound) and serum metabolomics. On day 0, bulls were submitted to a seminal analysis and categorized as late maturing (LM; n = 97; &lt;50 × 10⁶ sperm cells per ejaculate) or early maturing (EM; n = 31; &gt;50 × 10⁶ sperm cells per ejaculate, with &gt;10% motility). In addition, feed efficiency traits (average daily gain [ADG], dry matter intake [DMI] and residual feed intake [RFI]) were evaluated during the feedlot period, and ribeye area (REA), rump fat thickness (RFAT), and subcutaneous back fat thickness (BFAT) were assessed on day 0. On day −70, no differences were observed in BW (P = 0.28), BCS (P = 0.38), RT (P = 0.11), SC (P = 0.17) and SST (P = 0.99) between LM and EM bulls. However, EM bulls exhibited more echogenic testicular parenchyma, with fewer black pixels (P = 0.003) and more white (P &lt; 0.001) and gray pixels (P &lt; 0.001). Despite similar seminiferous tubular density (P = 0.11), EM bulls had lower seminiferous tubular area (P &lt; 0.001) and diameter (P &lt; 0.001) than LM bulls. On day 0, EM bulls had greater SC (P = 0.01) and BFAT (P = 0.05), while other traits (BW, BCS, RT, SST, REA, RFAT) remained similar (P &gt; 0.05) between groups. Additionally, no effects on testicular parenchyma were observed. Moreover, EM bulls had a similar ADG (P = 0.15) but tended to have higher RFI (P = 0.06) and DMI (P = 0.10) than those LM. Serum metabolomics on day −70 revealed a clear distinction between LM and EM bulls, with alterations in pathways such as glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and TCA cycle. Likewise, on day 0, metabolic distinction persisted, involving lipoic acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, reflecting energy production and redox regulation, which are critical for early sexual development. In conclusion, metabolomics analysis proved an effective tool for discerning metabolic profile differences between LM and EM bulls. EM bulls showed greater SC and BFAT only on D0, while testicular parenchyma echogenicity was unreliable for predicting early sexual development. Feed efficiency traits, such as RFI and DMI, may influence sexual maturation, highlighting the interplay between nutrition, metabolism, and reproductive development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"245 ","pages":"Article 117505"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144204148","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":"Oleic acid supplementation increases the PGE2:PGF2α ratio and alters expression of prostaglandin biosynthesis and maternal pregnancy recognition genes in bovine trophoblast cells in vitro","authors":"Valeska de Castro Lourenço ,&nbsp;Letícia de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Mariângela Bueno Cordeiro Maldonado ,&nbsp;Laura Chuba Machado Rolniche ,&nbsp;Lucas de Oliveira Bezerra ,&nbsp;Isabella Rio Feltrin ,&nbsp;Karine Galhego Morelli ,&nbsp;Adriano Felipe Mendes ,&nbsp;Cecilia Constantino Rocha ,&nbsp;Caliê Castilho ,&nbsp;Alessandra Bridi ,&nbsp;Guilherme Pugliesi ,&nbsp;Alan D. Ealy ,&nbsp;Marcelo Fábio Gouveia Nogueira ,&nbsp;Claudia Maria Bertan Membrive","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117503","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117503","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and F_2α (PGF_2α) are synthesized by the maternal endometrium and embryo trophoblastic cells. PGE₂ supports maternal pregnancy recognition (MPR), and PGF_2α promotes luteolysis. Decreasing PGF_2α and increasing PGE₂synthesis can enhance MPR. Specific fatty acids (FA) influence prostaglandins (PG) biosynthesis. Oleic acid (OA) affects PG synthesis in cell cultures; however, its effect on cultured bovine trophoblast cells (CT-1) is unknown. The hypothesis proposed is that OA reduces PGF_2α synthesis and increases PGE₂ synthesis, altering the PGE₂:PGF_2α ratio and expression of PG synthesis and MPR-related genes in CT-1 cells.</div><div>The study aimed to determine the effects of varying OA concentrations (50–1000 μM) for 48 and 72 h on PGE₂ and PGF_2α synthesis, transcript expression involved in PG synthesis (<em>PTGS2</em>, <em>PTGES1</em>, <em>PTGES2</em> and <em>AKR1B1</em>), and MPR-related genes (<em>PTGER4</em>, <em>IFNT</em>, <em>MMP2</em>, and <em>MMP9)</em> in CT-1 cells. CT-1 cultures were treated with OA for 48 and 72 h, and PGE₂ and PGF_2α concentrations were measured using ELISA. After 72 h of OA treatment, transcript expression in CT-1 cells via qPCR. OA caused a linear increase in PGE₂ concentrations at 48 h and in the PGE₂:PGF_2α ratio at 48 and 72 h. OA caused a linear decrease in PGF_2α concentrations 48 and 72 h. OA increased <em>PTGES1</em> transcript abundance and decreased <em>PTGES2</em>, <em>PTGER4</em>, <em>AKR1B1</em>. and <em>IFNT</em> transcript levels. In conclusion, OA reduces PGF_2α synthesis, increases the PGE₂:PGF_2α ratio, and alters expression of transcripts involved in PG synthesis and <em>IFNT</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"245 ","pages":"Article 117503"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144139471","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":"Melatonin enhances the function of porcine immature Sertoli cells by inhibiting the HMGCS1-estradiol pathway","authors":"Zhi-Qiang Du ,&nbsp;Qiao Mou ,&nbsp;Yu-Wei Yang ,&nbsp;Xin-Xin Wang ,&nbsp;Lu Chen ,&nbsp;Zongjun Yin ,&nbsp;Cai-Xia Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117502","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117502","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Melatonin (MT), a neurohormone synthesized and secreted primarily by the pineal gland, is of vital function to animal reproduction. However, the effects of gene expression and metabolism exerted by MT on porcine immature Sertoli cells (iSCs) remain unclear. Here, MT treatment (10 nM, 36h) elevated mitochondrial function