W3112: Reproductive Performance in Domestic Ruminants

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[06/24/2017] [06/04/2018] [07/17/2019] [12/07/2020] [06/01/2021]

Date of Annual Report: 06/24/2017

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/23/2017 - 06/24/2017
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2015 - 09/30/2016

Participants

1. Kristen Govoni University of Connecticut
2. Milan Shipka University of Alaska
3. Andrea Cupp University of Nebraska
4. Deb Hamernik University of Nebraska
5. Ryan Ashley New Mexico State
6. Caleb Lemley Mississippi State University
7. Mark Mirando USDA-NIFA
8. Brenda Alexander University of Wyoming
9. Phil Cardoso University of Illinois
10. Kim Vonnahme North Dakota State University
11. Larry Reynolds North Dakota State University
12. Anna Grazul-Bilska North Dakota State University
13. Ligia Prezetto Montana State University
14. Ky G. Pohler University of Tennessee
15. Anna Denico Cal Davis
16. Ron Randel Texas A&M
17. Russ Anthony Colorado State University
18. David Grieger Kansas State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Phil Cardoso (chair) called to order at 1:10 PM.

State updates and introductions:

1:10 PM introductions.

In 2018 the meeting will be in Overton, TX on 5/22-23.

Ligia Prezetto was elected the new member at large.

Update from Milan: W-3112 is the recipient of the Western Section Multistate group. The group will compete for the national award.

For next year, keep it to 3 slides to be presented in 10 min.

State reports of accomplishments

5:00 PM Meeting adjourned for Day 1

June 24, 2017

Phil Cardoso (chair) called the meeting back to order at 8:00 AM.

State reports continued

Collaboration development

10:30 AM Meeting adjourned

Accomplishments

CO Report- Immune responses related to BVDV infection and other virus challenge placental function, IFN expression and pregnancy outcomes. In vivo gene editing of CSH will allow for better understanding of its role in glucose transporters of the placenta. MO Report- Estrus expression in relation to pregnancy rate in FTAI scenarios. Circulating concentrations of E2 during the preovulatory period does not affect conceptus elongation or pregnancy rates in beef heifers at day 16 of gestation. AZ Report- Oxygen and glucose supplementation will reduce the endocrine stress response in fetuses with placental insufficiency-induced intrauterine growth restriction. DBP, a common environmental contaminant and its main substitute (ATBC), adversely affect the growth and survival of ovarian antral follicles. Enzyme involved in β-oxidation were upregulated in IUGR fetuses.   IL Report- Dairy cows supplemented with Methionine and/or Choline differed in gene expression than control cows but ovulation and P4/E2 concentrations were not affected. Studies were conducted to validate E2 and P4 commercial EIA assays with bovine serum.   KS Report- Estrus detection patches were used to evaluate delaying insemination in heifers that did not express estrus prior to TAI; however delaying insemination did not improve pregnancy rates in heifers that did not express estrus. Exercise may provide benefits to heat tolerance in dairy heifers without adverse effects on gestation or calving.   MS Report- Doppler ultrasound was used to evaluate uterine perfusion. Melatonin supplementation increases uterine blood flow but in the current study had no effect on calf weight at birth but there was differences postnatally.    ND Report- Doppler ultrasound was used to monitor uterine dynamics and pregnancy in supplemented cows and ewes carrying twins vs singles. Binucleate cell and placental morphology were evaluated in heifers treated with bST and ewes fed different protein levels.   NE Report- VEGFA treatment in the high A4 herd was used to evaluate potential for follicular response and potential for follicle rescue. The A4 herd was found to have altered metabolism, increased folliculogenesis and change granulosa cell proliferation.   WA Report- Differences in gene expression in mice were evaluated to better understand oxygen availability to the fetus through the placenta. Mice were also used in a human reproductive cancer study.   AK Report- Synthetic progesterone supplementation on rutting reindeer calmed aggressive and did not negatively impact semen characteristics. The next study will increase numbers for a preliminary trial of methionine supplementation in muskoxen.   TX Report- Brahman heifers that calve around two years of age have different growth patterns than heifers which calve later. Progeny of bulls who underwent prenatal stress have different responses to endotoxin challenges and altered glucose homeostasis. In addition many factors including sex, reproductive status and age influence immune responses in Brahman cattle. CT Report- Maternal nutritional stress reduces offspring muscle growth through changes in Pax7 abundance and other gene expression involved in in cell signaling, inflammation, and epigenetic regulation.  Maternal nutrition affects the DNA methylation patterns in the pancreas and markers of inflammation in the liver. PA Report- Work on the male fertility SNP chip continues. Studies into the role of PRAMEY during fertilization have been done in mutant mouse models and bovine in vitro models using abattoir derived spermatozoa. Creation of a KO line of PRAME mice is in development. NM Report- Our results highlight the importance of the positive-feedback loop between VEGF and CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling and that CXCL12-CXCR4 signalling impacts inflammatory cytokine expression. In applied strategies research, delaying heifer growth does not improve reproductive parameters and a PG synchronization in ewes results in similar estrus expression results as a CIDR protocol. UT Report- Focus on statistical methodologies in relation to gene expression, FDR and oocyte viability. WY Report- Progress has been made towards understanding the station objectives in terms of maternal obesity’s effect on offspring and further generations, importance of male sexual behavior, impact of extended release FSH treatment in bulls and maternal/fetal cortisol on metabolic programming. TN Report – Early gestation circulating PAG concentration may have application in diagnosing pregnancy at day 24 gestation and more work is needed to determine the potential of early gestation PAGs predicting embryo loss in dairy and beef.   Collaborations (2017): Mississippi State and Montana State - Effects of maternal nutrient restriction in Angus and Brahman heifers on placental blood flow and fetal development related to the hypothalamus and liver.   Uconn and CSU - Use lentiviral approach to knockdown expression of chemokine receptors (CXCR4 or CXCR7) in trophoblast to further define the role of each in placental development.  AK, NE, and WY - Tissue collection (testes [NE] and brain [WY]) to examine for difference between Depo Provera treated and control reindeer bulls during rut (breeding season). AK and TN - Blood sample collection from pregnant reindeer to examine for PAG. Mississippi state and Nebraska will continue collaborating on Liver enzymes in HIgh and Low A4 cows and pubertal classifications   California and Neb will collaborate on follicle isolation and culturing techniques as well as sharing Endocrinology teaching notes   Wyoming and Nebraska will collaborate on examining hypothalamus from different pubertal classifications which may become High A4 cows   Wyoming, Alaska and Nebraska will collaborate on examining testes and hypothalamus from reindeer, caribou and sheep.   ND, CO, and CT: maternal nutrition impacts on placental function, nutrient transport, and fetal metabolism and growth   ND, MS: maternal nutritional impacts on uterine/umbilical blood flow, mammary blood flow and endocrine profiles.   Kim Vornahme (NDSU): Evaluate the effects of nutrient restriction and realimentation on fetal liver and muscle growth and metabolism   Ryan Ashley (NMSU): Effect of maternal nutrient restriction and overfeeding during gestation on CXCR4 and CXCL12 placenta   John Stevens (Utah State Univ): Effect of maternal diet on offspring muscle gene expression   TN and TAMU: Effect of subspecies on PAG profiles during gestation.

Publications

<ul> <li>S. Skenandore, A. Pineda, J.M. Bahr, A.E. Newell-Fugate, and F.C. Cardoso. (2017). Evaluation of a commercially available radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay for the analysis of progesterone and estradiol and the comparison of two extraction efficiency methods. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 60:61-66.</li> <li>Acosta, D.A., M.I. Rivelli, C. Skenandore, Z. Zhou, D.H. Keisler, D. Luchini, M.N. Corrêa, and F.C. Cardoso. (2017). Effects of rumen-protected methionine and choline supplementation on steroidogenic potential of the first postpartum dominant follicle and expression of immune mediators in Holstein cows. Theriogenology. 96:1-9.</li> <li>Rivelli, M.I., S.Y. Morrison, K.J. Haerr, S. Rodriguez-Zas, and F.C. Cardoso. (2017). Nutrition, reproduction, and young stock performance in dairy farms throughout Illinois: a Dairy Focus Team approach. The Professional Animal Scientist. In Press.</li> <li>S. Skenandore, D.A. Velasco-Acosta, Z. Zhoua, M.I. Rivelli, M.N. Corrêa, D.N. Luchini, and F.C. Cardoso. (2017). Effects of rumen-protected methionine and choline supplementation on vaginal discharge and uterine cytology of Holstein cows. International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine. 5:1-7.</li> <li>Kennedy, V. C., B. R. Mordhorst, J. J. Gaspers, M. L. Bauer, K. C. Swanson, C. O. Lemley, and K. A. Vonnahme. 2016. Supplementation of corn dried distiller’s grains plus solubles to gestating beef cows fed low-quality forage: II. Impacts on uterine blood flow, circulating estradiol-17β and progesterone and hepatic steroid metabolizing enzyme activity. Journal of Animal Science. 94:4619-4628.</li> <li>Gilfeather, C. L. and C. O. Lemley. 2016. Effects of interferon-tau and steroids on cytochrome P450 activity in bovine endometrial epithelial cells. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 51:415-420.</li> <li>Prezotto, L. D., L. E. Camacho, C. O. Lemley, F. E. Keomanivong, J. S. Caton, K. A. Vonnahme, and K. C. Swanson. 2016. Nutrient restriction and realimentation in beef cows during early- and mid-gestation and maternal and fetal hepatic and small intestinal in vitro oxygen consumption. Animal. 10:829-837.</li> <li>Brockus, K. E., C. G. Hart, B. O. Fleming, T. Smith, S. H. Ward, and C. O. Lemley. 2016. Effects of supplementing Holstein heifers with dietary melatonin during late gestation on growth and cardiovascular measurements of their offspring. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 51:240-247.</li> <li>Keomanivong, F. E., C. O. Lemley, L. E. Camacho, R. Yunusova, P. P. Borowicz, J. S. Caton, A. M. Meyer, K. A. Vonnahme, and K. C. Swanson. 2016. Influence of nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation of pregnant ewes on maternal and fetal pancreatic digestive enzymes and insulin-containing clusters. Animal. 10:440-448.</li> <li>Cline, G. F., A. M. Muth-Spurlock, B. E. Voelz, C. O. Lemley, and J. E. Larson. 2016. Evaluating blood perfusion of the corpus luteum in beef cows during fescue toxicosis. Journal of Animal Science. 94:90-95.</li> <li>Brockus, K. E., C. G. Hart, C. L. Gilfeather, B. O. Fleming, and C. O. Lemley. 2016. Dietary melatonin alters uterine artery hemodynamics in pregnant Holstein heifers. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 55:1-10.</li> <li>Mordhorst, B.R., C.A. Zimprich, L.E. Camacho, M.L. Bauer, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2016. Supplementation during late gestation in beef cows consuming low quality forage decreases uterine blood flow without impacting mammary gland blood flow. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. doi: 10.1111/jpn.12580.</li> <li>Reynolds, L.P and K.A. Vonnahme. 2016. Triennial Reproduction Symposium. Developmental programming of fertility. Journal of Animal Science 94:2699-2704.</li> <li>Kennedy, V.C., M.L. Bauer, K.C. Swanson, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2016. Supplementation of corn dried distiller’s grain plus solubles to gestating beef cows fed low-quality forage: I. Altered intake behavior, body condition, and reproduction. Journal of Animal Science. 94:240-247.</li> <li>Keomanivong, F. E., L.E. Camacho, C.O. Lemley, E.A. Kuemper, R. Yunusova, P.P. Borowicz, J.D. Kirsch, A. Vonnahme, J.S. Caton, and K.C. Swanson. 2016. Effects of realimentation after nutrient restriction during mid- to late-gestation on pancreatic digestive enzymes, serum insulin and glucose levels, and insulin-containing cell cluster morphology. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. doi: 10.1111/jpn.12480.</li> <li>Prezotto, L.D., L. E. Camacho, C. O. Lemley, F. E. Doscher, J. S. Caton, K. A. Vonnahme, and K. C. Swanson. 2016. Nutrient restriction and realimentation in beef cows during early- and mid-gestation and maternal and fetal hepatic and small intestinal in vitro oxygen consumption. Animal. 10:829-837. doi:10.1017/S1751731115002645.</li> <li>Khanthusaeng V, Thammasiri J, Bass CS, Navanukraw C, Redmer DA and Grazul-Bilska AT. Lipid droplets in cultured luteal cells in non-pregnant sheep fed different planes of nutrition. Acta Histochemica, 118:553-559, 2016.</li> <li>Quinn KE, LP Reynolds, AT Grazul-Bilska, PP Borowicz, RL Ashley. Placental development during early pregnancy: effects of embryo origin on chemokine ligand twelve (CXCL12). Placenta 43: 77-80, 2016.</li> <li>Bairagi S, KE Quinn, AR Crane, RL Ashley, PP Borowicz, JS Caton, RR Redden, AT Grazul-Bilska, LP Reynolds. Maternal Environment and Placental Vascularization in Small Ruminants. Theriogenology. 86:288-305, 2016.</li> <li>Quinn, K.E., S.Z Prosser, K.K. Kane, and R.L. Ashley. 2017. Inhibition of chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor four (CXCR4) at the fetal-maternal interface during early gestation in sheep: alterations in expression of chemokines, angiogenic factors and their receptors. J. Anim. Sci. 95(3):1144-1153. PMID: 28380526</li> <li>Salazar, M.S., A. Lerma-Ortiz, G. M. Hooks, A. Alire, A. K. Ashley and R. L. Ashley. 2016. Progestin-mediated activation of MAPK and AKT in nuclear progesterone receptor negative breast epithelial cells: the role of membrane progesterone receptors. Gene. 591(1):6-13. PMCID: <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4992424/">PMC4992424</a></li> <li>Quinn, K.E., L.P. Reynolds, A.T. Grazul-Bilska, P.P. Borowicz, and R.L. Ashley. 2016. Placental development during early pregnancy: Effects of embryo origin on expression of chemokine ligand twelve (CXCL12). Placenta. 43. 77-80. PMID: 27324103</li> <li>Hill, S.L., M. Grieger, K.C. Olson, J.R. Jaeger, C.T. Dahlen, M.R. Crosswhite, N.N. Pereira, S.R. Underdahl, B.W. Neville, J.K. Aholoa, M.C. Fisher, G.E. Seidel, and J.S. Stevenson. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone increased pregnancy risk in suckled beef cows not detected in estrus and subjected to a split-time artificial insemination program. J. Anim. Sci. 2016 Sep;94(9):3722-3728. doi: 10.2527/jas.2016-0582.</li> <li>White, L., J. M. Bormann, K. C. Olson, J. R. Jaeger, S. Johnson, B. Downey, D.M. Grieger, J. W. Waggoner, D. W. Moser and R. L. Weaber. Phenotypic relationships between docility and reproduction in Angus heifers.  J. Anim. Sci. 2016 Feb;94(2):483-9. doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-9327.</li> <li>Stevens J.R., Al Masud A., and Suyundikov A. (2017) “A comparison of multiple testing adjustment methods with block-correlation positively-dependent tests.” PLOS ONE 12(4): e0176124. <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0176124">http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0176124</a></li> <li>Brown, L.D., M.A. Davis, S. Wai, S.R. Wesolowski, W.W. Hay Jr., S.W. Limesand, R.J. Rozance (2016). Chronically increased amino acids improve insulin secretion, pancreas vascularity, and islet size in growth restricted fetal sheep. Endocrinology 157(10):3788-3799.</li> <li>Chen, X., A.C. Kelly, D.T. Yates, A.R. Macko, R.M. Lynch, and S.W. Limesand (2017) Islet adaptations in fetal sheep persist following chronic exposure to high norepinephrine. Journal of Endocrinology 232(2):285-295. Epub 2016 Nov 25.</li> <li>Harris, S.E., M. De Blasio, M.A. Davis, A.C. Kelly, H.M. Davenport, P. Wooding, D. Blache, D. Meredith, M.J. Anderson, A.L. Fowden, S.W. Limesand, and A.J. Forhead (2017). Hypothyroidism in utero stimulates pancreatic beta cell proliferation and hyperinsulinaemia in the ovine fetus during late gestation. Journal of Physiology 595(1):3331-3343.</li> <li>Benjamin, J., C. Culpepper, L.D. Brown, S.R. Wesolowski, S. Jonker, M.A. Davis, S.W. Limesand, R.B. Wilkening, W.W. Hay, Jr., and P.J. Rozance (2017). Chronic Anemic Hypoxemia Attenuates Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Fetal Sheep. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 312(4):R492-R500.</li> <li>Kelly, A.C., C.A. Bidwell, F.M. McCarthy, D.J. Taska, M.J. Anderson, L.E. Camacho, and S.W. Limesand (2017). RNA sequencing exposes novel adaptive and immune responses to intrauterine growth restriction in fetal sheep islets. Endocrinology. 158(4):743-755.</li> <li>Limesand SW and PJ Rozance (2017). Fetal adaptations in insulin secretion result from high catecholamines during placental insufficiency. Journal of Physiology (in press) Feb 14. doi: 10.1113/JP273324. [Epub ahead of print]</li> <li>Smith, KE, AC Kelly, CG Min, C Weber, FM McCarthy, LV Steyn, V Badarinarayana, P Strop, RM Lynch, SW Limesand, KK Papas (2017). Acute ischemia induced by high density culture increases cytokine expression and diminishes the function and viability of highly purified human islets of Langerhans. Transplantation (in press).</li> <li>Camacho, LE, X Chen, WW Hay Jr, SW Limesand (2017). Enhanced insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in young lambs with placental insufficiency-induced intrauterine growth restriction. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology (in press).</li> <li>Jensen, J.T., I.B. Addis, J.D. Hennebold, R.L. Bogan (2017). Ovarian lipid metabolism modulates circulating lipids in premenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab [Epub ahead of print January 6, 2017], DOI:10.1210/jc.2016-3456.</li> <li>Rasmussen LM, Sen N, Liu X, Craig ZR. Effects of oral exposure to the phthalate substitute acetyl tributyl citrate on female reproduction in mice.  J Appl Toxicol 2017; 37:668-675.</li> <li>Rasmussen LM, Sen N, Vera JC, Liu X, Craig ZR. Effects of in vitro exposure to dibutyl phthalate, mono-butyl phthalate, and acetyl tributyl citrate on ovarian antral follicle growth and viability.  Biol Reprod 2017; 96:1105-1107.</li> <li>Gates, K.C. L.N. Goetzmann, J.D. Cantlon, K.M. Jeckel and R.V. Anthony. 2017. Effect of proline rich 15-deficiency on trophoblast viability and survival. PLoS One 2:e0174976</li> <li>Odle, J. S.K. Jacobi, R.D. Boyd, D.E. Bauman, R.V. Anthony, F.W. Bazer, A.L. Lock, and A.C. Serazin. 2017. The Potential Impact of Animal Science Research on Global Maternal and Child Nutrition and Health: A Landscape Review. Adv. Nutri. 8:362–381.</li> <li>Clark NC, Pru CA, Yee SP, Lydon JP, Peluso JJ, Pru JK. Conditional ablation of progesterone receptor membrane component 2 causes female premature reproductive senescence. Endocrinology 2017;158:640-651. PMID:28005395</li> <li>Kelleher AM, Peng W, Pru JK, Pru CA, DeMayo FJ, Spencer TE. Forkead box a2 (FOXA2) is essential for uterine function and fertility. Proc Natl Acad Sci 2017;114:E1018-E1026. PMID:28049832</li> <li>Clark NC, Pru CA, Pru JK. Novel regulators of hemodynamics in the pregnant Pro Mol Biol Transl Sci 2017;145:181-216. PMID:28110751</li> <li>McCallum ML, Pru CA, Niikura Y, Yee SP, Lydon JP, Peluso JJ, Pru JK. Conditional ablation of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 results in subfertility in the female and development of endometrial cysts. Endocrinology 2016;157:3309-3319 PMID:27309940</li> <li>Romereim, S, AS Cupp. Book Chapter- Invited:  Mesonephric Cell Migration Into the Gonads is a Process Crucial for Testis Development" in R.P. Piprek (ed.), Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Differentiation in Gonad Development, Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation 58, 2016 DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-31973-5_4.</li> <li>Romereim SM, AF. Summers, WE. Pohlmeier, P Zhang, X Hou, HA Talbott, RA. Cushman, JR. Wood, JS Davis, AS. Cupp. Gene Expression Profiling of Bovine Ovarian Follicular and Luteal Cells Provides Insight into Cellular Identities and Functions. Epub ahead of print 2016 Dec 10; Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Volume 439, 5 January 2017, Pages 379-394. DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2016.11.093.</li> <li>Romereim SM, Summers, WE. Pohlmeier, P Zhang, X Hou, HA Talbott, RA. Cushman, JR. Wood, JS Davis, AS. Cupp. Data In Brief: Transcriptomes of bovine ovarian follicular and luteal cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol. Epub ahead of Print Dec 15, 2016; <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2016.11.093">http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2016.11.093</a>.</li> <li><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">McNeel</a>, AK, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">ÉM. Soares</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">AL Patterson</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">JL Vallet</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">EC Wright</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">EL Larimore</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">OL  Amundson</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">JR  Miles</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">CC  Chase Jr.</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">CA Lents</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">JR Wood</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">AS Cupp</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">GA Perry</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182"> Cushman</a>.  Beef heifers with diminished numbers of antral follicles have decreased uterine protein secretion. Anim Reprod Sci. 2017 Jan 12. pii: S0378-4320(16)30618-2. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.01.004.</li> <li>Talbott H, Hou X, Qiu F, Zhang P, Guda C, Yu F, Cushman RA, Wood JR, Wang C, Cupp AS, Davis JS. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28549990">Early transcriptome responses of the bovine midcycle corpus luteum to prostaglandin F2α includes cytokine signaling.</a> Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2017 May 23. pii: S0303-7207(17)30287-3. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.05.018. [Epub ahead of print].</li> <li>Govoni, K., Reed, S. A., (2017). How Mom’s diet affects offspring growth and health through modified stem cell function. Animal Frontiers. In Press.</li> <li>Pillai, S. M., Jones, A. K., Hoffman, M. L., McFadden, K. K., Reed, S. A., Zinn, S., Govoni, K. (2017). Fetal and organ development at gestational days 45, 90, 135 and at birth of lambs exposed to under- or over-nutrition during gestation. Translational Animal Science, 1, 16-25.</li> <li>Hoffman, M. L., Reed, S. A., Pillai, S. M., Jones, A. K., McFadden, K. K., Zinn, S., Govoni, K. (2017). The effects of poor maternal nutrition during gestation on offspring postnatal growth and metabolism. Journal of Animal Science, 94, 3093-3099.</li> <li>Jones, A. K., Gately, R. E., McFadden, K. K., Hoffman, M. L., Pillai, S. M., Zinn, S., Govoni, K., Reed, S. A. (2017). Ultrasound during mid-gestation: Agreement with physical foetal and placental measurements and use in predicting gestational age in sheep. Reproduction in domestic animals Mar 23. doi: 10.1111/rda.12961.</li> <li>Pillai, S. M., Sereda, N. H., Hoffman, M. L., Valley, E. V., Crenshaw, T. D., Park, Y.-K., Lee, J.-Y., Zinn, S., Govoni, K. (2016). Effects of Poor Maternal Nutrition during Gestation on Bone Development and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Activity in Offspring. PloS one, 11(12), e0168382.</li> <li>Hoffman, M. L., Peck, K. N., Wegrzyn, J., Reed, S. A., Zinn, S., Govoni, K. (2016). Poor maternal nutrition during gestation alters the expression of genes involved in muscle development and metabolism in lambs. Journal of animal science, 94(7), 3093-9.</li> <li>Liu, W.-S., Zhao, Y.Q., Lu, C., Ning, G., Ma, Y., Diaz, F., O'Connor, M. (2017) A novel testis-specific protein, PRAMEY, is involved in spermatogenesis in cattle. Reproduction 153, 847–863.</li> <li>Maalouf, S.W., Liu, W.-S., Pate, J.L. (2016) MicroRNA in ovarian function. Cell Tissue Res 363, 7–18.</li> <li>Demirkhanyan, L. V. Krishnan, S. Asuthkar, B. Alexander, Z. Hussain, P. Baskaran, Y. Nersesyan, E. Pavlov, B.Thyagarajan, and Zakharian. 2017. TRPM8 regulates mammalian dimorphic sexual behaviors. Nature Comm. In review.</li> <li>Ferraz Junior, M.V., Pires, A.V., Biehl, M.V., Santos, M.H., Barroso, J.P., Goncalves, J.R., Sartori, R., Day, M.L., 2016a. Comparison of two timed artificial insemination system schemes to synchronize estrus and ovulation in Nellore cattle. Theriogenology 86, 1939-1943.</li> <li>Ferraz Junior, M.V., Pires, A.V., Biehl, M.V., Santos, M.H., Polizel, D.M., Nepomuceno, D.D., Sartori, R., Barreto Filho, J.B., Goncalves, J.R., Day, M.L., 2016b. Luteolysis in Bos indicus cows on Days 5 and 7 of estrous cycle with varying doses of PGF2alpha. Theriogenology 86, 1268-1274.</li> <li>Ghnenis, A. B., J. F. Odhiambo, J. McCormick, P. W. Nathanielsz, and S. P. Ford. 2017. Maternal Obesity in the ewe increases cardiac ventricular expression of glucocorticoid receptors, pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis in Adult Male Offspring. Plos ONE. In review.</li> <li>Harstine, B.R., Cruppe, L.H., Abreu, F.M., Utt, M.D., Cipriano, R.S., Lemes, A., Premanandan, C., DeJarnette, J.M., Day, M.L., 2017. Impact of a timed-release follicle-stimulating hormone treatment from one to three months of age on endocrine and testicular development of prepubertal bulls. Journal of Animal Science 95, 1669-1679.</li> <li>Kramer, A.C., A.J. Mirto, K.J. Austin, B.M. Alexander. 2017. Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Ventral Tegmental Area of Rams with High or Low Libido—a role for Dopamine. Animal Reproduction Science. In review.</li> <li>Nurmamat, T., J. F. Odhiambo, D. R. Shasa, A. M. Smith, P. W. Nathanielsz, S. P. Ford. 2017. Maternal obesity programs reduced pituitary leptin signaling and altered GH/IGF1 axis function leading to increased adiposity in adult sheep offspring. Plos ONE. In review.</li> <li>Yang, S., Gerow, K.G., Huber, H.F., Considine, M.M., Li, C., Mattern, V., Comuzzie, A.G., Ford, S.P., Nathanielsz, P.W., 2017. A decline in female baboon hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity anticipates aging. Aging (Albany NY) 9, 1375-1385.</li> <li>Brenner-Garza, E., A. M. Sifuentes-Rincon, R. D. Randel, F. A. Paredes-Sanchez, G. M. Parra-Bramonte, W. Arellano-Vera, F. A. Rodriguez-Alameda and A. Segura-Cabrera.   Association of SNP’s in dopamine and serotonin pathway genes and their interacting genes with temperament traits in Charolais cows. Journal of Applied Genetics.  doi:10.1007/S3353-016-383-0.</li> <li>Gart, E.V., J.S. Sachodolski, T.H. Welsh, Jr., R.C. Alaniz, R.D. Randel and S.D. Lawhon. Salmonella typhimurim and multidirection communication in the gut.  Frontiers in Microbiology. Vol. 7 Article 1827. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01827</li> <li>Littlejohn, B.P., M.C. Roberts, M.N. Bedenbaugh, A.W. Lewis, D.A. Neuendorff, D.G. Riley, J.A. Carroll, R.C. Vann, M. Amstalden, R.D. Randel and T.H. Welsh, Jr.   Evaluation of the influence of prenatal transportation stress on GnRH- stimulated luteinizing hormone and testosterone secretion in sexually mature Brahman bulls.  J. Anim. Sci. 95:1-10. doi:10.2527/jas2016.0445</li> <li>LaPorte, M.E., Y.S. Weems, A. Arreguin-Arevalo, T.M. Nett, N. Tsutahava, T. Sy, J. Haberman, M. Chon, R.D. Randel and C.W. Weems.   Effects of LPA2R, LPA3R, or EP4R agonists on luteal or endometrial function in vivo or in vitro and sirtuin or EP1R, EP2R, EP3R or EP4R agonists on endometrial secretin of PGE and PGF2 in vitro. Theriogenology 95:8-17.</li> <li>Dickinson,S.E., W. Geary, J.M. Monnig, K.G. Pohler, J.A. Green, M.F. Smith 2016.  Effect of preovulatory follicle maturity on pregnancy establishment in cattle: the role of oocyte competence and the maternal environment.  Animal Reproduction 13:209-216.</li> <li>Bishop, B.E., J.M. Thomas, J.M. Abel, S.E Poock, M.R. Ellersieck, M.F. Smith, and D.J. Patterson.   Split-time artificial insemination in beef cattle: I–sing estrous response to determine the optimal time(s) at which to administer GnRH in beef heifers and postpartum cows DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.03.043</li> <li>86: 1102–1110</li> <li>Bishop, B.E., J.M. Thomas, J.M. Abel, S.E Poock, M.R. Ellersieck, M.F. Smith, and D.J. Patterson. Split-time artificial insemination in beef cattle: II. Comparing pregnancy rates among nonestrous heifers based on administration of GnRH at AI DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.08.029</li> <li>87: 229–234</li> <li>Abel, J.M, B.E. Bishop, J.M. Thomas, M.R. Ellersieck, S.E. Poock, M.F. Smith, and D.J. Patterson 2016. Comparing strategies to synchronize estrus before fixed-time artificial insemination in primiparous 2-year-old beef cows.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.09.010</li> <li>Therio 87: 306–315</li> <li>Thomas, J.M., E. Bishop, J. M. Abel, M. R. Ellersieck, M. F. Smith, and D. J. Patterson 2016.  The 9-day CIDR-PG protocol: Incorporation of PGF2α pretreatment into a long-term progestin-based estrus synchronization protocol for postpartum beef cows. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.01.010Therio. 85: 1555–1561</li> <li>Young, C.D., Schrick, F.N., Pohler, K.G., Saxton, A.M., Di Croce, F.A., Roper, D.A., Wilkerson, J.B. and Edwards, J.L., 2017. A reproductive tract scoring system to manage fertility in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science.</li> <li>Reese, S.T., Pereira, M.C., Vasconcelos, J.L.M., Smith, M.F., Green, J.A., Geary, T.W., Peres, R.F.G., Perry, G.A. and Pohler, K.G., 2016. Markers of pregnancy: how early can we detect pregnancies in cattle using pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and microRNAs?. Animal Reproduction, 13(3), pp.200-208.</li> </ul>

