Annual/Termination Reports:

[01/01/1970] [06/30/2023] [07/16/2024]

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Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

<p><strong>W4112</strong></p><br /> <p>Reporting period: 10/1/2020 to 9/30/2021</p><br /> <p>Meeting Date: May 17 and 18, 2022</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p><strong>Accomplishments</strong></p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Progress and Important Discoveries by W4112 Objectives </span></strong></p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Objective 1</span></strong> Elucidate fundamental cellular, physiological, endocrine, and behavioral mechanisms that regulate gamete development and quality and enhance the management of reproductive function leading to development of translational reproductive biotechnologies.</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Evidence was produced that preantral follicles, although not FSH-dependent, express FSH receptors and the cellular machinery necessary to respond to FSH, and the supplementation of high doses of FSH enhances growth of preantral follicles within the ovarian cortex. (California)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Phenotypically, the SLICK1 mutation is associated with a short, slick hair coat and confers increased thermotolerance. In SLICK1 carrier animals, the JAK/STAT signaling via pSTAT3 might be reduced in hair follicles, which may affect downstream gene transcription. However, the presence of the SLICK1 allele could provide an advantage to reproductive efficiency of Holstein heifers by improving the rate of pregnancy to first service compared to non-carrier animals. (California)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Development of bovine fluid tests to distinguish open from pregnant cows. Concept studies have been completed testing the accuracy of an early &le; day 18 Open Cow Test (OCT) test for pregnancy status and are in the middle of a 1,000-cow clinical trial. (Colorado)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>A marker for selection of in vitro derived embryos, this marker is differently expressed in morphologically (IETS scoring system) good compared to bad day 5, 6 and 7 bovine in-vitro derived embryos. Use of this marker to select the best embryos may improve embryo transfer rates in IVF-derived embryos in cows and possibly in humans. (Colorado)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>SNP associated with fertility have been identified based on gene expression in the corpus luteum, endometrium, embryo, white blood cells and milk. (Colorado)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>The secretory pattern of LH in response to E2 (25 &micro;g IM) was determined in normal weight, obesity and lean body weight, and revealed a profound alteration associated with obesity characterized by a blunted and delayed LH surge. Upon returning to normal weight, normal LH surge dynamics were re-established. The results also show that return to normal weight in ewes restores peak LH concentration and timing of the LH surge. (Colorado)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Use of sperm health-reflecting biomarkers with high throughput image-based flow cytometry (IBFC) and artificial intelligence, deep learning analysis as a method to create bioimage algorithms that can detect sperm acrosome health status (reflected by lectin PNA-Cy5) on brightfield images alone. (Iowa)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Bull breed appears to have little influence on sperm quality assessments among yearling bulls meeting threshold requirements for passing breeding soundness evaluation exams. However, reactive oxygen species proved to have a detrimental effect on spermatozoa function. (Kansas)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Altered carbohydrate metabolism within the cumulus-oocyte complex likely contributes to the decreased competency of oocytes from small pre-ovulatory follicles exposed to an exogenous GnRH-induced gonadotropin surge. (ARS-Montana)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Systemic inflammation or inability of red blood cells to carry oxygen may contribute to delayed&nbsp;puberty. (Nebraska)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) isoforms (mainly angiogenic VEGFA165) can rescue the Polycystic ovary syndrome-like phenotypes in High A4 cows. Naturally occurring High A4 cows are present in beef and dairy herds in the US and other countries. (Nebraska)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Feeding spent hemp biomass to rams did not significantly affect total testicular weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, or DAZL immunoexpression. (Oregon)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Pramel1 is required to maintain normal spermatogenesis by regulating germ cell differentiation in response to retinoic acid signaling. (Pennsylvania)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Progesterone receptor membrane component (PGRMC) 1 and PGRMC2 are essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. It is proposed that PGRMC proteins play essential and multifaceted roles in spermatogenesis during mitosis, meiosis and spermatid elongation. These studies offer the first in vivo insights into the functional role of PGRMC proteins in male gametogenesis. (Wyoming)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>The value of a breeding soundness evaluation as evidenced by ram fertility is still lacking. Passing a breeding soundness evaluation did not seem indicative of field fertility in rams. (Wyoming)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Objective 2 </span></strong>Identify impacts of reproductive management, animal management and stress on follicle recruitment, ovulation, corpus luteum function, and pregnancy.</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Oral exposure to a mixture of phthalates reduces IGF1 content and significantly disrupts the ovarian antral follicle proteome. Intrafollicular IGF1 was significantly increased in the pre-antral follicles of mice treated with the Phthalate mixture, the effects were also visible in a dose-dependent manner. (Arizona)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Cow-calf herds from the same base genetics are exposed to two different management systems: graze irrigated pastures (IRR) year-round with hay and supplement, and sagebrush steppe range (RAN) from May &ndash; December then they are managed similarly to the IRR group. Analysis of animal performance in these systems over the past 5 years demonstrated a reduction in calf growth, cow body weight and cow body condition in the RAN system compared with the IRR system. These results indicate significant differences in nutritional exposure during the first two trimesters of gestation and early calf life. (Idaho)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Energy restrictions after AI had slight negative effects on embryo developmental stage, quality and blastomeres on d 6 and d 7 without affecting progesterone or IGF-1 concentrations in plasma. Post-AI energy restriction reduced Ca and S concentrations and embryo presence reduced Mg and S concentration in flush media. Post-AI nutrient restriction for 14 days revealed similar plasma concentration of protein, glucose, cholesterol, and progesterone across diet, but NEFA was elevated among nutrient restricted heifers. When an embryo was recovered, Mg and S were decreased in uterine flush media. (ARS-Montana)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Work is undergoing to identify cell types, issues, and biological pathways that are sensitive to the maternal diet, and results will be used to develop strategic supplementation strategies to improve embryo development and pregnancy retention following periods of maternal dietary stress. (Montana)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Excess steroid production can be a major factor that causes anovulation in cattle populations. (Texas A&amp;M, Arizona, MS)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Luteolysis is associated with metabolic pathways that reduce mitochondrial energy production, stimulate free radicals and collagen synthesis and activate immune cells. (New Mexico, Colorado)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Objective 3 </span></strong>Determine mechanisms regulating normal embryo development, pregnancy establishment, and maintenance by exploring maternal and paternal factors, including genomics, immune responses, fetal programming, and conceptus/uterine signaling.</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses have altered glucose response. Prenatal therapy of both oxygen and glucose normalizes insulin secretion and whole-body glucose fluxes IUGR fetuses. (Arizona)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Evidence has been produced that IUGR presents sexually dimorphic programing of obesity, where males that had experience fetal growth restriction presented fewer fat cells compared to controls, and these effects were not observed in females. (Arizona)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>An in vivo RNA interference (RNAi) within the sheep placenta was developed to examine the function and relative importance of genes involved in conceptus development (PRR15 and LIN28), placental nutrient transport (SLC2A1 and SLC2A3), and the placenta derived hormones (CSH). (Colorado)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>The direct actions of CSH are to promote blood flow and nutrient uptake by the uteroplacental unit as present regardless of degree of severity of placental insufficiency, and CSH likely plays a role in modulating placental metabolism that ultimate promotes maximal placental glucose transfer. (Colorado)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Subcutaneous delivery of IFNT protects the ovine corpus luteum from exogenously delivered prostaglandin F2-alpha. mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes StAR, HSD3&beta;1, CYP11A1, transcription factors JUN and FOS, and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) were not regulated in the corpus luteum at 48h after PGF2 challenge; however, steady state levels of luteal LHCGR, TNFaIP6, TGF&beta;2, and XIAP mRNAs were found to be higher in the IFN-infused ewes. (Colorado)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Poor maternal nutrition (over and restricted feeding) impacts metabolic factors and glucose tolerance in sheep offspring. In addition, maternal diet affects hepatic mRNA expression of specific epigenetic factors which may contribute to altered metabolism and liver function. Furthermore, both sperm small RNA composition and expression levels are significantly altered in responses to poor maternal gestational nutrition in sheep. (Connecticut)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Over-feeding during gestation increased meat tenderness, which may be due to reduced collagen cross-linking by lysis oxidase. (Connecticut)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Removal of sperm with damaged acrosomes before freezing improved field fertility in a sire specific manner. (Montana)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation alter concentrations of neurotransmitters and their metabolites in a seasonally dependent manner. In addition, maternal nutrient restriction in spring calving dams may shift fetal pancreatic islet size from medium to large clusters, while increasing the average size of the cell clusters. Conversely, melatonin supplementation in fall calving dams decreased the average size of the cell clusters, which may alter pancreatic function later in life. (Mississippi)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>There are sire-driven effects on embryonic development, embryos from sires with reduced ability to produce embryos (low performing) are delayed in development and have increased arrest at the 5-6 cell stage possibly due to a genetic or non-genetic contribution from the sperm. In addition, embryos from low performing begin development under increased stress, which impacts their ability to undergo cleavage and continue development. Their autophagic response alone is not robust enough to mitigate this stress by the morula stage, preventing a proportion from reaching the blastocyst stage. (Missouri)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Effects of sire are also encountered on placental development, using an in vitro model it is possible to identify sires with limited trophectoderm growth and PAG production that are in higher risk to experience pregnancy loss in the first 40 days of pregnancy. (Missouri)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>The addition of FGF2, LIF and IGF1 (FLI) to culture medium increase the proportion of embryos that reach the blastocyst stage. However, by day 15 of development embryos produced under the influence of FLI are developmentally like those produced in control culture medium and thus have the competency to develop into healthy offspring. (Missouri)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>IVP-derived male embryos were more susceptible to alterations in gene expression and these effects extend to the peri implantation period including genes associated with placental development. (Missouri)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Preeclampsia sFLT-1 and PLGF remained elevated months later after suppressing CXCL12-CXCR4, suggesting a clear role of CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling during placentation and provide strong evidence that altering CXCL12-mediated signaling during early placentation induces enduring placental effects manifesting later in gestation. In addition, CXCL12 stimulates production of select cytokines, rather than P4 in the CL to assist in CL establishment and survival. (New Mexico)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Restricted- and over-feeding negatively impact protein and mRNA expression of key chemokines and growth factors implicated in proper placenta development and function. (New Mexico)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Parthenogenetic embryos have different secretion patterns and products compared to normal IVF embryos. (Texas)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Repeated PGF2&alpha; release may alter steroid hormone production; however, does not negatively affect pregnancy status during the transition period to late embryonic development. (Texas)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>The current method to evaluate sire fertility using SCR does not truly represent the field&nbsp;fertility status in these groups of animals evaluated. Large variance in pregnancy loss between days 30 and 60 of gestation were observed among sires and these phenotypes should be considered when evaluating sire fertility in order to increase the score reliability. (Iowa, Missouri, Montana (ARS))</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Transcription factor (TCF) 3 and TCF12 are dynamically up-regulated in gonadotrope cells during estrus and are essential for female fertility through their regulation of <em>Lh&beta;</em> transcription. (Wyoming)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Homeostatic levels of PGRMC1 are fundamentally required for normal gestation. PGRMC protein expression is disrupted in most women&rsquo;s reproductive diseases. (Wyoming)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>There is no negative effect of seminal plasma supplementation on embryo morphology or reproductive performance of offspring. (Wyoming)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>Supplementation of 1.8 mM choline chloride to the culture medium does not impact embryo development to the blastocyst stage or pregnancy establishment. (Wyoming)</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p><strong>Collaborations</strong></p><br /> <ul><br /> <li>Tod Hansen (CSU) will analyze bovine uterine flushings from Texas for Interferon-tau concentrations.</li><br /> <li>Tod Hansen (CSU) will analyze bovine fluid samples from Montana (USDA-ARS) for Interferon-tau concentrations.</li><br /> <li>Colorado will facilitate transmission electron microscopy and histopathology analysis of sperm compared to high throughput image-based flow cytometry (IBFC) and artificial intelligence, deep learning analysis as methods to evaluate quality of sperm analyzed in Iowa.</li><br /> <li>Becky Poole (Texas) and Andrea Cupp (Nebraska) are collaborating on vaginal microbiome and perhaps uterine during puberty and after ovariectomy within our pubertal classification heifers.</li><br /> <li>Anna Denicol (California) and Andrea Cupp (Nebraska) are collaborating on collecting ovarian cortex in vivo- California and Nebraska</li><br /> <li>Dave Grieger (Kansas) and Andrea Cupp (Nebraska) are collaborating on developing professional development in reproduction for FFA instructors (High School Ag Teachers) and conducting antral follicle counts/ultrasound in heifers- K-State and Nebraska &nbsp;</li><br /> <li>Sofia Ortega (Missouri) and Ky Pohler (Texas A&amp;M) are collaborating on bi parental vs uniparental embryos/pregnancies, PAG ablation effects on pregnancy establishment, and sire effects on pregnancy establishment</li><br /> <li>Collaborations are underway with Karl Kerns (Iowa), Tom Geary and Sarah McCoski (Montana) on IVP embryos on pregnancy success</li><br /> <li>NMSU will continue to collaborate with the laboratories of Drs. Govoni &amp; Reed at Connecticut investigating the impacts that nutritional stress during gestation has on select chemokines and growth factors and their functions in the placenta using a sheep model. &nbsp;</li><br /> <li>Geary (USDA-ARS, Miles City with Sofia Ortega (Missouri), Sarah McCoski (Montana), &amp; Karl Kerns (Iowa): Embryonic cell differentiation of IVP &amp; conventional embryos as it related to pregnancy success in cattle.</li><br /> <li>Geary, Ortega &amp; Kerns: Evaluation of biomarkers on sperm involved with fertility using nano-purification and in vitro development.</li><br /> <li>Geary, Kerns, &amp; David Grieger (Kansas): Flow cytometry evaluation of bull semen.</li><br /> <li>Geary &amp; McCoski: Effects of heifer nutrition on uterine metabolome and embryonic development.</li><br /> <li>Geary &amp; Tod Hansen (Colorado): Early pregnancy diagnosis in beef heifers and cows associated with pregnancy maintenance.</li><br /> <li>Geary, Brenda Alexander (Wyoming), &amp; Michelle Kutzler (Oregon): Comparison of the ram breeding soundness evaluation with functional sperm fertility measures using flow cytometer.</li><br /> </ul>

