scholarly journals Gene Expression in Embryos From Norwegian Red Bulls With High or Low Non Return Rate: An RNA-Seq Study of in vivo-Produced Single Embryos

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Diaz-Lundahl ◽  
Arvind Y.M. Sundaram ◽  
Per Gillund ◽  
Gregor Duncan Gilfillan ◽  
Ingrid Olsaker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Differential Expression Analysis ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Return Rate ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Cytokine Signaling ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Paternal Influence

During the last decade, paternal effects on embryo development have been found to have greater importance than previously believed. In domestic cattle, embryo mortality is an issue of concern, causing huge economical losses for the dairy cattle industry. In attempts to reveal the paternal influence on embryo death, recent approaches have used transcriptome profiling of the embryo to find genes and pathways affected by different phenotypes in the bull. For practical and economic reasons, most such studies have used in vitro produced embryos. The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences in the global transcriptome of in vivo produced embryos, derived from sires with either high or low field fertility measured as the non-return rate (NRR) on day 56 after first AI of the inseminated cows. Superovulated heifers (n = 14) in the age span of 12–15 months were artificially inseminated with semen from either high fertility (n = 6) or low fertility (n = 6) bulls. On day seven after insemination, embryos were retrieved through uterine flushing. Embryos with first grade quality and IETS stage 5 (early blastocyst), 6 (blastocyst) or 7 (expanded blastocyst) were selected for further processing. In total, RNA extracted from 24 embryos was sequenced using Illumina sequencing, followed by differential expression analysis and gene set enrichment analysis. We found 62 genes differentially expressed between the two groups (adj.p-value<0.05), of which several genes and their linked pathways could explain the different developmental capacity. Transcripts highly expressed in the embryos from low fertility bulls were related to sterol metabolism and terpenoid backbone synthesis, while transcripts highly expressed in the high fertility embryos were linked to anti-apoptosis and the regulation of cytokine signaling. The leukocyte transendothelial migration and insulin signaling pathways were associated with enrichments in both groups. We also found some highly expressed transcripts in both groups which can be considered as new candidates in the regulation of embryo development. The present study is an important step in defining the paternal influence in embryonic development. Our results suggest that the sire’s genetic contribution affects several important processes linked to pre-and peri implantation regulation in the developing embryo.

scholarly journals Fertility of boars - what is important to know

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radomir Savic ◽  
Raquel Marcos ◽  
Milica Petrovic ◽  
Dragan Radojkovic ◽  
Cedomir Radovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Return Rate ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Fertility Traits ◽  
Farrowing Rate ◽  
Sperm Traits

The most important part in reproductive management is the control of boar fertility. A common division of fertility traits is on the: in vitro (sperm traits) and in vivo (return rate, farrowing rate and litter size traits) fertility. In many studies were found differences between breed in the both groups of fertility traits. Variability of sperm traits of boars during the reproductive exploitation is influenced by various genetic (boar, breed) and paragenetic factors/effects (age, season, intensity of use). Good libido is desirable characteristics in boars, but the knowlegde of the correlation of libido and boar fertility traits are limited. Also, there is no standardised procedure or methods for the estimation of libido of the boars. The permanent ranking of boars according to the reproductive efficiency should be performing. Good reproductive management implies the timely identification of boars with the low fertility (or close to the average).

PSXII-17 Fertility prediction model for Nilli-Ravi buffalo bulls through Fourier harmonic analysis of sperm

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 424-424
Author(s):  
John J Parrish ◽  
Javeria Arshad ◽  
M A Awan ◽  
S Akhter
Keyword(s):  
Harmonic Analysis ◽  
Nuclear Shape ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Harmonic Amplitude ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Fourier Harmonic ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sperm Nuclei ◽  
Live Sperm