Impact Statements

the optimization of maternal nutrition and the associated uterine environment will contribute to the birth of healthy, growth-efficient offspring, which is vital to livestock production efficiency.

Date of Annual Report: 06/04/2018

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/22/2018 - 05/23/2018
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2016 - 09/30/2017

Participants

1. Charles Long - Research at the Research and Extension Center at Overton - Texas A&M, 2. Andrea Cupp - University of Nebraska, 3. Brenda Alexander - University of Wyoming, 4. David Grieger - Kansas State University, 5. Ky Pohler - Texas A&M, 6. Thomas Geary - USDA ARS Miles City, 7. Kristen Govoni - University of Connecticut, 8. Caleb Lemley - Mississippi State University, 9. Milan Shipka - University of Alaska, 10. Brittni Littlejohn - Texas A&M, 11. John Stevens - University of Utah, 12. Ron Randle - Research at the Research and Extension Center at Overton - Texas A&M, 13. Thomas Hanses - Colorado State University, 14. John Hall - University of Idaho, 15. Ligia Prezotto - Montana State University, 16. Jennifer Thorson - Montana State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

5-22-2018

Ky Pohler (chair) called meeting to order at 9:00 AM

9:00 AM – introductions and all participants gave state updates and brief report about respective Universities

Milan Shipka gave federal updates and had a discussion with the group in regards to upcoming project midterm review. The group decided that a symposium will be organized with the ASAS Western Section, as well as a symposium for producers with location to be decided.

John Hall was elected new director at large

W3112 meeting will be in Boise – Idaho in 2019 (June 11-13)