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Male fertility prediction improves livestock operations’ economics. Collaborators (IA, MO, MT) of the W4112 multistate reproduction group have improved the ability to measure male fertility using flow cytometry, image-based deep learning algorithms, and embryonic development in vitro. These biotechnologies enhance the male fertility prediction capabilities for livestock producers to improve pregnancy success and decrease embryonic loss associated with male subfertility, which improves economic outcomes.

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Brief Summary of Minutes

W4112 Multistate Meeting 2023 Minutes

Fairbanks, Alaska

Monday, May 22, 2023

In attendance

Virtual: Ky Pohler-TAMU, Karl Kerns-Iowa State University, Caleb Lemley- Mississippi State University

In-person: Sofia Ortega-University of Wisconsin, John Hall-University of Idaho, Rebecca (Becky) Poole- TAMU, Jeremy Block-University of Wyoming, Sarah McCoski-University of Montana, Brenda Alexander-University of Wyoming, David Grieger-Kansas State University, Andrea Cupp-University of Nebraska, Ryan Ashley-New Mexico State University, Tod Hansen-Colorado State University, Milan Shipka-University of Alaska, Leslie Edgar-New Mexico State University, Jessica Nora Drum-SDSU, John Stevens-Utah State University, Rocio Rivera-University of Missouri

 

8:30 am – Business meeting called to order by Sofia Ortega

• 2022 meeting minutes approval- Ky Pohler moved to approve, Andrea Cupp second.


• Location for 2024 meeting- Tod said Reno (2 to 4 votes), Andrea said Madison (majority votes). The 2024 meeting will be in Madison, Wisconsin.


• New officer election- Becky Poole is the Secretary in 2023 and Chair in 2024. David Grieger will be Secretary in 2024 and Chair in 2025. Andrea moved for Jessica Nora Drum to be Member at Large and Sofia second. Jessica will be Secretary in 2025 and Chair in 2026.


• Station updates- Started at 8:45 am and ended at 9:38 am


• Break at 9:40 am

 

10:00 am – USDA update with Mark Mirando and Kamilah Grant

10:55 am – Station reports (asked to keep to approximately 15 minutes each) by Andrea Cupp-University of Nebraska, John Stevens-Utah State University, Caleb Lemley- Mississippi State University, John Hall-University of Idaho

12:00 pm – Adjourn for lunch.

1:00 pm – Station reports continued by Tod Hansen-Colorado State University, Jessica Nora Drum-SDSU, Karl Kerns-Iowa State University, David Grieger-Kansas State University (led to an open discussion on teaching methods to engage all types of undergraduate students including pre-vet, production, etc. and ensure student learning), Rocio Rivera-University of Missouri, Ryan Ashley-New Mexico State University

2:55 pm – Meeting adjourned for the day for Alaska Agriculture Tour and Salmon Bake dinner.

 

 

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

In attendance (New)

Virtual: Rick McCosh-Colorado State University

 

8:35 am – Impact statement workshop with Sarah Delheimer via Zoom

10:00 am – Station reports continued by Sarah McCoski-University of Montana, Becky Poole- TAMU, Jeremy Block and Brenda Alexander-University of Wyoming, Sofia Ortega-University of Wisconsin

