NE2227: Contribution of Ovarian Function, Uterine Receptivity, and Embryo Quality to Pregnancy Success in Ruminants

(Multistate Research Project)

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[05/23/2023] [09/30/2024] [06/05/2025] [07/06/2026]

Date of Annual Report: 05/23/2023

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/16/2023 - 05/17/2023
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2022 - 09/30/2023

Participants

Dave Townson-URhode Island
Fransisco Diaz- Penn State
Cecily Bishop- Oregon State
Milo Wiltbank- UWisconsin
Yi Ren - Cornell
Amanda Patterson- UMissouri
Sarah Moorey-UTennessee
Dan Mathew-UTennessee
Soon Hun Cheong- Cornell
Jen Wood- UNebraska
Phil Bridges- UKentucky
Ron Butler- Cornell
Joy Pate- Penn State
Camilla Hughes- Penn State
Troy Ott- Penn State
Alvaro Garcia Guerra -Ohio State
Aileen Keating – Iowa State
Abby Maucieri – URhode Island
Kamilah Grant -USDA
Mark Mirando - USDA
Joanne Fortune -Cornell

Brief Summary of Minutes

Please see attached document

Minutes Attachment:

NE2227_Minutes_2023_PSU.docx

Accomplishments

Objective 1: Identify Mechanisms that Regulate Ovarian Function and Oocyte Quality during the Estrous Cycle   Identification of 22 metabolites that had positive relationship with serum estradiol concentration at the time of GnRH injection to induce ovulation. Determined a positive relationship between serum estradiol concentration at the time of GnRH injection to induce ovulation and oocyte ATP level ~18 hours later.   Generated new knowledge highlighting that heat-induced increases in body temperature in lactating dairy cows differentially impacts the cumulus and granulosa cell transcriptome of the periovulatory follicle.   Discovered that O-GlcNAcylation is expressed in KGN cells, an immortal granulosa cell tumor line that shares functional features of granulosa cells of mature, preovulatory follicles (e.g., FSH-responsiveness and estradiol production).   Demonstrated that manipulation of O-GlcNAcylation in KGN cells impairs cell proliferation and acutely perturbs oxidative phosphorylation, an effect observed previously with granulosa cells of bovine large antral follicles.   Preliminary experiments indicate inhibition of O-GlcNAc enhances estradiol production by primary cultures of bovine granulosa cells.   Determined the impact of altered insulin and glucose observed in dairy cattle experiencing heat stress (impact on the reproductive tract and elsewhere throughout the body. Recent work suggested that hypoglycemia during heat stress may be an important coping mechanism rather than a maladaptation to hyperthermia. Studies investigating the effect of hypoglycemia on follicle developmental dynamics and uterine function are currently underway.   Objective 2: Determine Factors Associated with Fertilization, Embryo Development, and Conceptus-Endometrial Interactions that Dictate Pregnancy Success   Using a day 16 conceptus-endometrial co-culture system, we are conducting studies to identify endometrial proteins and metabolites induced by IVP compared to IVD bovine embryos. Efforts are also underway to characterize the day 16 IVP and IVD bovine embryo transcriptome and secreted proteins/metabolites to better understand which conceptus secretory factors may be responsible for the altered endometrial transcriptome.    The gene codes for a KRAB-ZFP specifically expressed in bovine oocytes and early embryos and gene silencing experiments have demonstrated that ZNFO is required for early embryonic development in cattle. These results provide an essential step towards the identification of ZNFO regulated genes that play important roles during early embryonic development.   A study was completed to characterize three novel oocyte-specific lncRNAs, OOSNCR1, OOSNCR2 and OOSNCR3 using expression profiles generated from tissues, cells and embryos collected across the different stages of early embryonic development. Tissue expression data revealed detectable expression in only the fetal ovary for all three lncRNAs. Cell expression data revealed highest expression in oocytes with no significant difference seen between GV and MII oocytes. LncRNA expression was detectable but at lower levels in cumulus cells (CC) and even lower in theca (TC) and granulosa cells (GC). Expression data from the embryo panel suggests all three lncRNAs are maternally derived. Together, these data indicate a dynamic relationship among OOSNCR1, OOSNCR2 and OOSNCR3 and early reproductive events. Future studies aim to elucidate the functional roles of these lncRNAs during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development.   