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.

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.

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.

245 Prenatal Transportation Stress Does Not Impact Ovarian Follicle Count in Brahman Offspring

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 126-126
Author(s):  
Lacey Quail ◽  
Ron D Randel ◽  
Thomas H Welsh ◽  
Rui d’Orey Branco ◽  
Don A Neuendorff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Transportation Stress ◽  
Follicular Reserve ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis

Abstract Calves from transported dams had greater concentrations of plasma cortisol when restrained and cleared plasma cortisol at a slower rate than calves from non-transported dams. Considering this hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis effect, investigation of other parameters influencing reproduction is warranted in offspring exposed to prenatal transportation stress. The purpose was to determine impact of prenatal transportation stress on offspring ovarian follicle count. Brahman cows were transported for 2 h on d 60, 80, 120, and 140 (± 5 d) of gestation. Offspring from transported (Stressed, n = 19) or non-transported (Control, n = 15) dams were slaughtered at 5 yr (Replication 1, n = 14) or ovariectomized at 8 yr (Replication 2, n = 20). A cross-section of ovary was collected, serially sectioned, and stained. Numbers of total, primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles were determined per section. Total ovarian follicle count for each stage was calculated using ovary dimensions. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to analyze ovarian follicle count with treatment, replicate, and the interaction as fixed effects. Total ovarian follicle count decreased with age (P < 0.01; R1 = 383,663, R2 = 154,560); however, there was no difference in total ovarian follicle count between offspring due to treatment (P = 0.17; S = 221,813, C = 316,409). Similarly, there was no difference in primordial (P = 0.22; S = 127,300, C = 188,304), primary (P = 0.28; S = 58,610, C = 77,237), or antral (P = 0.48; S = 23,202, C = 28,695) follicle count between offspring due to treatment. Fewer secondary follicles were observed in Stressed offspring compared to Control offspring (P = 0.03). These results suggest that the ovarian follicular reserve, AFC, and potential fertility of cows may not be impacted by exposure to prenatal transportation stress. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Localisation and function of glucose transporter GLUT1 in chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) spermatozoa: relationship between ATP production pathways and flagellar motility

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 697
Author(s):  
Rangga Setiawan ◽  
Chathura Priyadarshana ◽  
Atsushi Tajima ◽  
Alexander J. Travis ◽  
Atsushi Asano
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Phosphorylation ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Flagellar Motility ◽  
Glucose Transporter 1 ◽  
Atp Production ◽  
Potent Inhibition ◽  
Principal Piece ◽  
And Function

Glucose plays an important role in sperm flagellar motility and fertility via glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, although the primary mechanisms for ATP generation vary between species. The glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) is a high-affinity isoform and a major glucose transporter in mammalian spermatozoa. However, in avian spermatozoa, the glucose metabolic pathways are poorly characterised. This study demonstrates that GLUT1 plays a major role in glucose-mediated motility of chicken spermatozoa. Using specific antibodies and ligand, we found that GLUT1 was specifically localised to the midpiece. Sperm motility analysis showed that glucose supported sperm movement during incubation for 0–80min. However, this was abolished by the addition of a GLUT1 inhibitor, concomitant with a substantial decrease in glucose uptake and ATP production, followed by elevated mitochondrial activity in response to glucose addition. More potent inhibition of ATP production and mitochondrial activity was observed in response to treatment with uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. Because mitochondrial inhibition only reduced a subset of sperm movements, we investigated the localisation of the glycolytic pathway and showed glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and hexokinase I at the midpiece and principal piece of the flagellum. The results of this study provide new insights into the mechanisms involved in ATP production pathways in avian spermatozoa.

scholarly journals PSI-27 Effect of antral follicle count on time intervals to estrus and ovulation in crossbred beef heifers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 472-472
Author(s):  
Maria K Chavez ◽  
Shelby L Rosasco ◽  
Matthew C Herrington ◽  
Joslyn K Beard ◽  
Adam F Summers
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Prediction Tool ◽  
Estrus Synchronization ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Antral Follicles