11:30 am – Worked on impact statements for the annual report

            Gamete/Ovulation/Fertilization: KS, NE, CA, CO, IA, TX, NM – Lead KS

            Embryo Development/Recognition: UT, FL, CO, WI, WY, MT, SD – Lead WY

            Placentation/Fetal Development: MO, TX, NM, MS – Lead NM

            Postnatal Outcomes: CO, ID, MS – Lead ID

Meeting adjourned at 12:48 pm

Accomplishments

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Accomplishments</span></strong></p><br /> <p><strong><em>Short-term outcomes: </em></strong></p><br /> <ol><br /> <li>Established best practices for the training and evaluation of interdisciplinary statisticians, especially those working with agricultural collaborators. <em>Utah</em></li><br /> <li>We empowered researchers to better design studies in order to achieve best statistical power in generalized linear mixed models.<em>Utah</em></li><br /> <li>This project also furthered a collaboration within the W-4112 group. An MS student has completed her research in the NM station and now will be entering a Ph.D. program with W4112 member Sofia Ortega (WI station). <em>New Mexico, Wisconsin</em></li><br /> </ol><br /> <p><strong><em>Outputs from the group during this reporting period: </em></strong></p><br /> <ol><br /> <li>80 peer-reviewed manuscripts</li><br /> <li>67 published abstracts</li><br /> <li>13 Invited oral presentations</li><br /> <li>8 theses/dissertations.</li><br /> </ol><br /> <p><strong><em>Activities</em></strong></p><br /> <p><strong><em>Objective 1</em></strong></p><br /> <ol><br /> <li>We are working on the refinement of tissue cryopreservation and culture techniques that will improve the prospects of using this as a tool for fertility preservation and efficiently tap into the abundant ovarian reserve of immature oocytes, improving the efficiency of assisted reproduction in cattle. <em>California</em></li><br /> <li>We found evidence of the presence of neurotransmitters and their synthesis and metabolism in the bovine conceptus, which could have greater implications in establishing postnatal offspring behavior. <em>Colorado</em></li><br /> <li>We learned that bulls differentially capacitate and release zinc ions in response to the concentration of bicarbonate present. This is important for the development of translational reproductive biotechnologies to analyze sire fertility potential using economical methods. <em>Iowa</em></li><br /> <li>We showed that the zinc ion localization patterns exist in additional ruminants &ndash; goats. This could further our understanding of goat fertility. <em>Iowa</em></li><br /> <li>We characterized a mechanism to identify potentially differentially expressed genes between low- and high-quality bovine oocytes. <em>Utah</em></li><br /> <li>We established that cumulus cells of the ovarian follicle generate non-erythroid hemoglobin that is transported into the oocyte through transzonal projections. This non-erythroid hemoglobin seems to have at least an antioxidant role that may protect the oocyte and subsequent early embryo should fertilization occur from genotoxic stress. <em>Wyoming</em></li><br /> <li>PRAMEY may be used as a biomarker for sperm quality and sperm function. <em>Pennsylvania</em></li><br /> </ol><br /> <p>&nbsp;<strong><em>Objective 2</em></strong></p><br /> <ol start="8"><br /> <li>Understanding the roles that FSH may play in the development of preantral follicles is of critical importance as many ovarian stimulation protocols used in assisted reproduction use the hormone to promote antral follicle growth. <em>California</em></li><br /> <li>We partially confirmed our hypothesis of an association of cytological endometritis and DMI and lactation performance. Additionally, cytological endometritis at both 15 DIM and at 30 DIM was associated with days to first ovulation, and further studies should now investigate this association with subsequent reproductive outcomes (i.e., pregnancy), taking into consideration the cows&rsquo; intake. <em>Illinois</em></li><br /> <li>Identification of metabolic pathways disrupted in the d14 conceptus were identified in beef heifers exposed to a reduced plane of nutrition. These pathways may be used for targeted supplementation protocols in heifers during the post-AI feedlot to range transition to improve pregnancy retention. <em>Montana</em></li><br /> <li>The open cow test is promising. Testing will continue in clinical trials while improvements in both the level of detection and method of sample collection will continue. <em>Colorado</em></li><br /> <li>We learned that IL-1&beta; could have potential as a therapeutic treatment for enhancing uterine receptivity and improving preimplantation embryo development and survival. <em>Wyoming</em></li><br /> <li>We could determine that post-natal growth and development of calves can be programmed by exposure to choline during the preimplantation period. <em>Wyoming</em></li><br /> <li>Understanding the neural mechanisms for the generation of the preovulatory GnRH/LH surge may enable future technologies to improve fertility and may provide insight to how fertility is suppressed during stress. <em>Colorado</em></li><br /> <li>Understanding cells that make up CL will allow for the development of organoid structures that can be used in vitro to understand signal transduction and metabolic mechanisms critical for luteal function. <em>Nebraska</em></li><br /> <li>Identifying sheep that also have High A4 populations indicates that this phenomena of naturally occurring androgen excess mammalians may be more wide-spread and that they all can be utilized as models for women who have been diagnosed with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). <em>Nebraska</em></li><br /> <li>Understanding how the elimination of VEGFA may affect other hormones (AMH) and follicular development and reserve are critical to elucidating VEGFA&rsquo;s function in the granulosa cells. <em>Nebraska</em></li><br /> </ol><br /> <p>&nbsp;<strong><em>Objective 3</em></strong></p><br /> <ol start="18"><br /> <li>Identification of genetic markers associated with fertility, in addition to efforts to improve our understanding of the regulation of maternal recognition of pregnancy and embryo survival. <em>Colorado</em></li><br /> <li>Improving our understanding of how BVDV programs the fetal immune system and impacts postnatal responses to secondary infections may help in identifying pregnancies and post-natal calves at risk as well as developing therapeutic approaches to control the infection. <em>Colorado</em></li><br /> <li>We showed that paternal factors at estrus, such as treating embryo recipient cows with pooled seminal plasma, decreased embryo size, increased uterine artery resistance index, and decreased birth weights. <em>Mississippi</em></li><br /> <li>Comparative animal models, such as cow and sheep, provide additional insight into the importance of glucose, fructose, minerals, and amino acids on the development of the conceptus and how dietary supplementation may enhance reproductive performance and successful outcomes of pregnancy and neonatal survival. <em>Texas</em></li><br /> <li>Increased understanding of interferon tau-induced cell signaling may provide greater insight into pregnancy recognition signaling, as well as effects of interferon tau and progesterone/progestamedins to enhance transport of nutrients into the uterine lumen that are essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. <em>Texas</em></li><br /> <li>Increased understanding of prostaglandin function in the developing pregnancy. <em>Texas</em></li><br /> <li>Increased understanding of the maternal vs paternal genome contributions to pregnancy and pregnancy loss. <em>Texas</em></li><br /> <li>We characterized the various methods currently used for dealing with high missingness and zero inflation in single-cell RNA-seq data. <em>Utah</em></li><br /> <li>Suppressing CXCL12-mediated signaling during implantation induces enduring placental effects manifesting later in gestation, highlighting the importance of this chemokine axis during implantation and placentation. <em>New Mexico</em></li><br /> <li>Determined phenotypes to identify sires with potential fertility problems and developed a system to screen and identify sires of high and low fertility before they are released to the field which could improve overall herd fertility and profitability. <em>Wisconsin</em></li><br /> <li>We are working on improving embryo development in vitro through cell culture modifications. The addition of FLI has been shown to improve embryonic development, cryotolerance, and pregnancy rates. By improving the IVP system, we can improve technology adoption by end users. <em>Wisconsin&nbsp;</em></li><br /> <li>We have validated a candidate mutation responsible for the Holstein Fertility Haplotype&ldquo;HH2&rdquo;. This provides us with insights into gene function and embryo development. Moreover, by knowing the exact mutation we can phase it out of the population by selective breeding. <em>Wisconsin&nbsp;</em></li><br /> <li>Identified methods/approaches to mitigate pregnancy complications associated with LOS and enhance producer profitability. <em>Missouri</em></li><br /> </ol><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <p>&nbsp;</p>