The role of ASIP in the bovine oocyte and early embryo was unknown. ATRN, MC3R, and MC4R were found to be expressed in both cumulus cells and oocytes. ATRN was also expressed in granulosa and theca cells and there was a significant effect of cell type as cumulus cells collected from MII COCs expressed ATRN at higher levels than granulosa and theca cells. Oocyte maturity level did not affect ATRN, MC3R, and MC4R expression levels.  There was a significant effect of embryo stage on ASIP expression. While ASIP was detected in each stage analyzed, ASIP levels were slightly reduced following oocyte maturation and remained at constant low levels until following completion of the embryonic genome activation at the 16-cell stage where it was observed ASIP levels increased in morula and blastocyst stage embryos.    Efforts are currently focused on exploring how the interleukin-6 (IL6) cytokine family acts as regulators of oocyte maturation, early embryo development, blastocyst formation, and early conceptus development in cattle. The work over the past year has provided strong evidence for implicating IL6 as a critical regulator of blastocyst development and inner cell mass formation. IL6 supplementation also improves conceptus elongation.   Exploration into how to modify our current bovine culture media formulations to improve embryo development and quality. Minor changes in formulation of SOF medium and the inclusion of an antioxidant cocktail are showing promise for improving the number and quality of transferable embryos.   Investigating the relationship between hypoglycemia during heat stress and pregnancy success on-farm.   Studies have determined how vitamin A and D supplementation in mid- to late gestation affects calving ease and birth weights of calves at parturition, as well as cow fertility at the following breeding. There was no effect of vitamin A and D treatment on calving ease or on birth weight, although calves had significantly elevated serum vitamin D in the treated group at time of birth, compared to controls, however these levels dropped to near control calves within one month of age.   Induction of pregnancy loss on day 35 of gestation in cattle results in luteolysis by gestation day ~45. During the second month of gestation basal prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is greater whereas pulse frequency and amplitude are similar to that at the expected time of luteolysis during the estrous cycle. It, however, is unclear whether PGF2α is responsible for luteolysis after induced conceptus demise. The aim, therefore, was to test the hypothesis that inhibition of PGF2α secretion (using flunixin meglumine) will delay luteolysis after induced conceptus demise. Luteolysis was identified in all animals, however, luteolysis tended to occur later in cows receiving flunixin meglumine (FM) than the untreated controls. In conclusion, inhibition of PGF2α secretion did not prevent but rather delayed luteolysis after induced conceptus demise, thus, providing partial support for the hypothesis that PGF2α is responsible for initiation of luteolysis after conceptus demise.   Objective 3: Develop and Evaluate Novel Reproductive Management Strategies and Technologies to Improve Reproductive Performance of Ruminants   Growth and nutrition during early development are major contributors to fertility and lifetime reproductive performance in cattle. Recent research findings demonstrate that changes in nutrition during gestation and early postnatal life result in functional and structural modifications in brain areas involved in the control of pubertal maturation in females. While these early modifications are likely to persist throughout life, their long-term effects remain unknown. Through a series of whole-animal, physiological, and molecular studies we have demonstrated that nutritional extremes during late gestation have only negligible effects on reproductive function in the heifer offspring. More specifically, maternal obesity or severe feed restriction during the last two trimesters of gestation did not alter age at puberty, pre-ovulatory follicle size, dominant