Evidence for maternal regulation of early conceptus growth and development in beef cattle

Garrett, Joy; Geisert, R. D.; Zavy, M. T.; Morgan, Gilbert T.

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0840437

Cited by 343 publications

(174 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…This indicates that the putative effects of treatments on early embryonic elongation and growth were no longer observed at Day 42. Early luteal treatment with P 4 or hCG induced longer conceptuses on Days 14 to 16 (Garrett et al, 1988;Mann and Lamming, 2001), which probably also occurred in the present experiment. The fact that embryonic size at Day 42 of hCG-treated heifers was similar to that of untreated controls, reflects the plasticity of growth regulation mechanisms as previously reported (Lopes-da-Costa et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…This is related to the higher prevalence of sub-optimal post-ovulatory plasma progesterone (P 4 ) concentrations (CRRP NE-161, 1996; Chagas e Silva et al, 2002) and to the lesser steroidogenic capacity of luteal cells (Shelton et al, 1990;Pretheeban et al, 2010) of cows, compared with heifers. Embryonic survival is dependent on the timely elongation and secretion of interferon tau by the blastocyst, in order to inhibit the luteolytic signal, features that are regulated by maternal concentrations of P 4 (Garrett et al, 1988;Kerbler et al, 1997; -E-mail: lcosta@fmv.utl.pt Mann and Lamming, 2001). This regulation by P 4 is apparently indirect (Clemente et al, 2009) through the modulation of the luteolytic signal (Mann et al, 1998) and the composition of the histotroph (Lonergan, 2011) and, probably by other embryo-maternal signaling pathways yet poorly understood or unknown (Bazer et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of treatments with hCG and carprofen at embryo transfer in a demi-embryo and recipient virgin heifer model

Torres

Silva

Diniz

et al. 2013

Animal

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An in vivo model, combining a low developmental competence embryo (demi-embryo) and a high-fertility recipient (virgin dairy heifer) was used to evaluate the effects of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and carprofen at embryo transfer (ET) on plasma progesterone (P 4 ) concentrations of recipients and on embryonic growth and survival. Embryos were bisected and each demi-embryo was transferred to a recipient on Day 7 of the estrous cycle. At ET, heifers (n 5 163) were randomly allocated to treatment with hCG (2500 IU im), carprofen (500 mg iv), hCG plus carprofen or to untreated controls. Plasma P 4 concentrations were measured on Days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of all recipients plus on Days 28, 42 and 63 of pregnant recipients. Pregnancy was presumed to be present in recipients with luteal plasma P 4 concentrations until Day 21 and confirmed by using transrectal ultrasonography on Days 28, 42 and 63. Embryonic measurements (crown-rump length and width) were obtained on Day 42. Treatment with hCG induced formation of secondary corpora lutea (CL) in 97% of heifers and increased ( P , 0.01) mean plasma P 4 concentrations of non-pregnant recipients on Day 14 and of pregnant heifers on Days 14 to 63. This was associated to a significant decrease in early embryonic mortality. In contrast, subsequent embryonic losses resulted in a non-significant numerical increase by 8% of pregnancies maintained to Day 63. Therefore, treatment with hCG significantly rescued embryos through the maternal recognition of pregnancy window but was not able to support development thereafter. Treatment with carprofen at ET had no significant effects on plasma P 4 concentrations and rate of embryo mortality. Treatment with hCG plus carprofen at ET induced formation of secondary CL in 90% of heifers but decreased the luteotrophic effect of hCG, resulting in no effect on embryo survival. Low developmental competence embryos showed an intrinsic deficiency in overcoming the maternal recognition of pregnancy challenge and in proceeding to further development until Day 28 of pregnancy, whereas mortality beyond this point was residual. Results on pregnancy rates should be confirmed in further experiments involving a larger sample size. Keywords: demi-embryo, hCG, carprofen, progesterone, bovine Implications Embryonic mortality is a major source of economic loss in the cattle industry, and may occur because of intrinsic embryonic, maternal and management factors. These factors may interact, which makes difficult to study their mechanisms of action and the design of appropriate therapeutic approaches. Herein, we used an in vivo model, considering a compromised embryo and a high-fertility recipient, to evaluate therapeutic strategies designed to enhance embryonic survival. Preliminary results showed that treatment with hCG at embryo transfer may be of interest to decrease embryonic mortality, whereas carprofen had no apparent effect on embryo survival. IntroductionPregnancy loss is a major cause of reproductive failure and of economic waste in...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of treatments with hCG and carprofen at embryo transfer in a demi-embryo and recipient virgin heifer model

Torres

Silva

Diniz

et al. 2013

Animal

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“…On the other hand, P4 either in vivo [25] or in vitro [26] does not directly affect the ability of embryos to develop to the blastocyst stage in cattle. Thus, these findings suggest that P4-induced changes in the uterine environment are responsible for the advancement in conceptus elongation [25,27]. Interestingly, the P4 concentrations in the ED group were similar to those in the Preg group on days 1-18, but the P4 levels remained lower than those in the Preg group after the MRP, resulting in loss of pregnancy.…”