Publications

<p>&nbsp;</p><br /> <ol><br /> <li>Abedal-Majed M.A., Abuajamieh M., Al-Qaisi M., Sargent K.M., Titi H.H., Alnimer M.A., Abdelqader A., Shamoun A.I. &amp; Cupp A.S. (2023) Sheep with ovarian androgen excess have fibrosis and follicular arrest with increased mRNA abundance for steroidogenic enzymes and gonadotropin receptors. J Anim Sci 101.</li><br /> <li>Abedal-Majed M.A., Springman S.A., Jafar H.D., Bell B.E., Kurz S.G., Wilson K.E. &amp; Cupp A.S. (2022a) Naturally occurring androgen excess cows are present in dairy and beef herds and have similar characteristics to women with PCOS. J Anim Sci 100.</li><br /> <li>Abedal-Majed M.A., Springman S.A., Sutton C.M., Snider A.P., Bell B.E., Hart M., Kurz S.G., Bergman J., Summers A.F., McFee R.M., Davis J.S., Wood J.R. &amp; Cupp A.S. (2022b) VEGFA165 can rescue excess steroid secretion, inflammatory markers, and follicle arrest in the ovarian cortex of High A4 cowsdagger. Biol Reprod 106, 118-31.</li><br /> <li>Amaral T.F., Gonella-Diaza A., Heredia D., Melo G.D., Estrada-Cortes E., Jensen L.M., Pohler K. &amp; Hansen P.J. (2022) Actions of DKK1 on the preimplantation bovine embryo to affect pregnancy establishment, placental function, and postnatal phenotypedagger. Biol Reprod 107, 945-55.</li><br /> <li>Ault-Seay T.B., Moorey S.E., Mathew D.J., Schrick F.N., Pohler K.G., McLean K.J. &amp; Myer P.R. (2023) Importance of the female reproductive tract microbiome and its relationship with the uterine environment for health and productivity in cattle: A review.</li><br /> <li>Baskaran P., Mohandass A., Gustafson N., Bennis J., Louis S., Alexander B., Nemenov M.I., Thyagarajan B. &amp; Premkumar L.S. (2023) Evaluation of a polymer-coated nanoparticle cream formulation of resiniferatoxin for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Pain 164, 782-90.</li><br /> <li>Beiki H., Murdoch B.M., Park C.A., Kern C., Kontechy D., Becker G., Rincon G., Jiang H., Zhou H. &amp; Thorne J. (2022) Functional genomics of cattle through integration of multi-omics data. bioRxiv, 2022.10. 05.510963.</li><br /> <li>Botigelli R.C., Guiltinan C., Arcanjo R.B. &amp; Denicol A.C. (2023) In vitro gametogenesis from embryonic stem cells in livestock species: recent advances, opportunities, and challenges to overcome. J Anim Sci 101.</li><br /> <li>Brown W., Oliveria M., Silva R.R., Demetrio D. &amp; Block J. (2022a) 133 Effect of administration of mycobacterium cell wall fraction during the periovulatory period on the proportion of pregnancies obtained in virgin dairy heifers receiving in vitro-produced embryos. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 35, 194-.</li><br /> <li>Brown W., Oliveria M., Silva R.R., Demetrio D. &amp; Block J. (2022b) 202 Effects of administration of mycobacterium cell wall fraction during follicle superstimulation on oocyte numbers and embryo development following ovum pickup and in vitro embryo production in virgin dairy heifers. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 35, 230-.</li><br /> <li>Butler M.L., Hartman A.R., Bormann J.M., Weaber R.L., Grieger D.M. &amp; Rolf M.M. (2022) Genome-wide association study of beef bull semen attributes. BMC Genomics 23, 74.</li><br /> <li>Camacho L.E., Davis M.A., Kelly A.C., Steffens N.R., Anderson M.J. &amp; Limesand S.W. (2022) Prenatal Oxygen and Glucose Therapy Normalizes Insulin Secretion and Action in Growth-Restricted Fetal Sheep. Endocrinology 163.</li><br /> <li>Camargo L.S.A., Saraiva N.Z., Oliveira C.S., Carmickle A., Lemos D.R., Siqueira L.G.B. &amp; Denicol A.C. (2022) Perspectives of gene editing for cattle farming in tropical and subtropical regions. Anim Reprod 19, e20220108.</li><br /> <li>Carmickle A.T., Larson C.C., Hernandez F.S., Pereira J.M.V., Ferreira F.C., Haimon M.L.J., Jensen L.M., Hansen P.J. &amp; Denicol A.C. (2022) Physiological responses of Holstein calves and heifers carrying the SLICK1 allele to heat stress in California and Florida dairy farms. J Dairy Sci 105, 9216-25.</li><br /> <li>Carvalho R.S., Cooke R.F., Cappellozza B.I., Peres R.F.G., Pohler K.G. &amp; Vasconcelos J.L.M. (2022) Influence of body condition score and its change after parturition on pregnancy rates to fixed-timed artificial insemination in Bos indicus beef cows. Anim Reprod Sci 243, 107028.</li><br /> <li>Castillo-Salas C.A., Luna-Nevarez G., Reyna-Granados J.R., Luna-Ramirez R.I., Limesand S.W. &amp; Luna-Nevarez P. (2023) Molecular markers for thermo-tolerance are associated with reproductive and physiological traits in Pelibuey ewes raised in a semiarid environment. Journal of Thermal Biology 112, 103475.</li><br /> <li>Clay C.M., Cherrington B.D. &amp; Navratil A.M. (2021) Plasticity of Anterior Pituitary Gonadotrope Cells Facilitates the Pre-Ovulatory LH Surge. Frontiers in Endocrinology 11.</li><br /> <li>Contreras-Correa Z.E., Cochran T., Metcalfe A., Burnett D.D. &amp; Lemley C.O. (2022) Seasonal and temporal variation in the placenta during melatonin supplementation in a bovine compromised pregnancy model. J Anim Sci 100.</li><br /> <li>Contreras-Correa Z.E., Messman R.D., Swanson R.M. &amp; Lemley C.O. (2023) Melatonin in Health and Disease: A Perspective for Livestock Production. Biomolecules 13.</li><br /> <li>Davenport K.M., Ortega M.S., Liu H., O'Neil E.V., Kelleher A.M., Warren W.C. &amp; Spencer T.E. (2023) Single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) uncovers trophoblast cell types and lineages in the mature bovine placenta. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 120, e2221526120.</li><br /> <li>Dickson M.J., Bishop J.V., Hansen T.R., Sheldon I.M. &amp; Bromfield J.J. (2022) The endometrial transcriptomic response to pregnancy is altered in cows after uterine infection. PLoS One 17.</li><br /> <li>Geisler S. (2022) Power Approximations for Generalized Linear Mixed Models in R Using Steep Priors on Variance Components.</li><br /> <li>Georges H.M., Van Campen H., Bielefeldt-Ohmann H. &amp; Hansen T.R. (2022) Epigenomic and Proteomic Changes in Fetal Spleens Persistently Infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus: Repercussions for the Developing Immune System, Bone, Brain, and Heart. Viruses 14.</li><br /> <li>Goyal D., Limesand S.W. &amp; Goyal R. (2023) Vascular Stem Cells and the Role of B-Raf Kinase in Survival, Proliferation, and Apoptosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24.</li><br /> <li>Griffith E.H., Sharp J.L., Bridges W.C., Craig B.A., Hanford K.J. &amp; Stevens J.R. (2022) The academic collaborative statistician: Research, training and evaluation. Stat 11.</li><br /> <li>Guadagnin A.R., Fehlberg L.K., Thomas B., Sugimoto Y., Shinzato I. &amp; Cardoso F.C. (2022) Effect of feeding rumen-protected lysine through the transition period on postpartum uterine health of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 105, 7805-19.</li><br /> <li>Haimon M., Estrada-Cort&eacute;s E., Amaral T., Jeensuk S., Block J., Heredia D., Venturini M., Rojas C.S., Gonella-Diaza A. &amp; DiLorenzo N. (2021) 1 Culture with choline chloride programs development of the in vitro-produced bovine embryo to increase postnatal bodyweight, growth rate, and testes size. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 35, 125-.</li><br /> <li>Halloran K.M., Stenhouse C., Moses R.M., Kramer A.C., Sah N., Seo H., Lamarre S.G., Johnson G.A., Wu G. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2023) The ovine conceptus utilizes extracellular serine, glucose, and fructose to generate formate via the one carbon metabolism pathway. Amino Acids 55, 125-37.</li><br /> <li>Halloran K.M., Stenhouse C., Moses R.M., Seo H., Johnson G.A., Wu G. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022) Progesterone and interferon tau regulate expression of polyamine enzymes during the ovine peri-implantation perioddagger. Biol Reprod 106, 865-78.</li><br /> <li>Harman A.R., Contreras-Correa Z.E., Messman R.D., Swanson R.M. &amp; Lemley C.O. (2023) Maternal nutrient restriction and dietary melatonin alter neurotransmitter pathways in placental and fetal tissues. Placenta 131, 13-22.</li><br /> <li>Holton M.P., de Melo G.D., Dias N.W., Pancini S., Lamb G.C., Pohler K.G., Mercadante V.R.G., Harvey K.M. &amp; Fontes P.L.P. (2022) Evaluating the use of luteal color Doppler ultrasonography and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins to diagnose pregnancy and predict pregnancy loss in Bos taurus beef replacement heifers. J Anim Sci 100.</li><br /> <li>Jauregui E.J., McSwain M., Liu X., Miller K., Burns K. &amp; Craig Z.R. (2023) Human relevant exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate tampers with the ovarian insulin-like growth factor 1 system and disrupts folliculogenesis in young adult mice. bioRxiv.</li><br /> <li>Jeensuk S., Ortega M.S., Saleem M., Hawryluk B., Scheffler T.L. &amp; Hansen P.J. (2022) Actions of WNT family member 5A to regulate characteristics of development of the bovine preimplantation embryodagger. Biol Reprod 107, 928-44.</li><br /> <li>Kern C., Wu W., Lu C., Zhang J., Zhao Y., Ocon-Grove O.M., Sutovsky P., Diaz F. &amp; Liu W.S. (2023) Role of the bovine PRAMEY protein in sperm function during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cell Tissue Res 391, 577-94.</li><br /> <li>Kern C.H., Feitosa W.B. &amp; Liu W.S. (2022) The Dynamic of PRAMEY Isoforms in Testis and Epididymis Suggests Their Involvement in Spermatozoa Maturation. Frontiers in Genetics 13, 846345.</li><br /> <li>Kuzniar M., White R., Bromfield J. &amp; Block J. (2022) 91 Treatment of bovine endometrial explants with interleukin-1 beta increases the relative abundance of transcripts for pro-inflammatory cytokines. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 35, 172-.</li><br /> <li>Lawlor M., Zigo M., Kerns K., Cho I.K., Easley C.A. &amp; Sutovsky P. (2022) Spermatozoan Metabolism as a Non-Traditional Model for the Study of Huntington's Disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23.</li><br /> <li>Liebig B.E., Bishop J.V., McSweeney K.D., Van Campen H., Gonzalez-Berrios C.L., Hansen T.R. &amp; Thomas M.G. (2022) Direct genomic value daughter pregnancy rate and services per conception are associated with characteristics of day-16 conceptuses and hormone signaling for maternal recognition of pregnancy in lactating Holstein cows. Applied Animal Science 38, 157-69.</li><br /> <li>Lindsey M., Liu Y., Cuthbert J., Stevens J. &amp; Isom C. (2022) 213 Using mRNA from cytoplasmic biopsies to assess molecular maturation and developmental potential of bovine oocytes. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 35, 235-6.</li><br /> <li>Makhijani R.B., Bartolucci A.F., Pru C.A., Pru J.K. &amp; Peluso J.J. (2023) Nonerythroid hemoglobin promotes human cumulus cell viability and the developmental capacity of the human oocyte. F S Sci 4, 121-32.</li><br /> <li>McDonnell S.P., Candelaria J.I., Morton A.J. &amp; Denicol A.C. (2022) Isolation of Small Preantral Follicles from the Bovine Ovary Using a Combination of Fragmentation, Homogenization, and Serial Filtration. J Vis Exp.</li><br /> <li>McIntosh S.Z., Quinn K.E. &amp; Ashley R.L. (2022) CXCL12 May Drive Inflammatory Potential in the Ovine Corpus Luteum During Implantation. Reproductive Sciences 29, 122-32.</li><br /> <li>Moses R.M., Halloran K.M., Stenhouse C., Sah N., Kramer A.C., McLendon B.A., Seo H., Johnson G.A., Wu G.Y. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022a) Ovine conceptus tissue metabolizes fructose for metabolic support during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy(dagger). Biology of Reproduction 107, 1084-96.</li><br /> <li>Moses R.M., Kramer A.C., Seo H., Wu G., Johnson G.A. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022b) A Role for Fructose Metabolism in Development of Sheep and Pig Conceptuses. Adv Exp Med Biol 1354, 49-62.</li><br /> <li>Nogueira E., Tirpak F., Hamilton L.E., Zigo M., Kerns K., Sutovsky M., Kim J., Volkmann D., Jovine L., Taylor J.F., Schnabel R.D. &amp; Sutovsky P. (2022) A Non-Synonymous Point Mutation in a WD-40 Domain Repeat of EML5 Leads to Decreased Bovine Sperm Quality and Fertility. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 10, 872740.</li><br /> <li>Ortega M.S., Bickhart D.M., Lockhart K.N., Null D.J., Hutchison J.L., McClure J.C. &amp; Cole J.B. (2022a) Truncation of IFT80 causes early embryonic loss in Holstein cattle associated with Holstein haplotype 2. J Dairy Sci 105, 9001-11.</li><br /> <li>Ortega M.S., Rizo J.A., Drum J.N., O'Neil E.V., Pohler K.G., Kerns K., Schmelze A., Green J. &amp; Spencer T.E. (2022b) Development of an Improved in vitro Model of Bovine Trophectoderm Differentiation. Frontiers in Animal Science 3, 49.</li><br /> <li>Pendleton A.L., Limesand S.W. &amp; Goyal R. (2023) In Vivo Real-Time Study of Drug Effects on Carotid Blood Flow in the Ovine Fetus. J Vis Exp.</li><br /> <li>Perry G., Menegatti Zoca S., Walker J., Kline A.C., Andrews T.N., Rich J.J., Epperson K.M., Drum J.N., Ortega M.S. &amp; Cushman R.A. Relationship of field and in vitro fertility of dairy bulls with sperm parameters, including DAG1 and SERPINA5 proteins. Frontiers in Animal Science 4, 58.</li><br /> <li>Plewes M.R., Przygrodzka E., Monaco C.F., Snider A.P., Keane J.A., Burns P.D., Wood J.R., Cupp A.S. &amp; Davis J.S. (2023) Prostaglandin F2alpha regulates mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in the bovine corpus luteum. Life Sci Alliance 6.</li><br /> <li>Poole R.K., Pickett A.T., Oliveira Filho R.V., de Melo G.D., Palanisamy V., Chitlapilly Dass S., Cooke R.F. &amp; Pohler K.G. (2023) Shifts in uterine bacterial communities associated with endogenous progesterone and 17beta-estradiol concentrations in beef cattle. Domest Anim Endocrinol 82, 106766.</li><br /> <li>Posont R.J., Most M.S., Cadaret C.N., Marks-Nelson E.S., Beede K.A., Limesand S.W., Schmidt T.B., Petersen J.L. &amp; Yates D.T. (2022) Primary myoblasts from intrauterine growth-restricted fetal sheep exhibit intrinsic dysfunction of proliferation and differentiation that coincides with enrichment of inflammatory cytokine signaling pathways. J Anim Sci 100.</li><br /> <li>Pru J.K. (2022) Pleiotropic Actions of PGRMC Proteins in Cancer. Endocrinology 163.</li><br /> <li>Reed S.A., Ashley R., Silver G., Splaine C., Jones A.K., Pillai S.M., Peterson M.L., Zinn S.A. &amp; Govoni K.E. (2022a) Maternal nutrient restriction and over-feeding during gestation alter expression of key factors involved in placental development and vascularization. J Anim Sci 100.</li><br /> <li>Reed S.A., Balsbaugh J., Li X., Moore T.E., Jones A.K., Pillai S.M., Hoffman M.L., Govoni K.E. &amp; Zinn S.A. (2022b) Poor maternal diet during gestation alters offspring muscle proteome in sheep. J Anim Sci 100.</li><br /> <li>Reese S.T., Franco G.A., de Melo G.D., Oliveira Filho R.V., Cooke R.F. &amp; Pohler K.G. (2022) Pregnancy maintenance following sequential induced prostaglandin pulses in beef cows. Domest Anim Endocrinol 80, 106724.</li><br /> <li>Reid D.S., Geary T.W., Zezeski A.L., Waterman R.C., Van Emon M.L., Messman R.D., Burnett D.D. &amp; Lemley C.O. (2023) Effects of prenatal and postnatal melatonin supplementation on overall performance, male reproductive performance, and testicular hemodynamics in beef cattle. J Anim Sci 101.</li><br /> <li>Rowell J.E., Blake J.E., Roth K.M., Sutton C.M., Sachse C.C., Cupp A.S., Geary T.W., Zezeski A.L., Alexander B.M., Ziegler R.L. &amp; Shipka M.P. (2022) Medroxyprogesterone acetate in reindeer bulls: testes histology, cfos activity in the brain, breeding success, and semen quality. J Anim Sci 100.</li><br /> <li>Rule D.C., Melson E.A., Alexander B.M. &amp; Brown T.E. (2022) Dietary Fatty Acid Composition Impacts the Fatty Acid Profiles of Different Regions of the Bovine Brain. Animals (Basel) 12.</li><br /> <li>Sah N., Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Moses R.M., Seo H., Burghardt R.C., Johnson G.A., Wu G. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022a) Inhibition of SHMT2 mRNA translation increases embryonic mortality in sheepdagger. Biol Reprod 107, 1279-95.</li><br /> <li>Sah N., Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Moses R.M., Seo H., Burghardt R.C., Johnson G.A., Wu G.Y. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022b) Creatine metabolism at the uterine-conceptus interface during early gestation in sheep. Biology of Reproduction 107, 1528-39.</li><br /> <li>Sharif M., Hickl V., Juarez G., Di X., Kerns K., Sutovsky P., Bovin N. &amp; Miller D.J. (2022) Hyperactivation is sufficient to release porcine sperm from immobilized oviduct glycans. Sci Rep 12, 6446.</li><br /> <li>Silva F., Camacho L.E., Lemley C.O., Hallford D.M., Swanson K.C. &amp; Vonnahme K.A. (2022) Effects of nutrient restriction and subsequent realimentation in pregnant beef cows: Maternal endocrine profile, umbilical hemodynamics, and mammary gland development and hemodynamics. Theriogenology 191, 109-21.</li><br /> <li>Silva F., Martins T., Sponchiado M., Rocha C.C., Pohler K.G., Penagaricano F. &amp; Binelli M. (2023) Hormonal profile prior to luteolysis modulates the uterine luminal transcriptome in the subsequent cycle in beef cross-bred cows section sign. Biol Reprod.</li><br /> <li>Smith B.D., Poliakiwski B., Polanco O., Singleton S., de Melo G.D., Muntari M., Oliveira Filho R.V. &amp; Pohler K.G. (2022) Decisive points for pregnancy losses in beef cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev 35, 70-83.</li><br /> <li>Smith B.I. &amp; Govoni K.E. (2022) Use of Agriculturally Important Animals as Models in Biomedical Research. Adv Exp Med Biol 1354, 315-33.</li><br /> <li>Sosa F., Uh K., Drum J.N., Stoecklein K.S., Davenport K.M., Ortega M.S., Lee K. &amp; Hansen P.J. (2023) Disruption of CSF2RA in the bovine preimplantation embryo reduces development and affects embryonic gene expression in utero. Reprod Fertil 4.</li><br /> <li>Spooner-Harris M., Kerns K., Zigo M., Sutovsky P., Balboula A. &amp; Patterson A.L. (2023) A re-appraisal of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in endometrial epithelial remodeling. Cell Tissue Res 391, 393-408.</li><br /> <li>Stegemiller M.R., Ellison M.J., Hall J.B., Sprinkle J.E. &amp; Murdoch B.M. (2021) Identifying genetic variants affecting cattle grazing behavior experiencing mild heat load. Translational Animal Science 5, S61-S6.</li><br /> <li>Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Hoskins E.C., Newton M.G., Moses R.M., Seo H., Dunlap K.A., Satterfield M.C., Gaddy D., Johnson G.A., Wu G., Suva L.J. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022a) Effects of exogenous progesterone on the expression of mineral regulatory molecules by ovine endometrium and placentomesdagger. Biol Reprod 106, 1126-42.</li><br /> <li>Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Moses R.M., Seo H., Gaddy D., Johnson G.A., Wu G., Suva L.J. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022b) Effects of progesterone and interferon tau on ovine endometrial phosphate, calcium, and vitamin D signalingdagger. Biol Reprod 106, 888-99.</li><br /> <li>Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Tanner A.R., Suva L.J., Rozance P.J., Anthony R.V. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022c) Uptake of Phosphate, Calcium, and Vitamin D by the Pregnant Uterus of Sheep in Late Gestation: Regulation by Chorionic Somatomammotropin Hormone. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23.</li><br /> <li>Stenhouse C., Newton M.G., Halloran K.M., Moses R.M., Sah N., Suva L.J. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2023) Phosphate, calcium, and vitamin D signaling, transport, and metabolism in the endometria of cyclic ewes. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 14, 13.</li><br /> <li>Stenhouse C., Seo H., Wu G., Johnson G.A. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022d) Insights into the Regulation of Implantation and Placentation in Humans, Rodents, Sheep, and Pigs. Adv Exp Med Biol 1354, 25-48.</li><br /> <li>Stenhouse C., Suva L.J., Gaddy D., Wu G. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2022e) Phosphate, Calcium, and Vitamin D: Key Regulators of Fetal and Placental Development in Mammals. Adv Exp Med Biol 1354, 77-107.</li><br /> <li>Stoecklein K., Garcia-Guerra A., Duran B.J., Prather R. &amp; Ortega M.S. Actions of FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 on Bovine Embryo Survival and Conceptus Elongation following Slow-rate Freezing. 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Impact Statements