follicle growth rate, CL size, endometrial thickness, antral follicle count, estrus expression, progesterone and estradiol concentrations during the estrous cycles, nor gonadotropin secretion in response to exogenous estradiol. These studies indicate that the adult reproductive phenotype in Bos indicus-influenced heifers is resilient to significant degrees of nutritional stress imposed during pre- and early postnatal periods, particularly if early gestation (first trimester) is avoided. These studies strongly suggest that adequate postnatal nutrition can overcome deficits programmed during late gestation in sexually-mature beef heifers. This information can guide management strategies for selection of replacement beef heifers.   A ruminant model of ovarian cryopreservation was investigated as part of an NIH-SIBR funded project in collaboration with 21st Century Medicine. The major goal of the study was to determine if a novel cryoprotectant along with a novel infusion and vitrification protocol would preserve most small follicle types on the ruminant ovary. This work found that perfusion techniques to vitrify whole ovaries are highly successful in preserving follicular function in ewes. Further studies are necessary to determine if these follicles produce fertilizable oocytes.   Presynchronization treatments administered before initiation of a CO-Synch type regimen are designed to improve ovulatory response and synchronization of follicular development. We conducted a study to determine the effect of various presynchronization strategies before initiation of a 6-day CO-Synch, on estrous expression and fertility to timed artificial insemination (TAI). Pregnancies per AI (P/AI) on D35 were greater for P4+PGF Presynch cows (66.7%) than for PGF Presynch (55.3%) and Control cows (50.9%). There were no differences in pregnancy loss between groups (5.9%). In conclusion, presynchronization with P4 and PGF prior to initiation of a 6-day CO-Synch treatment regimen improves fertility as a result of TAI in suckled beef cows.   Administration of FSH prior to ovum pick-up (OPU) in cattle improves in vitro embryo production (IVEP). Even though FSH is typically administered following a decreasing dose schedule, other dose schedules have not been evaluated. Thus, we evaluated the effect of FSH treatment pattern on ovarian response and IVEP. Pregnant Holstein heifers were randomly assigned to be administered p-FSH in a decreasing, constant, or increasing dose schedule, in a crossover design with a 14-day washout between sessions. Total number of follicles did not differ between decreasing, constant, and increasing groups. No differences were observed for number of viable COCs, number of COCs grade I, nor COC recovery rate. Cleaved oocytes, cleavage rate, and blastocyst rate did not differ between groups, resulting in a similar number of blastocysts per heifer. In conclusion, the pattern of administration for p-FSH prior to IVEP does not affect ovarian response, oocyte developmental competence nor embryo production.   Elucidated the underlying biology of differences in reproductive physiology of dairy cows with different genetic merit for fertility.   Generated evidence to support that cows of different genomic merit for fertility present different reproductive performance under common types of reproductive management.   Evaluated the response of dairy cows to different types of reproductive management strategies.   Identified associations between automated sensor monitoring systems data and the reproductive potential of dairy cattle.   Explored the value of combining genomic data with sensor and herd management data for predicting the future reproductive potential of cows.   Developed and tested reproductive management strategies that increase reproductive performance and improve herd management through use automated detection of estrus.   Described economic differences of cows of different genetic merit for fertility under different types of reproductive management programs.   Determined the economic value of days to pregnancy after calving (i.e., days open) on the profitability and survivability of dairy cows.   Developed data-analytic methods based on machine learning algorithms to predict the reproductive potential of dairy cows based on data collected by automated monitoring technologies and herd management and performance data.