and reduced oxidative stress, to promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of porcine iSCs. Transcriptome profiling identified 39 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (33 known and 6 novel) (MT vs. Control), mainly involved in the steroid and glutamine metabolic processes, oxidoreductase activity and G protein coupled receptor binding (GO terms), and steroid biogenesis, pyruvate metabolism and AMPK signal pathways, etc (KEGG pathways). RT-qPCR validated 6 DEGs (Phgdh, Scd, Hmgcs1, Cytb, Pck2 and Sqle), with similar expression pattern to RNA-seq. Metabolomics further showed that 14 metabolites were significantly altered. The HMGCS1 protein abundance and the estradiol level were confirmed to be significantly decreased by MT (10 nM, 36h) treatment, and direct inhibition of HMGCS1 could also significantly reduce the estradiol level. However, levels of cholesterol and lactate were unchanged. Collectively, through integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis, MT is demonstrated to inhibit the HMGCS1-estradiol pathway, to enhance the function of porcine iSCs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"245 ","pages":"Article 117502"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144131231","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 total calcium concentrations in the fourth week postpartum of dairy cows continue to play a key role in uterine involution","authors":"Dawid Tobolski ,&nbsp;Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini ,&nbsp;Geert Opsomer ,&nbsp;Angelika Tobolska ,&nbsp;Wojciech Barański","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117486","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117486","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the present study, we examined the relationship between uterine involution, serum metabolites and calcium concentrations in clinically healthy postpartum dairy cows with or without subclinical endometritis (SCE). A cohort of 43 Holstein cows, sampled between 21 and 29 days postpartum, was selected based on the absence of clinical endometritis or other clinical postparturient diseases. Reproductive tract measurements included the diameters of the cervix and uterine horns, and blood sample analyses included serum total calcium, total cholesterol, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyrate. Using the cytobrush, endometrial cytology samples were collected to assess the proportion of endometrial polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) at 21–29 days postpartum. Results indicated no association between SCE, defined as &gt;5 % PMNs in endometrial smears, and either uterine dimensions or serum calcium levels. However, a general linear model, accounting for random effects of parity and days postpartum, demonstrated that lower serum calcium concentrations were associated with greater cervical and uterine horn diameters (P &lt; 0.001), suggesting a linear dependence of uterine structural dimensions on calcium concentration. For all the other metabolites, no associations were found with cervical nor uterine horns diameters. This indicates blood calcium's role in supporting uterine involution during the late postpartum period. Interestingly, the PMN% in endometrial samples (characteristic of SCE) did not correlate with changes in uterine size, suggesting that other factors related to the periparturient period rather than serum calcium levels influence the development of SCE in the fourth week postpartum.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"245 ","pages":"Article 117486"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144154580","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":"Isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicle subsets in donkey seminal plasma","authors":"Jaime Catalán ,&nbsp;Pablo Martínez-Díaz ,&nbsp;Ana Parra ,&nbsp;Sergi Bonet ,&nbsp;Marc Yeste ,&nbsp;Jordi Roca ,&nbsp;Isabel Barranco ,&nbsp;Jordi Miró","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117501","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117501","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seminal plasma (SP), a fluid composed of secretions from the male genital tract, is rich in seminal extracellular vesicles (sEVs), nano-sized particles surrounded by a lipid bilayer membrane and loaded with functionally active molecules. Seminal EVs are secreted by functional cells of the male genital tract and play a key role in modulating reproductive processes, including sperm function and immune response in the female genital tract. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize sEVs from donkey SP for the first time. Nine SP samples were collected from nine healthy and reproductive active donkeys. The SP samples were randomly pooled to create three pools (three SP samples per pool). The SP pools were subjected to differential centrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography to separately isolate two subsets of sEVs: small (S-) and large (L-). Orthogonal characterization of sEV samples was performed according to MISEV 2023 guidelines, including morphology (by cryogenic electron microscopy), concentration (by total protein concentration and total and CFSE positive particles by flow cytometry [FC]), particle size distribution (by dynamic light scattering), purity (by albumin assessment by FC), and specific EV protein markers (tetraspanins CD9, CD63, and CD81, and HSP70 by FC). The results showed that donkey SP is highly enriched in sEVs. Size differences were found between both sEV subsets, with S-sEVs being smaller (∼160 nm) and L-sEVs larger (∼290 nm). Both sEV subsets were positive for the four EV protein markers. However, the percentage of CD81-positive events was higher in S-sEV samples than in L-sEV samples (P &lt; 0.05). This study is the first to