1. Nearly one-half of all pre-weaning lamb deaths occur on the day of birth with low birth weight being the single greatest contributor to lamb mortality. TX is working on elucidating mechanisms of placental development to improve placental function and reduce lamb mortality in order to improve the efficiency of ruminant livestock production systems.

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Report Information

Participants

In attendance virtually:
1. Anna Denicol – University of California-Davis
2. Karl Kerns - Iowa State University
3. Rocio Rivera - University of Missouri
4. Jennifer Hernandez Gifford - New Mexico State University
5. Claire Stenhouse - Penn State University
6. Ky Pohler - Texas A&M University
7. Becky Poole - Texas A&M University

In attendance, In -Person:
1. Rick McCosh, Colorado State University
2. Kristen Govoni, University of Connecticut
3. Mario Binelli, University of Florida
4. David Grieger, Kansas State University
5. Andrea Cupp, University of Nebraska
6. Ryan Ashley, New Mexico State University
7. Michelle Kutzler, Oregon State University
8. Wansheng Liu, Penn State University
9. Jessica Nora Drum, South Dakota State University
10. Sofia Ortega, University of Wisconsin
11. Brenda Alexander, University of Wyoming
12. Jeremy Block, University of Wyoming

Brief Summary of Minutes

W4112 Multistate Meeting 2024 Minutes

Madison, Wisconsin

May 21-22, 2024

Chairman - Becky Poole (TAMU)

Secretary - David Grieger (K-State)

Member-at-Large - Jessica Drum (SDSU)

 

Tuesday, May 21

In attendance virtually:

1. Anna Denicol – University of California-Davis


2. Karl Kerns - Iowa State University


3. Rocio Rivera - University of Missouri


4. Jennifer Hernandez Gifford - New Mexico State University


5. Claire Stenhouse - Penn State University


6. Ky Pohler - Texas A&M University


7. Becky Poole - Texas A&M University

 

In attendance, In -Person:

1. Rick McCosh, Colorado State University


2. Kristen Govoni, University of Connecticut


3. Mario Binelli, University of Florida


4. David Grieger, Kansas State University


5. Andrea Cupp, University of Nebraska


6. Ryan Ashley, New Mexico State University


7. Michelle Kutzler, Oregon State University


8. Wansheng Liu, Penn State University


9. Jessica Nora Drum, South Dakota State University


10. Sofia Ortega, University of Wisconsin


11. Brenda Alexander, University of Wyoming


12. Jeremy Block, University of Wyoming

 

8:20 am – Business meeting called to order by Becky Poole

• Round table introductions for all present (virtual and in-person)


• 2023 meeting minutes approval - Brenda Alexander moved to approve, Andrea Cupp second.


• Location for 2024 meeting - David Grieger nominated Connecticut, Andrea nominated South Dakota (Jessica declined). Vote for location was tabled until tomorrow.


• New officer election- Andrea moved for Jeremy Block to be Member-at-Large and Brenda second. Vote for Jeremy was unanimous and motion carried. Officers for 2025 are David Grieger-Chair, Jessica Drum-Secretary, and Jeremy Block Member-at-Large.

 

8:30 am - Began STATION Updates

1. Ky Pohler - Texas A&M University


2. Karl Kerns - Iowa State University


3. Mario Binelli, University of Florida


4. Sofia Ortega, University of Wisconsin


5. Kristen Govoni, University of Connecticut


6. Michelle Kutzler, Oregon State University


7. Wansheng Liu, Penn State University


8. Jeremy Block, University of Wyoming


9. Ryan Ashley, New Mexico State University


10. Rick McCosh, Colorado State University


11. Jessica Nora Drum, South Dakota State University

 

10:00 am - USDA update, Dr. Mark Mirando and Dr. Kamilah Grant

 

10:40pm – Station Updates continued:

12. Andrea Cupp, University of Nebraska

 

11:10 am - Began STATION RESEARCH Reports

 

1 – Nebraska (Andrea Cupp)

2 - New Mexico State (Ryan Ashley, Jennifer Hernandez Gifford)

3 – Connecticut (Kristen Govoni)

 

12:00 pm – Break for working lunch

 

4 – Texas (Becky Poole)

5 – South Dakota (Jessica Drum)

 

1:30 pm Tour of Dairy and Meats Lab, U of WI

2:30 pm Resume Station Reports

6 - Missouri (Rocio Rivera)

7 - Oregon (Michelle Kutzler)

8 - Penn State (Claire Stenhouse, Wansheng Liu)

9 - California (Anna Denicol)

10 - Florida (Mario Binelli)

11 - Colorado (Rick McCosh)

12 - Iowa (Karl Kerns)

13 - Wisconsin (Sofia Ortega)

14 - Kansas (David Grieger)

5:30 pm – Adjourn Meeting

6:00 pm - Dinner at Union Terrace on the lake.

 

Wednesday, May 22

7:00am – Depart Hotel for tour of Arlington Dairy and Swine units, U. of WI.

 

10:30am - Station Reports Continued:

15 - Ky Pohler - Texas A&M University

16 - Jeremy Block, University of Wyoming, Brenda Alexander

 

11:30 am - Business Meeting:

• Voted on Location for 2025 meeting: Connecticut for 2025.


• Date for meeting to be determined – A poll will be sent out in early fall to find best dates for attendance for all.


• Storrs airport - BDL. Boston and NY airports are 2 hours away.

 

Brenda offered to put together the publication list for this report to make it compatible for the next re-write. 

