Animal Reproduction最新文献

{"title":"Beef cows with larger vulvar width have greater antral follicle count, viable oocytes, and higher circulating AMH.","authors":"Renata Maculan, Gisvani Lopez de Vasconcelos, Jesús Alfonso Sánchez Viafara, Gabriel Miranda Moreira, Cintia Vanin, Nathalia Alves, Marcos Brandão Dias Ferreira, José Camisão de Souza","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0077","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Owing to the low heritability of reproductive traits, the search for markers and their interrelationship that could indicate reproductively superior individuals is important in the selection process for bovine reproductive efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the possible interrelationships between the antral follicle count (AFC), vulvar-width (VW), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, fertility in <i>Bos Taurus</i> and <i>Bos Indicus</i> females. Brahman (<i>Bos Taurus-Indicus</i>, <i>n =</i> 126) and Simmental and Angus (<i>Bos Taurus-Taurus</i>, <i>n =</i> 155) cows were classified as having large (≥86 mm) and small (<86 mm) VW. From each group, one blood sample per animal was collected to determine the AMH serum concentrations. The GLIMMIX procedure in SAS^® was used to determine whether vulva width (VW) and AMH classes, associated or not with breed, could influence the age at first calving (FCA), calving to first service interval (CFSI), calving interval (CI), number of services per pregnancy (SP), and number of viable oocytes (VO). Antral follicle count (AFC) (36.10 ± 1.90 vs. 22.78 ± 1.64, for large and small VW, respectively), AMH (1.17 ± 0.07 vs. 0.48 ± 0.007 ng/mL), and viable oocytes or VO (18.86 ± 1.76 vs. 10.15 ± 1.49) were greater (<i>P</i> < 0.05) in the large VW than in the small VW. Brahman cows had greater AFC (36.30 ± 1.34 vs. 22.09 ± 1.67), VW (106.94 ± 15.83 vs. 69.78 ± 14.11 mm), and AMH (1.18 ± 0.07 vs. 0.42 ± 0.05 ng/mL) compared to that of taurine cows. In conclusion, VW was an efficient predictor of AFC and AMH concentrations in both genetic groups, but under the conditions of this trial no link could be detected between these variables and the reproductive indices studied.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20240077"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11864730/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143514369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sperm vitrification <i>of Prochilodus brevis</i>: influence of diluent, stored volume and supplementation with sulfated polysaccharides of Nile tilapia (<i>Oreochromis niloticus</i>) skin.","authors":"Priscila Silva de Almeida-Monteiro, Romulo Roberto Ribeiro Pinheiro, Mayara Setúbal Oliveira-Araújo, Thais Maia Torres, Renata Vieira do Nascimento, Vanessa Alves Pereira, Yasmim Maia Ferreira, Yara Silvino Sales, Jéssica Sales Lobato, Ianna Wivianne Fernandes Araújo, José Ariévilo Gurgel Rodrigues, Assis Rubens Montenegro, Carminda Sandra Brito Salmito-Vanderley","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0075","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of diluent, stored volume and the cryodiluent medium supplementation with sulfated polysaccharides (SP) extracted from Nile tilapia skin on <i>P. brevis</i> vitrified sperm. Six pools were diluted in 5% Glucose or Powder Coconut Water (ACP-104), supplemented or not with 0.5 mg/mL of SP, and submitted to vitrification. Subsequently, they were stored in cryotubes in two volumes (60 μL and 420 μL). After 15 days, the samples were devitrified and evaluated for kinetics, membrane integrity and sperm DNA integrity. ACP-104 proved to be the best diluent for <i>P. brevis</i> sperm vitrification. Membrane and DNA integrity rates were higher (P < 0.05) when stored in smaller and larger volume, respectively. Additionally, the best rates (P < 0.05) of these same parameters were obtained with supplemented medium. There was interaction (P < 0.05) between diluent and stored volume, with ACP-104 exceeding 5% Glucose for motility in both volumes, while for average path speed (VAP) and membrane integrity the same happened in the larger volume. 5% Glucose had higher VAP and membrane integrity when stored in smaller volume. There was a triple interaction (P < 0.05) for DNA integrity, and better results were obtained when semen was vitrified in ACP-104 and stored in the larger volume, regardless of supplementation, which influenced only the 5% Glucose medium in the smaller volume. It was concluded that ACP-104, supplemented with SP and stored in larger volume make up the best treatment for <i>P. brevis</i> sperm vitrification.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20240075"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11813166/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143397980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reproductive traits and economic aspects on dairy cattle.","authors":"Jeferson Bello Dos Santos, Bruna Waddington de Freitas, Isaac Andres Mora Obando, Natan Dias de Oliveira, Jurandy Mauro Penitente-Filho, Marcus Vinicius Castro Moreira, André Navarro Lobato, José Domingos Guimarães","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0050","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to characterize the reproductive parameters and economic indicators of dairy farms. Data were from technical assistance of the <i>Programa de Desenvolvimento em Pecuária Leiteira</i> (PDPL-UFV) including 26 farms, from September 2022 to August 2023, comprising an entire production cycle. The following economic indicators were selected as dependent variables: Unit Net Margin (UNM), Operating Profitability (OP) and Rate of Return on Capital (RRC). Reproductive parameters were used as explanatory variables in multiple linear regression analysis. A stepwise selection was performed and only variables significant at <i>p</i> < 0.10 were kept in the final model. Pregnancy rate of cows, number of inseminations per pregnant heifer, and replacement rate were the reproductive parameters with the greatest effect on the evaluated economic indices. The UNM and OP were positively affected by pregnancy rate of cows and number of inseminations per pregnant heifer, but replacement rate negatively affected both indices. Only the pregnancy rate of cows showed a significant and positive effect on RRC. Results suggest that the economic viability of a dairy farm is not only associated with cutting costs such as reducing the number of inseminations in heifers, or increasing revenue by selling animals, which increases the replacement rate.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20240050"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11801145/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143363508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Swine clones: potential application for animal production and animal models.","authors":"Thaís Naomi Gonçalves Nesiyama, Juliano Rodrigues Sangalli, Tiago Henrique Camara De Bem, Kaiana Recchia, Simone Maria Massami Kitamura Martins, André Furugen Cesar de Andrade, Juliana Germano Ferst, Gustavo Henrique Doná Rodrigues Almeida, Mariana Groke Marques, Renata Gebara Sampaio Dória, Adriano Bonfim Carregaro, Marcus Antônio Rossi Feliciano, Maria Angélica Miglino, Fabiana Fernandes Bressan, Felipe Perecin, Juliano Coelho da Silveira, Lawrence Charles Smith, Vilceu Bordignon, Flávio Vieira Meirelles","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0037","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), or cloning, is used to reprogram cells and generate genetically identical embryos and animals. However, the cloning process is inefficient, limiting its application to producing valuable animals. In swine, cloning is mainly utilized to produce genetically modified animals. Indeed, recombinant DNA technologies have evolved considerably in recent years, with homologous recombination and gene editing technologies becoming more efficient and capable of recombining both alleles in a single cell. The selection of appropriate cells and their use as nuclear donors for SCNT is the most common method for generating edited and genetically modified animals for commercial and research purposes. This article reviews current applications of swine cloning and shares our personal experiences with the procedure in this species.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20240037"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11758785/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143045022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reactive oxygen species attenuation improves the quality of vitrified-warmed bovine embryos.","authors":"Viviane Luzia da Silva Feuchard, Clara Slade Oliveira, Naiara Zoccal Saraiva, Carolina Capobiango Romano Quintão, Leticia Zoccolaro Oliveira","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0035","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitrified bovine in vitro produced (IVP) embryos. In experiment I we compared ROS production in fresh and vitrified-warmed blastocysts. In experiment II we evaluated the effects of antioxidant supplementation (100 μM of 2-mercaptoethanol; BME; 0 h to 2 h during warming) on ROS levels in vitrified-warmed blastocysts, and in experiment III we compared the development of fresh and vitrified-warmed blastocysts in the presence (BME) or absence (Control) of antioxidant (100 μM BME; 0 h to 48 h during warming). Higher ROS production (Fresh: 68.48 ± 7.92 <i>vs</i> Vitrified: 123.53 ± 13.15; P<0.05) and lower cell number was observed in vitrified compared to fresh embryos (Fresh: 123.01 ± 5.67 <i>vs</i> Vitrified: 103.04 ± 4.25; P<0.05). Antioxidant supplementation reduced ROS levels (Vitrified: 38.24 ± 1.27 vs. Vitrified/BME: 33.54 ± 1.08; P<0.05) and increased cell number in treated embryos (Vitrified: 100.65 ± 3.98 <i>vs</i>. Vitrified/BME: 112.95 ± 3.72; P<0.05). No differences were observed in the re-expansion rates of vitrified embryos cultured in the absence and presence of BME at 0, 2, and 4 h after warming (P>0.05). The embryo hatching rate did not differ (P>0.05) among embryos from the fresh, vitrified and vitrified/BME groups. However, the total cell numbers were higher (P<0.05) in vitrified embryos supplemented with BME (143.02 ± 6.97) than in vitrified embryos without BME (113.25 ± 5.09) but similar (P>0.05) to that observed in fresh embryos cultured with (150.54 ± 8.99) and without BME (142.71 ± 13.60). It was concluded that the vitrification and warming processes increased ROS levels in blastocysts and its attenuation with BME antioxidant improved embryonic quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20240035"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11758786/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143045010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The protective effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on boar sperm during preservation at 17 °C.","authors":"Qimeng Hu","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2023-0013","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2023-0013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>More than 90% of spermatozoa of boars in pork producing countries is stored in liquid at 17 °C; however, the quality of these spermatozoa is affected by bacterial breeding and oxidative damage. This study analyzed sperm quality and sperm capacitation