Abstract A model to predict Nili-ravi buffalo bull fertility was developed based on Fourier harmonic analysis of sperm. Seventeen bulls with 3032 AI records were categorizes based on fertility rate (FR) as low (36.5±0.2, n = 6: SD< ˗1 from mean FR), medium (39.9±0.2, n = 3; SD +1 to -1 from mean FR) and high fertility (41.4±0.1, n = 8; SD > +1 from mean FR). Cryopreserved semen samples from these bulls were investigated for Fourier harmonic analysis of sperm nuclear shape. Hoechst-33342 and YOYO-1 fluorescent stains were used to identify live and dead sperm. Digital images were analyzed to get sperm nuclear perimeter points at different phase angles to generate Fourier functions. Mean harmonic amplitude (HA) 0 was different (P < 0.05) for 1700 live vs. 1294 dead sperm from the 17 bulls, thus live sperm were used for remaining analyses. The mean, variance, skewness and kurtosis values of 100 live sperm nuclei/bull were compared for HA0-5 between high (n = 6) and low (n = 6) fertility groups, considering equal number of bulls in each category. The mean HA2 (0.739±0.01 vs 0.686±0.00) and 4 (0.105±0.001 vs 0.007±0.001) were higher in high vs low fertility group respectively (P < 0.05). Sperm nuclear perimeter among high fertility group sperm was more elongated. There was also an increased skewness of HA0 as fertility increased (P < 0.05). Discriminant analysis defined a fertility model by using mean HA4, skewness HA0 and variance HA2, that resulted in 91.7% bulls into their correct fertility group upon cross-validation (canonical correlation=0.928; P < 0.05). Higher values of mean HA4, skewness HA0 and variance HA2 increase the chance of bulls being placed in the high fertility group. In conclusion, sperm nuclear shape in Nili-ravi buffalo bull is related to in vivo fertility. A fertility model using reported discriminant measures could be used to objectively identify Nili-ravi buffalo bulls of varying fertility.

scholarly journals Molecular morphology and function of bull spermatozoa linked to histones and associated with fertility

Reproduction ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo V de Oliveira ◽  
Sule Dogan ◽  
Lauren E Belser ◽  
Abdullah Kaya ◽  
Einko Topper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromatin Condensation ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Sperm Chromatin ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Molecular Morphology ◽  
Sperm Chromatin Condensation

Sub-par fertility in bulls is influenced by alterations in sperm chromatin, and it might not be solved with increased sperm concentration in artificial insemination. Appropriate histone retention during sperm chromatin condensation plays critical roles in male fertility. The objective of this study was to determine failures of sperm chromatin condensation associated with abnormal persistence or accessibility of histones by aniline blue (ANBL) test, expression levels, and cellular localizations of one variant and two core histones (H3.3, H2B, and H4 respectively) in the spermatozoa of low-fertility (LF) vs high-fertility (HF) bulls. The expression levels and cellular localizations of histones in spermatozoa were studied using immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and staining methods. The bioinformatics focused on the sequence identity and evolutionary distance of these proteins among three mammalian species: bovine, mouse, and human. We demonstrated that ANBL staining was different within the LF (1.73 (0.55, 0.19)) and HF (0.67 (0.17, 0.06)) groups (P<0.0001), which was also negatively correlated within vivobull fertility (r=−0.90,P<0.0001). Although these histones were consistently detectable and specifically localized in bull sperm cells, they were not different between the two groups. Except H2B variants, H3.3 and H4 showed 100% identity and were evolutionarily conserved in bulls, mice and humans. The H2B variants were more conserved between bulls and humans, than in mice. In conclusion, we showed that H2B, H3.3, and H4 were detectable in bull spermatozoa and that sperm chromatin condensation status, changed by histone retention, is related to bull fertility.

scholarly journals Multiparametric Study of Antioxidant Effect on Ram Sperm Cryopreservation—From Field Trials to Research Bench

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
Marta F. Riesco ◽  
Mercedes Alvarez ◽  
Luis Anel-Lopez ◽  
Marta Neila-Montero ◽  
Cristina Palacin-Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Redox Balance ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Sperm Cryopreservation ◽  
Ram Sperm ◽  
Positive Effect