isolate and characterize sEVs in donkey SP, demonstrating their heterogeneity and suggesting differences in biogenesis and function between S-sEVs and L-sEVs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 117501"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144125327","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":"The relationship between post-thaw sperm quality parameters and blastocyst production following Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) of in vitro-matured equine oocytes","authors":"Camilo Hernández-Avilés ,&nbsp;Luisa Ramírez-Agámez ,&nbsp;Charles C. Love","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117500","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117500","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>In vitro</em> production of equine embryos by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is commonly utilized to maximize the availability of stallion sperm, particularly from stallions with limited semen supply. The relationship between standard measures of sperm quality in frozen/thawed semen (i.e., sperm motility, normal morphology, DNA quality) and embryo production after ICSI of <em>in vitro</em>-matured equine oocytes has not been thoroughly studied. In this study, frozen/thawed semen from 47 stallions utilized in a commercial ICSI program was analyzed for post-thaw sperm total and progressive motility (determined both subjectively and by Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis [CASA]), morphology features (Differential Interference Contrast [DIC] microscopy), and DNA damage (Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay – SCSA) <strong><em>before</em></strong> and <strong><em>after</em></strong> sperm selection by swim-up. Morphologically normal-motile sperm were selected following swim-up and injected by Piezo-driven ICSI into 485 <em>in vitro</em>-matured equine oocytes from 58 mares (85 cycles). The relationship between sperm quality characteristics (<strong><em>before</em></strong> and <strong><em>after</em></strong> swim-up) and cleavage (&gt;8 blastomeres at day 5 post-ICSI), or blastocyst development (from day 7–10 post-ICSI), was investigated using a backward stepwise logistic regression analysis. No sperm quality parameter was associated with cleavage (P &gt; 0.05). Post-thaw sperm quality parameters related to blastocyst production included mean (±SD) total motility (TMOT) <strong><em>before</em></strong> swim-up, determined subjectively (34 ± 13 %; odds ratio [OR]: 1.20, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.42), or by CASA (29 ± 13 %; OR: 1.08, CI: 1.01–1.28); and morphologically normal (NORMAL) sperm <strong><em>before</em></strong> swim-up (57 ± 11 %; OR: 1.31, CI: 1.10–1.57). In contrast, <strong><em>before</em></strong> swim-up, mean (±SD) proximal droplets (5 ± 4 %; OR: 0.63, CI: 0.41–0.94), coiled tails (2 ± 1 %; OR: 0.25, CI: 0.08–0.63), and COMP_αt (16 ± 8 %; OR: 0.74, CI: 0.57–0.96) were negatively associated with blastocyst production (P &lt; 0.05). <em>Threshold values</em> for post-thaw TMOT (determined subjectively or by CASA) and NORMAL, <strong><em>before</em></strong> swim-up, that were associated with a higher likelihood of blastocyst production were 44 % and 56 %, respectively. In addition to these sperm quality parameters, the number of injected oocytes, but no mare age nor number of recovered <em>cumulus</em>-oocyte-complexes (COCs), was associated with blastocyst production (OR: 2.76, CI: 1.43–5.31), while none of these parameters were associated with cleavage (P &gt; 0.05). The current study provides clinically relevant data on post-thaw sperm quality measures that can be assessed to determine the fertility potential of frozen-thawed stallion sperm for ICSI.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 117500"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144115674","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":"Optimizing extended embryo culture and trophoblast derivation in sheep","authors":"Islam M. Saadeldin ,&nbsp;Budur Alshehri ,&nbsp;Maha AlThubyani ,&nbsp;Ayman A. Swelum ,&nbsp;Abdullah M. Assiri","doi":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117499","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117499","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the optimization of extended embryo culture and trophoblast derivation in sheep to enhance our understanding of the early stages of embryonic development and implantation. Using a combination of feeder-free culture conditions and culture in endometrial organoids (EOs) conditioned medium, we successfully supported prolonged embryo development in vitro till day 20 post-fertilization. Morphological changes resembling early gastrulation-like events and cotyledon-like formation were observed by advanced development. Relative quantitative PCR analysis showed orchestrated fluctuations in gene expression related to pluripotency and early lineage specifications. Trophoblast cells were passaged three times using feeder-free culture conditions and immunofluorescence analysis confirmed the expression of key trophoblast markers including CDX2, GATA3, syncytin-1, β-catenin, SOX2, Fascin, SOX9, BMP4, MYC, KRT7, and KRT18. The results demonstrated that embryos cultured in EOs conditioned medium significantly improved attachment and differentiation, highlighting the critical role of maternal tissue interactions. These findings provide valuable insights into placental development and hold potential applications for assisted reproductive technologies and livestock breeding advancements.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23131,"journal":{"name":"Theriogenology","volume":"244 ","pages":"Article 117499"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144107603","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}