Section: Shirasuna Et Al 88mentioning

confidence: 69%

Upregulation of Interferon-stimulated Genes and Interleukin-10 in Peripheral Blood Immune Cells During Early Pregnancy in Dairy Cows

et al. 2012

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Abstract. In cows, interferon-tau (IFNT) regulates maternal recognition around days 15-19 after artificial insemination (AI). The present study hypothesized that if key target genes of IFNT are clearly upregulated in earlier stages of pregnancy, these genes could be use as indices of future pregnancy in cows. Therefore, we determined the expression of these genes in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMCs) and polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs) during the maternal recognition period (MRP). Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were subjected to AI on day 0 and categorized into the following groups: pregnancy (Preg, n = 9), embryonic death (ED, n = 5) and non-pregnancy (NP, n = 6). Progesterone levels in the Preg group were higher than those in the NP group on days 12-21. ISG15 and OAS-1 (IFN-stimulated genes: ISGs) mRNA in PBMCs on day 8 was higher in the Preg group than in the NP group, and these mRNAs in PMNs was higher in the Preg group on day 5 than in the NP and ED groups. Interleukin-10 (IL-10, Th2 cytokine) mRNA expression increased on day 8 in the PBMCs of pregnant cows. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα, Th1 cytokine) mRNA expression was stable in all groups. In an in vitro cell culture experiment, IFNT stimulated mRNA expression of ISGs in both PBMCs and PMNs. IFNT stimulated IL-10 mRNA expression in PBMCs, whereas IFNT increased TNFα mRNA levels in PBMCs in vitro. The results suggest that ISGs and IL-10 could be responsive to IFNT before the MRP in peripheral blood immune cells and may be useful target genes for reliable indices of pregnancy before the MRP. Key words: Cow, Immune cells, Interferon tau, Pregnancy (J. Reprod. Dev. 58: [84][85][86][87][88][89][90] 2012) D uring the past 5 decades, milk production per cow has dramatically increased because of improved management, nutrition, and genetic selection [1,2]. In contrast, the decreases in fertility and conception rates of the modern high-producing dairy cow are the major causes of economic loss for dairy producers [2,3]. After establishment of pregnancy in domestic ruminants, the conceptus secretes interferon-tau (IFNT) as a maternal recognition factor [4]. IFNT acts in the uterus around day 16 after insemination and prevents luteolysis by inhibiting prostaglandin F 2α release, resulting in the maintenance of corpus luteum function; therefore, this period is termed the maternal recognition period (MRP) [5]. IFNT induces the synthesis and secretion of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) such as ISG15, 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS-1), IFN regulatory factor 1, Mx1 and Mx2 not only in the uterus but also in blood cells in ewes and cows [6][7][8][9][10]. In fact, in bovine peripheral blood leukocytes, ISG15 mRNA levels were higher in pregnant cows than in nonpregnant cows on days 18 and 20 after artificial insemination (AI) [7][8][9]. Technology for the early detection of pregnancy is needed to identify nonpregnant cows and to synchronize and artificially inseminate these cows prior to the next ovulation, and many studies have focused on identify...

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“…Progesterone plays an essential role in various reproductive functions, including regulating the length of the estrous cycle, maintaining pregnancy [4,5] and regulating embryonic growth and development [6,7]. P4 is high during the luteal phase and in pregnancy, however the levels decline if the animal fails to conceive [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serum, milk, saliva and urine progesterone and estradiol profiles in crossbred (Zebu x Holstein Friesian) dairy cattle

Mekonnin¹,

Howie²,

Riley³

et al. 2017

Anim Husb Dairy Vet Sci

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Effective breeding management is a crucial tool to enhance the reproductive and productive performance of dairy cattle. To achieve this, regular monitoring of their reproductive status is important. The aims of this study were to monitor the reproductive status of crossbred dairy cattle based on progesterone (P4) concentration in serum, whole milk, saliva and urine, and estradiol in serum using quantitative laboratory ELISA tests, and to document hormonal profiles at different reproductive stages. Three hundred and thirty-six (336) crossbred (Holstein Friesian x Zebu) dairy cattle (232 cows and 104 heifers) from 47 dairy farms owned by smallholder or organized commercial dairy farmers were included in the study. Matched blood, milk and saliva samples were collected twice at 11-day intervals at afternoon milking, while urine was collected just once. Serum was separated within 48 hr of blood collection. All samples were stored at -80 o C until assayed. In both cows and heifers, P4 was higher during pregnancy than in other reproductive conditions. Estradiol was higher during estrus than at other reproductive stages. Estradiol levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in estrus cows compared with heifers. The mean level of P4 in serum strongly correlated with the value in milk (r = 0.6368, P< 0.0001), however there was no correlation in P4 concentration between serum and saliva or between P4 in serum and in urine. Hence, determination of P4 in serum and milk using an ELISA test is a reliable and precise method to monitor reproductive status in crossbred dairy cattle.

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Evidence for maternal regulation of early conceptus growth and development in beef cattle

Cited by 343 publications

References 11 publications

Evaluation of treatments with hCG and carprofen at embryo transfer in a demi-embryo and recipient virgin heifer model

Evaluation of treatments with hCG and carprofen at embryo transfer in a demi-embryo and recipient virgin heifer model

Upregulation of Interferon-stimulated Genes and Interleukin-10 in Peripheral Blood Immune Cells During Early Pregnancy in Dairy Cows

Serum, milk, saliva and urine progesterone and estradiol profiles in crossbred (Zebu x Holstein Friesian) dairy cattle

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