12:05pm - Meeting adjourned

Accomplishments

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Accomplishments</span></strong></p><br /> <p><strong><em>Outputs form the group during this reporting period</em></strong></p><br /> <ol><br /> <li>83 peer-reviewed manuscripts</li><br /> <li>79 published abstracts</li><br /> <li>8 invited oral presentations</li><br /> <li>10 thesis/dissertation</li><br /> </ol><br /> <p><strong><em>Activities</em></strong></p><br /> <p><strong><em>Objective 1: </em></strong>Elucidate fundamental cellular, physiological, endocrine, and behavioral mechanisms that regulate gamete development and quality and enhance the management of reproductive function leading to the development of translational reproductive biotechnologies.</p><br /> <ol><br /> <li>We showed that bovine sperm capacitation biomarkers such as zinc signatures can predict embryo development rates better than traditional sperm motility traits alone. This can aid IVF practitioners in selecting sires to enhance reproductive success. <em>Iowa</em></li><br /> <li>Understanding the roles that FSH may play in the development of preantral follicles is of critical importance as many ovarian stimulation protocols used in assisted reproduction use FSH to promote antral follicle growth. <em>California</em></li><br /> <li>Knowledge gained from studying the PRAME/PRAMEY gene family will improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis, oogenesis, sperm-egg binding and fertilization, as well as early embryo development, which in turn, will help us address issues related to male subfertility and infertility. <em>Pennsylvania </em></li><br /> <li>We are now able to identify open cows with 95% accuracy as early as day 17 following artificial insemination in dairy and beef cows. The benefit to both dairy and beef cow producers&rsquo; centers on the savings of 2-3 weeks to maintain the open cow prior to re-breeding following first insemination. <em>Colorado </em></li><br /> <li>The corpus luteum is a dynamic endocrine gland that produces the progesterone that is critical for a successful pregnancy. We have shown that a 3-D corpus luteum organoid culture produces more progesterone than luteal cell primary cultures and may be a better overall system to understand mechanisms that occur in the corpus luteum during luteal regression and in developing vasculature than our 2D models. <em>Nebraska</em></li><br /> <li>We have shown that bacterial endotoxin (LPS) within the ovarian follicle may contribute to decreased reproductive efficiency that may impact oocyte quality and subsequent embryo development. <em>New Mexico </em></li><br /> </ol><br /> <p><strong><em>Objective 2: </em></strong>Identify impacts of reproductive management, animal management, and stress on follicle recruitment, ovulation, corpus luteum function, and pregnancy.</p><br /> <ol start="7"><br /> <li>We are working to investigate flax seed-based supplement effects on reproductive physiology in beef cattle including follicular dynamics, embryo production, super ovulatory response, and circulating progesterone. <em>South Dakota</em></li><br /> <li>We are working to develop a CRISPR/SaCas9 approach to better understand deletion of ESR1 gene in adult neural tissue which will enable us to conduct experiments to understand the neural regulation of reproduction. <em>Colorado</em></li><br /> <li>Sex steroid concentrations modulate endometrial function and fertility in cattle. We have identified that contrasting concentrations of progesterone before luteolysis alters the post-estrus uterine luminal transcriptome in beef cattle. Estrus synchronization strategies considering concentrations of progesterone may impact the pregnancy outcome. <em>Florida</em></li><br /> <li>We have determined that our pubertal classifications are moderately to highly heritable and associated with candidate genes involved in puberty, cyclicity and hormone secretion. This may allow for future investigation into genomic tools that may be used to cull or retain heifers in the herd. <em>Nebraska</em></li><br /> <li>We initiated a study of the vaginal microbiome during a long estrus synchronization protocol such as the 7&amp;7 and its effects on fertility in beef cattle. <em>South Dakota</em></li><br /> <li>There is a potential role of the reproductive microbiome in impacting pregnancy status because of hormone concentrations and breeding strategies. Vaginal bacterial diversity appears to shift between the day of artificial insemination and day of maternal recognition of pregnancy in lactating dairy cattle. <em>Texas </em></li><br /> <li>Altering the bovine vaginal microbiome via betadine lavages near parturition increased maternal immune responses without altering neonatal microbial communities. <em>Mississippi</em></li><br /> <li>Dysregulation of the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) expression during the establishment of pregnancy could contribute to reduced fertility reported in ewes treated with PG-600. Although progesterone was higher on day 7, ESR1 did not differ from controls suggesting that treatment with PG600 is unlikely to impair reproductive potential. <em>Oregon</em></li><br /> <li>Rumen protected omega-6 (&omega;-6) fatty acids may improve health and reproductive success in beef cattle. Free choice &omega;-6 fatty acids supplementation during late gestation and post-artificial insemination did not markedly alter reproductive measures in mature beef cows. <em>Idaho</em></li><br /> <li>Using heterospermic insemination comparisons may indicate which artificial insemination sires are more fertile for timed-insemination protocols. <em>Kansas</em></li><br /> </ol><br /> <p><strong><em>Objective 3: </em></strong>Determine mechanisms regulating normal embryo development, pregnancy establishment, and maintenance by exploring maternal and paternal factors; including genomics, immune responses, fetal programming, and conceptus/uterine signaling.</p><br /> <ol start="17"><br /> <li>Across mammalian species, phosphate is transported from the mother to the conceptus to allow appropriate regulation of conceptus growth and development. We are working to better understand the mechanisms regulating utero-placental phosphate availability. <em>Pennsylvania</em></li><br /> <li>We are working to understand the impacts of undernutrition on conceptus development in beef cattle and placental cotyledon development and function in ewes. <em>Montana </em></li><br /> <li>Current culture systems do not provide a dynamic in vitro environment that mimics the uterine environment during early gestation, thus producing lower quality embryos compared to their in vivo-produced counterparts. We are working to develop bovine uterine organoids that may be used to improve in vitro embryo production in cattle. <em>Montana</em></li><br /> <li>Disrupting the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis at the fetal-maternal interface during implantation results in an altered hematological profile in circulation indicative of an inflammatory response. Also, the addition of the chemokine CXCL12 at the time of ET influences pregnancy establishment and fetal growth in sheep. <em>New Mexico </em></li><br /> <li>Treating embryos with FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 improved development to the blastocyst stage, increased the expression of genes associated with placental development, and overall increased the number of embryos eligible for transfer. <em>Wisconsin</em></li><br /> <li>The functional ablation of PAG7 does not affect blastocyst formation but does delay the time of attachment of the embryo to the extracellular matrix and hinders trophectoderm growth in vitro. <em>Wisconsin </em></li><br /> <li>Blastocyst development following culture of bovine embryos in the presence of oviductal cell culture supernatant treated with IL-1&beta; was evaluated. While blastocyst development from total oocytes was not affected, culture of embryos with IL-1&beta; resulted in a greater proportion of cleaved embryos developing to the blastocyst stage. <em>Wyoming</em></li><br /> <li>Intrauterine administration of recombinant bovine interleukin-1 beta during the peri-ovulatory period does not affect subsequent development of the corpus luteum, nor conceptus survival following transfer of bovine embryos produced in vitro. <em>Wyoming</em></li><br /> <li>Better understanding of the roles of polyamines in implantation, placentation, and conceptus development in beef cattle. <em>Texas </em></li><br /> <li>We have observed decreased LGALS14 transcript in day 16 conceptuses of low fertility bulls; however, the function of this gene is unknown in cattle. The downregulation of LGALS14 is not caused by differential DNA methylation in the proximal promoter region between low and high fertility bulls. <em>Missouri </em></li><br /> <li>We characterized the methylome, transcriptome and chromatin configuration of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS) individuals together with the animal model of the condition, the bovine large offspring syndrome (LOS). Altered chromosome compartments in BWS and LOS were positively correlated with gene expression changes. <em>Missouri </em></li><br /> <li>Treating embryo recipient cows with pooled seminal plasma negatively impacts early gestation conceptus growth and mid- to late-gestation uterine artery resistance suggesting downstream vascular anomalies; however, these in utero conditions do not appear to impact offspring in their postnatal lives. <em>Mississippi </em></li><br /> <li>Decrease antioxidant activities and increased products of protein and lipid oxidation in skeletal muscle of offspring from poorly nourished dams suggests dysregulation of oxidative status which may contribute to the negative consequences observed in lamb offspring. <em>Connecticut </em></li><br /> <li>Poor maternal nutrition during gestation in ewes alters oxidative status in F1 and F2 offspring. <em>Connecticut</em></li><br /> </ol>