Mark Mirando joined group via conference call and gave USDA-NIFA report

Station reports of accomplishment

5:30 PM – meeting adjourned for day 1

5-23-2018

Ky Pohler (chair) called meeting to order at 8:00 AM

Station reports of accomplishment were finalized

Group toured the Texas A&M facilities at the research station in Orverton

Collaboration development

12:00 PM - meeting adjourned

Accomplishments

Intended Activities for following year Connecticut <ul> <li>Determine the effects of restricted feed and realimentation on offspring muscle, liver and circulating metabolism using a metabolomics approach.</li> <li>Develop outreach activities for New England sheep producer which focus on maternal diet during gestation.</li> </ul>   Kansas <ul> <li>Repeat experiments with similar designs to improve statistical power and provide more reliable information for beef producers.</li> </ul>   Utah <ul> <li> In most projects involving high-dimensional data (such as genomics), multiplicity corrections such as the false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment are performed to control a meaningful type I error rate. Often multiple research questions are of simultaneous interest (such as testing for differential expression between pairs of embryo types – IVV vs IVM, IVV vs SCNT, IVM vs SCNT, etc.). We can prove that performing an FDR correction within each research question actually controls the FDR across all research questions, so that no additional multiplicity correction across research questions is needed. This is a joint project with PhD graduate Anvar Suyundikov.</li> <li> We previously created and published a statistical software package (mvGST; Stevens and Isom 2012) to characterize differentially expressed genes based on common gene function or pathway involvement, specifically in situations where multiple comparisons are of simultaneous interest. For example, in a study of various embryo types at a specific developmental stages, this package can identify biological processes that are significantly more active in IVV vs IVF at gestation day 10, but significantly less active in IVV vs IVF at days 12 and 14. Since the creation of this package, several competing methods have been published. A supported graduate student (Richard Lambert) is being mentored to compare the relative performance of this mvGST method and several competing methods. Preliminary results indicate superior statistical power and type I error rate control for the mvGST method in the most biologically meaningful scenarios.</li> <li> Project leader John Stevens is providing statistical bioinformatics support to two animal science doctoral students (Moley and Alhojaily) working with collaborator Dr. Isom. Moley is studying the potential use of apoptosis as a biomarker for assessing SCNT embryo competence (specifically gene expression differences in embryos exhibiting high vs low levels of apoptotic index). Alhojaily is studying the effect of severe negative energy balance on the fertility of dairy cows (specifically gene expression differences associated with oocyte quality, embryonic loss, and a suboptimal uterine lumen environment); a related presentation will be made at the 2018 American Dairy Science Association meeting.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Montana – Animal Science Department Bozeman <ul> <li>This report represents the final report for James Berardinelli to this Committee. I am retiring from Montana State University in June of this year.</li> </ul> – Research Centers Department – Northern Ag Research Center <ul> <li>Initiate animal work for project “In utero programming of the blood-brain barrier and nutrient-sensing circuitry that regulate reproductive function of beef cattle”. Funding has been secured with the AFRI-USDA-NIFA opportunity.</li> </ul>     USDA ARS Miles City <ul> <li>Replicate the High/Low E2/P4 study from 2017 to clearly demonstrate the importance of high preovulatory estradiol concentrations for timed AI pregnancy success. Because of anticipated early pregnancy loss, we will continue to collect blood on day 17 and 34 of gestation for analysis of microRNA and PAGs associated with pregnancy loss. Studies will be conducted with Mike Smith (University of Missouri), George Perry (South Dakota State University), and Ky Pohler (Texas A & M University).</li> <li>Continue to investigate the role of spermatozoa insufficiencies in pregnancy failures. Studies will include genetic nutritional and managerial treatments on new measures of bull fertility. We have begun a heterosis study of peripubertal bull fertility on Hereford, Angus and F1 bulls (3 to 4 year study with approximately 500 bulls). In addition, all of the embryos produced for the ET study came from the highest and lowest fertility sires that Genex markets and the bull calves from this group will be evaluated extensively for fertility. Studies will be conducted in collaboration with Peter Sutovsky, University of Missouri, Megan Van Emon, Montana State University and Bob Cushman, USDA-ARS, Clay Center.</li> <li>Continue our studies of uterine capacity for pregnancy with Tom Spencer, University of Missouri, and Holly Neibergs, Washington State University to identify genetic markers associated with fertility (pregnancy maintenance) in cattle. Specific studies will include genotyping of larger populations of beef heifers from commercial operations and expression differences of reproductive tissues collected on approximately d 17 of pregnancy from cows identified to have high or low fertility.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Idaho <ul> <li>A long-term study has been started to compare effects of fetal programming and preweaning development in a nutrient restricted environment (range) with a nutrient surplus environment (irrigated pasture) on heifer development and fertility.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Continue GWAS analysis of indicators of heifer fertility.</li> </ul>   California <ul> <li>Results of the first project will be presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR) in July 2018.</li> </ul> Alaska <ul> <li>Reindeer Bull Management: Semen collection, evaluation and freezing <ul> <ul> <li>Complete analysis, write-up and submit for publication and presentation(s)</li> </ul> </ul> </li> <li>Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Increases Neural activity in the Central Amygdala of Reindeer Bulls <ul> <ul> <li>Complete analysis, write-up and submit for publication and presentation(s)</li> </ul> </ul> </li> <li>Effect of Rumen-Protected Methionine Supplementation on Qiviut Growth and Body Weight Gain in Muskoxen <ul> <ul> <li>Complete data collection and analysis</li> <li>Write-up and submit for publication and presentation(s)</li> </ul> </ul> </li> </ul> Mississippi <ul> <li>Continue validating laser Doppler techniques by examining endometrial blood perfusion around the time of artificial insemination.  </li> <li>Examine uterine blood flow, macroscopic cotyledonary blood vessel density, and placental gene expression in nutrient restricted heifers around day 180 of pregnancy.</li> <li>Examine placental clock gene expression and their circadian rhythms in beef heifers during mid to late pregnancy.  </li> </ul>   Colorado <ul> <li>Examine the impact of CSH deficiency on maternal and fetal physiology nearterm.</li> <li>Generate pregnancies to test the efficacy of SLC2A3 RNA interference at 75 dGA.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>-Generate pregnancies using our lentiviral-mediated CRISPR-Cas9 CSH gene editing constructs at 35 dGA and determining the degree of functional mutations obtained in vivo.</li> <li>Analyze conceptus-derived and endometrial-derived signals for pregnancy status.</li> <li>Further examine upregulation of inflammatory, cell death, and immune cell responses in conceptuses that are dying to clarify pregnancy loss in dairy cows.</li> <li>Further study massive induction of innate response genes by persistent infection with BVDV in context of immunohistochmical localization of some of these targets as well as extending these studies to fetal thymic and placental tissues.</li> <li>Complete the studies and analysis of the role of PPARA in modulating the expression of estradiol-induced genes during the periovulatory period.</li> <li>Intracerebroventricularly infect sheep hypothalamus with AAV viruses and evaluate the distribution of expression with both pantropic and cell-specific promoters.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Pennsylvania <ul> <li>Focus on the bovine PRAMEY protein cleavage and its function in acrosome formation and sperm-egg binding.</li> <li>Continue to determine the functional role of PRAME during spermatogenesis by characterizing the mutant mice to investigate when and where the first defect and the major bottleneck effect in which type of germ cells are occurred during spermatogenesis.</li> </ul>   Tennessee <ul> <li>Continue validation of early gestation pregnancy diagnosis using PAG concentration</li> <li>Expand study of sire impact on circulating PAG concentrations in cattle</li> <li>Investigate genetic PAG differences between sires</li> <li>Investigate bacteriome shifts related to changes in hormonal concentrations during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy</li> </ul> Collaborations <ul> <ul> <li>Mississippi State University – USDA-ARS Miles City, MT: Effects of prenatal and postnatal melatonin supplementation on bull development; Effects of estradiol and endometrial perfusion on heifer fertility.</li> <li>Mississippi State University – Montana State University: Effects of maternal nutrient restriction on placental and fetal calf development.</li> </ul> </ul> <ul> <li>CO will be discussing a collaborative grant proposal with MO where heifer calves will be identified in MT that have never been vaccinated so that they can be used to generate BVDV infected pregnant heifers in CO for the purposes of testing the following hypothesis.  Transient infection of fetuses with BVDV during pregnancy pre-disposes postnatal calves to bovine respiratory disease.  </li> </ul>   <ul> <li>UConn (Govoni) and Utah State Univ (Stevens) – We will continue with analysis of RNA-Seq data examining the effects of poor maternal nutrition on offspring muscle development.</li> <li>UConn (Govoni) and Montana State Univ (Prezotto and Thorson) – Evaluate offspring muscle developing in calves from poorly fed mothers.</li> <li>UConn (Govoni) and New Mexico State Univ (Ashley) – Evaluate gene expression of immune response and pregnancy recognition genes in reproductive tracts of ewes fed restricted and overfed diets during gestation.</li> <li>UC-Davis will continue collaboration with University of Nebraska (Andrea) and University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign (Phil).</li> <li>Montana State will collaborate with University of Nebraska (Andrea) to continue to characterize FGF21 in beef cattle.</li> <li>     Utah (John Stevens) will continue to collaborate with animal reproduction researchers, particularly those employing genomic technologies on questions relevant to the W3112 objectives, with a focus on the identification, development, and refinement of the most appropriate statistical methodologies for the studies involved.</li> </ul> Outputs Connecticut <ul> <li>Poor maternal nutrition, under- and/or over-feeding, beginning at d 30 of gestation alters key metabolites in the muscle of offspring, but appears to impact different metabolic pathways depending on the mother’s diet.</li> <li>Surveys of New England sheep producers highlight the need for outreach programs to demonstrate the importance of maternal nutrition during gestation and proper diet analysis and formulation.</li> <li>Northeast Regional Association (NERA) Planning Grant meeting brought together researchers in the field of fetal programming, including W3112 members (Ryan Ashley, Sean Limesand, Kristen Govoni, Steven Zinn, Kim Vonnahme) to present current work and develop/continue collaborations.</li> <li>UConn presented current findings of pregnant sheep feed management on offspring productivity to New England Sheep producers at ‘Sheep Blue Ribbon Day’ at UConn, Storrs, CT.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Kansas <ul> <li>The use of exogenous progesterone in the form of a CIDR was not beneficial for increasing pregnancy rate with the timed AI protocols tested in these trials.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Utah <ul> <li>The tolerance interval and classification tree approaches appear promising as statistical methods to assess oocyte viability using gene expression profiles.</li> <li>Poor maternal nutrition may alter offspring muscle development through genes involved in cell signaling, inflammation, and epigenetic regulation.</li> </ul>   Montana – Animal Science Department Bozeman <ul> <li>The source and concentration of a Zn supplement appeared to improve ram development, specifically ADG, serum Zn concentrations, staple length, and there was a tendency to improve G:F ratio. However, Zn supplement, in either form, did not alter seminal or sperm characteristics in this study. The results of this may be applicable to other aspects of sheep production in Montana and other northern rangelands, such as replacement ewes and slaughter lambs to increase ADG and wool growth.</li> <li>Continuous presence of mature bulls during an estrus synchronization protocol that included a CIDR for 14 days did not appear to influence ovarian follicular dynamics or the expression of estrus after PG injection in beef heifers. Thus, this may not be the mechanism whereby the presence of bulls increases fertility in the bovine. However, the relationship between the dominate follicle (ovulatory follicle) diameter and body condition score supports the concept that “more fit” females ovulate larger follicles which in turn improves fertility and reproductive efficiency in beef heifers.</li> <li>Development of an efficient, standardized, interpretable, and low cost technology to make management decisions regarding the generally health and well-being of domestic and will animal species will become more important in the near future. Use of NMR spectroscopy for profiling metabolites has the potential to do just this and to yield a more profound understanding of how changes in stress. nutrition, reproduction, susceptibility to disease, and survival rates drive population dynamics in free-ranging domestic and wild ruminants.</li> </ul> – Research Centers Department – Northern Ag Research Center <ul> <li>Successfully characterized the release of FGF21 in beef heifers and cows.</li> <li>Validated a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed for mice and rats as functional for bovine plasma. The FGF21 ELISA for rats and mice is an acceptable alternative to FGF21 ELISAs developed for bovines. As the bovine specific ones do not have consistency in production and are twice as expensive as the one mentioned above.</li> <li>Observed that supplementing protein at a 2% above NRC recommendation to the dam during gestation does not impact the dam. However, some preliminary data has shown that the pool of follicles in the ovaries of heifers out of these dams might be compromised by protein supplementation.</li> <li> </li> </ul> USDA ARS Miles City <ul> <li>If an injectable estradiol were approved for synchronization of ovulation, timed AI pregnancy rates could be increased 11 to 27% depending upon the percentage of cows/heifers in which ovulation is induced as opposed to being spontaneous. This could result in 25% more AI-sired calves, 25% more calves born early in the calving season and heavier at weaning, greater fertility in subsequent breeding seasons, greater potential to shorten breeding and calving seasons, greater genetic progress through increased utilization of AI, and about $50 additional income per cow.</li> <li>Data generated from these studies of biomarkers associated with fertility may allow for improvements in traditional breeding soundness evaluations that lead to improved pregnancy rates obtained with both AI and natural service. Furthermore, selection pressure applied to bull fertility should result in reproductive and productive efficiency in beef herds.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Idaho <ul> <li>Feed efficiency of heifers, as measured by residual feed intake, did not markedly affect prebreeding measures of reproductive development, and did not influence pregnancy rate to synchronized AI. Therefore, reproductive performance may not be altered by selection of heifers for improved feed efficiency.</li> <li>Grazing different forages from 9 to 10.5 months of age did not affect reproductive development despite differences in rate of body weight gain.</li> <li>Based on limited data, it would appear that differences in pregnancy rate between sex-sorted and conventional semen are not due to embryonic loss after d 25 of gestation.</li> <li>Altering timing of insemination in a fixed-time AI protocol did not improve pregnancy rates to sex-sorted semen. Additional strategies are needed to improve pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI with sex-sorted semen.</li> <li>Large bull-associated variations in pregnancy rate in on-ranch studies with sex-sorted semen indicate there is a need to develop methods to identify semen with poor fertility post sex-sorting.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Arizona <ul> <li>Chronic adrenergic stimulation in normally grown sheep fetuses produced glucose sparing effects via insulin resistance. However, chronic elevation of fetal catecholamines was not sufficient to stimulate endogenous glucose production. These findings indicate that other conditions associated with placental insufficiency are involved in the initiation and maintenance of hepatic glucose production.</li> <li>Metabolic coupling in fetal β-cells was increased following chronic adrenergic stimulation, which results in hypersecretion of insulin during a glucose challenge.</li> <li>Impaired skeletal muscle growth in lambs born with IUGR is caused by a persistent defect in TGFβ signaling.</li> <li>Supplementation of IUGR fetuses with oxygen and glucose for five days improves glucose stimulate insulin secretion.</li> <li>Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) that negatively affect trophoblast cells and ovarian folliculogenesis-related gene expression</li> <li>A better understanding of the mechanisms causing luteolysis may help identify novel methods to increase reproductive efficiency.</li> <li>Understanding how phthalates interact with ovarian follicles and the pathways that regulate follicle function will facilitate the management of infertility caused by environmental contaminants.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Illinois <ul> <li>Supplementation of rumen-protected methionine (RPM) resulted in improved uterine immune function through improved glandular morphology, increased neutrophil infiltration number after calving, and discovery of neutrophil extracellular trap formation in bovine endometrial tissue for the first time.</li> <li>RPM supply during late-gestation could enhance utero-placental transport of essential and non-essential amino acids (AA), glucose and vitamins. As such, differences in body weight at birth in calves from Met-supplemented cows is, at least in part, a result of upregulation of nutrient transporters some of which are controlled by mTOR signaling.</li> <li>When clay was added to the diet, the suppressive effects of aflatoxin were shown through HP and STAT3.</li> <li>Clay supplementation increased the activity of AKR1C to the apparent detoxification of AFB1. However, further studies will need to be conducted in order to conclude if CYP2C is acting on a pro-inflammatory basis or part of the steroid inactivation.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Nebraska <ul> <li>Understanding how heifers achieve puberty and if abnormalities occur in development of their reproductive cycles maybe critical to her reproductive performance and longevity. Thus, developing assays and markers to identify them can aid in culling females prior to development that may ultimately be sub-fertile.</li> <li>It appears that High A4 cows are present in other herds suggesting that this may be a universal phenotype of most cow herds and contributes to irregular estrous cycles and infertility.</li> <li>Understanding how females with androgen excess are different metabolically and how this affects reproduction can allow for the development of methods to identify them.</li> <li>We are determining how VEGFA165 may reduce steroidogenesis, oxidative stress and fibrosis and may be used as a therapeutic in cases of anovulation or follicular arrest.</li> <li>Understanding how different lipids in follicular fluid that are secreted by the somatic cells in the follicle may help us understand abnormal follicular development.</li> <li>Understanding how progestins may reduce male aggression may aid us in other ruminant species that are noted for inducing damage when they are in rut.</li> <li> </li> </ul> California <ul> <li>The delay in return to fertility observed in cows following the hot season can be explained at least in part by the current finding that preantral follicles growing under intermittent heat stress did not grow at the same rate as their control counterparts;</li> <li>Follicles that became unviable after heat stress exposure showed a marked increase in expression of SOD (encoding the enzyme superoxide dismutase), confirming that the mechanism of injury is at least partially mediated by oxidative stress.</li> <li>Follicles that remained viable after 7 days of culture under heat stress had growth rates and gene expression similar to their control counterparts. This finding has implications for the investigation of genetic determinants of resistance to higher temperature.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Alaska <ul> <li>Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Increases Neural activity in the Central Amygdala of Reindeer Bulls</li> <li>A single i.m. injection of 400 mg MPA, administered in late July was sufficient to reduce aggressive and rut related behavior, maintain food consumption and significantly reduce rut related weight loss without completely blocking fertility in reindeer bulls.</li> <li>Increased activity in the central amygdala may account for some of the decreased aggression observed in treated bulls.</li> <li>Effect of Rumen-Protected Methionine Supplementation on Qiviut Growth and Body Weight Gain in Muskoxen. It took approximately 2 weeks for all animals to accept and consume the SMA, making top dressing an effective, simple means of administering the supplement.</li> </ul>   Mississippi <ul> <li>We observed compensatory responses in macroscopic and microscopic placentome blood vessel density during maternal nutrient restriction induced reductions in uterine artery blood flow. Moreover, the greater density of cotyledonary blood vessels in Brahman heifers may protect the fetus by ensuring adequate tissue perfusion during prolonged periods of maternal nutrient restriction.</li> <li>Chronic melatonin supplementation increased uterine artery blood flow in mid to late gestating cattle, but this was not accompanied by an increase in fetal weight. Alterations in postnatal development of bulls, including increased body weight and scrotal circumference, warrants future investigations related to attainment of puberty and subsequent fertility of offspring born to melatonin supplemented dams.</li> <li>Our early validation studies show promise for examining real-time endometrial blood perfusion with laser Doppler technology, which corresponds well with endometrial tissue nitrate concentrations.</li> </ul>   Colorado <ul> <li>Creating CSH-deficient pregnancies has revealed that this placental hormone impacts fetal growth early in gestation, and its deficiency also 9 results in placental and fetal growth restriction near-term. This model can now be used to directly assess both the direct and indirect effects of CSH on fetal growth, fetal pancreas development and function, placental growth and function.</li> <li>Development of lentiviral-mediated methods to target the expression of individual genes within the ruminant placenta provides the opportunity to examine cause- and-effect relationships during pregnancy.</li> <li>Commercialization of a diagnostic for pregnancy status early during pregnancy would have tremendous economic benefit to producers raising ruminants.</li> <li>Understanding why so many embryos die and the mechanisms associated with embryonic mortality may lead to future approaches designed to improve pregnancy rates in dairy cows.</li> <li>Clarifying how fetal immune development is impaired when infected by viruses in utero will help clarify why postnatal immune responses are impaired to secondary infections and will strongly justify preventative management practices to control viral infections.</li> <li>Generating an enriched population of gonadotropes has revealed a unique set of characteristic genes expressed in gonadotropes. Additionally, we have shown that during the enrichment process, the characteristic phenotype of gonadotropes is maintained. This enrichment process will be applied to future studies of gonadotrope function, investigating how gonadotropes integrate the various hormonal and physiological inputs during the periovuatory period.</li> <li>Developing a method to infect the hypothalamus with AAV viral vectors and to constrain expression of transgenes to specific neuronal populations (Kisspeptin, KNDy, or GNRH) will provide us with a tool to assess the roles these neurons play in GNRH release.</li> </ul>   Texas <ul> <li>Prenatal transportation stress alters the methylation pattern in calves resulting in alternation of signaling pathways influencing behavior and stress response. The impact of even mild stressors during gestation can alter the function of the calf’s DNA resulting in performance traits which will not be predicted by gene markers or pedigree analysis.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Numbers of small antral follicles which cannot be counted using 2D ultrasound are predictive of postpartum interval when enumerated on day 28 after calving using a 3D ultrasound.</li> </ul>   Pennsylvania <ul> <ul> <li>Discover mechanisms within five years that have potential to translate into applicable biotechnologies to improve reproductive efficiency in domestic ruminants.</li> <li>Further understand mechanisms of gonadotropin synthesis and release to improve management of reproductive behavior, the reproductive cycle, gamete development and the ovulatory event.</li> <li>Improve management of reproductive cycles through increased understanding of follicle recruitment, ovulation and corpus luteum development.</li> </ul> </ul> <ul> <li>Increase the understanding of communication and nutrient flow between the embryo/fetus and the dam. This understanding would improve fetal health outcomes and adult wellbeing, and would be important for the optimization of livestock production goals.</li> </ul>     Tennessee <ul> <li>Increases in circulating concentrations of PAG early in gestation are predictive of the developing embryo’s success.</li> <li>Cows with large reproductive tracts had decreased fertility and decreased concentrations of PAG.</li> <li>Successful pregnancies sired by high fertility bulls with low late embryonic/fetal pregnancy loss have increased concentration of PAG at day 30 of gestation compared to low fertility sires.</li> <li>Supplementing with zinc, manganese, and copper amino acid complexes plus cobalt glucoheptonate improved oocyte production and embryo development in pregnant beef cows when compared to cows supplemented with inorganic forms of these trace minerals.</li> <li>Bacteriome of postpartum cows through a synchronization protocol indicates a shift in bacterial communities in the uterus to decrease the diversity that may be important for pregnancy development.</li> </ul>   New Mexico <ul> <li>CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling at the fetal-maternal interface is crucial to proper placentation. Inhibition of this signaling axis in vivo disrupted synthesis of angiogenic and growth factors, subsequently altering placental vascularization. Further, it appears CXCL12 may function through the mTOR pathway in both fetal and maternal placenta. Our results highlight the importance of the positive-feedback loop between VEGF and CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling, which may be one of the primary pathways driving angiogenesis of the placenta. A greater comprehension of how CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling regulates angiogenic factors at the fetal-maternal interface may enhance our understanding of the mechanisms driving placental growth and vascularization during early pregnancy, leading to improved reproductive success.</li> <li>The CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling axis is functional in corpora lutea (CL) and levels of each protein display similar abundance patterns to several pro-inflammatory cytokines during early gestation compared to non-pregnant ewes. Progesterone synthesis does not appear to be regulated by CXCL12 but this chemokine may function as a luteotropic factor to maintain CL survival and function by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These novel data add to our previous report of CXCR4 presence in the ovine CL and provide insight as to how luteal function is modulated during gestation. As the CL is the sole source of P4 during early gestation, CXCL12 signaling may serve as a key chemokine ensuring CL integrity during this time period when most pregnancy losses occur.</li> <li>Expression of CXCL12 mRNA decreased in ovine pituitary on day 20 of gestation compared to non-pregnant ewes; CXCL12 protein was similar across all days tested (day 10 of cycle and days 20, 25, and 30 of gestation). In non-pregnant and pregnant ewes, CXCR4 was localized to somatotropes and gonadotropes on all days tested. Levels of CXCR4 increased in pituitary tissue from pregnant ewes with elevated circulating progesterone compared to pregnant ewes with normal progesterone levels (control). The current study details CXCL12 and CXCR4 in normal ovine pituitary and reveals gonadotropes and somatotropes may be regulated by CXCL12/CXCR4, underscoring this signaling axis as a potential new class of modulator in endocrine functions.</li> <li>Pilot studies have been completed to determine impact of locally delivered WNT3A on ovarian follicle development using osmopump delivery to ovarian stroma in adult cycling ewes. Initial studies are underway investigating the consequence of subacute illness in beef cattle on subsequent fertility and signaling molecules that control estrogen production. Delivery of molecules into the ovarian stroma was not the most effective method to induce an effect as they appear to have been restricted to a small region of stromal tissue and therefore, not able to fully impact follicle maturation.</li> <li>Synchronization of young beef cows with a single injection of PG after bull exposure resulted in similar pregnancy rates and increased returns compared with CIDR synchronization.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Drought and the environmental stress associated with it impact cattle production. Reduction of forage availability and increased supplementation costs may decrease producer profitability. Additionally, the stress placed on pregnant cows may impact subsequent progeny performance via fetal programming. Brangus heifers born to cows experiencing lower than average precipitation levels during gestation were more likely to remain in the herd and produced more calves than those whose dams experienced higher than average precipitation levels.</li> </ul>   Wyoming <ul> <li>We have made significant strides in understanding the specific implications of maternal obesity on offspring health, growth efficiency, glucose-insulin dynamics and reproductive function. Results from these studies shed light on the specific physiological mechanisms involved, as well as lead us to management practices to optimize offspring health and production efficiency. These studies provide strong evidence that the optimization of maternal nutrition and the associated uterine environment will contribute to the birth of healthy, growth-efficient offspring, which is vital to livestock production efficiency. Further, recent data demonstrate that the negative metabolic effects of maternal obesity are observed in their children and grandchildren.</li> <li>Expression of sexual behavior is essential for successful reproduction especially in domestic species in which assisted reproductive technologies are precluded due to anatomical limitations. Approximately 20% of rams express limited sexual interest potentially slowing genetic progress for the flock. Expression of the TRPM8 channel does not appear to differ by expression of sexual behavior, but may influence the reward pathway through connections with the lateral hypothalamus. It is intriguing that expression was robust in the central amygdala—an area of the brain important for alerting and/or integration of sensory signals. Reindeer bulls are notoriously dangerous to handlers during the rut, and progesterone agonists have been used anecdotally to moderate behavior. Influence of these agonists on sensory processing has not been determined. Based on preliminary results, it appears reindeer bucks are processing sensory cues similarly at the POA of the hypothalamus. A treatment by time interaction indicates greater fos signaling in the central amygdala of treated bulls during the rut. This may suggest treated bulls remain fearful during the rut and are therefore less dangerous to handlers.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Activities</li> </ul> <ul> <li>W3112 report submitted and presented at USDA meeting by Thomas Hansen</li> <li>Review articles for Triannual Repro Symposium published (please see publications list)</li> <li>Two participates were invited to give a presentation during the Triannual Repro Symposium at SSR as well as during WSASAS</li> <li>W3112 members chaired (Kristen Govoni) and spoke (Andrea Cupp) at the Cell Biology Symposium during the ASAS-CSAS Annual Meeting.</li> <li> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Milestones</li> </ul> <ul> <li>In order to accomplish some of the proposed milestones the group will be finalizing and launching websites focusing on beef (via UNL website) and sheep (via UWY website) reproduction. The group will also organize symposiums during the ASAS-Western Section meeting and a producer oriented meeting (the meeting is still to be decided; however, some of the ideas are NCBA meeting in San Antonio or Beef Improvement Federation meeting).</li> </ul>