Abstract While genetics are an unreliable indicator of fertility, antral follicle count (AFC) has recently been recognized as a useful fertility prediction tool in heifers. The aim of this study was to determine if AFC exerts an effect on response to synchronization, time to estrus (TTE), and/or time to ovulation (TTO). Twenty-five crossbred heifers were classified by AFC, either high (> 25 antral follicles), moderate (16–24 antral follicles), or low (< 15 follicles) and utilized in two experiments. In experiment 1, heifers were subjected to the Select Synch + CIDR fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol. After synchronization, estrus activity was monitored every 3 h until standing estrus was observed. Heifers were examined at 12 and 18 h after observation of standing estrus and every 3 h thereafter to monitor ovulation. In experiment 1, the proportion of heifers that responded to the protocol was not significant (P = 0.71) among classification groups. Time to estrus and time to ovulation were similar between groups (P > 0.90). In experiment 2, heifers were placed with bulls for 60 d and were monitored for signs of estrus every 3 h. Results of experiment 2 indicated that response to estrus synchronization was similar across groups (P = 0.46). Time to estrus was greater (P = 0.04) in the high AFC group than in the low or moderate AFC groups. This may be attributed to lower concentrations of circulating gonadotropins in high AFC heifers, resulting in decreased intrafollicular estradiol. Differences in TTE results between experiment 1 and experiment 2 may be explained by increased reproductive function as heifers continued to mature during the study. These results suggest that differences in TTE may be related to AFC. Additional research is needed to corroborate these results and inform the creation of differing FTAI protocols based on AFC.

scholarly journals C1QTNF3 in the murine ovary and its function in folliculogenesis

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhoufei Mao ◽  
Liuhong Yang ◽  
Xiaosheng Lu ◽  
Anni Tan ◽  
Yuxia Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Mtor Phosphorylation ◽  
Accelerated Proliferation ◽  
And Function ◽  
Necrosis Factor

C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 3 (C1QTNF3) is a novel adipokine with modulating effects on metabolism, inflammation and the cardiovascular system. C1QTNF3 expression levels in the sera and omental adipose tissues of women with PCOS are low compared to control subjects. However, the expression and function of C1QTNF3 in the ovary has not previously been examined. Here, we assessed the expression patterns of C1qtnf3 in the ovary and explored its role in folliculogenesis. The C1qtnf3 transcript abundance was higher in large follicles than in small follicles and was under the influence of gonadotropin. C1QTNF3 was detected mainly in the granulosa cells and oocytes of growing follicles and modestly in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles and in luteal cells. Excess androgen significantly decreased C1QTNF3 expression in the ovaries in vivo and in granulosa cells in vitro. Recombinant C1QTNF3 protein accelerated the weight gain of ovarian explants and the growth of preantral follicles induced by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in vitro. The stimulatory effect of C1QTNF3 on ovarian growth was accompanied by the initiation of AKT, mTOR, p70S6K and 4EBP1 phosphorylation, an increase in CCND2 expression and a reduction in cleaved CASP3 levels. Moreover, the addition of C1QTNF3 accelerated proliferation and reduced activated CASP3/7 activity in granulosa cells. In vivo, the ovarian intrabursal administration of the C1QTNF3 antibody delayed gonadotropin-induced antral follicle development. Taken together, our data demonstrate that C1QTNF3 is an intraovarian factor that promotes follicle growth by accelerating proliferation, decelerating apoptosis and promoting AKT/mTOR phosphorylation.

scholarly journals Moderate nutrient restriction of beef heifers alters expression of genes associated with tissue metabolism, accretion, and function in fetal liver, muscle, and cerebrum by day 50 of gestation1

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 855-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S Crouse ◽  
Joel S Caton ◽  
Robert A Cushman ◽  
Kyle J McLean ◽  
Carl R Dahlen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Liver ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Nutrient Restriction ◽  
Functional Categories ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Nutritional Treatment ◽  
Tissue Metabolism ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
And Function