Publications

Ault-Seay TB, Brandt KJ, Henniger MT, Payton RR, Mathew DJ, Moorey SE, Schrick FN, Pohler KG, Smith TPL, Rhinehart JD, Schneider LG, McLean KJ, Myer PR. Bacterial communities of the uterus and rumen during heifer development with protein supplementation. Front Anim Sci 2022. doi: 10.3389/fanim.2022.903909.   Ault-Seay TB, Moorey SE, Mathew DJ, Schrick FN, Pohler KG, McLean KJ, Myer PR. Importance of the female reproductive tract microbiome and its relationship with the uterine environment for health and productivity in cattle: A review. Front Anim Sci 2022.  doi: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1111636.   Ault-Seay TB, Payton RR, Moorey SE, Pohler KG, Schrick FN, Shepherd EA, Voy BH, Lamour KH, Mathew DJ, Myer PR, McLean KJ. Endometrial gene expression in response to lipopolysaccharide between estrous cycle phases and uterine horns in cattle. Front Anim Sci 2022. doi: 10.3389/fanim.2022.939876.   Bishop C, Selvaraj V, Townson DH, Pate JL, Wiltbank MC. History, insights, and future perspectives on studies into luteal function in cattle. J Anim Sci 2022  100: 1-15. doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac143   Bisinotto RS, Ribeiro ES, Greco LF, Taylor-Rodriguez D, Ealy AD, Ayres H, Lima FS, Martinez N, Thatcher WW, Santos JEP. Effects of progesterone concentrations and follicular wave during growth of the ovulatory follicle on conceptus and endometrial transcriptome in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2022 Jan;105(1):889-903. doi: 10.3168/jds.2021-20193.   Byrd  MKH, Arneson AG, Soffa DR, Stewart JW, Rhoads ML. Human continuous glucose monitors for measurement of glucose in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci Comm. 2022. 3: 78-83.   Carr SN, Crites B, Pate JL, Hughes CHK, Matthews JC, Bridges PJ.  Form of supplemental selenium affects the expression of mRNA transcripts encoding selenoproteins, and proteins regulating cholesterol uptake, in the corpus luteum of grazing beef cows.  Animals. 2022. 12:313.    Chaney HL, Grose LF, LaBarbara JM, Sirk AW, Blancke AM, Sanchez JM, Passaro C, Lonergan P, Mathew DJ. Galectin-1 induces gene and protein expression related to maternal-conceptus immune tolerance in bovine endometrium. Biol Reprod. 2022. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioab215.   Crites BR, Carr SN, Matthews JC, Bridges PJ. Form of dietary selenium affects mRNA encoding cholesterol biosynthesis and immune response elements in the early luteal phase bovine corpus luteum.  J Anim Sci. 2022. 100(7): doi:10.1093/jas/skac135.   Crites BR, Carr SN, Anderson LH, Matthews JC , Bridges PJ. Form of dietary selenium affects mRNA encoding interferon-stimulated and progesterone-induced genes in the bovine endometrium and conceptus length at maternal recognition of pregnancy. J Anim Sci.  2022. 100(7): doi:10.1093/jas/skac137.   Ealy AD, Pate JL, Ron Butler W. A synopsis of the NE1727 multistate project collection in the Journal of Animal Science. J Anim Sci. 2022 Jul 1;100(7):skac173. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac173.     García-Guerra A, Motta JCL, Hayden CB, Sala RV, Pereira DC, V. Absalon-Medina A, Moreno JF, Ross PJ. Advances in donor synchronization and superstimulation for OPU-IVEP:  the quest for enhanced oocyte quantity and quality. Proceedings of the Joint Convention of the American Embryo Transfer Association and the Canadian Embryo Transfer Association 2022, Pages 1-8.   Garza V, West SM, Cardoso RC. Review: Gestational and postnatal nutritional regulation of puberty and subsequent reproductive performance in heifers. Animal (accepted), 2022.   Hayden CB, Sala RV, Absalon-Medina VA, Motta JCL, Pereira D, Moreno JF, García-Guerra A. Synchronization of follicle wave emergence before ovarian superstimulation with FSH and ovum pick-up improves in vitro embryo production in pregnant heifers. Theriogenology 2022 188: 71-78.   