scholarly journals Selection for bull fertility: a review

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 423-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison L Butler ◽  
Jennifer M Bormann ◽  
Robert L Weaber ◽  
David M Grieger ◽  
Megan M Rolf
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Beef Bull ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Fertility Traits

Abstract Fertility is a critically important factor in cattle production because it directly relates to the ability to produce the offspring necessary to offset costs in production systems. Female fertility has received much attention and has been enhanced through assisted reproductive technologies, as well as genetic selection; however, improving bull fertility has been largely ignored. Improvements in bull reproductive performance are necessary to optimize the efficiency of cattle production. Selection and management to improve bull fertility not only have the potential to increase conception rates but also have the capacity to improve other economically relevant production traits. Bull fertility has reportedly been genetically correlated with traits such as average daily gain, heifer pregnancy, and calving interval. Published studies show that bull fertility traits are low to moderately heritable, indicating that improvements in bull fertility can be realized through selection. Although female fertility has continued to progress according to increasing conception rates, the reported correlation between male and female fertility is low, indicating that male fertility cannot be improved by selection for female fertility. Correlations between several bull fertility traits, such as concentration, number of spermatozoa, motility, and number of spermatozoa abnormalities, vary among studies. Using male fertility traits in selection indices would provide producers with more advanced selection tools. The objective of this review was to discuss current beef bull fertility measurements and to discuss the future of genetic evaluation of beef bull fertility and potential genetic improvement strategies.

scholarly journals TERRA: A Novel Biomarker of Embryo Quality and Art Outcome

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 475
Author(s):  
Maria Santa Rocca ◽  
Ludovica Dusi ◽  
Andrea Di Nisio ◽  
Erminia Alviggi ◽  
Benedetta Iussig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Embryo Quality ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Biological Clock ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
First Time

Telomeres are considered to be an internal biological clock, and their progressive shortening has been associated with the risk of age-related diseases and reproductive alterations. Over recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the association between telomere length and fertility, identifying sperm telomere length (STL) as a novel biomarker of male fertility. Although typically considered to be repeated DNA sequences, telomeres have recently been shown to also include a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) known as TERRA (telomeric repeat-containing RNAs). Interestingly, males with idiopathic infertility show reduced testicular TERRA expression, suggesting a link between TERRA and male fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of seminal TERRA expression in embryo quality. To this end, STL and TERRA expression were quantified by Real Time qPCR in the semen of 35 men who underwent assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and 30 fertile men. We found that TERRA expression in semen and STL was reduced in patients that underwent ART (both p < 0.001). Interestingly, TERRA and STL expressions were positively correlated (p = 0.010), and TERRA expression was positively associated with embryo quality (p < 0.001). These preliminary findings suggest a role for TERRA in the maintenance of sperm telomere integrity during gametogenesis, and for the first time, TERRA expression was found as a predictive factor for embryo quality in the setting of assisted reproduction.

The influence of disordered fat metabolism on male fertility at the reproductive age and the effectiveness of the ECF programs

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 34-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina I Vityazeva ◽  
Mariya V Altashina ◽  
Ekaterina A Troshina
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Fat Metabolism ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Excessive Body Weight ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
The Developed Countries

The excessive body weight and obesity in the men of the reproductive age exert the negative influence on their reproductive system and can promote the development of infertility. The high prevalence of obesity and the reduction of the birth rate in the developed countries stimulate the extensive investigations into the mechanisms by which the excess adipose tissue affects male fertility. The authors overview the literature publications concerning the hormonal profile and the adipokine level, as well as disturbance of spermatogenesis in the men with disordered fat metabolism with special reference to the peculiarities of the management of infertility with the application of the assisted reproductive technologies.

scholarly journals Selection for Female Fertility Using Censored Fertility Traits and Investigation of the Relationship with Milk Production

2006 ◽  
Vol 89 (11) ◽  
pp. 4438-4444 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. González-Recio ◽  
R. Alenda ◽  
Y.M. Chang ◽  
K.A. Weigel ◽  
D. Gianola
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Fertility Traits

scholarly journals An mHealth App Designed for Fertility Patients: From Conception to Pilot Testing

Iproceedings ◽  
10.2196/15236 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e15236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyllis Zelkowitz ◽  
Skye Miner ◽  
Siobhan O'Connell ◽  
Stephanie Robins
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Men And Women