after storage to study the effects of the effects of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) supplementation on seminal plasma (SP)-free sperm preservation. We investigated the effects of adding 20, 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL of ZnO NPs to a seminal free boar sperm diluent over a 7-day period at 17 °C to assess the changes in non-capacitated/capacitated sperm quality parameters, antioxidant capacity, ATP content and extent of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. The addition of different doses of ZnO NPs to stored sperm did not induce significant effects on the sperm motility and ATP content when compared to the sperm without ZnO NPs treatment. However, the addition of 50, 100, 200 μg/mL ZnO NPs to stored sperm improved total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). ZnO NPs also reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the preserved sperm (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Moreover, our results indicate that the supplementation of 50 μg/mL ZnO NPs to preserved sperm improved the sperm membrane integrity (<i>p</i> < 0.05). ZnO NPs exerted protective effects on protein tyrosine phosphorylation, especially with regards to membrane proteins. Following incubation and capacitation, sperm exhibited good levels of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and ATP levels with high T-AOC and CuZn-SOD activity and low MDA content. ZnO NPs exerted protective capacity to a preservation extender used for SP-free boar sperm during storage at 17 °C. The optimal concentration of ZnO NPs for preservation extender was 50 μg/mL.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20230013"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11758902/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143045032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Absence of mating behaviors in the female dogs neonatally treated with estrogen and progesterone.","authors":"ChanJin Park, Kayla Tando, Sandra Soto-Heras, Sherry Zhou, Po-Ching Lin, CheMyong Ko","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0080","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to develop a non-surgical method to neutralize reproduction in female dogs. Female Beagle puppies, aged 6 days, were treated with pellets designed to release estradiol benzoate (EB; 1.0 mg) and progesterone (P4; 5.0 mg) over approximately 3 weeks. Their estrous cycles were monitored from 6 to 34 months of age by examining their vulvas daily and measuring their serum P4 levels once a month. Vulvar edema and discharge, followed by a serum P4 level above 5 ng/ml, indicated the potential estrus. Each time a dog showed these signs, breeding was attempted by housing with a proven male Beagle. All the treated dogs displayed cyclic progesterone surges with 5 to 6-month-long anestrous intervals. Surprisingly, none exhibited sexual behaviors, and no mating occurred (i.e., no intromission and copulatory tie), resulting in no pups being born. This phenomenon was further explored in laboratory animals. Neonatal female rats were treated with microspheres containing smaller doses of the same steroids (0.3 mg EB + 3.0 mg P4) at 1 or 2 days old. At 3 months old, the rats were ovariectomized, chemically stimulated to exhibit estrus behaviors using a standard protocol and tested for receptivity to proven male rats. Untreated control rats showed normal receptivity (i.e., lordosis) and allowed males to mate. However, rats treated with EB+P4 did not exhibit lordosis or allow mating. These results indicate that the combined use of estrogen and progesterone could be an effective non-surgical method for inhibiting mating behavior and, consequently, neutralizing female dog reproduction.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20240080"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11758777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143045544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A simple and rapid evaluation of boar sperm quality using the resazurin colorimetric assay.","authors":"Fung-Hsiang Chu, Yu-Hsin Chen, Ting-Chieh Kang, Lih-Ren Chen, Hsiu-Lien Herbie Lin","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0005","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ensuring boar sperm quality before insemination is crucial for maximizing field fertility and efficient pig production. The computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and fluorescence probes combined with flow cytometry (FC) are commonly used techniques for evaluating sperm kinematics and functions, closely related to animal fertility. However, their high cost and complex operations make it challenging to apply them in laboratories or pig breeding farms with limited resources. Here, our aim was to develop a new protocol using a resazurin redox dye to assess boar sperm quality for practical application. We first created simulated semen samples with different levels of sperm quality (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100%) at concentrations of 300 and 150 × 10⁶ cells/mL. Subsequently, the simulated semen was used to establish an optimal standard protocol based on the results of the resazurin colorimetric assay. Finally, the condition that showed the strongest correlation between resazurin redox rate and sperm parameters was selected to perform a linear regression test. Two optimal working conditions were identified, involved incubating 10 µL of resazurin reagent with 100 µL of semen for either 20 or 40 min, depending on the sperm concentration of either 300 or 150 × 10⁶ cells/mL. We subsequently conducted a linear regression analysis using data that included the resazurin reaction rate and measurements of sperm parameters. Finally, we obtained two sets of five equations, allowing directly convert the absorbance of the resazurin assay into values for sperm quality parameters. These parameters include total motility, progressive motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial activity. This new protocol is valuable for sperm evaluation because it is cost-effective, time-efficient, and labor-saving.