Publications

<ol><br /> <li>Abedal-Majed M.A., Abuajamieh M., Al-Qaisi M., Sargent K.M., Titi H.H., Alnimer M.A., Abdelqader A., Shamoun A.I. &amp; Cupp A.S. (2023) Sheep with ovarian androgen excess have fibrosis and follicular arrest with increased mRNA abundance for steroidogenic enzymes and gonadotropin receptors. J Anim Sci 101.</li><br /> <li>Ashley R.L., Trigo E.M. &amp; Ervin J.M. (2023) Placental insufficiency and heavier placentas in sheep after suppressing CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling during implantationdagger. Biol Reprod 109, 982-93.</li><br /> <li>Biase F.H., Moorey S.E., Schnuelle J.G., Rodning S., Ortega M.S. &amp; Spencer T.E. (2023) Extensive rewiring of the gene regulatory interactions between in vitro-produced conceptuses and endometrium during attachment. PNAS Nexus 2, pgad284.</li><br /> <li>Brown W., Oliveira M., Silva R.R., Demetrio D. &amp; Block J. (2024a) Effects of administration of mycobacterium cell wall fraction during the periovulatory period on embryo development following superovulation in virgin dairy heifers. JDS Communications.</li><br /> <li>Brown W., Oliveira M., Silva R.R., Woodruff K., Bisha B., Demetrio D. &amp; Block J. (2024b) Effects of mycobacterium cell wall fraction on embryo development following in vitro embryo production and pregnancy rates following embryo transfer in virgin dairy heifers. Theriogenology 215, 334-42.</li><br /> <li>Cain J.W., Seo H., Bumgardner K., Lefevre C., Burghardt R.C., Bazer F.W. &amp; Johnson G.A. (2024) Pig conceptuses utilize extracellular vesicles for IFNG-mediated paracrine communication with the endometrium. Biol Reprod.</li><br /> <li>Castro B., Candelaria J.I., Austin M.M., Shuster C.B., Gifford C.A., Denicol A.C. &amp; Hernandez Gifford J.A. (2024) Low-dose lipopolysaccharide exposure during oocyte maturation disrupts early bovine embryonic development. Theriogenology 214, 57-65.</li><br /> <li>Cavalcante de Souza D., Gonella-Diaza A.M., de Carvalho N.A.T., Elliff F.M., de Carvalho J.G.S., Vieira L.M., Bonfim-Neto A.P., de Carvalho Papa P., Ghuman S.S., Madureira E.H., Pugliesi G., Binelli M. &amp; Baruselli P.S. (2024) Supplementation with long-acting injectable progesterone 3 days after TAI impaired luteal function in buffaloes. Trop Anim Health Prod 56, 76.</li><br /> <li>Contreras-Correa Z.E., S&aacute;nchez-Rodr&iacute;guez H.L., Arick II M.A., Mu&ntilde;iz-Col&oacute;n G. &amp; Lemley C.O. (2024) Thermotolerance capabilities, blood metabolomics and mammary gland hemodynamics and transcriptomic profiles of slick-haired Holstein cattle during mid-lactation in Puerto Rico. Journal of Dairy Science.</li><br /> <li>Cortes-Araya Y., Cheung S., Ho W., Stenhouse C., Ashworth C.J., Esteves C.L. &amp; Donadeu F.X. (2024) Effects of foetal size, sex and developmental stage on adaptive transcriptional responses of skeletal muscle to intrauterine growth restriction in pigs. Sci Rep 14, 8500.</li><br /> <li>Davenport K.M., O&rsquo;Neil E.V., Ortega M.S., Patterson A., Kelleher A.M., Warren W.C. &amp; Spencer T.E. (2023a) Single-cell insights into development of the bovine placenta&dagger;. Biology of Reproduction 110, 169-84.</li><br /> <li>Davenport K.M., Ortega M.S., Johnson G.A., Seo H. &amp; Spencer T.E. (2023b) Review: Implantation and placentation in ruminants. Animal 17 Suppl 1, 100796.</li><br /> <li>Denicol A.C. &amp; Siqueira L.G.B. (2023) Maternal contributions to pregnancy success: from gamete quality to uterine environment. Anim Reprod 20, e20230085.</li><br /> <li>Diaz-Miranda E.A., Hamilton L.E., Zigo M., Fallon L., Ortega M.S., Assump&ccedil;&atilde;o M.E.O.D.A., Guimar&atilde;es J.D. &amp; Sutovsky P. (2024) Regional abundances of binder of sperm (BSP) proteins are negatively associated with the quality of frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa. Reproduction 167.</li><br /> <li>Fallon L., Diaz-Miranda E., Hamilton L., Sutovsky P., Zigo M., Spencer T.E. &amp; Ortega M.S. (2023) The development of new biomarkers of spermatozoa quality in cattle. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 10, 1258295.</li><br /> <li>Geisert R.D., Bazer F.W., Lucas C.G., Pfeiffer C.A., Meyer A.E., Sullivan R., Johns D.N., Sponchiado M. &amp; Prather R.S. (2024) Maternal recognition of pregnancy in the pig: A servomechanism involving sex steroids, cytokines and prostaglandins. Anim Reprod Sci 264, 107452.</li><br /> <li>Griffin C.K., Lemley C.O., Pohler K.G., Sun X. &amp; Lear A.S. (2024) Characterization of placentome vascular perfusion in relation to pregnancy associated glycoproteins throughout gestation in pregnant beef heifers. Theriogenology 219, 94-102.</li><br /> <li>Habeeb H.M.H., Kleditz L., Hazzard T., Bishop C., Stormshak F. &amp; Kutzler M.A. (2023) Ovine endometrial estrogen receptor expression is altered following PG-600 administration. Vet Med Sci 9, 1379-84.</li><br /> <li>Halloran K.M., Stenhouse C., Moses R.M., Kramer A.C., Sah N., Seo H., Lamarre S.G., Johnson G.A., Wu G. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2023) The ovine conceptus utilizes extracellular serine, glucose, and fructose to generate formate via the one carbon metabolism pathway. Amino Acids 55, 125-37.</li><br /> <li>He W., Posey E.A., Steele C.C., Savell J.W., Bazer F.W. &amp; Wu G. (2023) Dietary glycine supplementation enhances postweaning growth and meat quality of pigs with intrauterine growth restriction. J Anim Sci 101.</li><br /> <li>He W., Posey E.A., Steele C.C., Savell J.W., Bazer F.W. &amp; Wu G. (2024) Dietary glycine supplementation activates mTOR signaling pathway in tissues of pigs with intrauterine growth restriction. J Anim Sci.</li><br /> <li>Heredia D., Ojeda-Rojas O.A., Londo&ntilde;o M.C., Lasso S.D., Bisinotto R.S., Binelli M. &amp; Gonella-Diaza A.M. (2023) A single dose of FSH or hCG during a split-time AI program did not enhance follicular growth or pregnancy per artificial insemination in beef heifers. Journal of Applied Animal Research 51, 434-40.</li><br /> <li>Hong T., Park S., An G., Bazer F.W., Song G. &amp; Lim W. (2024) Norflurazon causes cell death and inhibits implantation-related genes in porcine trophectoderm and uterine luminal epithelial cells. Food Chem Toxicol 186, 114559.</li><br /> <li>Hu S., He W., Bazer F.W., Johnson G.A. &amp; Wu G. (2023a) Synthesis of glycine from 4-hydroxyproline in tissues of neonatal pigs. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 248, 1206-20.</li><br /> <li>Hu S., He W., Bazer F.W., Johnson G.A. &amp; Wu G. (2023b) Synthesis of glycine from 4-hydroxyproline in tissues of neonatal pigs with intrauterine growth restriction. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 248, 1446-58.</li><br /> <li>Husnain A., Arshad U., Zimpel R., Schmitt E., Dickson M.J., Perdomo M.C., Marinho M.N., Ashrafi N., Graham S.F., Bishop J.V., Hansen T.R., Jeong K.C., Gonella-Diaza A.M., Chebel R.C., Sheldon I.M., Bromfield J.J. &amp; Santos J.E.P. (2023) Induced endometrial inflammation compromises conceptus development in dairy cattledagger. Biol Reprod 109, 415-31.</li><br /> <li>Jara T.C., Park K., Vahmani P., Van Eenennaam A.L., Smith L.R. &amp; Denicol A.C. (2023) Stem cell-based strategies and challenges for production of cultivated meat. Nat Food 4, 841-53.</li><br /> <li>Johnson G.A., Bazer F.W., Seo H., Burghardt R.C., Wu G., Pohler K.G. &amp; Cain J.W. (2023a) Understanding placentation in ruminants: a review focusing on cows and sheep. Reprod Fertil Dev 36, 93-111.</li><br /> <li>Johnson G.A., Burghardt R.C., Bazer F.W., Seo H. &amp; Cain J.W. (2023b) Integrins and their potential roles in mammalian pregnancy. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 14, 115.</li><br /> <li>Johnson G.A., Seo H., Bazer F.W., Wu G., Kramer A.C., McLendon B.A. &amp; Cain J.W. (2023c) Metabolic pathways utilized by the porcine conceptus, uterus, and placenta. Mol Reprod Dev 90, 673-83.</li><br /> <li>Keller A. &amp; Kerns K. (2023) Sperm capacitation as a predictor of boar fertility. Molecular Reproduction and Development 90, 594-600.</li><br /> <li>Kern C., Wu W., Lu C., Zhang J., Zhao Y., Ocon-Grove O.M., Sutovsky P., Diaz F. &amp; Liu W.S. (2023) Role of the bovine PRAMEY protein in sperm function during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cell Tissue Res 391, 577-94.</li><br /> <li>Ketchum J.N., Perry G.A., Quail L.K., Epperson K.M., Ogg M.A., Zezeski A.L., Rich J.J.J., Zoca S.M., Kline A.C., Andrews T.N., Ortega M.S., Smith M.F. &amp; Geary T.W. (2023) Influence of preovulatory estradiol treatment on the maintenance of pregnancy in beef cattle receiving in vivo produced embryos. Anim Reprod Sci 255, 107274.</li><br /> <li>Li X., Bazer F.W., Johnson G.A., Burghardt R.C. &amp; Wu G. (2023a) Dietary supplementation with L-citrulline improves placental angiogenesis and embryonic survival in gilts. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 248, 702-11.</li><br /> <li>Li Y., Xiao P., Boadu F., Goldkamp A.K., Nirgude S., Cheng J., Hagen D.E., Kalish J.M. &amp; Rivera R.M. (2023b) The counterpart congenital overgrowth syndromes Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome in human and large offspring syndrome in bovine involve alterations in DNA methylation, transcription, and chromatin configuration. medRxiv.</li><br /> <li>Lockhart K.N., Drum J.N., Balboula A.Z., Spinka C.M., Spencer T.E. &amp; Ortega M.S. (2023) Sire modulates developmental kinetics and transcriptome of the bovine embryo. Reproduction 166, 337-48.</li><br /> <li>Lockhart K.N., Fallon L.C. &amp; Ortega M.S. (2024) Paternal determinants of early embryo development. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 36, 43-50.</li><br /> <li>Martinez R.E., Leatherwood J.L., Bradbery A.N., Paris B.L., Hammer C.J., Kelley D., Bazer F.W. &amp; Wu G. (2023) Evaluation of dietary arginine supplementation to increase placental nutrient transporters in aged mares. Transl Anim Sci 7, txad058.</li><br /> <li>Messman R.D. &amp; Lemley C.O. (2023) Bovine neonatal microbiome origins: a review of proposed microbial community presence from conception to colostrum. Transl Anim Sci 7, txad057.</li><br /> <li>Monaco C.F., Plewes M.R., Przygrodzka E., George J.W., Qiu F., Xiao P., Wood J.R., Cupp A.S. &amp; Davis J.S. (2023) Basic fibroblast growth factor induces proliferation and collagen production by fibroblasts derived from the bovine corpus luteumdagger. Biol Reprod 109, 367-80.</li><br /> <li>Moses R.M., Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Sah N., Hoskins E.C., Washburn S.E., Johnson G.A., Wu G. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2024a) Metabolic pathways for glucose and fructose: I synthesis and metabolism of fructose by ovine conceptuses. Biol Reprod.</li><br /> <li>Moses R.M., Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Sah N., Newton M.G., Hoskins E.C., Washburn S.E., Johnson G.A., Wu G. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2024b) Metabolic pathways of glucose and fructose: II spatiotemporal expression of genes involved in synthesis and transport of lactate in ovine conceptuses. Biol Reprod.</li><br /> <li>Nava-Trujillo H. &amp; Rivera R.M. (2023) Large offspring syndrome in ruminants: current status and prediction during pregnancy. Animal 17, 100740.</li><br /> <li>Newton M.G., Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Sah N., Moses R.M., He W., Wu G. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2023) Regulation of synthesis of polyamines by progesterone, estradiol, and their receptors in uteri of cyclic ewesdagger. Biol Reprod 109, 309-18.</li><br /> <li>Ortega M.S., Lockhart K.N. &amp; Spencer T.E. (2024) Impact of Sire on Embryo Development and Pregnancy. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 40, 131-40.</li><br /> <li>Plewes M.R., Przygrodzka E., Monaco C.F., Snider A.P., Keane J.A., Burns P.D., Wood J.R., Cupp A.S. &amp; Davis J.S. (2023) Prostaglandin F2alpha regulates mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in the bovine corpus luteum. Life Sci Alliance 6.</li><br /> <li>Prezotto L.D., Keane J.A., Cupp A.S. &amp; Thorson J.F. (2023) Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Has a Diverse Role in Energetic and Reproductive Physiological Functions of Female Beef Cattle. Animals (Basel) 13.</li><br /> <li>Rio Feltrin I., Guimaraes da Silva A., Rocha C.C., Ferraz P.A., da Silva Rosa P.M., Martins T., Coelho da Silveira J., Oliveira M.L., Binelli M., Pugliesi G. &amp; Membrive C.M.B. (2024) Effects of 17beta-estradiol on the uterine luteolytic cascade in bovine females at the end of diestrus. Theriogenology 213, 1-10.</li><br /> <li>Rishi J.K., Timme K., White H.E., Kerns K.C. &amp; Keating A.F. (2023) Obesity partially potentiates dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-exposed ovotoxicity by altering the DNA damage repair response in micedagger. Biol Reprod 108, 694-707.</li><br /> <li>Rishi J.K., Timme K., White H.E., Kerns K.C. &amp; Keating A.F. (2024a) Altered histone abundance as a mode of ovotoxicity during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exposure with additive influence of obesitydagger. Biol Reprod 110, 419-29.</li><br /> <li>Rishi J.K., Timme K., White H.E., Kerns K.C. &amp; Keating A.F. (2024b) Trajectory of primordial follicle depletion is accelerated in obese mice in response to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exposure. Biol Reprod.</li><br /> <li>Rocha C.C., Martins T., Silva F.A.C.C., Sponchiado M., Pohler K.G. &amp; Binelli M. (2023) Viperin (RSAD2) gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of pregnant crossbred beef cows is altered by Bos indicus genetics. Theriogenology 209, 226-33.</li><br /> <li>Sah N., Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Moses R.M., Seo H., Burghardt R.C., Johnson G.A., Wu G. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2023) Creatine metabolism at the uterine-placental interface throughout gestation in sheepdagger. Biol Reprod 109, 107-18.</li><br /> <li>Seo H., Bazer F.W. &amp; Johnson G.A. (2024) Early Syncytialization of the Ovine Placenta Revisited. Results Probl Cell Differ 71, 127-42.</li><br /> <li>Seo H., Melo G.D., Oliveira R.V., Franco-Johannsen G., Bazer F.W., Pohler K. &amp; Johnson G. (2023) Immunohistochemical examination of the utero-placental interface of cows on days 21, 31, 40, and 67 of gestation. Reproduction 167.</li><br /> <li>Sharawy H.A., Hegab A.O., Mostagir A., Adlan F., Bazer F.W. &amp; Elmetwally M.A. (2023) Expression of genes for transport of water and angiogenesis, as well as biochemical biomarkers in Holstein dairy cows during the ovsynch program. Theriogenology 208, 52-9.</li><br /> <li>Silva C.S., Vianna da Costa E.S.E., Nunes Dode M.A., Mendes Cunha A.T., Garcia W.R., Sampaio B.F.B., Borges Silva J.C., Vaz F.E.M., Kerns K., Sutovsky P. &amp; Nogueira E. (2023a) Semen quality of Nellore and Angus bulls classified by fertility indices and relations with field fertility in fixed-time artificial insemination. Theriogenology 212, 148-56.</li><br /> <li>Silva F., Martins T., Sponchiado M., Rocha C.C., Pohler K.G., Penagaricano F. &amp; Binelli M. (2023b) Hormonal profile prior to luteolysis modulates the uterine luminal transcriptome in the subsequent cycle in beef cross-bred cowsdagger. Biol Reprod 108, 922-35.</li><br /> <li>Silva F.A., Martins T., Sponchiado M., Rocha C.C., Ashrafi N., Graham S.F., Pohler K.G., Pe&ntilde;agaricano F., Gonella-Diaza A.M. &amp; Binelli M. (2023c) Pre-estrus progesterone does not affect post-estrus luminal metabolome in cross-bred beef cows. Reproduction 166, 99-116.</li><br /> <li>Smith M.S., Hickman-Brown K.J., McAnally B.E., Oliveira Filho R.V., de Melo G.D., Pohler K.G. &amp; Poole R.K. (2023) Reproductive microbiome and cytokine profiles associated with fertility outcomes of postpartum beef cows. J Anim Sci 101.</li><br /> <li>Snider A.P., Gomes R.S., Summers A.F., Tenley S.C., Abedal-Majed M.A., McFee R.M., Wood J.R., Davis J.S. &amp; Cupp A.S. (2023) Identification of Lipids and Cytokines in Plasma and Follicular Fluid before and after Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Stimulation as Potential Markers for Follicular Maturation in Cattle. Animals (Basel) 13.</li><br /> <li>Stenhouse C., Bazer F.W. &amp; Ashworth C.J. (2023a) Sexual dimorphism in placental development and function: Comparative physiology with an emphasis on the pig. Mol Reprod Dev 90, 684-96.</li><br /> <li>Stenhouse C., Halloran K.M., Newton M.G., Moses R.M., Sah N., Suva L.J., Gaddy D. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2023b) Characterization of TNSALP expression, localization, and activity in ovine utero-placental tissuesdagger. Biol Reprod 109, 954-64.</li><br /> <li>Stenhouse C., Newton M.G., Halloran K.M., Moses R.M., Sah N., Suva L.J. &amp; Bazer F.W. (2023c) Phosphate, calcium, and vitamin D signaling, transport, and metabolism in the endometria of cyclic ewes. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 14, 13.</li><br /> <li>Stevens A.V., Myers C.A., Hall J.B. &amp; Chibisa G.E. (2024) The Effects of Harvest Maturity of Eragrostis tef &lsquo;Moxie&rsquo;Hay and Supplemental Energy Source on Forage Utilization in Beef Heifers. Animals 14, 254.</li><br /> <li>Sung E., Park W., Park J., Bazer F.W., Song G. &amp; Lim W. (2024) Meptyldinocap induces implantation failure by forcing cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in porcine trophectoderm and endometrial luminal epithelial cells. Sci Total Environ 924, 171524.</li><br /> <li>Sutovsky P., Hamilton L.E., Zigo M., Ortiz D'Avila Assumpcao M.E., Jones A., Tirpak F., Agca Y., Kerns K. &amp; Sutovsky M. (2024) Biomarker-based human and animal sperm phenotyping: the good, the bad and the ugly. Biol Reprod.</li><br /> <li>Sutton C.M., Ziegler R.L., Austin K.J. &amp; Alexander B.M. (2023) Expression of TRPM8 in sheep reproductive tissues and brain areas important for the expression of reproductive behavior. Physiology &amp; Behavior 270, 114304.</li><br /> <li>Taylor B.D., Criscitiello M.F., Bazer F.W., Richardson L.S., Noah A. &amp; Haggerty C.L. (2023) Functional interferon-epsilon gene polymorphisms and sexually transmitted infections of the endometrium. Am J Reprod Immunol 90, e13754.</li><br /> <li>Tekwe C.D., Luan Y., Meininger C.J., Bazer F.W. &amp; Wu G. (2023) Dietary supplementation with L-leucine reduces nitric oxide synthesis by endothelial cells of rats. 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Impact Statements