Background Infertility is a distressing chronic condition affecting one in six couples; many of them seek to achieve a pregnancy via assisted reproductive technologies. Online resources for information and support are a mainstay of the self-help strategies of fertility patients. Patients seek explanations online about their diagnoses and treatment options, and hope to connect with others who have lived through a diagnosis of infertility. However, medical information found online is often inaccurate or hard to understand. Importantly, online forums that might provide social support are seldom monitored, allowing for the dissemination of potentially misleading information. In this study we describe the development of an mHealth app, Infotility, designed to provide evidence-based reproductive health information and a monitored message board to provide social support to users. Objective The objective was to describe the steps involved in the production of an mHealth app created specifically for fertility patients. Methods Our team followed guidelines established for the development of complex health interventions. To evaluate the existing online information sources, we assessed web-based information on infertility using standardized tools for readability, suitability and quality. To determine our stakeholders’ perspectives on what content to include in the app, a needs assessment survey was conducted in a sample of 289 male and 370 female fertility patients and 127 health care providers at clinics in Montreal and Toronto. A comprehensive review of the literature on the medical and psychosocial aspects of infertility was undertaken; summaries were then reviewed for accuracy and pertinence by patients, clinicians, researchers and professionals in the field of fertility. A technology partner was hired to create a user-friendly mobile app that contained the informational summaries, with separate portals for men and women, leading to content specifically curated for the user’s interests. There was also a closed discussion platform, “Connect”, monitored by 18 previous or current fertility patients. Peer monitors underwent one-on-one training and received an instructional manual created to assist with responding to forum messages from participants. Between November 2018 and April 2019, the app was pilot tested in a sample of 72 male and 187 female fertility patients to assess feasibility of recruitment, acceptability, and user satisfaction. Results Initial results show that men and women appreciated Infotility. The most popular sections included information on modifiable lifestyle risks (eg, diet, exercise, environment), and medical and psychosocial information. Men preferentially visited pages about lifestyle factors whereas the most common pages visited by women related to medical information. Importantly, the “Connect” social network logged 39 open forum conversations with 258 total posts, as well as 14 private messages. Both men and women lurked and posted on the board; women posted more often than men. Conclusions The design of a mobile health app for fertility patients should consider user experience and design along with the quality and accessibility of information. A fertility mHealth app should provide access to monitored social support through the interface and consider how to effectively tailor information to men and women.

scholarly journals Renin Angiotensin System, COVID-19 and Male Fertility: Any Risk for Conceiving?

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1492
Author(s):  
Lorella Pascolo ◽  
Gabriella Zito ◽  
Luisa Zupin ◽  
Stefania Luppi ◽  
Elena Giolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Angiotensin System ◽  
Renin Angiotensin

The current knowledge concerning the connection between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) system in the male reproductive apparatus is still limited, so dedicated studies are urgently required. Concerns about the male fertility consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection have started to emerge, since epidemiologic studies observed that this coronavirus affects male patients more frequently and with increased severity, possibly because of the hormone-regulated expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. A disturbance in fertility is also expected based on studies of the previous SARS-CoV infection, which targets the same ACE2 receptor when entering the host cells. In addition, bioinformatics analyses reveal the abundant expression of ACE2 receptor in the male reproductive tissues, particularly in the testis. It has been proposed that pharmacological intervention favoring the angiotensin-(1–7)/ACE2/Mas receptor pathway and increasing ACE2 expression and activity could greatly prevent inflammatory lesions in this area. Finally, in laboratories performing assisted reproductive technologies it is recommended that more attention should be paid not only to sperm quality but also to safety aspects. Data about the potential infectivity of seminal fluid are in fact conflicting and do not exclude risks for both personnel and patients. The potential infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in reproductive male tissues should be strongly considered and further investigated for the proper management of in vitro fertilization procedures.

scholarly journals The role of mitochondrial activity in female fertility and assisted reproductive technologies: overview and current insights

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 686-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Nardini Cecchino ◽  
Emre Seli ◽  
Eduardo Leme Alves da Motta ◽  
Juan Antonio García-Velasco
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity

scholarly journals Effects of Hepatic Expression of the High-Density Lipoprotein Receptor SR-BI on Lipoprotein Metabolism and Female Fertility

Endocrinology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 147 (4) ◽  
pp. 1577-1588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayce Yesilaltay ◽  
María Gabriela Morales ◽  
Ludwig Amigo ◽  
Silvana Zanlungo ◽  
Attilio Rigotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Lipoprotein Metabolism ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
High Density ◽  
Female Infertility ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Human Female