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20240005"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11758784/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143045543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative ovarian morphophysiology of <i>Wistar</i> rats and Zebrafish after exposure to nandrolone decanoate.","authors":"João Eudes Farias Cavalcante, Solano Dantas Martins, Jonathan Elias Rodrigues Martins, Jéssica Sales Lobato, Yara Silvino Sales, Sara Rany Alexandre Bittencourt, Fernanda Vitória Almeida Magalhães, Ana Ruth Reinaldo Menezes, Maria Alice Felipe Oliveira, Vânia Marilande Ceccatto, Anderson Weiny Barbalho Silva, Carminda Sandra Brito Salmito-Vanderley, Valdevane Rocha Araújo","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0046","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to compare the effects of nandrolone decanoate on the morphology and physiology of ovarian tissues in two experimental models, Zebrafish and rats, after in vitro cultivation. A total of 136 animals were used (<i>Wistar</i> rats, n=36, and Zebrafish, n=100). In both experiments, the animals were divided into two groups (Control and Deca) and were exposed to nandrolone decanoate for seven weeks. At the end of the administrations, the animals were euthanized, and the tissues were collected for morphological and biochemical analyses. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM. Tukey and Shapiro-Wilk tests were used. ANOVA and chi-square tests were applied for group comparisons. Differences were considered significant when P<0.05. The results showed an increase in body weight in <i>Wistar</i> rats, while Zebrafish body weight was decreased. In both experiments, the number of atretic follicles increased throughout the in vitro culture, from day 0 to day 7, in the Control group (CTRLr and CTRLz), while in the DECA group (DECAr and DECAz), atretic follicles were reduced from D0 to D7. The antioxidant environment, represented by increased the thiol content, which was significantly higher on day zero in CTRLz compared to CTRLr. SOD activity increased in Zebrafish (group DECAz), while CAT activity decreased in both models (group DECAr and DECAz). In conclusion, the study demonstrated similarity in ovarian physiology between the models exposed or not exposed to nandrolone decanoate, suggesting that, when convenient, researchers could consider changing the experimental model.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20240046"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11758781/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143045545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changes in vaginal gene expression and anogenital distance during gilt reproductive development.","authors":"Shannon L Dierking, Jodi M Morton, Jeffrey A Clapper, Michael G Gonda, Juan C Pinilla, C L Levesque","doi":"10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2024-0056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Early puberty is associated with improved long-term reproductive performance. Predicting who will achieve early puberty is limited to intensive, invasive serial blood collections for measurement of reproductive hormones. The vaginal genome during pubertal development has potential as biomarkers of early estrus in the pre-pubertal period. Pre-pubertal gilts (n =13) were followed from d74 ± 3 of age until first estrus or d214 ± 1 of age. Blood, vaginal epithelia, and anogenital distance were collected at five timepoints during reproductive development (d74, d104, d130, d160 and first estrus or end of trial). Total RNA was isolated from vaginal epithelia and relative gene expression of two toll-like receptors (TLR-4 and TLR-5), tacykinin precursor-3 (TAC-3), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and estrogen receptor (ERα)-alpha was quantified by real time RT-PCR, relative to expression of RPLP0. Four gilts exhibited estrus early (< d184), 3 were average (d194 to 195), 3 were late (d203 to 213), and 3 were deemed anestrus. Comparison of expression of each gene relative to d70 was performed using the PCR package in RStudio (version 1.2.5025) and Fisher's exact t-test for TLR-4, TLR-5 and TAC-3, and ANOVA for ER-alpha and IGF-1. Correlation analysis examined the relationship between anogenital distance and age at first estrus. A single blood draw for serum progesterone was obtained 8 days after recorded first estrus or end of trial; the presence of serum progesterone supports the visual identification of standing estrus. Expression of IGF-1 and TAC-3 were up-regulated 9- and 7-fold, respectively at d160 (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Expression of ERα tended to be upregulated 3-fold at d104 (<i>P</i> = 0.08) and expression of TLR-4 and TLR-5 was not detected until first estrus. Anogenital distance was positively correlated to the first estrus. These transcripts associated with reproduction warrant further investigation into use as biomarkers to detect early estrus.</p>","PeriodicalId":7889,"journal":{"name":"Animal Reproduction","volume":"22 1","pages":"e20240056"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11702982/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142942843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}