Abstract We hypothesized that a moderate maternal nutrient restriction during the first 50 d of gestation in beef heifers would affect transcript abundance of genes associated with tissue metabolism, accretion, and function in fetal liver, muscle, and cerebrum. Angus-cross heifers were estrus synchronized and assigned at breeding to one of two dietary treatments (CON- 100% of nutrient requirements to gain 0.45 kg/d; RES- 60% of CON). At day 50 of gestation, 14 heifers were ovariohysterectomized, and fetal liver, muscle, and cerebrum were collected. Transcriptome analysis via RNA-seq was conducted on the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform using 50-bp paired-end reads at a depth of 2 × 10.4M reads/sample. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using the Tuxedo Suite and ontological analysis with DAVID 6.8. For fetal liver, muscle, and cerebrum, a total of 548, 317, and 151 genes, respectively (P < 0.01) were differentially expressed, of which 201, 144, and 28 genes, respectively were false discovery rate protected (FDR; q < 0.10). Differentially expressed genes were screened for fit into functional categories of pathways or ontologies associated with known impacts on tissue metabolism, accretion, and function. In fetal liver, five functional categories of interest (n = 125 genes) were affected by nutritional treatment: metabolic pathways, protein kinase, nucleosome core, mRNA splicing, and complement/coagulation cascades, of which 105 genes were upregulated in RES. In fetal muscle, three functional categories of interest (n = 106 genes) were affected by nutritional treatment: skeletal muscle, embryogenesis, and signaling cascades, of which 64 genes were upregulated in RES. In fetal cerebrum, three functional categories of interest (n = 60 genes) were affected by nutritional treatment: hippocampus and neurogenesis, metal-binding, and cytoskeleton, of which 58 genes were upregulated in RES. These results demonstrate that a moderate maternal nutrient restriction during the first 50 d of gestation in beef heifers alters transcript abundance of genes potentially impacting tissue metabolism, accretion, and function in fetal liver, muscle, and cerebrum. Furthermore, these results indicate that affected categories are tissue-specific and moderate maternal nutrient restriction generally increases expression of genes in fetuses from RES fed dams. Finally, these data lay the foundation upon which further research that identifies phenotypic responses to changes in these pathways may be elucidated.

HIF1-α-Mediated Gene Expression Induced by Vitamin B1 Deficiency

2013 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Sweet ◽  
Jason A. Zastre
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Thiamine Deficiency ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cell ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Vitamin B1 ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Glucose Transporter 1 ◽  
Metabolic Intermediates

It is well established that thiamine deficiency results in an excess of metabolic intermediates such as lactate and pyruvate, which is likely due to insufficient levels of cofactor for the function of thiamine-dependent enzymes. When in excess, both pyruvate and lactate can increase the stabilization of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) transcription factor, resulting in the trans-activation of HIF-1α regulated genes independent of low oxygen, termed pseudo-hypoxia. Therefore, the resulting dysfunction in cellular metabolism and accumulation of pyruvate and lactate during thiamine deficiency may facilitate a pseudo-hypoxic state. In order to investigate the possibility of a transcriptional relationship between hypoxia and thiamine deficiency, we measured alterations in metabolic intermediates, HIF-1α stabilization, and gene expression. We found an increase in intracellular pyruvate and extracellular lactate levels after thiamine deficiency exposure to the neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-BE. Similar to cells exposed to hypoxia, there was a corresponding increase in HIF-1α stabilization and activation of target gene expression during thiamine deficiency, including glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and aldolase A. Both hypoxia and thiamine deficiency exposure resulted in an increase in the expression of the thiamine transporter SLC19A3. These results indicate thiamine deficiency induces HIF-1α-mediated gene expression similar to that observed in hypoxic stress, and may provide evidence for a central transcriptional response associated with the clinical manifestations of thiamine deficiency.

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