Hardin, KN, dos Reis BR, Dias NW, Fiske DA, Mercadante VRG, Rhoads ML, Wilson TB, White RR. Growth and reproductive responses of heifers consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue seed with or without sodium bicarbonate supplementation. Appl Anim Sci. 2022 38(4):317-325. doi.org/10.15232/aas.2022-02273.   Horn, EJ, Read CC, Edwards JL, Schrick FN, Rhinehart JD, Payton RR, Campagna SR, Klabnik JL, Clark HM, Myer PR, McLean KJ, Moorey SE. Preovulatory follicular fluid and serum metabolome profiles in lactating beef cows with thin, moderate, and obese body condition. J Anim Sci. 2022. 1 (7): skac152. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac152.   Klabnik JL, Christenson LK, Pohler KG, Moorey SE, Rispoli LA, Gunewardena SSA, Payton RR, Schrick FN, Edwards JL. Heat-induced increases in body temperature in lactating dairy cows: impact on the cumulus and granulosa cell transcriptome of the periovulatory follicle. J Anim Sci. 2022. 1 (7): skac121. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac121   Lengi AJ, Stewart JW, Makris M, Rhoads ML, Corl BA. Heat stress increases mammary epithelial cells and reduces viable immune cells in milk of dairy cows. Animals (Basel). 2022. 12(20):2810. doi: 10.3390/ani12202810. PMID: 36290196; PMCID: PMC9597744.   Li Q, Chen KC, Bridges PJ, Matthews JC.  Pituitary and liver selenoproteins transcriptome profiles of grazing steers and their sensitivity to the form of selenium in vitamin-mineral mixes. Front Anim Sci.  2022. 3:911094. doi: 10.3389/fanim.2022.911094.   Lundberg AL, Jaskiewicz MN, Maucieri AM, Townson DH. Short Communication: Stimulatory Effects of TGFα in Granulosa Cells of Bovine Small Antral Follicles. J Anim Sci. 2022. 100:1-8. doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac105.   Maia TS, Guimarães HR, Garza V, Pohler KG, Cardoso RC, Williams GL. Early juvenile but not mid-to-late prenatal nutrition controls puberty in heifers but neither impact adult reproductive function. Biol Reprod. 2022 107(4):1035-45, 2022.   Mathew DJ, Peterson KD, Senn LK, Oliver MA, Ealy AD. Ruminant conceptus-maternal interactions: interferon-tau and beyond. J Anim Sci. 2022 Jul 1;100(7):skac123. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac123.   McCoski SR, Cockrum RR, Ealy AD. Short communication: Maternal obesity alters ovine endometrial gene expression during peri-implantation development. J Anim. Sci. 2022 Jul 1;100(7):skac090. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac090.   Moorey SE, Hessock EA, Edwards JL. Preovulatory follicle contributions to oocyte competence: Importance of the ever-evolving intrafollicular environment leading up to the LH surge. J Anim Sci. 2022. 1 (7): skac153. doi:10.1093/jas/skac153.   Moorey SE, Perry GA, Smith MF. Management Decisions to improve the reproductive performance of your herd: From calving to rebreeding. Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle. 2022. San Antonio, TX.   Read CC, Edwards JL, Schrick FN, Rhinehart JD, Payton RR, Campagna SR, Castro HF, Klabnik JL, Moorey SE. Preovulatory serum estradiol concentration is positively associated with oocyte ATP and follicular fluid metabolite abundance in lactating beef cattle. J Anim Sci. 2022. 1 (7): skac136. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac136.   Soffa DR, Stewart JW, Arneson AG, Dias NW, Mercadante VRG, Rhoads RP, Rhoads ML. Reproductive and lactational responses of multiparous dairy cattle to short-term postpartum chromium supplementation during the summer months. J Dairy Sci Comm. 2022. doi:  https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2022-0287.   Speckhart SL, Wooldridge LK, Ealy AD. An updated protocol for in vitro bovine embryo production. STAR Protoc. 2022 Dec 13;4(1):101924. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101924.   Stewart JW, Arneson AG, Byrd MKH, Negron-Perez VM, Newberne HM, White RR, El-Kadi SW, Ealy AD, Rhoads RP, Rhoads ML. Comparison of production-related responses to hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia induced by clamp procedures or heat stress of lactating dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci. 2022 Oct;105(10):8439-8453. doi: 10.3168/jds.2022-21922.   