Publications

Connecticut Manuscripts: <ul> <li>Hoffman ML, Reed SA, Pillai SM, Jones AK, McFadden KK, Zinn SA, Govoni KE. PHYSIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY SYMPOSIUM: The effects of poor maternal nutrition during gestation on offspring postnatal growth and metabolism. J Anim Sci. 2017 May;95(5):2222-2232. doi: 10.2527/jas.2016.1229.</li> <li>Jones AK, Hoffman ML, Pillai SM, McFadden KK, Govoni KE, Zinn SA, Reed SA. Gestational restricted- and over-feeding promote maternal and offspring inflammatory responses that are distinct and dependent on diet in sheep. Biol Reprod. 2018 Feb 1;98(2):184-196. doi: 10.1093/biolre/iox174.</li> </ul> Published Abstracts: <ul> <li>D. E. Martin, A.K. Jones, S. M. Pillai, M. L. Hoffman, K. K. McFadden, K. E. Govoni, S. A. Zinn, and S. A. Reed. 2017. Effects of poor maternal nutrition and gender on satellite cell metabolism in lambs. J. Anim. Sci. Vol 95, Suppl 4.</li> <li>M. C. Wynn, A. K. Jones, M. L. Hoffman, S. M. Pillai, K. K. McFadden, S. A. Reed, S. A. Zinn, and K. E. Govoni. 2017. The effects of poor maternal nutrition during gestation on the number of Pax7-positive myogenic progenitor cells. J. Anim. Sci. Vol 95, Suppl 4.</li> <li>A. K. Jones, S. M. Pillai, M. L. Hoffman, K. K. McFadden, K. E. Govoni, S. A. Zinn, S. A. Reed. 2017. Maternal restricted and overfeeding during gestation alters offspring gene expression of inflammatory markers in the liver at day 135 of gestation and at birth. J. Anim. Sci. Vol 95, Suppl 4.</li> </ul> Thesis and Dissertations: <ul> <li>Thesis: “The Effects of Maternal Diet and Energy Demands on Offspring Development, Growth, and Health”, Mary Wynn, May 2018.</li> </ul>   Utah Publications related to this project: <ul> <li>Bishop M.O., Stevens J.R., and Isom S.C. (2017) “Statistical methods for assessing individual oocyte viability through gene expression profiles.” Proceedings of Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Pillai S.M., Hoffman M.L., Jones A.K., McFadden K.K., Stevens J.R., Zinn S.A., Reed S.A., and Govoni K.E. (2017) Poor maternal nutrition during gestation alters muscle gene expression in fetal offspring. Journal of Animal Science 95(suppl4):150-150. (Published poster abstract from American Society of Animal Science annual meeting.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Saunders G., Fu G., and Stevens J.R. (2017) A Bivariate Hypothesis Testing Approach for Mapping the Trait-Influential Gene. Scientific Reports 7: 12798.</li> </ul>   <ul> <ul> <li>Presentations related to this project:</li> </ul> </ul> <ul> <li>Stevens J.R. The Academic Applied Statistician -- Transitioning Domain-Specific Data into Statistics Research. Joint Statistical Meetings, Baltimore MD, July 31, 2017.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Other References List:</li> <li>Kwon S., Jeong S., Jeong Y.S., Park J.S., Cui X.S., Kim N.H., and Kang Y.K. (2015) “Assessment of difference in gene expression profile between embryos of different derivations.” Cellular Reprogramming 17(1):49-58.</li> <li>Stevens J.R. and Isom S.C. (2012) Gene Set Testing to Characterize Multivariately Differentially Expressed Genes. Proceedings of Conference on Applied Statistics in Agriculture 2012, pp. 125-137.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Montana – Animal Science Department Bozeman Abstracts: <ul> <li>Lambert, M. R., White, J., Copie, V., Butler, C., Garrott, R., Berardinelli, J. (2017). Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolic profiling to distinguish herds of bighorn (Ovis canadensis) sheep (5th ed., vol. 23, pp. 1). Bozeman, MT: Intermountain Journal of Sciences (IJS)</li> <li>Page, C. M., I. McGregor, M. L. Van Emon, T. W. Murphy, C. K. Larson, J. G. Berardinelli, W. C. Stewart. 2017. Effects of zinc source and dietary concentration on zinc status, growth performance, and wool characteristics in developing rams. Presented at the 89th Annual Meeting of the West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci., Fargo, ND. No. 017.</li> </ul> Proceedings: <ul> <li>Page, C. M., I. McGregor, M. L. Van Emon, T. W. Murphy, C. K. Larson, J. G. Berardinelli, and W. C. Stewart. 2017. Effects of zinc source and dietary concentration on zinc status, growth performance, and wool characteristics in developing rams. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 68:136-140.</li> </ul> Experiment Station Bulletins: <ul> <li>Page, C. M., I. McGregor, M. L. Van Emon, T. W. Murphy, C. K. Larson, J. G. Berardinelli, W. C. Stewart. 2017. Effects of zinc source and dietary concentration on zinc status, growth performance, and wool characteristics in developing rams. College of Agriculture and Extension Research Report. 3:27-32.</li> </ul> Theses/Dissertations <ul> <li>M. Rashelle Herrygers 2017. A metabolomics approach for the study of long-term progesterone in domestic sheep and physiological processes in domestic and bighorn sheep. M.S. Thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.</li> <li>Chad Page. 2017. Serum mineral concentrations in weaned Montana ram lambs and effects of dietary zinc source and concentration on developing Targhee rams. M.S. Thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.– Research Centers Department – Northern Ag Research Center</li> <li> </li> </ul> Peer-reviewed Publications: <ul> <ul> <li>Prezotto LD; Thorson JF; Borowicz P; Dorsan ST; Peine JL; Lents CA; Caton JS; Swanson KC. Effects of maternal nutrition and arginine supplementation on postnatal liver and jejunal oxygen consumption and hypothalamic neuropeptide content in ovine offspring. Domestic Animal Endocrinology; Accepted.</li> </ul> </ul> <ul> <li>Thorson JF; Prezotto LD; Adams H; Petersen SL; Clapper JA; Wright EC; Oliver WT; Freking BA; Foote A; Berry E; Nonneman D; Lents CA. Energy balance affects pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone from the adenohypophesis and expression of neurokinin B in the hypothalamus of ovariectomized gilts. Biology of Reproduction 2018; Accepted.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Prezotto LD; Islas A; Gilbery T; Bauer M; Swanson KC. Influence of limit-feeding and time of day of feed availability to growing calves on growth performance and feeding behavior in cold weather. Journal of Animal Science 2017; 95(11):5137-5144.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Thorson JF; Heidorn NL; Ryu V; Czaja K; Hausman GJ; Barb RC; Azain MJ; Prezotto LD; McCosh RB; Wright EC; White BR; Freking BA; Oliver WT; Tsutsui K; Hileman SM; Lents CA. Relationship of neuropeptide FF receptors with pubertal maturation of gilts. Biology of Reproduction 2017; 96(3):617-634.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Gionbelli TRS; Veloso CM; Rotta PP; Filho SCV; Carvalho BC; Marcondes MI; Guimaraes SEF; Cunha CS; Novaies MAS; Prezotto LD; Duarte MS; Gionbelli MP. Foetal development of skeletal muscle in bovines as a function of maternal nutrition, foetal sex and gestational age. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 2017; doi:10.1111/jpn.12786.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Korthanke CM; Thorson JF; Prezotto LD; Welsh Jr. TH; Cardoso RC; Williams GL. Secretion of gonadotropins in response to a novel kiss-1 receptor agonist, RF9 in the mare: Modulation by estradiol-17β and half-life of RF9 in the peripheral circulation. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2017; 57:100-106.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Wijesena HR; Lents CA; Riethoven JJ; Trenhaile-Grannemann MD; Thorson JF; Keel BN; Miller PS; Spangler ML; Kachman SD; Ciobanu DC. Using genomic approaches to uncover sources of variation in age at puberty and reproductive longevity in sows. Journal of Animal Science 2017; 95(9):4196-4205.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Lents CA; Thorson JF; Desaulniers AT; White BR. RFamide-related peptide 3 and gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II are autocrine-paracrine regulators of testicular function in the boar. Molecular Reproduction and Development 2017; 84(9):994-1003.</li> </ul>   Abstracts: <ul> <li>Lents CA; Thorson JF; Adams H; Petersen SL; Prezotto LD; Berry E; Nonneman DJ. Nutritional regulation of LH secretion in gilts: Hypothalamic expression of kisspeptin and neurokinin B. Journal of Animal Science; submitted.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Prezotto LD; Thorson JF; Redmer D; Grazul-Bilska A. Nutritionally-Induced Plasticity of the Blood-Brain Barrier in Adult Ewes. Endocrine Reviews Supplement; 2017.</li> <li>Prezotto LD; Thorson JF; Boss D. Changes in temporal concentrations of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science 2017; 68:274-277.</li> <li>Wijesena HR; Lents CA; Keel BN; Thorson JF; Sullivan GA; Kachman SD; Ciobanu DC. Variation in gene expression in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of gilts with differences in pubertal status and subjected to dietary energy restriction. Plant and Animal Genome Conference 2017; P1168.</li> <li>Wijesena HR; Lents CA; Trenhaile-Grannemann MD; Riethoven JJ; Keel BN; Thorson JF; Miller PS; Johnson RK; Spangler ML; Kachman SD; Ciobanu DC. The roles of age at puberty and energy restriction in sow reproductive longevity: a genomic perspective. Journal of Animal Science 2017; 95(5):12.</li> </ul> Extension Report: <ul> <li>Pizol JV; Dennis RR; Thorson JF; Prezotto LD. Distribution and clearance of chopped net wrap in the digestive tract of beef cattle. College of Agriculture and Extension Research Report 2017; 3:33-5.</li> <li> </li> </ul> USDA ARS Miles City Journal Articles: <ul> <li>Geary, T. W., G. W. Burns, J. Moraes, J. I. Moss, A. C. Denicol, K. B. Dobbs, M. S. Ortega, P. J. Hansen, M. E. Wehrman, H. Neibergs, E. O’Neil, S. Behura, and T. E. Spencer. 2016. Identification of Beef Heifers with Superior Uterine Capacity for Pregnancy. Biol. Reprod. 95(2):47, 1–12.</li> <li>Dickinson, S. E., T. W. Geary, J. M. Monnig, K. G. Pohler, J. A. Green, and M. F. Smith. 2016. Follicle size, endocrine profiles, and pregnancy establishment in beef cows. Anim. Reprod. 13(3):209-216.</li> <li>Reese, S. T., M. C. Pereira, J. L. M. Vasconcelos, M. F. Smith, J. A. Green, T. W. Geary, R. F. G Peres, G. A. Perry, and K. G. Pohler. 2016. Markers of pregnancy: How early can we detect pregnancies in cattle using pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and microRNAs? Anim. Reprod. 13(3):200-208.</li> <li>Waterman, R. C., T. W. Geary, M. K. Petersen, and M. D. MacNeil. 2017. Effects of reduced in utero and post weaning nutrition on milk yield and composition in primiparous beef cows. Animal 11(1):84-90 Doi:10.1017/S1751731116001257.</li> <li>Pohler, K. G., J. A. Green, L. A. Moley, S. Gunewardena, W. T. Hung, X. Hong, L. K. Christenson, T. W. Geary and M.F. Smith. 2017. Circulating microRNA as candidates for early embryonic viability in cattle. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84:731–743.</li> <li>Roberts, A. J., A. Gomes da Silva, A. F. Summers, T. W. Geary, and R. N. Funston. 2017. Developmental and reproductive characteristics of beef heifers classified by pubertal status at time of first breeding. J. Anim. Sci. 95:5629-5636.</li> <li>Jones, C. J. P., W. J. Silvia, C. H. Hamilton, T. W. Geary, A. L. Zezeski, and F. B. P. Wooding. 2017. Glycosylation and immunocytochemistry of binucleate cells in pronghorn (Antilocapra Americana, Antilocapridae) show features of both Giraffidae and Bovidae. Placenta 57:216-222.</li> <li>Toghiani, S., E. Hay, P. Summreddee, T. W. Geary, R. Rekaya, and A. Roberts. 2017. Genomic prediction of continuous and binary fertility traits of females in a composite beef cattle breed. J. Anim. Sci. 95:4787-4795.</li> <li>Neupane, M., T. W. Geary, J. N. Kiser, G. W. Burns, P. J. Hansen, T. E. Spencer, and H. L. Neibergs. 2017. Loci and pathways associated with uterine capacity for pregnancy and fertility in beef cattle. PLOS One.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Moraes, J. G. N., S. K. Behura, T. W. Geary, P. J. Hansen, H. L. Neibergs, and T. E. Spencer. 2017. Uterine influences on conceptus development in fertility-classified animals. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci.</li> <li>Abstracts:</li> <li>Moraes, J. G. N., T. W. Geary, P. J. Hansen, H. L. Neibergs, S. Behura, J. V. Bishop, T. R. Hansen, and T. E. Spencer. 2017. Conceptus Elongation in Beef Heifers with Superior Uterine Capacity for Pregnancy. Biol. Reprod. 99(Suppl. 1) SSR 2017</li> <li>Perry, G. A. T. W. Geary, J. A. Walker, J. J. J. Rich, E. J. Northrop, S. D. Perkins, C. L. Mogck, M. L. Van Emon, A. L. Zezeski, and R. F. Daly. 2017. Influence of Vaccination with a Combined Chemically Altered/Inactivated BHV-1/BVD Vaccine or a Modified Live Vaccine on Reproductive Performance in Beef Cows and heifers. ASAS 2017</li> <li>Monnig, J. M. J. A. Green, K. G. Pohler T. W. Geary, and M. F. Smith. 2017. Effect of ovulatory follicle size before the preovulatory gonadotropin surge on the follicular wall transcriptome in beef cows. Biol. Reprod. 99(Suppl. 1): SSR 2017.</li> <li>Jones, C. J. P., W. J. Silvia, C. H. Hamilton, T. W. Geary, A. L. Zezeski, and F. B. P. Wooding. 2017. The placenta of the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) shows features of both Giraffidae and Bovidae in the glycosylation and immunocytochemistry of its binucleate cells. IFPA</li> <li>Moraes, J. G. N., T. W. Geary, P. J. Hansen, H. L. Neibergs, S. Behura, T. R. Spencer, and T. E. Spencer. 2017 Conceptus elongation in beef heifers with superior uterine capacity for pregnancy. SBTE</li> <li>Douglas, R. T., E. E. Beck, J. J. J. Rich, E. J. Northrop, S. D. Perkins, T. W. Geary, J. A. Walker, and G. A. Perry. 2018. Effects of pre- and post-insemination maternal plane of nutrition on estrus and embryo development. Midwest Section ASAS.</li> <li>Beck, E. E., R. T. Douglas, J. J. J. Rich, E. J. Northrop, S. D. Perkins, T. W. Geary, G. A. Perry, and J. A. Walker. 2018. Effects of pre- and post-insemination maternal plane of nutrition on peripheral and uterine luminal fluid metabolites. Midwest Section ASAS</li> <li>Idaho</li> </ul> Refereed Manuscripts: <ul> <li>Hall, J. B., R. K. Kasimanickam, J. B. Glaze Jr., and M. C .Roberts-Lew. 2017. Impact of delayed insemination on pregnancy rates to gender selected semen in a fixed-time AI system. Theriogenology 102:154-161.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Thomas,J. M., J. W. C .Locke, R. Vishwanath, J. B .Hall, M. R. Ellersieck, M. F. Smith, and D. J. Patterson. 2017. Effective use of SexedULTRA™ sex-sorted semen for timed artificial insemination of beef heifers. Theriogenology 98: 88-93</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Dawson L., R. Kasimanickam, V. Kasimanickam, and J. B. Hall. 2017. Fertility of Angus cross beef heifers after GnRH treatment on day 23 and timing of insemination in 14-day CIDR protocol. Repro. Domestic Anim. 52:122-129.</li> </ul>   Abstracts: <ul> <ul> <li>M. M. Woods, M. J. Ellison, J. M. Thomas, and J. B. Hall. 2017. Effect of feed efficiency and sexed semen on pregnancy rate and early embryonic mortality in beef heifers. Proc. West. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 68:316.</li> </ul> </ul>   Arizona Peer-Reviewed Research Articles: <ul> <li>Camacho, L.E., X. Chen, W.W. Hay Jr, S.W. Limesand (2017). Enhanced insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in young lambs with placental insufficiency-induced intrauterine growth restriction. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 313(2):R101-R109.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Boehmer, B.H., S. W. Limesand, P.J. Rozance (2017). The impact of IUGR on pancreatic islet development and β-cell function. Journal of Endocrinology 235(2):R63-R76.</li> <li>Kelly, A.C., L.E. Camacho, K. Pendarvis, H.M. Davenport, N.R. Steffens, K.E. Smith, C.S. Weber, R.M. Lynch, S.W. Limesand (2018). Adrenergic receptor stimulation suppresses oxidative metabolism in isolated rat islets and Min6 cells. Molecular Cellular Endocrinology (in press).</li> <li>Jensen JT, Addis IB, Hennebold JD, Bogan RL (2017). Ovarian Lipid Metabolism Modulates Circulating Lipids in Premenopausal Women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 102(9):3138-3145.</li> <li>Xu Y, Hutchison SM, Hernández-Ledezma JJ, Bogan RL (2018). Increased 27-hydroxycholesterol production during luteolysis may mediate the progressive decline in progesterone secretion. Mol Hum Reprod. 24(1):2-13.</li> <li>Xu Y, Hernández-Ledezma JJ, Hutchison SM, Bogan RL (2018). The liver X receptors and sterol regulatory element binding proteins alter progesterone secretion and are regulated by human chorionic gonadotropin in human luteinized granulosa cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol. [Epub ahead of print] DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.01.011.</li> <li>Abstract Proceedings:</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Kelly A.C., Davis M.A., Camacho L.E., Davenport H.M., Steffens N.R., Limesand S.W. (2018) Loss of Uncoupling Protein 2 Explains Hyper-Insulin Secretion Following Persistent Adrenergic Receptor Signaling in Fetal Sheep Islets. Society for Reproductive Investigation 65th Annual Scientific Meeting. Abstract O-061.</li> <li>Pendleton, A.L. R.M. Smith, L.E. Camacho, M.J. Anderson, R.E. Allen, S.W. Limesand. (2018) Enhanced Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell Differentiation and Altered TGFβ Signaling in Lambs with Intrauterine Growth Restriction. Reproductive Investigation 65th Annual Scientific Meeting. Abstract.</li> <li>Davis, M.A. L.E. Camacho, M.J. Anderson, N.R. Steffens, A.C. Kelly, S.W. Limesand. (2018). Oxygen and Glucose Chronically Elevated Norepinephrine Concentrations Impair Glucose Uptake in Sheep Fetuses. Society for Reproductive Investigation, 65th Annual Meeting. Abstract S-063.</li> <li>Camacho LE, Davis MA, Steffens NR, Kelly AC, Limesand SW. 2018. Oxygen and Glucose Correction Improves Insulin Secretion in Sheep Fetuses with Placental Insufficiency. Society for Reproductive Investigation, 65th Annual Meeting. Abstract S-082.</li> <li>Camacho, L.E., M.A. Davis, N.R. Steffens, A.C. Kelly, M.J. Anderson, S.W. Limesand. (2018). Oxygen and Glucose Correction Reestablished Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Utilization Rates in Sheep Fetuses with Placental Insufficiency. Society for Reproductive Investigation, 65th Annual Meeting. Abstract T-081.</li> <li>Camacho, L.E., M.A. Davis, N.R. Steffens, S.W. Limesand. (2018) Oxygen and Glucose Correction Improves Insulin Secretion in Sheep Fetuses with Placental Insufficiency. Reproductive Investigation 65th Annual Scientific Meeting. Abstract S-082.</li> <li>Rasmussen LM and Craig ZR. “Effects of in vivo exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate on ovulation, fertilization, and embryo development in the mature superovulated mouse”. Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology. San Antonio, TX. March 11-15, 2018.</li> <li>Rasmussen LM and Craig ZR. “Effects of in vivo exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate on ovulation, antral follicle counts, and serum progesterone in the mature superovulated mouse”. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. New Orleans, LA. July 10-13, 2018.</li> <li>Jauregui EJ, Liu X, Beltran-Gastelum J, Craig ZR. “Exposure to Di-n-butyl Phthalate Alters IGF1 Expression and Causes Ovarian Toxicity in the Adult Mouse”. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. New Orleans, LA. July 10-13, 2018.</li> <li>Nunez FM, Liu X, Craig ZR. “Environmentally-relevant exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) results in decreased expression of Brca1 in the adult mouse ovary”. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. New Orleans, LA. July 10-13, 2018.</li> </ul> Thesis and Dissertations: <ul> <li>Xu, Yafei. Enhanced Liver X Receptor and Decreased Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Transcription Factor 2 Activities May Control Luteolysis of the Human Corpus Luteum. MS Thesis University of Arizona, August 2017.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Illinois Full-Length Articles: <ul> <li>Rivelli, M.I., S.Y. Morrison, K.J. Haerr, S. Rodriguez-Zas, and F.C. Cardoso. (2017). Nutrition, reproduction, and young stock performance in dairy farms throughout Illinois: a Dairy Focus Team approach. The Professional Animal Scientist. 33:409-419.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Luchini, and F.C. Cardoso. (2017). Effects of rumen-protected methionine and choline supplementation on vaginal discharge and uterine cytology of Holstein cows. International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine. 5:1-7.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Batistel, F., J.M. Arroyo, A. Bellingeri, L. Wang, B. Saremi, C. Parys, E. Trevisi, F.C. Cardoso, and J.J. Loor. (2017). Ethyl-cellulose rumen-protected methionine enhances performance during the periparturient period and early lactation in Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science. 100:7455-7467.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Batistel, F., A. S. M. Alharthi, L. Wang, C. Parys, Y. Pan, F.C. Cardoso, and J.J. Loor. (2017). Placentome nutrient transporters and mTOR signaling proteins are altered by methionine supply during late-gestation in dairy cows and are associated with newborn birth weight. The Journal of Nutrition. 147:1640-1647.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>C.S. Skenandore and F.C. Cardoso. (2017). The effect of tail paint formulation and heifer behavior on estrus detection. International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine. 5:113-120.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Acosta, D.A., A. Schneider, C.B. Jacometo, J.A. Rincon, F.C. Cardoso, and M.N. Corrêa. (2017). Effect of somatotropin injection in late pregnant Holstein heifers on metabolic parameters and steroidogenic potential of the first postpartum dominant follicle. Theriogenology. 104:164-172.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Batistel, F., J.M. Arroyo, C. Matamoros, E. Trevisi, C. Parys, M. Ballou, F.C. Cardoso, and J.J. Loor. (2018). Ethyl-cellulose rumen-protected methionine alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress and improves neutrophil function during the periparturient period and early lactation in Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science. 101:480-490.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Stella, S. L., D. A. Acosta, C. Skenandore, Z. Zhou, A. Steelman, D. Luchini, and F.C. Cardoso. (2018). Improved uterine immune mediators in Holstein cows supplemented with rumen-protected methionine and discovery of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET). Theriogenology. 114:116-125.</li> </ul>   Non-refereed publications: <ul> <li>Cardoso, F. C. 2017. “10 Steps for a successful transition period, part 1” Progressive Dairyman, Jerome – ID. p 54-55, February 25.</li> <li>Cardoso, F. C. 2017. “10 Steps for a successful transition period, part 2” Progressive Dairyman, Jerome – ID. p 48-49, May 25.Nebraska</li> <li>Publications:</li> <li> </li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">McNeel</a>, AK, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">ÉM. Soares</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">AL Patterson</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">JL Vallet</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">EC Wright</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">EL Larimore</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">OL Amundson</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">JR Miles</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">CC Chase Jr.</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">CA Lents</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">JR Wood</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">AS Cupp</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">GA Perry</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432016306182">RA. Cushman</a>. Beef heifers with diminished numbers of antral follicles have decreased uterine protein secretion. Anim Reprod Sci. 2017 Jan 12. pii: S0378-4320(16)30618-2. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.01.004.</li> <li>Talbott H, Hou X, Qiu F, Zhang P, Guda C, Yu F, Cushman RA, Wood JR, Wang C, Cupp AS, Davis JS. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28549990">Early transcriptome responses of the bovine midcycle corpus luteum to prostaglandin F2α includes cytokine signaling.</a> Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2017 May 23. pii: S0303-7207(17)30287-3. doi: 10.1016/j.mce. 2017.05.018. [Epub ahead of print].</li> <li>Talbott HA, Hou X,Qiu F, Zhang P, Guda C, Yu F, Cushman RA, Wood JR,Wang C, Cupp AS, Davis JS. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28932774">Transcriptomic and bioinformatics analysis of the early time-course of the response to prostaglandin F2 alpha in the bovine corpus luteum.</a> Data Brief. 2017 Sep 1;14:695-706. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.08.026. eCollection 2017 Oct.PMID: 28932774. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28932774">Free PMC Article</a>.</li> <li>Wood JR and AS Cupp. "Female Endocrinology-Aromatization" in Ovary Biology: Volume II: Female Reproduction in Encyclopedia of Reproduction, Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences.</li> <li>Romereim SM and AS Cupp. “Vascular Cells” in Testis Biology; Volume 1: Male Reproduction in Encyclopedia of Reproduction, Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.64560-9.%202018">https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.64560-9. 2018</a>.</li> <li>McFee, RM, AS Cupp, JR Wood. Comparison of case-based and hands-on laboratory exercises as group-based learning activities to supplement veterinary physiology course lectures.   2018 Advances in Physiology Education. IN PRESS.</li> <li>Hamernik, DL, AS Cupp, JS Davis. TRIENNIAL REPRODUCTION SYMPOSIUM: Looking back and moving forward—how reproductive physiology has evolved. 2018 Journal of Animal Science. IN PRESS.</li> </ul> Manuscripts Submitted: <ul> <li>Sargent, K, V Brauer, WE Pohlmeier, AS Cupp. Reduced activity of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A angiogenic isoforms through Neuropilin-1 loss in Sertoli cells affects genes regulating stem cell homeostasis. (Submitted to Endocrinology).</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Sargent, KM, N Lu, WE Pohlmeier, ML Bremer, AF Summers and AS Cupp. Transient treatment of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) isoforms in vivo affects perinatal testis composition and mRNA abundance of genes that regulate undifferentiated spermatogonia. Submitted to PLOS One</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Spuri Gomes, R, SC Tenley, MA. Abedal-Majed, SE Kurz, J Bergman, DE. Hostetler, S Hileman, MN Bedenbaugh, RM. McFee, AF Summers, RA. Cushman, JR. Wood, A S. Cupp. Cows with Follicular Fluid Androgen Excess Exhibit Anovulation and Have Altered Circulating Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, and Metabolism. (Revising).