The etiology of human female infertility is often uncertain. The sterility of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor-negative (SR-BI−/−) female mice suggests a link between female infertility and abnormal lipoprotein metabolism. SR-BI−/− mice exhibit elevated plasma total cholesterol [with normal-sized and abnormally large HDL and high unesterified to total plasma cholesterol (UC:TC) ratio]. We explored the influence of hepatic SR-BI on female fertility by inducing hepatic SR-BI expression in SR-BI−/− animals by adenovirus transduction or stable transgenesis. For transgenes, we used both wild-type SR-BI and a double-point mutant, Q402R/Q418R (SR-BI-RR), which is unable to bind to and mediate lipid transfer from wild-type HDL normally, but retains virtually normal lipid transport activities with low-density lipoprotein. Essentially wild-type levels of hepatic SR-BI expression in SR-BI−/− mice restored to nearly normal the HDL size distribution and plasma UC:TC ratio, whereas approximately 7- to 40-fold overexpression dramatically lowered plasma TC and increased biliary cholesterol secretion. In contrast, SR-BI-RR overexpression had little effect on SR-BI+/+ mice, but in SR-BI−/− mice, it substantially reduced levels of abnormally large HDL and normalized the UC:TC ratio. In all cases, hepatic transgenic expression restored female fertility. Overexpression in SR-BI−/− mice of lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase, which esterifies plasma HDL cholesterol, did not normalize the UC:TC ratio, probably because the abnormal HDL was a poor substrate, and did not restore fertility. Thus, hepatic SR-BI-mediated lipoprotein metabolism influences murine female fertility, raising the possibility that dyslipidemia might contribute to human female infertility and that targeting lipoprotein metabolism might complement current assisted reproductive technologies.

scholarly journals Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Has Unclear Impact on Female Fertility: A Cochrane Collaboration Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangmin Lee ◽  
Megan Crowe ◽  
Cynthia H Seow ◽  
Paulo G Kotze ◽  
Gilaad G Kaplan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Aims Surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may impair female fertility. We conducted a systematic review to determine the risk of infertility and pregnancy outcomes in women with IBD who underwent surgery. Methods We identified studies evaluating the impact of IBD surgery on infertility and pregnancy outcomes. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled when data were presented using contingency tables. Odds ratios (OR) were pooled when raw numbers were not provided. GRADE was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. Results Sixteen observational studies were included, comparing women with and without surgery, open and laparoscopic surgery and before and after surgery. All studies were of low quality. The effect of surgery on infertility at 12 months (RR 5.45, 95% CI 0.41 to 72.57) was uncertain. Similarly, the fertility effects of laparoscopic versus open surgery method were unclear (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.27). The impact of IBD surgery on pregnancy outcomes should be interpreted with caution. Surgery was associated with miscarriage (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.60), use of assisted reproductive technologies (RR 25.09, 95% CI 1.56 to 403.76) and caesarean section (RR 2.23, 95% CI 1.00 to 4.95), but not with stillbirth (RR 1.96, 95% CI 0.42 to 9.18), preterm birth (RR 1.91, 95% CI 0.67 to 5.48), low birth weight (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.08 to 4.83) or small for gestational age (RR 2.54, 95% CI 0.80 to 8.01). Conclusion The effect of surgical therapy for IBD on rates of female infertility and pregnancy-related outcomes was uncertain due to poor quality of existing literature.

scholarly journals Male fertility: a review of the publications from January - March 2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-149
Author(s):  
D. S. Rogozin
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Paternal Age ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽  
Art Programs ◽  
Hormonal Modulation ◽  
The Impact

The article provides an overview of the most significant publications on the topic of male infertility. The main selection criteria were the practical significance of the article, as well as the impact factor of the journal in which it was published, according to the SCImago Journal Rank (SJR). As a result, a list of 10 works published in the first quarter (January - March) of 2021 was formed. The review included articles related to the following issues: sperm DNA fragmentation, the use of testicular spermatozoa in ART programs (assisted reproductive technologies), advanced paternal age, the role of the human papillomavirus for male fertility, hormonal modulation by clomiphene, the risk of birth defects in children in ART programs, andrological examination of patients with CFTR gene mutations. And also, an analysis of the new clinical guidelines of the American Urological Association (AUA) was carried out.

Selection for fertility traits in Brahmans increases heifer pregnancy rates from yearling mating

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 345 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Schatz ◽  
G. A. Jayawardhana ◽  
R. Golding ◽  
M. N. Hearnden
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
First Year ◽  
Weight Range ◽  
The Third ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Fertility Traits

The performance of heifers from a Brahman herd that was selected for fertility was compared with Brahman heifers sourced from commercial properties using three year-groups of heifers. Each year, conception rates from yearling mating were significantly higher in heifers from the selected herd (SEL) than in heifers sourced from commercial properties (COM), despite the average joining weight of the SEL heifers being lower each year. The pregnancy rate in SEL heifers was 24% higher (P = 0.008) in the first year, 36% higher (P = 0.005) in the second year and 45% higher (P < 0.001) in the third year. Over the 3 years of the study, the conception rate was 35% higher (P = 0.009) in SEL heifers than in COM heifers. Joining weight also affected pregnancy rates. When heifers were split into weight ranges according to their pre-joining weight, pregnancy rates were significantly higher (P = 0.018) in the heavier weight range than the lighter one. The results indicate that selection for fertility has been successful in improving conception rates from yearling mating in SEL heifers.

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