235 Uterine Function During Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy Differs Due to Size of the Ovarian Reserve in Beef Heifers

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 123-123
Author(s):  
Robert A Cushman ◽  
Shelby Rosasco ◽  
Kaitlin M Epperson ◽  
Emmalee J Northrop-Albrecht ◽  
Jerica J Rich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Reserve ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Gene Transcript ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Pregnancy Status ◽  
Uterine Function

Abstract The relationship of ovarian reserve parameters to fertility in mammalian females continues to be debated. We demonstrated improved uterine function, creating an environment that is more supportive of early embryonic development in beef heifers with increased numbers of follicles. In the present study we hypothesized that timing of luteolysis differs between heifers with increased compared to heifers with diminished numbers of follicles. Angus heifers (n = 20/ group) were classified as low (14.7 ± 1.1) or high (32 ± 1.1) antral follicle number based on ovarian ultrasonography, and artificially inseminated (d0) following a Select Synch protocol. At d16 after insemination, heifers were slaughtered, and reproductive tracts collected. Tracts were flushed with 20 mL of physiological saline to determine pregnancy status by presence of a conceptus and endometrial samples from the horn ipsilateral to the CL were frozen for determination of transcript abundance. Real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine relative transcript abundance of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and interferon-stimulated gene-15 (ISG15) with glyceraldehyde-3-phospate dehydrogenase as the endogenous reference gene. Transcript abundance was analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with follicle group, pregnancy status and the interaction as fixed effects. Transcript abundance of ISG15 was greater in pregnant endometrium than non-pregnant endometrium (2.75 ± 0.25 vs 0.16 ± 0.22-fold; P < 0.0001) with no influence of follicle group or the interaction. The interaction of follicle group and pregnancy status influenced OXTR transcript abundance (P = 0.06). Luteolytic mechanisms were activated in non-pregnant heifers with diminished numbers of follicles (1.46 ± 0.25-fold) and were not activated in pregnant heifers (0.06 ± 0.22-fold) or heifers with increased numbers of follicles that were not pregnant (0.32 ± 0.30-fold). These data indicate a wider window of recognition of pregnancy in beef heifers with increased numbers of ovarian follicles. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

240 Beef Heifers with Increased Number of Follicles Have Greater Uterine Luminal Glucose Concentrations

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 128-128
Author(s):  
Alexandria Snider ◽  
Matthew S Crouse ◽  
Shelby Rosasco ◽  
Kaitlin M Epperson ◽  
Emmalee J Northrop-Albrecht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Glucose Transporter 1 ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
And Function

Abstract Increased numbers of antral follicles are associated with greater fertility and a uterine environment that is more supportive of early embryonic development in beef heifers. Glucose is a primary energy source for embryos and glucose concentrations are elevated in uterine luminal fluid (ULF) of pregnant heifers. We hypothesized that ULF glucose concentrations and endometrial transcript abundance for glucose transporters at d16 after insemination would be greater in heifers with increased numbers of antral follicles. Heifers classified with either increased (32 ± 1.1) or diminished (14.7 ± 1.1) antral follicle counts were selected and artificially inseminated following the Select Synch protocol (d0). At d16 after insemination, heifers were sent to the abattoir and reproductive tracts were collected to retrieve conceptuses to determine pregnancy. Uterine luminal fluid was collected, the endometrium was biopsied, total RNA was extracted and glucose transporter transcript abundance was determined. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with antral follicle group, pregnancy status, and the interaction as fixed effects. Glucose concentrations in ULF were greater (P < 0.05) in heifers with increased antral follicle numbers compared to heifers with diminished numbers (122.65 ± 11.91 vs 84.12 ± 12.42 mg/dL). Glucose ULF concentrations were increased (P < 0.05) in pregnant vs. non-pregnant heifers (124.84 ± 12.81 vs 81.93 ± 11.50 mg/dL). Endometrial glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) transcript abundance was increased in pregnant heifers (P < 0.01) but was not different due to antral follicle number or the interaction. Therefore, differences in glucose concentrations associated with antral follicle number may be due to differences in GLUT1 transcription before d16 or due to differences in protein abundance or functionality. Taken together, heifers with increased number of antral follicles may have increased energy availability in the uterus for trophoblast proliferation and function. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

281 Can We Developmentally Program the Epigenome to Improve Traits Relevant to Production in Cattle?

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 20-20
Author(s):  
Robert A Cushman ◽  
Alexandria Snider ◽  
Matthew S Crouse
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Reserve ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Developmental Programming ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Female Progeny ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Functional Changes