Stoecklein KS, García-Guerra A, Duran BJ, Prather RS, Ortega M. Actions of FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 on Bovine Embryo Survival and Conceptus Elongation following Slow-rate Freezing. Front Anim Sci. 3. 2022. DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.1040064.   Walker BN, Nix J, Wilson C, Marrella MA, Speckhart SL, Wooldridge L, Yen CN, Bodmer JS, Kirkpatrick LT, Moorey SE, Gerrard DE, Ealy AD, Biase FH. Tight gene co-expression in BCB positive cattle oocytes and their surrounding cumulus cells. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022 Aug 13;20(1):119. doi: 10.1186/s12958-022-00994-3.   Webb KL, Trotta RJ, Jia Y, Bridges PJ, Matthews JC. Influence of form of selenium supplementation and tall fescue toxicity on growth performance, serum parameters, and tissue mass of grazing beef steers.  Transl Anim Sci. 2022. 6(4):txac122. doi: 10.1093/tas/txac122.    Wooldridge LK, Keane JA, Rhoads ML, Ealy AD. Bioactive supplements influencing bovine in vitro embryo development. J Anim Sci. 2022 Jul 1;100(7):skac091. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac091.   Zhang M, Current JZ, Chaney HL, Yao J. Identification of the DNA binding element of ZNFO, an oocyte-specific zinc finger transcription factor in cattle. Gene. 2022 Aug 5;834:146655. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146655.   Rial C, Laplacette AL, Giordano JO. Effect of a targeted reproductive management program designed to prioritize insemination at detected estrus and optimize days to insemination on the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 2022. 105:8411-8425. https://doi:10.3168/jds.2022-22082    Giordano JO, Sitko EM, Rial C, Perez MM, Granados GE. Use of multiple biological, management, and performance data for the design of targeted reproductive management strategies for dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 2022. 105:4669-4678. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-21476       Theses/Dissertations   Sarah N. Carr. Selenium form-induced changes in the early luteal phase corpus luteum, the blood, and the endometrium during early gestation in beef cows. PhD Dissertation. Kentucky.   Cassidy Ficker. Characteristics of Small Antral Follicles in Heifers Carrying the Bovine High Fecundity Allele Trio. Undergraduate Honors thesis. Ohio.   CB Hayden. Optimization of ovarian superstimulation before ovum pick-up and in vitro embryo production in pregnant cattle. MS thesis. Ohio.   Emma Hessock. Differential metabolome profiles in preovulatory follicular fluid of cattle with varying duration of proestrus. MS Thesis. Tennessee.   Emma Horn. Preovulatory follicular fluid and serum metabolome profiles in lactating beef cows with thin, moderate, and obese body condition. MS Thesis. Tennessee.   Ruben Lopez-Carrillo Jr. Ovarian protein hormones as biomarkers of fertility in dairy cows – Is it an acceptable model to predict infertility in dairy breeds? BS Thesis. Oregon.    Endya McKinley. Investigating the supplementation of IL-6, IL-11, & LIF at in vitro maturation to improve oocyte competency. MS Thesis. Virginia.   Katie Peterson. Identification of Endometrial Transcripts and Proteins Associated with the in vivo derived and in vitro produced bovine conceptus microenvironment. MS Thesis. Tennessee.   Casey Read. Effects of preovulatory follicle physiological status on oocyte metabolic capacity. PhD Dissertation. Tennessee.   Dallas Soffa  Effects of feed additives on uterine morphology and selected reproductive attributes. MS Thesis. Virginia.   Savannah L. Speckhart. Interleukin-6 and its Contribution to Embryogenesis in Cattle. PhD Dissertation. Virginia.   Emily Sitko. Genomically enhanced predictions of dairy cattle fertility: implementation in reproductive management and associations with cow reproductive biology and behavior. PhD Dissertation. Cornell University