The optimization of sperm cryopreservation protocols in ram is a feasible tool to reinforce artificial insemination technologies considering the desirable application of sperm by vaginal/cervical or transcervical deposition. Cryopreservation provokes different types of damage on spermatozoa and many of these detrimental effects are triggered by redox deregulation. For this reason, the antioxidant supplementation in sperm cryopreservation protocols to decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and to equilibrate redox status has been widely employed in different species. Despite this, more fertility trials are necessary to provide the definitive tool to ensure the antioxidant effectiveness on sperm quality. For this reason, in this work, we performed a multiparametric analysis of some previously tested antioxidants (crocin, GSH and Trolox) on ram sperm cryopreservation from field trials to sperm quality analyses focused on new strategies to measure redox balance. Attending to fertility trial, Trolox supplementation registered an improvement concerning to fertility (when we considered high fertility males) and multiple lambing frequency and other complementary and descriptive data related to lambing performance such as prolificacy and fecundity. This positive effect was more evident in multiple lambing frequency when we considered low fertility males than in global male analysis. In vitro analyses of sperm quality confirmed in vivo trials registering a positive effect on sperm viability and redox balance. In this study, we provided the definitive evidence that the role of trolox on redox balance maintenance has a direct effect on fertility parameters, such as prolificacy. The effectiveness of antioxidant treatments was tested, for the first time in ovine species, using an integrative and multiparametric approach combining in vivo and in vitro analyses and novel approaches, such as RedoxSYS. These types of strategies should be applied to improve sperm conservation methods and optimize AI technologies upgrading the correlation between in vitro and in vivo analyses.

93 MICRORNA SEQUENCES OF BULL SPERMATOZOA

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. R. Robertson ◽  
J. M. Feugang ◽  
N. Rodriguez-Osorio ◽  
A. Kaya ◽  
E. Memili
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Mammalian Development ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Mirna Microarray ◽  
Male Gametes ◽  
Enrichment Process

MicroRNA sequences (miRNA) are small RNAs 19 to 22 nucleotides in length that play a crucial role during mammalian development and disease. They are found in plants and animals and regulate the expression of protein-coding genes. Mechanisms regulating gene expression during gamete and embryo development are critical for setting the stage in later development; however, very little is known about the roles of miRNAs in male gametes (spermatozoa). Therefore, the objective of this study was to profile miRNA populations in spermatozoa collected from high and low fertility bulls. Frozen–thawed straws containing spermatozoa from one low and one high fertility bulls were purified using a Percoll gradient (which removes somatic cells) followed by 3 washing steps in PBS. Total RNA were isolated from pelleted spermatozoa using Trizol (3 independent isolations for each bull, total of 6 samples). RNA samples were quantified (NanoDrop Spectrophotometer, Thermo Scientific, Wilmington, DE) and verified for potential somatic cells (Agilent BioAnalyzer, Agilent, Foster City, CA) and DNA (No-RT-PCR) contaminations. Samples devoid of any contaminations went through an enrichment process of miRNA, consisting of dephosphorylation (CIP) and labeling (pCp-Biotin) of the 3′-end of miRNA, followed by their purification (BioSpin6, Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). The purified miRNAs were analyzed by a miRNA microarray containing approximately 30 000 probes from human, rat, mouse, and other organisms (Ambion/Affymetrix DiscovArray, Asuragen, Austin, TX). The results showed that roughly 48% of total miRNA probe sets (14 215) were successfully analyzed (P < 0.05); of which only 0.5% (7) were significantly differentially expressed between the 2 bulls (fold change >2 and t-test P < 0.001). The roles of these miRNAs are not yet identified because the annotations are unavailable. Nevertheless, our preliminary results suggest that bull spermatozoa are rich in miRNAs, which could play important roles during fertilization and embryo development. Future studies will be aimed at identifying potential molecular mechanisms by which these 7 miRNAs might regulate bovine embryonic development. This study was funded by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and Alta Genetics Inc.