</li> </ul>   Peer Reviewed Symposium or Proceedings/websites: <ul> <li>Atlas of Science <a href="http://atlasofscience.org/">www.atlasofscience.org</a>) - Romereim SM, AS Cupp. Cellular Migration Required for Testis Development. <a href="https://atlasofscience.org/cellular-migration-required-for-testis-development/">https://atlasofscience.org/cellular-migration-required-for-testis-development/</a></li> </ul> Abstracts Presented: <ul> <li>Ziegler, R. L., K. J. Austin, J. E. Blake , J. E. Rowell, A. S. Cupp, M. P. Shipka, B. M. Alexander. 2018. Depo-Provera Increases Neural activity in the Central Amygdala of Reindeer Bulls. WSASAS. Bend, OR and Rocky Mountain Reproduction Sciences Symposium, Fort Collins, CO.</li> <li>Nafziger, S, MA Abedal-Majed, S. Tenley, A Summers, M Hart, G. Harsh, J Bergman, S. Kurz, JR Wood, RA Cushman, AS Cupp. Endocrine profiles during attainment of puberty may predict reproductive longevity in heifers. October 2017 Gil Greenwald Reproductive Symposium UKMC, Poster and Flash talk.</li> <li>Abedal-Majed, MA, ML Hart, V Largen, MPS Magamage, SG. Kurz, KM. Sargent, J Bergman, RM McFee, RA Cushman, JS Davis, JR Wood and AS Cupp Ovarian Cortex from High A4 cows secretes excess A4, and exhibits increased oxidative Stress, and arrested follicle development which can be partially rescued by Angiogenic VEGFA isoforms. October 2017 Gil Greenwald Reproductive Symposium UKMC, Poster and Flash talk. Received Best Poster for Graduate Student Award.</li> <li>Abedal-Majed, MA, ML Hart, V Largen, MPS Magamage, SG. Kurz, KM. Sargent, J Bergman, RM McFee, RA Cushman, JS Davis, JR Wood and AS Cupp. Ovarian Cortex from High A4 Cows Secretes Excess A4, and Exhibits Increased Oxidative Stress, Macrophage Markers and Arrested Follicle Development Which can be Partially Rescued by Angiogenic VEGFA Isoforms. (SSR 2017), Washington DC.</li> <li>Hart ML, MA. Abedal-Majed, R Spuri Gomes, SG. Kurz, JW Bergmann, RM McFee, CO Lemley, CA Casey, JS Davis, JR. Wood, and AS Cupp. Reduced Sex Hormone Binding Globulin in Excess High Androstenedione Cows may be due to Alterations in Metabolism and Liver Function (SSR 2017), Washington DC.</li> <li>SM Romereim, AF Summers, WE Pohlmeier, RM McFee, R Spuri Gomes, SG Kurz, JS Davis, JR Wood, AS Cupp. A High-Androgen Microenvironment Inhibits Granulosa Cell Proliferation and May Alter Cell Identity. (SSR 2017), Washington DC.</li> <li>S Nafziger, MA Abedal-Majed, SC Tenley, AF Summers, ML Hart, G Harsh, JW Bergman, SG Kurz, JR Wood, RA Cushman, AS. Cupp. Endocrine Profiles during Attainment of Puberty may Predict Reproductive Longevity in Heifers (SSR 2017) Washington DC.</li> <li>INVITED TALK ASAS 2017: AS Cupp, JR Essink, ML Cable, WE Pohlmeier, MM Laughlin and KM Sargent. Divergent Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) Signaling Determines Spermatogonial Stem Cell Fate. (ASAS 2017)</li> </ul> Nebraska Beef Reports: <ul> <li>Romereim, SM, SC Tenley, MA Abedal-Majed, JW Bergman, SG Kurz, JS Davis, JR Wood, AS Cupp. Letrozole: A Steroid-Free Estrous Synchronization Method. Beef Report 2017.</li> </ul>   Thesis and Dissertations: <ul> <li>Springman, Shelby. Management Strategies for Beef Heifer Development. MS Thesis University of Nebraska-Lincoln, December 2017.</li> <li>Mohamed Ayoub Sleman Abedal-Majed. Effect of postweaning diet, Excess Androstenedione, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) isoforms on follicular progression in bovine ovarian cortical cultures. PhD Dissertation University of Nebraska-Lincoln, December 2017.</li> </ul>   Alaska Abstract: <ul> <li>Ziegler, R. L., K. J. Austin, J. E. Blake , J. E. Rowell, A. S. Cupp, M. P. Shipka, B. M. Alexander. 2018. Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Increases Neural activity in the Central Amygdala of Reindeer Bulls. WSASAS. Bend, OR and Rocky Mountain Reproduction Sciences Symposium, Fort Collins, CO.</li> </ul>   Mississippi Refereed Journal Publications: <ul> <li>Lemley, C. O. 2017. Investigating reproductive organ blood flow and blood perfusion to ensure healthy offspring. Animal Frontiers. 7:18-24.</li> <li>Lemley, C. O. and K. A. Vonnahme. 2017. Alterations in uteroplacental hemodynamics during melatonin supplementation in sheep and cattle. Journal of Animal Science. 95:2211-2221.</li> <li>Keomanivong, F. E., L. E. Camacho, C. O. Lemley, E. A. Kuemper, R. D. Yunusova, P. P. Borowicz, J. D. Kirsch, K. A. Vonnahme, J. S. Caton, and K. C. Swanson. 2017. Effects of realimentation after nutrient restriction during mid- to late-gestation on pancreatic digestive enzymes, serum insulin and glucose levels, and insulin containing cell cluster morphology. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 101:589-604.</li> <li>Muth-Spurlock, A. M., J. A. Dix, M. P. T. Coleson, C. G. Hart, C. O. Lemley, T. M. Schulmeister, G. C. Lamb, and J. E. Larson. 2017. The effect of follicular wave on fertility characteristics in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science. 95:866-874.</li> <li>Cain, A. J., C. O. Lemley, F. K. Walters, D. L. Christiansen, E. H. King, R. M. Hopper. 2017. Pre-breeding beef heifer management and season affect mid to late gestation uterine artery hemodynamics. Theriogenology. 87:9-15.</li> <li>Abstracts:</li> </ul> <ul> <li>McCarty, K. J., M. P. T. Owen, C. G. Hart, K. C. Yankey, R. C. Thompson, D. D. Burnett, E. H. King, R. M. Hopper, and C. O. Lemley. 2017. Effect of melatonin supplementation during mid- to late- gestation on maternal uterine blood flow and calf size at birth. Abstract: 487. ASAS National Meeting, Baltimore, MD.</li> <li>McCarty, K. J., M. P. T. Owen, C. G. Hart, K. C. Yankey, T. Smith, and C. O. Lemley. 2017. Effect of melatonin supplementation from mid- to late- gestation on hair growth and skin temperature of beef cattle. Abstract: 71. ASAS National Meeting, Baltimore, MD. National ASAS MS student poster competition 1st place winner July 9, 2017.</li> <li>Owen, M. P. T., K. J. McCarty, K. C. Yankey, C. N. McGee, C. G. Hart, and C. O. Lemley. 2017. Examining uterine endometrial blood perfusion using a novel laser Doppler technique in Angus cows. Abstract: 481. ASAS National Meeting, Baltimore, MD.</li> <li>Owen, M. P. T., K. J. McCarty, M. M. Steichen, C. D. Sanford, L. B. Canal, P. L. P. Fontes, N. Oosthuizen, N. DiLorenzo, K. A. Vonnahme, G. C. Lamb, and C. O. Lemley. 2017. Effects of biweekly administration of recombinant bovine somatotropin on steroid metabolizing enzymes during early gestation. Abstract: 105. ASAS National Meeting, Baltimore, MD.</li> <li>McGee, C. N., M. P. T. Owen, K. J. McCarty, C. G. Hart, K. C. Yankey, E. H. King, R. M. Hopper, D. D. Burnett, and C. O. Lemley. 2017. Charactering fetal liver and placental steroid eicosanoid metabolizing enzymes from dams supplemented with melatonin. Abstract: 121. ASAS National Meeting, Baltimore, MD.</li> <li>Sanford, C. D., N. Oosthuizen, P. L. P. Fontes, L. B. Canal, K. A. Vonnahme, C. O. Lemley, N. DiLorenzo, and G. C. Lamb. 2017. The effects of biweekly administration of recombinant bovine somatotropin during the first trimester on fetal development in gestating beef heifers. Abstract: 320. ASAS National Meeting, Baltimore, MD.</li> <li>Thompson, R. C., K. J. McCarty, A. T. Sukumaran, R. L. Lemire, E. H. King, R. M. Hopper, C. O. Lemley, T. T. N. Dinh, and D. D. Burnett. 2017. Effect of maternal melatonin supplementation during mid- to late- gestation on fatty acid composition in maternal and fetal plasma and perirenal adipose tissue collected from bovine fetuses at 240 days of gestation. Abstract: 307. ASAS National Meeting, Baltimore, MD.  </li> <li>Larson, J. E., G. R. Gunnam, K. C. Yankey, M. P. T. Owen, M. M. Steichen, K. J. McCarty, A. E. Stone, and C. O. Lemley. 2017. Additional exercise among grazing dairy cows and effects on uterine blood flow, milk production, and milk quality parameters. Abstract: 516. ASAS National Meeting, Baltimore, MD.</li> <li>Thesis and Dissertations (2017)</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Megan (Coleson) Owen, Ph.D. in Agricultural Science/Animal Science at Mississippi State University; Passed defense on October 2, 2017; Dissertation titled, Investigating extra-hepatic steroid and eicosanoid metabolizing enzymes in cattle; Major Advisor.</li> </ul>   Colorado Journal Papers: <ul> <ul> <li>Jeckel, K.M., A.C. Boyarko, G.J. Bouma, Q.A. Winger and R.V. Anthony. 2018. Chorionic somatomammotropin impacts early fetal growth and placental gene expression. J. Endocrinol. E-pub. April 16, 2018, doi: 110.1530/JOE-18-0093.</li> <li>Romero JJ, Liebig BE, Broeckling CD, Prenni JE, Hansen TR. Pregnancy induced changes in metabolome and proteome in ovine uterine flushings. BiolReprod 2017; 97:273-287.</li> <li>Hansen TR, Sinedino LDP, Spencer TE. Paracrine and endocrine actions of interferon tau (IFNT). Reproduction 2017; 154:F45-F59.</li> </ul> </ul> <ul> <li>Abstracts:</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Ali, A., K.M. Jeckel, R.V. Anthony, G.J. Bouma and Q.A. Winger. 2017. Let-7 miRNAs regulate ARID3A/B complex which controls expression of stem cell genes in human trophoblast cells. 50th Annual Society for the Study of Reproduction meeting. <ul> <li>Welton K, Mehaffy C, J. P, Wolfe L, Hansen TR. Method Development for the Detection of Interferon-tau to Determine Early Pregnancy in Cattle. Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity, Colorado State University 2017; Research Poster, April 25th, 2017.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Moraes JGN, Geary TW, Hansen PJ, Neibergs H, Behura S, Bishop JV, Hansen TR, Spencer TE. Conceptus elongation in beef heifers with superior uterine capacity for pregnancy. Society for the Study of Reproduction, Washington, DC, July 13-16 2017:100; Abstract, Poster.</li> <li>McWhorter E, Van Campen H, Bishop J, Bowen R, Winger Q, Mathiason C, Bouma G, Hansen T. Maternal Influenza A Virus Infection, Fetal Growth and Placental Morphology. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium 2017; 10:Page 43; ; Abstract; Platform talk.</li> <li>Knapek KJ, Bishop JV, Vancampen H, Hansen TR. Immunological gene expression changes in the fetal thyumus after maternal infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus. CRWAD 2017; 98th Conference of Workers in Aimal Disease:120.</li> <li>Knapek KJ, Bishop JV, H. VC, Hansen TR. Maternal infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus impairs thymic gene expression in the bovine fetus. Americal Association for Laboratory Animal Science 2017; 68th AALAS National Meeting:7.</li> <li>Knapek K, Bishop J, Van Campen H, Hansen T. Maternal Infection with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Impairs Gene Expression in the Bovine Fetal Thymus. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium 2017; 10:42.</li> <li>Hansen TR, Van Campen H, Bishop JV, Knapek K. Ronald D. Randel Lectureship Part II: Interferons during early pregnancy and fetal response to viral infection. American Society of Animal Science, Southern Section 2017; Franklin, TN; February 4-7:67; 33.</li> <li>Hansen TR. Interferons: Establishment of Pregnancy and Fetal Antiviral Responses. Washington State Univeristy Center for Reproductive Biology Retreat 2017; Orofino, ID.</li> <li>Dilyara A. Murtazina, J. Alejandro Arreguin-Arevalo, Jeremy D. Cantlon, Christianne Magee, Ali Ebrahimpour Boroojeny, Akash Shrestha, Jennifer Hicks, Kenneth Jones, Hamidreza Chitsaz, Terry M. Nett and Colin M. Clay. 2018. RNA-seq analysis of an enriched ovine gonadotrope population using adenoviral-mediated targeting of green fluorescent protein. Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine Research Day.</li> <li>Book Chapters:</li> <li>Anthony, R.V. and K.M. Jeckel. 2018. Pregnancy: Placental Lactogen (CSH). In: Knobil, E. and Neill J.D. (eds.) Encyclopedia of Reproduction 2nd edition, Elsivier Press, San Diego, CA. in press.</li> <li>Hansen TR, Bott RC, Romero JJ, Antoniazzi AQ, Davis JS. Corpus luteum and early pregnancy in ruminants. In: Meidan R (ed.) The life cycle of the corpus lutem. Switzerland: Springer; 2017: 205-226.</li> <li>Other:</li> <li>Nett T, Hansen TR. Gordon Niswender, Ph.D., 1940-2017. Biol Reprod 2017; 97:179-181.</li> <li>Hansen, T.R. Contemporary Science Boosts Fertility in Cattle. USDA’s 94th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. The Roots of Prosperity. February 22-23, Arlington, Virginia. Presented overview of impact and direction by W3112 and W3171. Invited talk.</li> <li>W3112 membership. W3113 Impact Brochure. Improving the reproductive performance of cattle and sheep. Learn more: bit.ly/W-2112.</li> <li> </li> </ul> Texas Full-Length Articles: <ul> <li>Chase, C.C., Jr., R.D. Randel, D.G. Riley, S.W. Coleman and W.A. Phillips. 2017. Evaluation of tropically adapted straightbred and crossbred beef cattle: Cortisol concentration and measures of temperament at weaning and transport. J. Anim. Sci.</li> <li>Littlejohn, B.P., D.G. Riley, T.H. Welsh, Jr., R.D. Randel, S.T. Willard and R.C. Vann. 2018. Use of random regression to estimate genetic parameters of temperament across an age continuum in a crossbred cattle population. J. Anim. Sci.</li> </ul> Abstracts: <ul> <li>Quail, L.K., M.E. Mund, D.A. Neuendorff, R.A. d’Orey Branco, J.P. Banta, T.H. Welsh, Jr. and R.D. Randel. 2018. Relationships between antral follicle numbers and postpartum interval in multiparous Brahman cows. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 96, Suppl. S1. Abstract #28.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>O’Daniels, S.E., D.G. Riley, D.A. Neuendorff, T.D. Forbes, J.P. Banta, T.H. Welsh, Jr., F.M. Rouquette, Jr. and R.D. Randel. 2018. Comparison of three methods of determining feed efficiency on productivity of Brahman heifers. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 96, Suppl. S1. Abstract #80.</li> <li>White, S.H., C.M. Latham, C.R. Long, R.D. Randel and T.H. Welsh, Jr. 2018. Differing mitochondrial capacity in two separate skeletal muscles from calm and temperamental Brahman heifers. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 96, Suppl. S1. Abstract #88.</li> <li>Mund, M.E., L.K. Quail, C.L. Cook, D.A. Neuendorff, J.P. Banta, T.H. Welsh, Jr. and R.D. Randel. 2018. Influence of cell mediated immune responses of Brahman cows on postpartum interval, colostral immunoglobulin concentration and growth of their calves. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 96, Suppl. S1. Abstract #91.</li> <li>Thesis:</li> </ul> <ul> <ul> <li>Cook, C.L. 2017. Antibody mediated immune response and cellular mediated immune response characterization in Brahman cattle. M.S. Thesis. Texas A&M University. December 2017.</li> <li>Littlejohn, B.P. 2018. Epigenetic programming of physiological functions by a prenatal stressor and genetic parameters of temperament in cattle. PhD. Dissertation. Texas A&M University. May 2018.</li> </ul> </ul>   Pennsylvania: Refereed Manuscripts: <ul> <li>Liu, W.-S., Zhao, Y.Q., Lu, C., Ning, G., Ma, Y., Diaz, F., O'Connor, M. (2017) A novel testis-specific protein, PRAMEY, is involved in spermatogenesis in cattle. Reproduction 153, 847–863.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Zhang, Y.Y., Deng, X.G., Liu, W.-S., Deng, X.M. (2017) Estimation of recombination rate and effective population size with ovine genome-wide SNP-chip. Sciencepaper Online 201704-232</li> <li>Dechow, C., Liu, W.-S., Idun, J., Maness, W. (2018) Two dominant paternal lineages for North American Jersey artificial insemination sires. J. Dairy Sci. J. Dairy Sci. 101, 2281–84.</li> <li>Dechow, C.D., Liu, W.-S. (2018) Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns and differential methylation in leukocytes from Holstein cattle with variable milk yield. BMC Genomics (revised manuscript, under review).</li> </ul> Meeting Abstracts: <ul> <li>Liu, W.-S., Zhang, YY., Wang, A.H. (2017) Sex chromosome-linked cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) and male fertility in cattle. Conference Abstract, the 36th International Society for Animal Genetics Conference (ISAG), July 16-21, Dublin, Ireland. MT342.</li> <li>Zhang, Y.Y., Liu, W.-S., Deng, X.M. (2017) Estimation of the effective population size in sheep based on recombination rate by the LD method. Conference Abstract, International Plant and Animal Genome Research (PAG) XXVI, January 13-18, 2017. San Diego, CA. P1148.</li> <li>Dechow, C.D., Liu, W.-S. (2017) Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns and differential methylation in leukocytes from Holstein cattle. Conference Abstract, ADSA Annual Meeting, June 25-28, Pittsburg, PA. P380.</li> <li>Lu, C., Wu, W.W., Zhang, J.B., Zhao, Y.Q., Ocon-Grove, O.M., Diaz, F., Liu, W.-S. (2017) Blockage of the bovine PRAMEY protein with an anti-PRAMEY antibody leads to an increased rate of polyspermy in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Conference Abstract, the 50th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR2017), July 13-16, Washington, D.C. P284.</li> </ul>   Tennessee Refereed Journal Publications: <ul> <li>Reese, S.T., M.C. Pereira, J.L. Edwards, J.L.M. Vasconcelos, and K.G. Pohler. 2017. Pregnancy diagnosis in cattle using pregnancy associated glycoprotein concentration in circulation at day 24 gestation. Theriogenology. In Press.</li> <li>Vasconcelos, J.L.M. R. Carvahlo, R.F.G. Peres, A.D.P. Rodrigues, M. Meneghetti, I.C. Junior, F.H Aono, W. Costa, C.N. Lopes, R.F. Cooke and K.G. Pohler. 2017. Reproductive programs for beef cattle: incorporating management and reproductive techniques for better fertility. Anim. Reprod. In Press.</li> <li>Pohler, K.G., J.A. Green, L.A. Moley, S. Gunewardena, W.T. Hung, R.R. Payton, X. Hong, L.K. Christenson, T.W. Geary and M.F. Smith. 2017. Circulating microRNAs as candidates for early embryonic viability in cattle. Mol. Reprod. Dev. In Press.</li> <li>Abstracts </li> <li>T.B. Ault, B.A. Clemmons, F.G. Dantas, G.A. Franco, S.T. Reese, P.R. Myer, and K.G. Pohler. 2018. Transformation of uterine and vaginal bacteriome throughout synchronization protocol between pregnant and non-pregnant postpartum cows. SSR 2018.</li> <li>G.A. Franco, T. S. Maia, R.F.G. Peres, C.F.G. Martins, S. T. Reese, J.L.M. Vasconcelos and K.G. Pohler. 2018. Quantification of PAG genes in semen of high and low fertility sires using droplet digital PCR. International Ruminant Reproduction Meeting 2018.</li> <li>Dantas, F.G., R.V. Oliveira Filho, R.S. Carvalho, G.F. Araugo, S.T. Reese, C.R. Abbott, R.R. Payton, J. Russell, J.L. Edwards, J.K. Smith and K.G. Pohler. 2017. Effect of complexed trace minerals on oocyte and embryo production in beef cattle. International Embryo Technology Society Meeting. Bangkok, Thailand.</li> <li>Reese, S.T., M.C. Pereira, J.L.M Vasconcelos and K.G. Pohler. 2017. Utilizing day 24 pregnancy associated glycoprotein concentrations to diagnosis pregnancy in Bos indicus influenced cattle. Brazilian Embryo Transfer Society Meeting. Cabo de Santo Agostinho, PE.</li> <li>Madureira, A.M.L., G.A. Franco, T.G. Guida, J.L. Edwards, F.N. Schrick, J.L.M. Vasconcelos, R.L.A. Cerri, K.G. Pohler. 2017. Effect of size and position of the reproductive tract on concentrations of bovine pregnancy associated glycoproteins and the relationship with fertility. ASAS-SSR Triennial Reproduction Symposium. Washington, D.C.</li> <li>Theses and Dissertations: </li> <li>Dantas, F.G., 2018. Effect of complexed trace minerals on oocyte and embryo production.</li> <li>Franco, G.A., 2018. Sire contributions to pregnancy loss and pregnancy associated glycoprotein production in Nelore cows.</li> <li>Carvalho, R., 2018. Hormone changes in postpartum Nelore beef cows.</li> <li> </li> </ul> New Mexico Referred Journals: <ul> <ul> <li>DeAtley, K., M. Colgrave, A. Canovas, G. Wijffels, R.L. Ashley, G. Silver, G. Rincon, Gonzalo; J. Medrano, A. Islas-Trejo, M. Fortes, A. Reverter, L. Porto-Neto, S. Lehnert, and M. Thomas. 2018. Neuropeptidome of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of indicine x taurine heifers: evidence of differential neuropeptide processing in the pituitary gland before and after puberty. Journal of Proteome Research. In Press.</li> <li>Sanchez, N.S., K.E. Quinn, A.K. Ashley, and R.L. Ashley. 2018. In the ovine pituitary, CXCR4 is localized in gonadotropes and somatotropes and increases with elevated serum progesterone. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. (62):88–97.</li> <li>Quinn, K.E., S.Z Prosser, K.K. Kane, and R.L. Ashley. 2017. Inhibition of chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor four (CXCR4) at the fetal-maternal interface during early gestation in sheep: alterations in expression of chemokines, angiogenic factors and their receptors. J. Anim. Sci. 95(3):1144-1153.</li> <li>AJ Roberts, A Gomes da Silva, RA Vraspir, AF Summers, TW Geary, RN Funston. 2017. Developmental and reproductive characteristics of beef heifers classified by pubertal status at time of first breeding. J Anim. Sci. 95:5629-5636.</li> <li>BG Smythe, S Urias, ME Wise, EJ Scholljegerdes, AF Summers, DW Bailey. 2017. Comparing visual and digital counting methods to estimate horn fly (Diptera: Muscidae) populations on cattle. J Medical Entomol. 1-5. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjw248</li> <li>SM Romereim, AF Summers, WE Pholmeier, P Zang, XY Hou, HA Talbott, RA Cushman, JR Wood, JS Davis, AS Cupp. 2017. Transcriptomes of Bovine Ovarian Follicular and Luteal Cells. Data in Brief. 10:335-339.</li> <li>Proceedings:</li> <li>Prosser, S.Z., C.J. Maxam, K.E. Quinn, and R.L. Ashley. 2017. In utero inhibition of chemokine receptor four signaling alters peripheral blood immune response during early pregnancy in ewes. 89th Annual Meeting of Western Section American Society of Animal Science.</li> <li>SL Rosasco, EJ Scholljegerdes, SH Cox, RC Dunlap, DM Hallford, and AF Summers. 2017. Influence of increased nutrient intake pre- and post-breeding on performance and reproductive efficiency of beef heifers. 89th Annual Meeting of Western Section American Society of Animal Science.</li> </ul> </ul> <ul> <li>JK Beard, GA Silver, EJ Scholljegerdes, and AF Summers. 2017. The effect of precipitation received during gestation on progeny performance in Bos indicus-influenced beef cattle. 89th Annual Meeting of Western Section American Society of Animal Science.</li> </ul>   <ul> <li>Theses, Reports, and Dissertations:</li> <li>Beard, J. 2017. Effect of maternal stimuli during fetal development on beef progeny performance. NMSU MS Thesis.</li> </ul> Wyoming Refereed Manuscripts <ul> <li>Alexander, B. M. 2017. Male reproductive behavior:  Sensory signaling in the brain of low-performing domestic rams. Invited Review. Journal of Animal Science. Published online <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jas/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jas/sky117/4955201?guestAccessKey=743a270b-7bd0-476d-8b4a-4b026d81a00b">https://academic.oup.com/jas/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jas/sky117/4955201?guestAccessKey=743a270b-7bd0-476d-8b4a-4b026d81a00b</a></li> <li>Demirkhanyan, L. V. Krishnan, S. Asuthkar, B. Alexander, Z. Hussain, P. Baskaran, Y. Nersesyan, E. Pavlov, B.Thyagarajan, and E. Zakharian. 2017. TRPM8 regulates mammalian dimorphic sexual behaviors. Nature Comm. In review.</li> <li>Ghnenis, A. B., J. F. Odhiambo, R. J. McCormick, P. W. Nathanielsz, and S. P. Ford. 2017. Maternal Obesity in the ewe increases cardiac ventricular expression of glucocorticoid receptors, pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis in Adult Male Offspring. PLoS ONE 12(12): e0189977. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189977 <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0189977">http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0189977</a></li> <li>Harstine, B.R., Cruppe, L.H., Abreu, F.M., Utt, M.D., Cipriano, R.S., Lemes, A., Premanandan, C., DeJarnette, J.M., Day, M.L., 2017. Impact of a timed-release follicle-stimulating hormone treatment from one to three months of age on endocrine and testicular development of prepubertal bulls. Journal of Animal Science 95, 1669-1679.</li> <li>Kramer, A.C., A.J. Mirto, K.J. Austin, B.M. Alexander. 2017. Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Ventral Tegmental Area of Rams with High or Low Libido—a role for Dopamine. Animal Reproduction Science. 187:152-158.</li> <li>Nurmamat, T., J. F. Odhiambo, D. R. Shasa, A. M. Smith, P. W. Nathanielsz, S. P. Ford. 2017. Maternal obesity programs reduced pituitary leptin signaling and altered GH/IGF1 axis function leading to increased adiposity in adult sheep offspring. PLoS ONE 12(8): e0181795.</li> <li>Mirto, A.J., K.J. Austin, V.A. Uthlaut, C.E. Roselli, B.M. Alexander, 2017. Fos Expression in the Olfactory Pathway of High- and Low-Sexually Performing Rams Exposed to Urine from Estrous or Ovariectomized Ewes. Applied Animal Behavior. 186:22-28. Available online. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2015.09.001.</li> <li>Smith, A. M., C. L. Pankey, J. F. Odhiambo, A. B. Ghnenis, P. W. Nathanielsz, and S. P. Ford. Reduced maternal nutrition during early- to mid-gestation elevates newborn lamb plasma cortisol concentrations and eliminates the neonatal leptin surge. J. Animal Sci. In review. </li> <li>Yang, S., Gerow, K.G., Huber, H.F., Considine, M.M., Li, C., Mattern, V., Comuzzie, A.G., Ford, S.P., Nathanielsz, P.W. 2017. A decline in female baboon hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity anticipates aging. Aging (Albany NY) 9, 1375-1385. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5472738/">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5472738/</a> Abstracts</li> <li>Considine, M. M., A. Ghenenis, C. Pankey, Q. Wang, J. F. Odhiambo, S. P Ford, P.W. Nathanielsz. 2018. Effects of Maternal Obesity on Body Fat Composition in Aged F1 Ewes. Rocky Mountain Reproduction Sciences Symposium, Fort Collins, CO.</li> <li>Pankey, Chris L., Carey Edwards, Qiurong Wang, John F. Odhiambo, Adel Ghnenis, Peter W. Nathanielsz, Stephen P. Ford. 2018. Maternal obesity (MO) results in altered cardiovascular (CV) function in young and aged offspring (F1). Society for Reproductive Investigation.</li> <li>Pankey, Chris L., John F. Odhiambo, Ashley M. Smith, Peter W. Nathanielsz, Stephen P. Ford. 2018. Maternal Obesity in Sheep Programs Metabolic Syndrome (MS) across Multiple Generations. Society for Reproductive Investigation.</li> <li>Pankey, Chris L. Peter W. Nathanielsz, Stephen P. Ford. 2018. Maternal Obesity in Sheep Increases Aortic Collagen:Elastin Ratio and Hypertension. Society for the Study of Reproduction.</li> <li>Sutton, C. M., R. L. Ziegler, K. J. Austin, B. M. Alexander. 2018. Evidence of TRPM8 channels in the ram brain: Quantitative comparison of TRPM8 positively stained neurons in the hypothalamus and amygdala of rams categorized behaviorally as low or high sexual performers. WSASAS. Bend, OR and Rocky Mountain Reproduction Sciences Symposium, Fort Collins, CO.</li> <li>Wang, Qiurong, John F. Odhiambo, Peter W. Nathanielsz, Stephen P. Ford, Jun Ren, Wei Guo. 2018. RBM39 is Vital for Maternal Obesity Induced Fetal Sheep Cardiac Contractile dysfunction by Regulating Myocardial Autophagy. American Heart Association.</li> <li>Wang, Qiurong, John F. Odhiambo, Chris Pankey, Adel Ghnenis, Peter W. Nathanielsz, Stephen P. Ford, Wei Guo. 2018. Molecular Basis of Maternal Obesity Induced Fetal Cardiac Contractile Dysfunction. American Heart Association.</li> <li>Ziegler, R. L., K. J. Austin, J. E. Blake , J. E. Rowell, A. S. Cupp, M. P. Shipka, B. M. Alexander. 2018. Depo-Provera Increases Neural activity in the Central Amygdala of Reindeer Bulls. WSASAS. Bend, OR and Rocky Mountain Reproduction Sciences Symposium, Fort Collins, CO.</li> </ul>