Abstract While sequence variation can be informative to associate regions of the genome with specific traits and improve genetic selection, the epigenome may provide a more powerful tool to manage cattle. Identifying practices that are producer friendly and effectively control epigenetic function within animals is crucial to translating developmental programming to a production setting. Initial studies of developmental programming investigated how environmental or nutritional stresses during fetal and peri-natal development impacted performance of animals later in life. These studies demonstrated changes in methylation, alterations in transcript abundance, and negative impacts on physiology, but they also suggested that we may be able to beneficially impact the epigenome and developmentally program animals to excel in their niche in the production system. Maternal nutritional status during the third trimester influenced date of conception of female progeny in several studies but failed to do so in other studies. Transcriptomic analyses provided evidence that nutritional treatments alter mRNA abundance in brain, liver, muscle, and ovary, but does not conclusively demonstrate that this is due to functional changes in the epigenome. If developmental programming is to be applied in production systems, responses must be consistent and beneficial. Reducing nutrient intake in heifers during peri-pubertal development increased number of primordial follicles in the ovaries and reproductive longevity. While nutritional programming of the ovarian reserve in peri-pubertal heifers appears to occur consistently across locations and studies, it does not ensure that subsequent environmental stressors will not induce changes in the ovarian reserve that will negate beneficial effects. These studies demonstrate that it is possible to developmentally program the epigenome in cattle in ways that will improve production traits; however, there remains a need for studies to improve the consistency of response and to determine best practices that fit into production systems. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

scholarly journals Beef heifer fertility: importance of management practices and technological advancements

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Moorey ◽  
Fernando H. Biase
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Beef Heifer ◽  
Fertility Potential ◽  
Cow Calf

Abstract The development of replacement heifers is at the core of cow-calf beef production systems. In 2020, the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service reported 5.771 million beef heifers, 500 pounds and over, are under development for cow replacement. A compilation of data from several studies indicate that between 85% and 95% of these heifers will become pregnant in their first breeding season. Several thousands of heifers being raised for replacement may not deliver a calf on their first breeding season and result in economic losses to cow-calf producers. Many management procedures have been developed to maximize the reproductive potential of beef heifers. Such approaches include, but are not limited to the following: nutritional management for controlled weight gain, identification of reproductive maturity by physiological and morphological indicators, and the implementation of an estrous synchronization program. The implementation of management strategies has important positive impact(s) on the reproductive efficiency of heifers. There are limitations, however, because some heifers deemed ready to enter their first breeding season do not become pregnant. In parallel, genetic selection for fertility-related traits in beef heifers have not promoted major genetic gains on this particular area, most likely due to low heritability of female fertility traits in cattle. Technologies such as antral follicle counting, DNA genotyping and RNA profiling are being investigated as a means to aid in the identification of heifers of low fertility potential. To date, many polymorphisms have been associated with heifer fertility, but no DNA markers have been identified across herds. Antral follicle count is an indication of the ovarian reserve and is an indicator of the reproductive health of a heifer. We have been working on the identification of transcriptome profiles in heifers associated with pregnancy outcome. Our current investigations integrating protein-coding transcript abundance and artificial intelligence have identified the potential for bloodborne transcript abundance to be used as indicators of fertility potential in beef heifers. In summary, there is an ongoing pressure for reducing costs and increasing efficiency in cow-calf production systems, and new technologies can help reduce the long-standing limitations in beef heifer fertility.

scholarly journals PSV-18 The role of leptin in feed efficiency and behavior attributes of commercial beef heifers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 162-162
Author(s):  
Nayan Bhowmik ◽  
Kris A Ringwall ◽  
Carl R Dahlen ◽  
Kendall C Swanson ◽  
Jeffrey A Clapper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Frame Size ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Plasma Leptin

Abstract Leptin is a 16-kDa-peptide hormone product of the leptin gene (LEP) that is predominantly synthesized by adipose tissues and has known involvement in regulation of feed intake, energy expenditure, reproduction, and immune functions. The objective was to determine the association of leptin genotype (LEP c.73C >T), leptin diplotype (LEPD) and plasma leptin hormone (LEPH) concentration with growth, feed intake, feed efficiency, and behavior characteristics in developing beef heifers. A total of 336 commercial beef heifers were genotyped for the LEP c.73C >T marker. Four single nucleotide polymorphism markers including LEP c.73C >T, ARS-BFGL-NGS-59298 (intron 1), BovineHD0400026029 (upstream) and BovineHD0400026063 (downstream) of LEP were considered for haplotype analysis. Eleven LEPD were identified for this study using parsimony-based analyses. Circulating levels of LEPH were measured on 333 heifers prior to their first breeding season and used to assign low or high concentration group based on population median. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS for repeated measures, fixed effects of ancestral breed group (n = 4), dam age category (n = 4), frame size group (n = 4), project cycle nested within birth year (n = 6), week of feed trial × year, LEP (n = 3) or LEPD (n = 11) or LEPH (n = 2), as well as week × LEPH (only for LEPH). There were no significant differences between LEP genotypes (P ≥ 0.11) or LEPD (P ≥ 0.33) for any of the studied traits. Heifers with low LEPH ate fewer meals per day (P = 0.02) and had more DMI per meal (P = 0.04) compared to those with high plasma leptin. Further research is needed to better understand plasma LEPH concentration and its role in feeding behavior attributes. However, circulatory LEPH before the breeding season may serve as a predictor for feeding behavior.