1. Early pregnancy loss has a direct impact on the profitability of dairy and beef cattle. More than half of pregnancy losses occur during the first week after breeding, with influences from both sire and dam. Collaboration between IA and WI indicates a novel marker in sperm that could help identify males that produce fewer viable embryos resulting in fewer pregnancies. The identification of these biomarkers is crucial to help select sires before they enter the field or studs, reducing the reproductive failure burden on farms.
2. Current culture systems do not provide a dynamic in vitro environment that mimics in vivo systems and structures. NE and MT are perfecting organoid cultures of a variety of reproductive tissues including the corpus luteum and uterus. These studies will allow for an improved in vitro culture system that better mimics in vivo conditions, thus allowing for a better understanding of reproductive function.
3. Despite the increasing use of in vitro embryo production, the efficiency of the system remains suboptimal. WI in collaboration with MO working on improving the culture system which can result in more live calves after embryo transfer of slow-rate frozen embryos. With this, it is expected to increase not only the efficiency of embryo production but also a wider adoption of these technologies. Additionally, groups in WI, WY, and NM are working on the addition of various cytokines and growth factors to in vitro culture and at embryo transfer to improve embryo production and pregnancy success.
4. Understanding the determinants of early pregnancy is paramount to improving reproductive outcomes in cattle systems. TX, WI, FL, and MO are all working to understand which genes and subsequent proteins are crucial for early pregnancy establishment and how sire and dam can influence its production. This research will provide new insights into early pregnancy loss and the potential to improve reproductive outcomes by selection and management.
5. Gram-negative bacteria release lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin that elicit immune responses that can disrupt normal ovarian function and contribute to female infertility. CA and NM are working to investigate the effects of exposing bovine oocytes to low LPS doses on oocyte and embryo competence. This work will help to better understand the effects of subclinical or non-detectable infections on oocyte competence and subsequent embryo development.
6. The vaginal microbiome may play a key role in fertility and neonatal development. Groups in TX, SD, and MS are investigating the vaginal microbiome prior to insemination, during early gestation, and during parturition. It appears that the vaginal microbiome may shift due to various hormone concentrations during estrus synchronization and early gestation, thus impacting establishment of pregnancy in cattle. Further, altering the vaginal microbiome via betadine lavages near parturition increased maternal immune responses without altering neonatal microbial communities. This work will help to better understand the role of bacteria in normal reproductive processes and identify ways to positively modulate bacteria within the reproductive tract.
7. Establishment of pregnancy, development of the placenta, and placental function are being studied in normal and compromised pregnancies (NM, WI, TX, MS, and PA). The focus of this research is to better understand the normal physiological processes of pregnancy, and how placental alterations result in suboptimal outcomes, ultimately impacting postnatal well-being and production efficiency.
8. Undernutrition is common for animals maintained in a range setting, particularly during periods of drought, and during gestation this can be detrimental to offspring development. Groups in MT and CT are working to better understand how undernutrition during gestation impacts offspring development and are working to identify potential strategies to mitigate alterations as a result of poor maternal nutrition during gestation. Additionally, supplementation of key nutrients may influence reproductive performance. Both ID and SD are investigating different supplements, largely omega fatty acids, on reproduction. In extensive animal production systems, allowing animals ad libitum access to supplements with intake limiters may be a cost-effective method to provide nutrients and improve reproductive performance.

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