Impact Statements

- Large bull-associated variations in pregnancy rate in on-ranch studies with sex-sorted semen indicate there is a need to develop methods to identify semen with poor fertility post sex-sorting.

Date of Annual Report: 07/17/2019

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/14/2019 - 06/15/2019
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2017 - 09/30/2018

Participants

See attached minutes

Participants Attachment:

Minutes from W3112 Annual Meeting 2019 v2.docx

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Minutes from W3112 Annual Meeting 2019 v2.docx

Accomplishments

Short Term Outcomes   Collaboration with Western Section American Society of Animal Science on planning symposia. Outputs  Members of W3112 published: <ul> <li>2 book chapters</li> <li>67 peer reviewed journal articles</li> <li>101 abstracts and proceedings papers</li> </ul> Eighteen graduate students completed M.S. theses or Ph.D. disertations conducting research related to the objectives of W3112. Members of the committee delivered 6 different invited technical presentations presentations to scientists and livestock producers.  Specific observations from experiments were: <ol> <li>Greater STAT3 activity and mitochondrial respiration rates in the cardiac muscle of sheep fetuses with placental insufficiency.</li> <li>Mitochondrial respiration rates are depressed in skeletal muscle of sheep fetuses with placental insufficiency.</li> <li>Detection of MBP in the ovary of treated mice provides further evidence that oral dosing with DBP results in direct effects on the ovary.</li> <li>Understanding how phthalates interact with ovarian follicles and the pathways that regulate follicle function (e.g. growth factor signaling, DNA damage response, apoptosis) will facilitate the management of infertility caused by environmental contaminants.</li> <li>Development of a diagnostic for pregnancy status early during pregnancy would have tremendous economic benefit to producers raising ruminants</li> <li>Discovery of genetic markers for embryo quality, elongation and survivability may lead to genetic selection of more fertile cattle.</li> <li>Clarifying which adaptive immune responses are impaired in fetuses persistently infected with flavivirus may lead to a better understanding of how immunotolerance is manifest.</li> <li>Development of lentiviral-mediated methods to target the expression of individual genes within the ruminant placenta provides the opportunity to examine causeand- effect relationships during pregnancy.</li> <li>Understanding the role of metabolic factors in regulating the synthesis and release of gonadotropins could help optimize management practices in ruminants to promote fertility.</li> <li>Developing a method to infect specific hypothalamic neuronal populations with AAV, particularly in combination with improved identification of gonadotropes, will provide us with synergistic tools to better dissect the genetic and physiological mechanisms which underlie gonadotropin synthesis and release, and thus fertility.</li> <li>This is the first large scale study in the Holstein population to test the slick gene mutation as a specific approach to increase thermotolerance. If proven successful, this finding can greatly benefit the dairy industry in areas affected by heat stress.</li> <li>Poor maternal nutrition during gestation alters markers of oxidative stress in muscle and key growth factors in placental tissues.</li> <li>Grazing different forages from 9 to 10.5 months of age did not affect reproductive development despite differences in rate of body weight gain.</li> <li>Genome-wide association studies are a useful tool in determining the genetic potential of individual animals to express phenotypes that contribute to reproductive superiority.</li> <li>Cows fed HIGH had improved glandular epithelial cells, greater SOD activity, and lower GPX activity than cows fed LOW indicating an improved redox environment in the uterine tissue, which may lead to improved post-partum fertility.</li> <li>We are not sure what we have gained by this study. Field fertility may tell us something that we are unable to detect with flow cytometry, but it would have been encouraging to still see the improvements in flow cytometry measures of post that semen before field trials.</li> <li>We observed heterogeneous blood vessel density within bovine placentomes while variation among placentomes within the same animal was minimal. This further validates our novel macroscopic imaging techniques of bovine placentomes.</li> <li>Endogenous circadian oscillations of angiogenic factors and nutrient sensing genes were observed in bovine placentomes, suggesting the time of sampling can alter study results.</li> <li>Increased preovulatory estradiol at GnRH-induced ovulation (day 0) and an increased change in estradiol concentration from day -2 (prostaglandin F2α-induced luteolysis) to day 0 improved pregnancy rate after embryo transfer. However, decreasing circulating postovulatory concentrations of progesterone by day 7 after GnRH-induced ovulation had no effect on pregnancy rate.  The mechanism by which preovulatory estradiol increases uterine receptivity to a transferred embryo is not clear at this time.</li> <li>We have successfully characterized the release of FGF21 in beef heifers and cows.</li> <li>We have determined that 4 pubertal classifications exist in our herd- Early, Typical, Start-Stop (SS) and Non-Cycling (NC). Those that are NC and SS have many of the characteristics of our High A4 population suggesting that they may become our High A4 cows. Interestingly they also appear to have increased inflammation and steroidogenesis which can be reduced by FSH stimulation in vivo. Thus we can identify this High A4 population early and may be able to develop beneficial therapies to enhance their ability overcome inflammation and allow for follicle progression and ovulation.</li> <li>The SS pubertal classification appears to have both Start-Stop- Discontinuous (SSD) and Start-Stop-Start (SSS). The reproductive performance in the SSS appears to be more similar to typical heifers while the SSD is more like NC with reduced response to ProstaglandinF2alpha and reduced numbers of calves within the first 21 days of the calving season. Understanding how these females achieve puberty and how that affects their reproductive longevity is critical to determining if they should be maintained in the herd.</li> <li>A combination of genotyping and sequencing data have identified six potential genetic variants in genes that are involved in oxidative stress or inflammation. Because we have also identified inflammation in both our High A4 cows and in NC and SS pubertal classifications we are interested in determining how these different genetic variants may be affecting ovarian function and female fertility and reproductive lifespan.</li> <li>Lipids in the follicular fluid and blood plasma of High A4 cows indicate there is oxidative stress, inflammation in these cows. Excess lipids that activate signal transduction pathways may provide clues to how inflammation and oxidative stress may be contributing to female infertility.</li> <li>Chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) signaling through its receptor, CXCR4, drives placental angiogenesis, but this axis is also important to cell survival and proliferation as well as inflammation, and may facilitate uterine receptivity. Using in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches, we demonstrated that CXCL12 can function as a mediator of localized inflammation at the fetal-maternal interface during implantation.</li> <li>Because CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling encourages trophoblast viability and invasion, leukocyte migration, and inflammatory cytokine production, we hypothesized that intrauterine CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling governs local and systemic inflammatory potential during early gestation. Based on our studies of inhibiting CXCR4 at the fetal-maternal interface in vivo we suggest CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling may regulate endometrial cell viability important to placental development. Additionally, altering fetal-maternal CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling may represent a novel approach to modify local and systemic inflammation in the window when most pregnancy losses occur and impaired placental development transpires.</li> <li>Altering the signaling of a central placental chemokine, CXCL12, by antagonizing its receptor CXCR4 at the fetal-maternal interface during initial placentation results in locally diminished vascularization, suppressed Akt/mTOR signaling, and induction of autophagy, all of which play vital roles for proper placentation. We propose the CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine axis may govern placental homeostasis by serving as a critical upstream mediator of vascularization and cell viability and, if this signaling axis is compromised, impaired placental development transpires.</li> <li>LPS modulates granulosa cell beta-catenin and aromatase transcription, both necessary components of estrogen production.</li> <li>The subcellular localization during sperm maturation suggests the involvement of PRAMEY, especially the 13 kDa isoform, in sperm motility.</li> <li>Telomere length was not dramatically different between age matched primiparious and multiparious cows due to the variation in telomere length measured using PLR procedures.</li> <li>Tropically adapted cattle had much greater ruminal populations of fungi than temperate cattle. This may be one reason for the better performance of tropically adapted cattle on low quality forages.</li> <li>The genetic marker TBX20-191081 was strongly related with temperament in Brahman cattle.</li> <li>Poor maternal nutrition may alter offspring muscle development through genes involved in cell signaling, inflammation, and epigenetic regulation.</li> <li>TRPM8 channels are putative testosterone receptors. Expressed number of channels may be dependent on the testosterone environment and may contribute to the reproductive soundness of the animal. These results indicated that the TRPM8 channels are sensitive to testosterone concentrations and may influence ram fertility.</li> <li>Menthol is a known activator of the transient receptor potential melastatin subfamily 8 (TRPM8). Menthol is historically believed to have aphrodisiac properties. While past reports of TRPM8 in knockout mice suggested these channels may play a role in the expression of male behavior, oral application of a TRPM8 receptor agonist did not influence the expression of sexual interest.</li> <li>Aflatoxin, specifically aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), has negative effects on fertility in many species. Although aflatoxins decrease numbers of follicles in the female and sperm in the male reducing fertility rate, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Although treatment effects were not noted in the male teste, treatment with AFB1 influenced expression of TRPM8 in granulosa and theca cells of mice follicles. TRRM8 channels are evident in sheep ovaries and may suggest a similar influence of AFB1 in livestock species.</li> </ol> Activities In the current reporting year, the members of the committee conducted or are continuing 73 projects.  A majority of these projects involve collaborations across research stations within W3112. Arizona <ol> <li>Greater STAT-3 activity enhances mitochondrial respiration in the left ventricle of growth restricted fetuses.</li> <li>Decreased Complex 1 Expression and Impaired Mitochondrial Function in Growth Restricted Ovine Fetuses with Placental Insufficiency</li> <li>Generation of Tmem135 knockout mice.</li> <li>Measurements of Mono-n-butyl Phthalate in the Tissues of Cycling Adult CD-1 Female Mice after the Oral Administration of Di-n-butyl Phthalate.</li> <li>Effects of in vitro exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate and mono-n-butyl phthalate on early embryo viability and development</li> <li>Effects of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) exposure on the expression of transcription factors in the mouse ovary</li> <li>Environmentally Relevant Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Ovarian Gene Expression: Effects of Terminal Estrous Cycle Stage</li> <li>Environmentally Relevant Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate Disrupts DNA Damage Repair Gene Expression in the Mouse Ovary</li> <li>Effect of hypoxic stress on the fetal metabolome.</li> </ol> California <ol> <li>Effects of heat stress on preantral follicle development in vitro</li> <li>Expression of the FSH receptor (FSHR) in bovine preantral follicles</li> </ol> Colorado <ol> <li>Development of bovine fluid tests to distinguish open from pregnant cows.</li> <li>Embryo Mortality: A transcriptome perspective in Holstein cows.</li> <li>Development of immunotolerance in bovine fetuses infected with BVDV.</li> <li>Development of placental glucose transport deficient pregnancies.</li> <li>Development of in vivo gene editing within the ruminant placenta.</li> <li>Physiological Ramifications of Chorionic Somatomammotropin (CSH) Deficiency</li> <li>Enrichment of ovine gonadotropes and characterization of gene expression.</li> <li>Transcriptional response of ovine gonadotropes to estradiol.</li> <li>Regulation of the estrogen-induced transcriptome by the peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor alpha.</li> <li>Ovine hypothalamus transduction by intracerebroventricular injection of adenoassociated virus.</li> </ol> Connecticut <ol> <li>The Effects of Maternal Nutrient Restriction Followed by Re-alimentation on Offspring Growth and Metabolism in Sheep</li> <li>Effects of Restricted Maternal Nutrition and Re-alimentation on Fetal Muscle Development from Mid to Late Gestation in Sheep.</li> <li>Poor maternal nutrition and gestational age affect oxidative stress in offspring muscle</li> <li>Poor Maternal Nutrition During Gestation Alters Placental IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 mRNA Expression</li> </ol> Idaho <ol> <li>Effects of pre- and postweaning nutrition on fertility in beef heifers</li> <li>Relationship between feed efficiency and fertility in beef heifers</li> <li>Effect of nutrition during first two trimesters of gestation on fetal programming of reproduction in beef heifers.</li> <li>Follicular development and response to estrous synchronization in heifers gestated and raised in two different environments</li> <li>Genome-wide association studies of heifers with antral follicle count and reproductive tract score phenotypes</li> </ol> Illinois <ol> <li>Effects of fully-acidified, negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) diets with differing concentrations of dietary calcium fed prepartum on the dominant follicle of the first follicular wave after parturition and pregnancy in Holstein cows</li> <li>Effects of fully-acidified, negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) diets with differing concentrations of dietary calcium fed prepartum on uterine morphology and redox environment of Holstein cows after parturition</li> </ol> Miles City - ARS <ol> <li>Effect of preovulatory estradiol or postovulatory progesterone on pregnancy rate in postpartum beef cows.</li> <li>Evaluation of negative biomarkers of fertility and magnetic nano-purification as a tool to increase fertility with AI in beef bulls.</li> </ol> Mississippi <ol> <li>Investigating Placental Blood Vessel Density in Various Size Placentomes of Angus Cattle</li> <li>Circadian Rhythms of Clock Genes and Angiogenic Factors in Bovine Placental Explants</li> </ol> Missouri <ol> <li>Effect of Preovulatory Estradiol and Postovulatory Progesterone on the Establishment of Pregnancy in Beef Cattle</li> <li>Effect of preovulatory estradiol on subsequent luteal progesterone secretion in beef cows.</li> </ol> Montana State <ol> <li>Characterization of changes in temporal concentrations of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in beef heifers and cows</li> <li>Effects of nutrition on nutrient-sensing neuronal circuitry</li> <li>The molecular basis of feed efficiency in range beef cattle.</li> <li>In utero programming of the blood-brain barrier and nutrient-sensing circuitry that regulate reproductive function of beef cattle.</li> </ol> Nebraska <ol> <li>Follicle Stimulating Hormone Stimulation Restores Ovarian Microenvironment of Beef Heifers with Androgen Excess to Reduce Inflammation</li> <li>Lipopolysaccharide Differentially Affects Pro-Inflammatory Responses in Theca Cells from Androgen Excess compared to Control Beef Cows</li> <li>Genetic variants of an excess androgen ovarian microenvironment can be potential markers for a High A4 phenotype.</li> <li>Early Reduced Growth Rates Predict Delayed or Altered Puberty and May Adversely Affect Reproductive Longevity in Beef Heifers</li> <li>Altered Blood Plasma and Follicular Fluid Lipid Profiles Predict Alterations in Cell Signaling, Metabolism, and Immune Function in Cows with Androgen Excess</li> <li>Effect of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (a Progestin) on Spermatogenesis in Farmed Male Reindeer</li> </ol> New Mexico <ol> <li>Intrauterine infusion of AMD3100 in ewes: elucidating the importance of CXCL12 at the fetal-maternal interface</li> <li>Intrauterine inhibition of chemokine receptor 4 signaling modulates local and systemic inflammation in ovine pregnancy</li> <li>CXCR4 signaling at the ovine fetal-maternal interface regulates vascularization, CD34+ cell presence, and autophagy in the endometrium</li> <li>Lipopolysaccharide modulation of granulosa cell steroid production.</li> <li>Use and validation of ear tag accelerometers and RFID tags to determine parturition behavior in a pen setting.</li> </ol> Pennsylvania <ol> <li>PRAMEY protein dynamics in the bovine testis and epididymis.</li> <li>Subcellular localization of PRAMEY during bovine sperm maturation.</li> <li>Characterization of Sertoli and germ cells in the Prame conditional knockout (cKO) mice.</li> <li>Single-cell transcriptome analysis of germ cells at postnatal day 7 from Prame cKO and floxed mice</li> <li>Characterization of the Pramel1 cKO and gKO mice.</li> <li>Genetic update of lost Holstein male lineages.</li> </ol> Texas <ol> <li>Prenatal transportation stress alters physiology of suckling Brahman bull calves as mediated by changes in DNA methylation.</li> <li>Transgenerational influence of prenatal stress on temperament, birth weight, and weaning weight of Brahman calves.</li> <li>Effect of prenatal transportation stress on DNA methylation in Brahman heifers</li> <li>Genome-wide DNA methylation alteration in prenatally stressed Brahman heifer calves with the advancement of ages.</li> <li>Identification of candidate genes related to temperament in Brahman cattle</li> <li>Comparison of telomere length in age-matched primiparious and multiparious Brahman cows.</li> <li>Influence of monensin in the diet of temperate and tropically adapted cattle on the ruminal and fecal metabolome and microbiome.</li> </ol> Utah <ol> <li>Comparing performance of gene set test methods</li> <li>Effects of lactation and negative energy balance on endometrial expression</li> <li>Epigenetic reprogramming, apoptosis, and developmental competence in cloned embryos</li> <li>Increased statistical power from paired samples</li> </ol> Wyoming <ol> <li>Expression of TRPM8 mRNA in the prostate of rams and wethers</li> <li>The effect of menthol on sexual behavior in rams</li> <li>The effect of aflatoxin B1 treatment on expression of TRPM8 in mouse ovary and testes</li> </ol>   Milestones  W3112 has been successful in working with the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science on developing symposia for the 2020 meeting of WSASAS. Plans for the coming year The members of the committee plan to conduct or complete over 50 studies.  The committee will use the outcomes from these studies and previous experiments conducted by this committee to begin to determine the direction for the committee in the future.  A writing committee will be appointed at the next annual meeting to begin preparing for project reauthorization.  The committee will also present a special symposium on sheep reproduction at the Western Section American Society of Animal Science meetings in June, 2020.

Publications

Impact Statements

Inter-gene correlations cause problems for most gene set testing methods, especially in controlling the false discovery rate.