377 EMBRYO PRODUCTION BY OVUM PICKUP-INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION-IVC IN AN EQUINE OVUM PICKUP PROGRAM USING SEMEN FROM FERTILE AND INFERTILE STALLIONS

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 345 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Colleoni ◽  
R. Duchi ◽  
G. Lazzari ◽  
C. Galli
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Female Component ◽  
Chi Square Test

The introduction in equine reproduction of ovum pickup (OPU) combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), IVC, and embryo transfer, has allowed for the production of offspring from donors and stallions that could not reproduce by conventional techniques. For this reason, we used in our OPU-ICSI-IVC program both fertile stallions and stallions with field records of low or no fertility. Overall, 805 and 584 OPU oocytes were fertilized with sperm from fertile and infertile stallions, respectively. Cleavage rate was statistically lower in the latter group (65.94 v. 59.24%, chi square test; P < 0.05) but embryo development was similar (11.67 v. 8.20% blastocysts/injected oocytes, chi-square test). In order to further investigate the stallion effect on embryo development, we selected 3 stallions with low (A) or no (B, C) fertility in the field and we compared the results of the OPU program with embryo development obtained using oocytes recovered from abattoir ovaries and matured, fertilized, and cultured in vitro as the OPU oocytes. Part of the abattoir oocytes was fertilized with a stallion with known high fertility both in vivo and in vitro (abattoir fertile). Overall, the results (shown in the table) suggest a reduction in the efficiency of stallions A, B, and C compared with to the fertile stallion used as control (10.79, 7.69, and 5.0% v. 17.35%, respectively). For stallions A and B, the efficiency was further reduced in the OPU setting, indicating that the female component can play a role in the overall efficiency of the procedure. In particular, 4 mares out of 8 had a history of no pregnancy and all mares had some rate of inbreeding with the respective stallion used for the ICSI. Instead, the oocytes from the abattoir ovaries were collected in large pools from several mares, representing an average oocyte quality, and the mares were of different breed than the stallions. All data were analyzed by chi-square test and significance was set at P < 0.05. In conclusion, we demonstrated that, for those stallions in which fertility in the field is low or absent, OPU-ICSI-IVP is a suitable choice to obtain embryos, although the efficiency is variable depending not only on the stallion but also on the origin of the oocytes. Table 1.Stallion effect on embryo development of ovum pickup (OPU) and abattoir oocytes This work was supported by Fondazione Cariplo and Regione Lombardia.

ON-FARM FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS FOR NORTHLAND

1986 ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
J.S. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Financial Returns ◽  
Farm Forestry ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Financial Position ◽  
On Farm

Agroforests and woodlots offer Northland hill country farmers investment and diversification opportunities. Agroforests have less effect on the "whole farm" financial position than woodlots, especially where a progressive planting regime is adopted and where no further borrowing is required. Establishment and tending costs for agro-forests are lower, and returns come much sooner. The proven opportunity for continued grazing under trees established in this manner, apart from a short post-planting period, further enhances the agroforesty option. Even where there is reluctance on a farmer's part to plant trees on high fertility land, the expected financial returns from agroforests on low and medium fertility land will increase the overall long-term profitability and flexibility of the whole farming operation. Woodlots may be more appropriate on low fertility areas where weed reversion is likely. Joint ventures may be worth considering where farm finances are a limited factor. Keywords: On-farm forestry development, Northland hill country, agroforestry, woodlots, diversification, joint ventures, progressive planting regimes, grazing availability.

Identification of key mRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNA-miRNA network involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Han ◽  
Dongchen Lu ◽  
Chonggao Wang ◽  
Mengdi Cui ◽  
Kai Lu
Keyword(s):  
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
Differential Expression Analysis ◽  
Interaction Network ◽  
Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment ◽  
Mirna Expression Data

Background: In the past decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) has been gradually increasing, owing to the widespread use of ultrasound scanning devices. However, the key mRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNA-miRNA network in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has not been fully understood. Material and Methods: In this study, multiple bioinformatics methods were employed, including differential expression analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, and miRNA-mRNA interaction network construction. Results: First, we investigated the key miRNAs that regulated significantly more differentially expressed genes based on GSEA method. Second, we searched for the key miRNAs based on the mRNA-miRNA interaction subnetwork involved in PTC. We identified hsa-mir-1275, hsa-mir-1291, hsa-mir-206 and hsa-mir-375 as the key miRNAs involved in PTC pathogenesis. Conclusion: The integrated analysis of the gene and miRNA expression data not only identified key mRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNA-miRNA network involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma, but also improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of PTC.

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