Impact Statements

Specific impactful discoveries from the group include, but are not limited to: 1) describing the roles of pro-inflammatory cytokines and environmental stressors on follicle growth, steroidogenesis, luteal regression, and conceptus-uterine-immune interactions, 2) use of trace mineral supplementation to improve oocyte quality and increase systemic progesterone concentrations, 3) impact of beef cow body condition score and weight on the metabolome of follicular fluid and serum, 4) genetic determinants of ovulation and implantation rates, 5) endocrine and molecular mechanisms controlling ovulation rate in cows, 6) mechanisms associated with preimplantation embryo development and quality, 7) elucidate the underlying biology driving differences in dairy cow performance due to genetics, health, management, and environmental conditions, 8) developed novel reproductive management strategies that improve reproductive performance in dairy and beef herds, and 9) factors that cause pregnancy loss in cattle and development of methods to reduce losses. These findings were used to develop programs to improve synchronization of ovulation and to overcome environmental and nutritional factors that can disrupt reproduction. The group developed new management strategies and technologies to effectively use artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET) technologies to improve reproductive performance and thereby immediately impact producers. Indeed, veterinarians, consultants, pharmaceutical companies, breed organizations, and companies serving animal industries benefitted from the work from this project. For example, collaborators have presented annual reports on the project to cattle AI organizations (Select Sires, Genex CRI, Alta Genetics), the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), dairy industry associations (Minnesota Dairy Association, Vermont Dairy Association), pharmaceutical and technology companies (Zoetis, Merck, Allflex), and extension education organization (PRO-Dairy). In turn, those groups spread the technology to farm families/producers for implementation which benefits the on-farm profitability and sustains agricultural production systems that are highly competitive in the global economy. Student training is another important impact of this project. Members of the NE227 group (NY, IA, MS, OH, OR, PA, KY, MA, NE, TN, VT, WI, VA) developed a course on Contemporary Topics in Reproductive Biology to improve student understanding of the breadth of reproductive physiology including topics outside their primary area of research. Greater than 50 students have enrolled in each of the last two offerings of the course. This accounted for a majority of the MS and PhD students across the experiment stations in this multistate project. Numerous undergraduate students with an interest in reproductive physiology were also introduced to investigative research. These activities represent an important contribution of the project to the education of the next generation of scientists, consultants, and other workers in animal agriculture industries.

Date of Annual Report: 09/30/2024

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/14/2024 - 05/15/2024
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2023 - 09/30/2024

Participants

Participants
Dave Townson
Cecily Bishop
Sarah Moorey
Dan Mathew
Soon Hun Cheong
Jen Wood
Phil Bridges
Joy Pate
Camilla Hughes
Alvaro Garcia Guerra
Aileen Keating
Joanne Fortune
Emelia Przygrodzka
Angela Gonella-Diaza
Julio Giordano
Alan Ealy
Vimal Selvaraj
Rodolfo Cardoso
Donnelly Hutchings
Paul Tsang
Francisco Diaz
Michaela Kuzniar