Date of Annual Report: 12/07/2020

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 09/03/2020 - 09/04/2020
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2018 - 09/30/2019

Participants

Milan Shipka – AK – Administrator
Sean Limesand - AZ
Anna Denicol – CA – Member-at-large
Russ Anthony – CO
Thomas Hansen - CO
Kristen Govoni – CT
John Hall – ID - Chair
Phil Cardoso – IL
David Grieger - KS
Caleb Lemley - MS
Andrea Cupp – NE
Ryan Ashley – NM
Jennifer Herdandez-Gifford - NM
Michelle Kutzler - OR
Wansheng Liu – PA
Nathan Long - SC
Ky Pohler – TX
John Stevens - UT
Brenda Alexander – WY

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Summary of Minutes from W3112 Annual Meeting 2020.docx

Accomplishments

Summary of accomplishments During the 2019-2020 period, research projects developed by members of W3112 resulted in the training of dozens of undergraduate and graduate students at the M.S. and Ph.D. levels. At least 8 M.S. theses and 3 Ph.D. dissertations resulted from this work. Members of the W3112 also gave several invited presentations to share their research with national and international audiences. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many annual conferences had to be postponed, resulting in postponement of some presentations to 2021.   Research findings during the 2019-2020 period include: <ol> <li>Placental insufficiency causes intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and disrupts fetal metabolism including adipogenesis, resulting in alterations in adipocyte number, size, and function.</li> <li>PPAR signaling is enhanced in adipose tissue of the PI-IUGR fetus.</li> <li>Perirenal adipose tissue exhibited greater hyperplasia and had higher expression of genes involved in cellular differentiation and fatty acid transport, which explains the propensity for early adiposity in offspring born with IUGR.</li> <li>Detection of MBP in the ovary of treated mice provides further evidence that oral dosing with DBP results in direct effects on the ovary.</li> <li>Preterm lambs and growth-restricted lamps demonstrate a significant risk of several disorders in adult life. Identifying these mechanisms are important from both domestic animals’ perspective and human health.</li> <li>Mid-gestational nutrient restriction and subsequent re-alimentation altered distinct metabolic amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid pathways, potentially altering postnatal growth.</li> <li>Feeding rumen-protected lysine (RPL) around parturition results in modulation of genes involved in inflammatory and immune responses.</li> <li>Improvement in the uterine immunity resulted in maintaining a proper inflammatory response, decreasing in PMN counting and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 by the fourth week postpartum, which indicates the resolution of the inflammatory process associated with clearance of pathogens and uterine involution.</li> <li>Cows that received RPL were less likely to develop purulent vaginal discharge.</li> <li>A stimulus to cell proliferation was evident as a response to RPL through the trend to increased number of uterine glandular epithelial cells.</li> <li>There was no effect of feeding RPL on the follicle size at the time of ovulation, but a lesser variation in growth rate of the dominant follicle was evident.</li> <li>Overall, feeding lysine throughout the transition period proved to be beneficial to the uterine immune function of the cow.</li> <li>The bovine endometrium stores glycogen in a reproductive-cycle dependent manner.</li> <li>Periodic acid-Schiff staining (PAS) staining indicated that glycogen was primarily stored in the glandular epithelial cells and this glycogen peaked on Day 1 of the reproductive cycle.</li> <li>Hexokinase was highly expressed in the glandular epithelial on both Day 1 and Day 11 of the cycle.</li> <li>The peak glycogen content on Day 1 of the reproductive cycle was due to increased expression of glycogen synthase and decreased levels of phospho-glycogen synthase.</li> <li>The glandular epithelia also expressed high levels of glucose-6-phosphatase, indicating that the epithelial cells can dephosphorylate glucose-6-phosphate liberated from glycogen.</li> <li>We observed PAS-positive material in the glandular lumen, suggesting that intact glycogen might be secreted into the uterine lumen. These results suggest that endometrial glycogen stores may contribute to subfertility in dairy cows.</li> <li>Concurrent disruptions in steroidogenic, immunological, and metabolic markers occur in cows diagnosed with cystic ovarian follicles (COF) and the pattern of dysregulation varies according to the number of days postpartum.</li> <li>Disturbances in cows diagnosed with COF at early postpartum (< 35 days in milk) were limited to steroidogenesis and metabolic markers, while COF-M/L cows (mid-late lactation; ≥ 118 days in milk) had steroidogenic, immunological and metabolic marker disorders.</li> <li>Our study provides evidence that the characterization of mechanisms associated with COF development in early and mid-late lactation needs to be further investigated to develop therapies that can mitigate the negative impact of COF in dairy cows with a distinct pathogenesis.</li> <li>Preliminary work indicates that melatonin supplementation increased testicular artery blood flow in bulls.</li> <li>The bovine vaginal microbiome is diverse, and no differences were found in the vaginal bacterial community profiles of heifers with different pregnancy status or endogenous concentrations of estradiol or progesterone.</li> <li>Although maternal nutrient restriction did not alter the diversity of the vaginal microbiota; dietary melatonin supplementation during pregnancy altered the beta diversity of the vaginal microbiota resulting in an environment that facilitates growth of aerobic bacteria.</li> <li>Parthenogenetic embryos have different secretion patterns and products compared to normal IVF embryos. Successful pregnancies sired by high fertility bulls with low late embryonic/fetal pregnancy loss have increased concentration of PAG at day 30 of gestation compared to low fertility sires. In addition, those sires have differences in genomic PAG markers.</li> <li>Cytokine and Bacteriome of postpartum cows through a synchronization protocol indicates a shift in bacterial communities in the uterus to decrease the diversity that may be important for pregnancy development.</li> <li>CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling during placental development serves as an important upstream regulator of placental vascularization possibly ensuring appropriate placental development throughout gestation. We propose the CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine axis governs placental homeostasis by serving as a critical upstream mediator of vascularization and cell viability and, if this signaling axis is compromised, impaired placental development transpires.</li> <li>Disruption of normal CXCL12-mediated signaling during early placentation induces enduring placental effects manifesting later in gestation with several observed outcomes mirroring those of placental dysfunction, suggesting an imbalance in CXCL12-mediated signaling may be causative.</li> <li>Identification of environmental factors that affect puberty may allow for better management of these heifers to attain puberty in diverse weather patterns or drought. It may also allow for us to determine how environment affects puberty (mechanisms) or heifer genetics that is more redisposed to impact of environment.</li> <li>If elevated AMH at critical periods during pubertal development causes delayed puberty, we may be able to identify these individuals through genetic variants or altered AMH during puberty. This may inform beef producers of the females that would have longer reproductive lifespan.</li> <li>Understanding the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory lipids that are elevated in follicular fluid or plasma of females where ovulation is induced may allow for the development of markers to detect ovulation or anovulation in females.</li> <li>Heifers classified as Non-Cycling (delayed puberty) had greater concentrations of TNFa when compared to heifers classified as Typical (normal puberty attainment) suggesting that increased inflammation may impact heifers to cause delayed puberty.</li> </ol>

Publications

Impact Statements

The fundamental information about sperm storage could be used to lengthen sperm lifespan and allow less synchrony between insemination and ovulation.

Date of Annual Report: 06/01/2021

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/21/2021 - 05/22/2021
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2019 - 09/30/2020

Participants

In attendance:
Brenda Alexander (secretary)-University of Wyoming, Sarah McCoski and Carla Sanford - Montana State University, Rebecca Poole and Kyle Pohler-Texas A and M, Anna Denicol (chair) -University of California, Davis, Tod Hansen and Russ Anthony- Colorado State University, Tom Geary- USDA-ARS, Ft. Keogh, MT, Karl Kerns- Iowa State University, Sofia Ortega- University of Missouri, Andrea Cupp- University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Dave Grieger-Kansas State University, John Hall-University of Idaho, Jennifer Hernandez Gifford and Ryan Ashley- New Mexico State University, Nathan Long- Southern Clemson University, Calemb Lemley- Mississippi State University, Wansheng Liu- Pennsylvania State University, Carl Dahlen- North Dakota State University, Leslie Edgar- new project administrator, New Mexico State University, Milan Shipka (outgoing project administrator, University of Alaska), Sean Limesand and Chi Zhou- University of Arizona, Phil Cardoso- University of Illinois, Kristin Govoni- University of Connecticut.
Guest: Nicole Tillquist, PhD student- University of Connecticut

Brief Summary of Minutes

The meeting was called to order on Thursday May 20, 2021 at 8:00am Pacific time by Anna Denicol.

A report on the status of the New project proposal, W4112, was given by Brenda Alexander. She reported the project had been positively reviewed with minor revision. Those revisions had been made and the revised project had been submitted for final approval through the NIMSS system. Milan Shipka added that with minor revisions the report was not returned to reviewers and the project was likely to have full approval soon.

Milan Shipka announced that his retirement was eminent. Milan announced Leslie Edgar from New Mexico State University as the new W4112 Administrator. Milan had a brief review of the W112 project and its future. He reiterated the power of collaborations within the W112 project.

Election of new – Member at Large- Andrea Cupp nominated Sofia Ortega and Tod Hansen seconded and moved to have nominations cease. This was passed unanimously. Sofia will be secretary at our next meeting in 2022. Brenda Alexander will be chair in 2022.

A time and place for the 2022 meeting was discussed by the membership. Brenda Alexander moved to have the meeting at the Nebraska Experiment Station on May 20 and 21 (Friday and Saturday) in 2022. Wansheng Liu, seconded the nomination. There was some banter and light hearted discussion about having the meetings in Reno. Perhaps next year was the discussion which was emphatically squashed by the wish to have meeting in Alaska while Milan was still present. The move to have the 2022 meeting May 20 and 21 at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln was passed unanimously.

University Updates were heard from attending scientists.

Project reports from: Nathan Long, Southern Clemson, Tom Geary, USDA-ARS, Sarah McCoski, Montana State University, David Grieger, Kansas State University. Brenda Alexander, University of Wyoming, John Hall, University of Idaho, Caleb Lemley, Mississippi State University, Ryan Ashley and Jennifer Hernandez Gifford, New Mexico State University, Chi Zhou, Arizona State University.

Meeting was adjourned at 1 pm, PDT on May 20, 2021

Project updates were resumed at 8:00 am PDT, May 21, 2021

Project reports from: Phil Cardoso, University of Illinois, Russ Anthony and Tod Hansen, Colorado State University, Sofia Ortega, University of Missouri, Ky Pohler and Rebecca Poole, Texas A & M, Karl Kerns, Iowa State University, Kristin Govoni, University of Connecticut, Anna Denicol, University of California, Davis, Andrea Cupp, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

At 12:30 pm PDT Mark Mirando joined the meeting to provide a USDA update. He was positive about increased funding for grant programs. An August deadline is in place for 2022 project proposals. He reported 30% predoctoral funding success.

Station reports resumed following Dr. Mirando’s update with Carl Dahlen, North Dakota State University, Wansheng Liu- Pennsylvania State University, Sean Limesand, University of Arizona, and Carla Sanford, Montana State University.

There was general discussion about symposia to be presented by W3112 members at ASAS and SSR 2021 annual meetings. General discussion regarding collaborations were held. There was a call for collaborations to be submitted by email to Brenda Alexander and Anna Denicol.

The ASAS symposium will be a full day program entitled “Factors affecting the reproductive performance of ruminants”. The W3112 group will be represented by 13 speakers. The symposium will be held on July 14, 2021, on the first day of the ASAS annual meeting in Louisville, KY. The meeting format will be hybrid and there was discussion as to whether speakers could attend in person or not. The current decision is that the symposium will follow the hybrid format.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm PDT.

Accomplishments

W3112 Reporting period: 10/1/2019 to 9/30/2020 Meeting Date: May 21 and 22, 2021 Report submitted by: Brenda M. Alexander   Accomplishments 11 Thesis and Dissertations 50 Meeting Abstracts 63 Published manuscripts   Progress and Important Discoveries by W3112 Objectives   <ol> <li>Project Objective: Further understand mechanisms of gonadotropin synthesis and release to improve management of reproductive behavior, the reproductive cycle, gamete development and the ovulatory event.</li> </ol>   Remotely identifying behavior may help make informed time-sensitive decisions. Direct accelerometer metrics require less processing than predicting behaviors and accelerometers can remotely detect parturition on an hourly and daily scale (New Mexico).   An early open cow test (OCT) that distinguishes open from pregnant cows by day 18 following AI is being developed. Initial studies for proof of concept testing at a 1,000 lactating dairy cow study has been initiated (Colorado).   Marker of embryo quality has been identified. This marker is differently expressed in morphologically (IETS scoring system) good compared to bad day 5, 6 and 7 bovine in-vitro fertilized (IVF) derived embryos (Colorado).   Using transcriptome and bioinformatic approaches, SNP associated with gene expression in the corpus luteum, endometrium, embryo, white blood cells and milk have been identified and are being tested in a genotype-phenotype study in dairy cows (Colorado).   <ol> <li>Project Objective: Determine the interaction of growth factors and steroid production on gonadal function, and utilize this knowledge to improve sperm and oocyte quality and develop technologies to mediate infertility caused by gamete production and ovulation.</li> </ol>   Bovine granulosa cells express signaling receptor complex that recognizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Higher concentrations of follicular LPS impacts oocyte competency. Follicular hormonal milieu did not differ among follicles with Low and High LPS (New Mexico).   Detection of phthalate metabolites in the ovary after oral dosing with their parent compounds demonstrate direct exposure in the ovary (Arizona).   Phthalate exposure altered gene expression in the ovaries and uteri of treated mice (Arizona).   Knowledge gained from the study of the PRAME/PRAMEY gene family increases understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis and fertilization, which in turn, will help address issues related to male subfertility and infertility (Pennsylvania).   The PRAMEY gene has been identified as a potential biomarker for sperm quality and sperm function (Pennsylvania).   The Pramex1 and Pramel1 KO mice are unique models for studying the functional role of the PRAME gene family during spermatogenesis, particularly during the first round of spermatogenesis (Pennsylvania).    VEGFA KO mice have reduced Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) overall which does not suggest that AMH contributes to arrested follicular development (Nebraska).   The progesterone agonist (MPA) does affect androgens and spermatogenesis in reindeer bulls and should not be recommended to producers as a management tool when they are trying to get females pregnant (Nebraska).   High A4 cows have altered cytokine production during the estrous cycle with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines that are decreased following FSH stimulation (Nebraska).   Increased estradiol leads to improved pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Work is now established to identify the mechanism(s) of how it does so (USDA-ARS, Miles City, MT).   In vitro studies demonstrate that exposure of the ovarian cortex and preantral follicles to high levels of NEFA may alter lipid accumulation, lipid transport and the architecture of the ovarian cortex. These changes might be important predictors of future fertility (California).   To study gonadotropins, several novel approaches are being investigated including in vitro cell enrichment using alpha polypeptide, CGA (aka aGSU) gene fused to the cDNA encoding the enhanced green fluorescent protein to enrich for gonadotropes through flow cytometry, development of transgenic “Stoplight” sheep, and injection of adeno-associated virus expressing GFP through the a catheter into the hypophyseal artery (Colorado).   The role of estradiol in gonadotrope transcription is being investigated by conducting a time-course experiment to identify early and late-expressing genes in estradiol-induced gene regulation. This will be further assessed using single-cell RNA-sequencing for sheep pituitary cells. This approach would allow in vivo experiments to discover the transcriptional events in gonadotropes elicited by estradiol (Colorado).   Obesity influenced the LH surge, both in regard to peak LH (decreased in obese ewes) as well as in timing (delayed in obese ewes). This is consistent with the hypothesis that body condition and subsequent metabolic adaptation affect measures of fertility in ewes, potentially via PPAR-alpha. Return to normal weight restored the LH surge, both peak and timing. To further determine the influence of obesity, a follow-up experiment will be conducted to assess the role of circulating free fatty acids and hyperinsulinemia on the LH surge (Colorado).   Melatonin supplementation did not alter carcass traits, testicular blood flow, or testes thermoregulation characteristics in bulls. Lack of differences may be attributed to geographical locations that impact day length or endogenous melatonin status (Mississippi).   <ol> <li>Project Objective: Improve management of reproductive cycles through increased understanding of follicle recruitment, ovulation and corpus luteum development.</li> </ol>   Practical implication of an injectable estradiol used in conjunction with synchronization of ovulation could increase pregnancy rates 11 to 27% with timed AI (USDA-ARS, Miles City, MT).   <ol> <li>Project Objective: Increase knowledge of mechanisms that allow for the establishment of pregnancy. Further understanding the interface of the reproductive and immune systems will allow for the development of technologies that target the immune system decreasing the incidence of early embryonic loss. </li> </ol>   Lack of paternal genetics reduced trophectoderm cell formation at the blastocyst stage and prevented post-elongated embryo attachment to endometrium (Texas). <table width="731"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="731">   </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="731"> Repeated PGF2α release may alter steroid hormone production; however, does not negatively affect pregnancy status during the transition period to late embryonic development (Texas). </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="731">   Possible relationships exist between bacterial communities and cytokines within the uterus of beef cattle prior to timed artificial insemination that may ultimately affect fertility outcomes (Texas). </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Identifying mechanisms that limit pregnancy establishment under positive and negative plains of nutrition would provide opportunities to overcome nutrition-associated pregnancy loss in cattle (USDA-ARS, Miles City, MT).   Supplementation of FLI [fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)], during in vitro production of bovine embryos improved preimplantation embryonic development and embryo quality (Missouri).   Variability in pregnancy loss between days 30 and 60 of gestation were observed among sires. Identifying these phenotypes would be useful in the evaluation of sire fertility and incorporation would increase fertility score reliability (Texas).   A quantitative bull fertility index that combines flow cytometry and microscopic measures of sperm fertility and their correlations to field fertility is being developed. This index would allow for fertility selection among bulls (USDA-ARS, Miles City, MT).     A clear effect of sire on pre-implantation embryonic development was established with low performing sires producing a higher proportion of embryos with developmental delays, increased autophagy and expression of DNA damage and pro-apoptotic genes, resulting in embryonic arrest at the 5-6 cell stage. Interestingly, sire conception rate was not indicative of pre-implantation development (Missouri).   Suppressing CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling during the small window of conceptus implantation reduces trophoblast invasion, delays uterine remodeling, diminishes placental vascularization, induces autophagy, and dampens the inflammatory placental environment (New Mexico).   Genome wide association studies (GWAS) of 293 cross-bred heifers identified chromosome loci associated with measures of fertility. These regions contain genes associated with cell proliferation, transcription, apoptosis and development (Idaho).   Feeding rumen-protected lysine around parturition results in modulation of genes involved in inflammatory and immune responses (Illinois).   It is likely that prepartum supply of rumen-protected lysine allows for a greater utilization of methionine, exemplified by the greater expression of MAT2A in the placenta of cows that were fed rumen-protected lysine prepartum (Illinois).   Cows fed rumen-protected methionine decrease the expression of genes involved in inflammatory processes (IL1β, IL6, IL8, PTGES3, MUC1 and SOD1) in cytological smear samples (Illinois).   Cows fed rumen-protected methionine increased expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism (LCAT and APOL3), amino acid metabolism (SAHH), and overall tissue metabolism (FGF7 and GLU4) in the endometrium (Illinois).   The expression of MAT1A mRNA was identified for the first time in bovine cytological smear samples (Illinois).   Feeding rumen-protected methionine during transition period and early lactation enhanced reproductive immunity (Illinois).   Presence of unique SNP associated with upregulation of IRF7 and BOLA mRNA may reflect a hyperstimulation of type I IFN pathways to induce IFNT production and conceptus protection, which eventually fails during embryo mortality pregnancies (Colorado).   In vitro supplementation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may alter the endometrial synthesis of prostaglandins to be more embryotropic. Therefore, treatment with EPA may be therapeutic to favorably influence the early uterine environment (Mississippi).     <ol> <li>Project Objective: Increase the understanding of communication and nutrient flow between the fetus and the dam. This understanding would improve fetal health outcomes and adult wellbeing, and would be important for the optimization of livestock production goals.</li> </ol>   Beef cows managed on range conditions with limited feed during the first two-thirds of gestation decreased calf growth, cow body weight and body condition. Differences due to gestational nutrition were not detected for birth weight, antral follicle count, tract score, or pregnancy to artificial insemination (Idaho). Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses have altered glucose response independent of catecholamines. These results implicate adaptation in glucose metabolism in utero to hypoxic and hypoglycemic environment as the cause of the metabolic responses (Arizona). Reduced activity of α1-adrenergic receptors (AR) play a fundamental role in regulating carotid blood flow in neonatal lambs. Evidence of epigenetic mechanisms such as promoter DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA -mediated mechanisms in regulating α1-ARs expression and function in the preterm carotid arteries has been determined (Arizona).   Fetuses born to complicated pregnancies (such as IUGR) are with impaired endothelial function. Stress during pregnancy impairs fetal endothelial function in a sex-specific manner with female fetuses more impacted by complicated pregnancies. Female fetal endothelial cells have a greater cellular responses to cytokines and growth factors (Arizona).   Maternal nutrient restriction followed by re-alimentation restores liver and muscle gene expression of growth and metabolic factors while negatively impacting liver composition and muscle lipid content potentially leading to altered tissue function and metabolism later in life (Connecticut).   Nutrient restriction during mid- and late-gestation impacts proteins involved in gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis, and the regulation of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. Re-alimentation appears to improve these changes, but also alters cell migration pathways (Connecticut).   Maternal restricted- and over-feeding during gestation alters offspring growth, but not residual feed intake indicating other mechanisms that contribute to altered growth in these offspring (Connecticut).   Female Holstein calves carrying the slick mutation and born in the cool season in California have similar birth weight, average daily weight gain, and weaning weight to their non-slick half siblings, indicating that the mutation is not detrimental to the young calves’ weight gain (California).   While maternal glucose, insulin and chorionic somatomammotropin (CSH) were not impacted by SLC2A3 RNAi, uterine artery IGF1 concentrations were reduced. This suggests that inhibiting glucose uptake by the placenta via SLC2A3 caused a reduction in a placenta-derived factor that stimulates maternal IGF1 secretion (Colorado).   Chorionic somatomammotropin (CSH) RNAi reduced fetal and uterine weights and tended to reduce fetal liver weights. Umbilical blood flow (mL/min) was suppressed at 90 dGA and 130 dGA in CSH RNAi pregnancies resulting in reduced umbilical IGF1 concentrations, as well as reductions in the umbilical uptake of oxygen, glucose, lactate and several amino acids in CSH RNAi pregnancies. By examining unique transcriptional changes to functional groups and genes in CSH RNAi phenotypes pathways involved in the development of CSH RNAi dependent IUGR will be elucidated (Colorado).   BVDV infection epigenetically alters T-cell transcription factors in persistently infected fetal spleens. Results revealed hypermethylation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) 1 and 4, with NFAT2 hypomethylated. Hypermethylation of NFAT 1 and 4 is likely to shift the Th cell differentiation from Th1 to Th2 cells. An increase in NFAT2 and VAV1 expression due to hypomethylation would promote synergy of T-cells, further exacerbating the shift from Th1 to Th2 cells. The observed epigenetic modification of critical T-cell genes may help explain inability of postnatal PI calves to fight secondary infections efficiently, contributing to performance loss and continued BVDV viral shedding (Colorado).   Melatonin supplementation increases fetal weights in nutrient restricted dams during the summer. Nutrient restricted dams show altered placentome vascularity and may indicate a compensatory mechanism (Mississippi).   Maternal nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation did not impact fetal mammary gland vascularity in spring calving heifers; however, melatonin supplementation during nutrient restriction in fall calving heifers may increase fetal mammary gland vascularity. In conclusion, seasonal differences and natural melatonin production may influence melatonin-induced changes in fetal development (Mississippi).