Do Well-off Families Compensate for Low Cognitive Ability? Evidence on Social Inequality in Early Schooling from a Twin Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos J. Gil-Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Educational Inequality ◽  
Educational Transitions ◽  
Downward Mobility ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Academic Track ◽  
Early Schooling ◽  
Academic Potential

This article bridges the literature on educational inequality between and within families to test whether high–socioeconomic status (SES) families compensate for low cognitive ability in the transition to secondary education in Germany. The German educational system of early-ability tracking (at age 10) represents a stringent setting for the compensatory hypothesis. Overall, previous literature offers inconclusive findings. Previous research between families suffers from the misspecification of parental SES and ability, while most within-family research did not stratify the analysis by SES or the ability distribution. To address these issues, I draw from the TwinLife study to implement a twin fixed-effects design that minimizes unobserved confounding. I report two main findings. First, highly educated families do not compensate for twins’ differences in cognitive ability at the bottom of the ability distribution. In the German system of early-ability tracking, advantaged families may have more difficulties to compensate than in countries where educational transitions are less dependent on ability. Second, holding parents’ and children’s cognitive ability constant, pupils from highly educated families are 27% more likely to attend the academic track. This result implies wastage of academic potential for disadvantaged families, challenging the role of cognitive ability as the leading criterion of merit for liberal theories of equal opportunity. These findings point to the importance of other factors that vary between families with different resources and explain educational success, such as noncognitive abilities, risk aversion to downward mobility, and teachers’ bias.

scholarly journals Zea mays RNA-seq estimated transcript abundances are strongly affected by read mapping bias

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuhua Zhan ◽  
Cortland Griswold ◽  
Lewis Lukens
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Zea Mays ◽  
Reference Genome ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Gene Transcript ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Individual Genome ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Mapping Bias ◽  
Quantify Gene Expression

Abstract Background Genetic variation for gene expression is a source of phenotypic variation for natural and agricultural species. The common approach to map and to quantify gene expression from genetically distinct individuals is to assign their RNA-seq reads to a single reference genome. However, RNA-seq reads from alleles dissimilar to this reference genome may fail to map correctly, causing transcript levels to be underestimated. Presently, the extent of this mapping problem is not clear, particularly in highly diverse species. We investigated if mapping bias occurred and if chromosomal features associated with mapping bias. Zea mays presents a model species to assess these questions, given it has genotypically distinct and well-studied genetic lines. Results In Zea mays, the inbred B73 genome is the standard reference genome and template for RNA-seq read assignments. In the absence of mapping bias, B73 and a second inbred line, Mo17, would each have an approximately equal number of regulatory alleles that increase gene expression. Remarkably, Mo17 had 2–4 times fewer such positively acting alleles than did B73 when RNA-seq reads were aligned to the B73 reference genome. Reciprocally, over one-half of the B73 alleles that increased gene expression were not detected when reads were aligned to the Mo17 genome template. Genes at dissimilar chromosomal ends were strongly affected by mapping bias, and genes at more similar pericentromeric regions were less affected. Biased transcript estimates were higher in untranslated regions and lower in splice junctions. Bias occurred across software and alignment parameters. Conclusions Mapping bias very strongly affects gene transcript abundance estimates in maize, and bias varies across chromosomal features. Individual genome or transcriptome templates are likely necessary for accurate transcript estimation across genetically variable individuals in maize and other species.

scholarly journals Effect of Ayurvedic Treatment Protocol on Diminishing Ovarian Reserve

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-234
Author(s):  
Divya U ◽  
Vijayakumar N
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Reserve ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Poor Responder ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Ayurvedic Treatment

Diminishing ovarian reserve (DOR) is a condition in which the ovary loses reproductive potential, compromising fertility. Nowadays 10-30% of female infertility is due to DOR and considered as “expected poor responder” for In vitro fertilisation (IVF).   Correlation of DOR can be done with Dathukshaya vandya (depletion or inadequate formation of dhatus) explained in Harithasamhita. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of Ayurvedic treatment protocol on Diminishing ovarian reserve. The study protocol includes- ashtachurna for deepana (appetiser), pachana (digestives) and kolakulathadi churna for udwarthana (powder massage). Sukumaragrutha used for snehapana (oral administration of medicated ghee), utharabasthi (intrauterine administration) and rasayana (rejuvenation therapy ). Danwantarathaila abhyanga (oleation) and ooshmasweda (sudation) done for 3 days. Sukumaraeranda was used for virechana (therapeutic purgation) and also Yogabasthi (medicated enema). The study design was pre and post interventional study with a sample size of 15 selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria, conducted at hospital for women and children, Government Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram. Assessment was based on Bologna criteria for DOR. The statistical techniques employed are Wilcoxon’s signed rank test and Paired t test. Results showed statistically significant effect on improving Antral follicle count (AFC) (p- 0.01), Estradiol (p- 0.005), conception (p- 0.014), on regulating amount of bleeding (p- 0.003), menstrual interval correction (p-0.001) and dyspareunia (p-0.005). But insignificant effect on improving Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) (p- 0.469) and regularising LH/FSH ratio (p-0.104) was found.

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