Publications

W3112 Reporting period: 10/1/2019 to 9/30/2020 Meeting Date: May 21 and 22, 2021 Report submitted by: Brenda M. Alexander   Publications Abedal-Majed, M. A., Kurz, S. G., Springman, S. A., McNeel, A. K., Freetly, H. C., Largen, V., . . . Cupp, A. S. (2020). Vascular endothelial growth factor A isoforms modulate follicle development in peripubertal heifers independent of diet through diverse signal transduction pathways. Biology of Reproduction, 102(3), 680-692. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioz211 Ali, A., Swanepoel, C. M., Winger, Q. A., Rozance, P. J., & Anthony, R. V. (2020). Chorionic somatomammotropin RNA interference alters fetal liver glucose utilization. J Endocrinol, 247(3), 251-262. doi:10.1530/JOE-20-0375 Candelaria, J. I., Rabaglino, M. B., & Denicol, A. C. (2020). Ovarian preantral follicles are responsive to FSH as early as the primary stage of development. J Endocrinol, 247(2), 153-168. doi:10.1530/JOE-20-0126 Chen, X. X., Zheng, Y., Lei, A. M., Zhang, H. X., Niu, H. M., Li, X. L., . . . Zeng, W. X. (2020). Early cleavage of preimplantation embryos is regulated by tRNA(Gln-TTG)-derived small RNAs present in mature spermatozoa. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 295(32), 10885-10900. doi:10.1074/jbc.RA120.013003 Ciernia, L. A., Perry, G. A., Smith, M. F., Rich, J. J., Northrop, E. J., Perkins, S. D., . . . Geary, T. W. (2021). Effect of estradiol preceding and progesterone subsequent to ovulation on proportion of postpartum beef cows pregnant. Anim Reprod Sci, 227, 106723. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106723 Davis, M. A., Camacho, L. E., Anderson, M. J., Steffens, N. R., Pendleton, A. L., Kelly, A. C., & Limesand, S. W. (2020). Chronically elevated norepinephrine concentrations lower glucose uptake in fetal sheep. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 319(3), R255-R263. doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00365.2019 Dechow, C. D., Liu, W. S., Specht, L. W., & Blackburn, H. (2020). Reconstitution and modernization of lost Holstein male lineages using samples from a gene bank. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(5), 4510-4516. doi:10.3168/jds.2019-17753 DeShazo, E. K. R., Sydney T; Franco, Gessica A; Neuendorff, Don A; Randel, Ron; Pohler, Ky. (2020). Utilizing Breeding Indictors for an Effective AI Program in Brahman Cows. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 98. Retrieved from http://libproxy.uwyo.edu/login/?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/utilizing-breeding-indictors-effective-ai-program/docview/2501933204/se-2?accountid=14793 Diasa, H. P., R.K. Poole, J.P. Albuquerque, P.H.dos Santosm, A.C.S.Castilho, K.G.Pohler, J.L.M.Vasconcelos. (2020). Progesterone dose during synchronization treatment alters luteinizing hormone receptor and steroidogenic enzyme mRNA abundances in granulosa cells of Nellore heifers. Animal Reproduction Science, 225, 106681. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106681 Dickson, M. J., Piersanti, R. L., Ramirez-Hernandez, R., de Oliveira, E. B., Bishop, J. V., Hansen, T. R., . . . Bromfield, J. J. (2020). Experimentally Induced Endometritis Impairs the Developmental Capacity of Bovine Oocytesdagger. Biol Reprod, 103(3), 508-520. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioaa069 Fehlberg, L. K., Guadagnin, A. R., Thomas, B. L., Sugimoto, Y., Shinzato, I., & Cardoso, F. C. (2020). Feeding rumen-protected lysine prepartum increases energy-corrected milk and milk component yields in Holstein cows during early lactation. J Dairy Sci, 103(12), 11386-11400. doi:10.3168/jds.2020-18542 Fontes, P. L. P., Oosthuizen, N., Ciriaco, F. M., Sanford, C. D., Canal, L. B., Cooke, R. F., . . . Lamb, G. C. (2021). Effects of nutrient restriction on the metabolic profile of Bos indicus-influenced and B. taurus suckled beef cows. Animal, 15(3), 100166. doi:10.1016/j.animal.2020.100166 Franco, G., Reese, S., Poole, R., Rhinehart, J., Thompson, K., Cooke, R., & Pohler, K. (2020). Sire contribution to pregnancy loss in different periods of embryonic and fetal development of beef cows. Theriogenology, 154, 84-91. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.05.021 Geary, T. W., Waterman, R. C., Van Emon, M. L., Ratzburg, C. R., Lake, S., Eik, B. A., . . . Heldt, J. S. (2019). Effect of supplemental trace minerals on novel measures of bull fertility. Transl Anim Sci, 3(Suppl 1), 1813-1817. doi:10.1093/tas/txz102 Gebremedhn, S., Ali, A., Hossain, M., Hoelker, M., Salilew-Wondim, D., Anthony, R. V., & Tesfaye, D. (2021). MicroRNA-Mediated Gene Regulatory Mechanisms in Mammalian Female Reproductive Health. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(2). doi:10.3390/ijms22020938 Georges, H. M., Knapek, K. J., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, H., Van Campen, H., & Hansen, T. R. (2020). Attenuated lymphocyte activation leads to the development of immunotolerance in bovine fetuses persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virusdagger. Biol Reprod, 103(3), 560-571. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioaa088 Graceli, J. B., Dettogni, R. S., Merlo, E., Nino, O., da Costa, C. S., Zanol, J. F., . . . Denicol, A. C. (2020). The impact of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure in the mammalian hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Mol Cell Endocrinol, 518, 110997. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2020.110997 Gurule, S. C., Colin T.Tobin, Derek W.Bailey, Jennifer A.Hernandez Gifford. (2021). Evaluation of the tri-axial accelerometer to identify and predict parturition-related activities of Debouillet ewes in an intensive setting. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 237. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105296 Jackson, I. J., Puttabyatappa, M., Anderson, M., Muralidharan, M., Veiga-Lopez, A., Gregg, B., . . . Padmanabhan, V. (2020). Developmental programming: Prenatal testosterone excess disrupts pancreatic islet developmental trajectory in female sheep. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 518. doi:ARTN 110950 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110950 Kelly, M. R., Halpern, A., Reed, S. A., Zinn, S. A., & Govoni, K. E. (2021). Understanding gestational and feed management practices of New England sheep producers. Transl Anim Sci, 5(1), txaa234. doi:10.1093/tas/txaa234 Kern, C. H., Mingyao Yang, Wan-Sheng Liu. (2021). The PRAME family of cancer testis antigens is essential for germline development and gametogenesis. Biology of Reproduction, 1-15. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioab074 Knapek, K. J., Georges, H. M., Van Campen, H., Bishop, J. V., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, H., Smirnova, N. P., & Hansen, T. R. (2020). Fetal Lymphoid Organ Immune Responses to Transient and Persistent Infection with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus. Viruses, 12(8). doi:10.3390/v12080816 Liu, W. S., Lu, C., & Mistry, B. V. (2021). Subcellular localization of the mouse PRAMEL1 and PRAMEX1 reveals multifaceted roles in the nucleus and cytoplasm of germ cells during spermatogenesis. Cell Biosci, 11(1), 102. doi:10.1186/s13578-021-00612-6 Lu, C., Yang, M. Y., Rossi, R. M., Wang, A. H., Feitosa, W. B., Diaz, F. J., & Liu, W. S. (2020). Deletion of the mouse X-linked Prame gene causes germ cell reduction in spermatogenesis. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 87(6), 666-679. doi:10.1002/mrd.23324 Luna-Nevarez, G., Kelly, A. C., Camacho, L. E., Limesand, S. W., Reyna-Granados, J. R., & Luna-Nevarez, P. (2020). Discovery and validation of candidate SNP markers associated to heat stress response in pregnant ewes managed inside a climate-controlled chamber. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 52(6), 3457-3466. doi:10.1007/s11250-020-02379-3 Maia, T. S., Guimaraes, H. R., Franco, G. A., Pohler, K. G., Cardoso, R. C., & Williams, G. L. (2020). Do pre and postnatal nutrition interact to program reproductive phenotype in sexually mature heifers? Journal of Animal Science, 98, 120-120. doi:10.1093/jas/skaa278.218 McFee, R. M., Romereim, S. M., Snider, A. P., Summers, A. F., Pohlmeier, W. E., Kurz, S. G., . . . Cupp, A. S. (2021). A high-androgen microenvironment inhibits granulosa cell proliferation and alters cell identity. Mol Cell Endocrinol, 531, 111288. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2021.111288 McIntosh, S. Z., Marlie M Maestas, Jordyn R Dobson, Kelsey E Quinn, Cheyenne L Runyan, Ryan L Ashley. (2021). CXCR4 signaling at the fetal-maternal interface may drive inflammation and syncytia formation during ovine pregnancy. Biol Reprod, 104(2), 468-478. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa203 Melo, G. D., B. P. Mello, L. M. F. Pinto, A. Guimarães, C. C. Rocha, I. G. Motta, E. H. Madureira, J. C. Silveira, K. G. Pohler and G. Pugliesi. (2019). 64 Prediction of pregnancy and early embryo loss through OAS-1 expression, concentrations of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins, and Doppler ultrasonography in beef cattle. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 32(2), 157. doi:10.1071/RDv32n2Ab64 Messman, R. D., Contreras-Correa, Z. E., Paz, H. A., & Lemley, C. O. (2021). Melatonin-induced changes in the bovine vaginal microbiota during maternal nutrient restriction. J Anim Sci, 99(5). doi:10.1093/jas/skab098 Moraes, J. G. N., Behura, S. K., Bishop, J. V., Hansen, T. R., Geary, T. W., & Spencer, T. E. (2020). Analysis of the uterine lumen in fertility-classified heifers: II. Proteins and metabolitesdagger. Biol Reprod, 102(3), 571-587. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioz197 Moraes, J. G. N., Behura, S. K., Bishop, J. V., Hansen, T. R., Geary, T. W., & Spencer, T. E. (2020). Analysis of the uterine lumen in fertility-classified heifers: II. Proteins and metabolitesdagger. Biol Reprod, 102(3), 571-587. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioz197 Moraes, J. G. N., Behura, S. K., Geary, T. W., & Spencer, T. E. (2020). Analysis of the uterine lumen in fertility-classified heifers: I. Glucose, prostaglandins, and lipidsdagger. Biol Reprod, 102(2), 456-474. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioz191 Murtazina, D. A., Arreguin-Arevalo, J. A., Cantlon, J. D., Ebrahimpour-Boroojeny, A., Shrestha, A., Hicks, J. A., . . . Clay, C. M. (2020). Enrichment of ovine gonadotropes via adenovirus gene targeting enhances assessment of transcriptional changes in response to estradiol-17 betadagger. Biol Reprod, 102(1), 156-169. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioz166 Nafziger, S. R., Tenley, S. C., Summers, A. F., Abedal-Majed, M. A., Hart, M., Bergman, J. W., . . . Cupp, A. S. (2021). Attainment and maintenance of pubertal cyclicity may predict reproductive longevity in beef heifersdagger. Biol Reprod, 104(6), 1360-1372. doi:10.1093/biolre/ioab044 Oliveira Filho, R. V., Cooke, R. F., de Mello, G. A., Pereira, V. M., Vasconcelos, J. L. M., & Pohler, K. G. (2020). The effect of clitoral stimulation post artificial insemination on pregnancy rates of multiparous Bos indicus beef cows submitted to estradiol/progesterone-based estrus synchronization protocol. J Anim Sci, 98(7). doi:10.1093/jas/skaa195 Oliver, K. F., Geary, T. W., Kiser, J. N., Galliou, J. M., Van Emon, M. L., Seabury, C. M., . . . Neibergs, H. L. (2020). Loci associated with conception rate in crossbred beef heifers. PLoS One, 15(4), e0230422. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0230422 Oosthuizen, N., Fontes, P. L. P., Oliveira Filho, R. V., Dahlen, C. R., Grieger, D. M., Hall, J. B., . . . Lamb, G. C. (2021). Pre-synchronization of ovulation timing and delayed fixed-time artificial insemination increases pregnancy rates when sex-sorted semen is used for insemination of heifers. Anim Reprod Sci, 226, 106699. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106699 Oosthuizen, N., Fontes, P. L. P., Oliveira, R. V., Dahlen, C. R., Grieger, D. M., Hall, J. B., . . . Lamb, G. C. (2021). Pre-synchronization of ovulation timing and delayed fixed-time artificial insemination increases pregnancy rates when sex-sorted semen is used for insemination of heifers. Animal Reproduction Science, 226. doi:ARTN 10669910.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106699 Peixoto, P. M., Hubner, A. M., Cunha, L. L., Coelho, W. M., Pohler, K. G., Dias, N. W., . . . Lima, F. S. (2020). Characterization of pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) and progesterone (P4) as a predictor of twins and conceptus loss in high-risk pregnancy Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 103, 244-244. Retrieved from <Go to ISI>://WOS:000581082900659 Peixoto, P. M., Hubner, A. M., Junior, W. M. C., Cunha, L. L., Garrett, E. F., Pohler, K. G., . . . Lima, F. S. (2021). Characterization of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins and progesterone as a predictor of twins and conceptus loss in high-risk-pregnancy Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci, 104(4), 5034-5046. doi:10.3168/jds.2020-19334 Pendleton, X. A. L., Antolic, A. T., Kelly, A. C., Davis, M. A., Camacho, L. E., Doubleday, K., . . . Limesand, S. W. (2020). Lower oxygen consumption and Complex I activity in mitochondria isolated from skeletal muscle of fetal sheep with intrauterine growth restriction. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 319(1), E67-E80. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00057.2020 Plewes, M. R., Hou, X. Y., Talbott, H. A., Zhang, P., Wood, J. R., Cupp, A. S., & Davis, J. S. (2020). Luteinizing hormone regulates the phosphorylation and localization of the mitochondrial effector dynamin-related protein-1 (DRP1) and steroidogenesis in the bovine corpus luteum. Faseb Journal, 34(4), 5299-5316. doi:10.1096/fj.201902958R Plewes, M. R., Krause, C., Talbott, H. A., Przygrodzka, E., Wood, J. R., Cupp, A., & Davis, J. S. (2020). Trafficking of cholesterol from lipid droplets to mitochondria in bovine luteal cells: Acute control of progesterone synthesis. Faseb Journal, 34(8), 10731-10750. doi:10.1096/fj.202000671R Pohler, K. G., Reese, S. T., Franco, G. A., Oliveira, R. V., Paiva, R., Fernandez, L., . . . Poole, R. K. (2020). New approaches to diagnose and target reproductive failure in cattle. Anim Reprod, 17(3), e20200057. doi:10.1590/1984-3143-AR2020-0057 Poole, R., Ault, T. B., Myer, P. R., Lear, A., & Pohler, K. (2020). Uterine and vaginal bacteria and cytokine profiles prior to artificial insemination between resulting pregnant and open postpartum beef cows. Journal of Animal Science, 98, 43-43. doi:10.1093/jas/skz397.099 Reese, S. T., G.A.Franco, K.M.Schubach, A.P.Brandao, S.M.West, R.F.Cooke, R.C.Cardoso, G.L.Williams, K.G.Pohler. (2021). Induced prostaglandin release alters steroid concentrations but not pregnancy survival in cows. Domest Anim Endocrinol, 74. doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106514 Reese, S. T., Franco, G. A., Oliveira Filho, R. V., Cooke, R. F., Smith, M. F., & Pohler, K. G. (2021). Technical Note: Coccygeal vein catheterization for sampling of reproductive tract-derived products from the uterine-ovarian drainage. J Anim Sci, 99(2). doi:10.1093/jas/skab025 Rett, B., Cooke, R. F., Brandao, A. P., Ferreira, V. S. M., Colombo, E. A., Wiegand, J. B., . . . Schubach, K. M. (2020). Supplementing Yucca schidigera extract to mitigate frothy bloat in beef cattle receiving a high-concentrate diet. J Anim Sci, 98(11). doi:10.1093/jas/skaa355 Rowell, J., Geary, T., Blake, J., Zezeski, A. L., & Shipka, M. (2019). The effects of short-term medroxyprogesterone acetate on rut related behaviors, semen characteristics and fertility in farmed reindeer bulls. Theriogenology, 140, 201-209. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.08.029 Ryan, K. T., Guadagnin, A. R., Glosson, K. M., Bascom, S. S., Rowson, A. D., Steelman, A. J., & Cardoso, F. C. (2020). Increased dietary calcium inclusion in fully acidified prepartum diets improved postpartum uterine health and fertility when fed to Holstein cows. Theriogenology, 142, 338-347. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.10.014 Sanford, C. D., Owen, M. P. T., Oosthuizen, N., Fontes, P. L. P., Vonnahme, K. A., Nelson, M., . . . Cliff Lamb, G. (2021). Effects of administering exogenous bovine somatotropin to beef heifers during the first trimester on conceptus development as well as steroid- and eicosanoid-metabolizing enzymes. J Anim Sci, 99(3). doi:10.1093/jas/skab050 Stegemiller, M. R., Murdoch, G. K., Rowan, T. N., Davenport, K. M., Becker, G. M., Hall, J. B., & Murdoch, B. M. (2021). Genome-Wide Association Analyses of Fertility Traits in Beef Heifers. Genes, 12(2). doi:ARTN 217 10.3390/genes12020217 Stoecklein, K. S., Ortega, M. S., Spate, L. D., Murphy, C. N., & Prather, R. S. (2021). Improved cryopreservation of in vitro produced bovine embryos using FGF2, LIF, and IGF1. PLoS One, 16(2), e0243727. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243727 Sutton, C. M., Springman, S. A., Abedal-Majed, M. A., & Cupp, A. S. (2021). Bovine Ovarian Cortex Tissue Culture. J Vis Exp(167). doi:10.3791/61668 Swanson, R. M., Gibbs, R. L., Cadaret, C. N., Erickson, G. E., Schmidt, T. B., Cupp, A. S., & Yates, D. T. (2020). Beef cows with atypical estrous cyclicity at puberty produced calves with deficits in preweaning muscling, metabolic indicators, and myoblast function but not in feedlot performance. Translational Animal Science, 4, S127-S131. doi:10.1093/tas/txaa119 Talbott, H. A., Plewes, M. R., Krause, C., Hou, X. Y., Zhang, P., Rizzo, W. B., . . . Davis, J. S. (2020). Formation and characterization of lipid droplets of the bovine corpus luteum. Scientific Reports, 10(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-68091-2 Tanner, A. R., Lynch, C. S., Ali, A., Winger, Q. A., Rozance, P. J., & Anthony, R. V. (2021). Impact of chorionic somatomammotropin RNA interference on uterine blood flow and placental glucose uptake in the absence of intrauterine growth restriction. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol, 320(2), R138-R148. doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00223.2020 Trotta, R. J., Lemley, C. O., Vonnahme, K. A., & Swanson, K. C. (2021). Effects of nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation from mid-to-late gestation on maternal and fetal small intestinal carbohydrase activities in sheep. Domest Anim Endocrinol, 74, 106555. doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106555 Wallace, R. M., Mariah L.Hart,Tina E.Egen, Amanda Schmelzle, Michael F.Smith, Ky G.Pohler, Jonathan A.Green. (2019). Bovine pregnancy associated glycoproteins can alter selected transcripts in bovine endometrial explants. Theriogenology, 131, 123-132. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.03.026 Yao, Y. Z., Zhang, Y. Y., Liu, W. S., & Deng, X. M. (2020). Highly efficient synchronization of sheep skin fibroblasts at G2/M phase and isolation of sheep Y chromosomes by flow cytometric sorting. Scientific Reports, 10(1). doi:ARTN 993310.1038/s41598-020-66905-x Zhou, C., Yan, Q., Zou, Q. Y., Zhong, X. Q., Tyler, C. T., Magness, R. R., . . . Zheng, J. (2019). Sexual Dimorphisms of Preeclampsia-Dysregulated Transcriptomic Profiles and Cell Function in Fetal Endothelial Cells. Hypertension, 74(1), 154-163. doi:10.1161/Hypertensionaha.118.12569 Zwiefelhofer, E. M., M. L. Zwiefelhofer, J. Singh, M. G. Colazo, G. A. Franco, S. T. Reese, K. G. Pohler and G. P. Adams. (2019). 156 Oestrus response, corpus luteum function, and pregnancy rates following aromatase inhibitor treatment in beef heifers. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 32(2), 204-205. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv32n2Ab156   <ol> <li>Abedal-Majed, M.A., et al., Vascular endothelial growth factor A isoforms modulate follicle development in peripubertal heifers independent of diet through diverse signal transduction pathways. Biology of Reproduction, 2020. 102(3): p. 680-692.</li> <li>Candelaria, J.I., M.B. Rabaglino, and A.C. Denicol, Ovarian preantral follicles are responsive to FSH as early as the primary stage of development. J Endocrinol, 2020. 247(2): p. 153-168.</li> <li>Chen, X.X., et al., Early cleavage of preimplantation embryos is regulated by tRNA(Gln-TTG)-derived small RNAs present in mature spermatozoa. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2020. 295(32): p. 10885-10900.</li> <li>Ciernia, L.A., et al., Effect of estradiol preceding and progesterone subsequent to ovulation on proportion of postpartum beef cows pregnant. Anim Reprod Sci, 2021. 227: p. 106723.</li> <li>Davis, M.A., et al., Chronically elevated norepinephrine concentrations lower glucose uptake in fetal sheep. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2020. 319(3): p. R255-R263.</li> <li>Dechow, C.D., et al., Reconstitution and modernization of lost Holstein male lineages using samples from a gene bank. Journal of Dairy Science, 2020. 103(5): p. 4510-4516.</li> <li>DeShazo, E.K.R., Sydney T; Franco, Gessica A; Neuendorff, Don A; Randel, Ron; Pohler, Ky, Utilizing Breeding Indictors for an Effective AI Program in Brahman Cows. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 2020. 98.</li> <li>Diasa, H.P., R.K. Poole, J.P. Albuquerque, P.H.dos Santosm, A.C.S.Castilho, K.G.Pohler, J.L.M.Vasconcelos, Progesterone dose during synchronization treatment alters luteinizing hormone receptor and steroidogenic enzyme mRNA abundances in granulosa cells of Nellore heifers. Animal Reproduction Science, 2020. 225: p. 106681.</li> <li>Fehlberg, L.K., et al., Feeding rumen-protected lysine prepartum increases energy-corrected milk and milk component yields in Holstein cows during early lactation. J Dairy Sci, 2020. 103(12): p. 11386-11400.</li> <li>Fontes, P.L.P., et al., Effects of nutrient restriction on the metabolic profile of Bos indicus-influenced and B. taurus suckled beef cows. 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Impact Statements

17. Maternal melatonin supplementation appears to rescue fetal growth restriction when supplemented during the third trimester of pregnancy in fall calving heifers.