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Accomplishments Objective 1: Identify Mechanisms that Regulate Ovarian Function and Oocyte Quality during the Estrous Cycle Demonstrated that orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; Nr5a1) is crucial to the regulation of the primordial follicle pool, regulating assembly and survival of primordial follicles, and their eventual exit to join the growing pool of follicles. Generated results that may indicate that in mitochondria as at the plasma membrane, PA-6 potassium channels might be involved in hyperpolarization. Novel insights into potassium homeostasis in maturing mouse oocytes. Deeper exploration of the roles played by potassium and potassium channels in oocyte maturation could pave the way for their potential application in treating infertility and/or developing better reproductive strategies in animals. Demonstrated that Zrt- and Irt-like Protein 9 (ZIP9) is not hormonally regulated in the mouse ovary and the ZIP9 agonist, epicatechin, does not increase intracellular zinc. These results demonstrate that ZIP9 protein and signaling may be regulated differently in mammalian ovaries compared to other cell types in which ZIP9 has been characterized. Demonstrated that use of multiple FSH administrations enhances ovarian response and oocyte developmental competence leading to greater embryo yield in Holstein heifers. Demonstrated that the occurrence of endometritis after induced pregnancy loss did not affect the lifespan of the CL after pregnancy loss during the second month of pregnancy in cattle. Determined the effect of Ang II on CCN1 expression, and the activity of gelatinase MMPs (MMP2 and MMP9), in steroidogenic cells obtained from the bovine corpus hemorrhagicum CL. Determined the effect of calcium ionophore on CCN1 expression, and the activity of gelatinase MMPs (MMP2 and MMP9) by steroidogenic cells obtained from the bovine corpus hemorrhagicum CL. Determined the effect of phytoestrogens in red clover on progesterone biosynthesis in bovine CL. Phytoestrogens present in red clover may have a negative effect on the ability of LH to stimulate progesterone production in luteal tissue. Generated data that suggest that Ang II and calcium, both of which play roles in coagulation and healing of wounds, such as the one found on the ovarian surface after ovulation, may also increase the expression of the angiogenic inducer, CCN1, which is highly expressed in the early, developing bovine corpus hemorrhagicum CL. Determined that KGN cells, an immortal granulosa cell tumor line, express proteins that are post translationally modified by O-GlcNAcylation and that manipulation of O-GlcNAcylation in vitro impairs KGN proliferation and oxidative phosphorylation. Demonstrated that manipulation of O-GlcNAcylation in primary cultures of bovine granulosa cells impairs transcript expression of STAR, but otherwise has no effect on expression of FSHR and CYP19A1 transcripts, or estradiol production. Provided preliminary evidence that induction of hypoxia in primary cultures of bovine granulosa cells augments estradiol production; however, manipulation of O-GlcNAcylation does not impact this. Completed preliminary experiments evaluating the effects of hyper-O-GlcNAcylation and hypo-O-GlcNAcylation on the proteome/glycome of bovine granulosa cells. Explored how the interleukin-6 (IL6) cytokine family regulates oocyte maturation, early embryo development, blastocyst formation, and early conceptus development in cattle. Demonstarted that supplementing IL6 improves bovine conceptus elongation. Investigated how antioxidant supplementation may improve oocyte and embryo development potential in cattle.  Determined the effect of form of selenium on serum blood metabolites, observing changes that suggest treatment-induced effects on hepatic function. Demonstrated that the ovarian function and endocrine phenotypes of lactating dairy cows during the estrous cycle are associated with genomic-enhanced predictions of fertility potential. Cows in the lowest tertile for genomic daughter pregnancy rate were more likely to have aberrant estrous cycle phenotypes, had smaller corpus luteum size and produced less progesterone during the luteal phase. Objective 2: Determine Factors Associated with Fertilization, Embryo Development, and Conceptus-Endometrial Interactions that Dictate Pregnancy Success Identified the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 as a critical regulator of the formation of the ovarian reserve of follicles. Identified a potasium channel family (Kir2.X) important for COC maturation. Determined the that PMSG and hCG had no effect in the regulaiton of ZIP9 protein and that hte ZIP9 agonist, epicatechin had no effect on zinc transport in mammalian granulosa cells. Determined that exposure of bovine oocytes to H2O2 during IVM culture caused reduced blastocyst development and altered abundance of METTL3 and FTO. Taken together, these data contribute to the knowledge regarding m6A-mediated mRNA metabolism to enhance our understanding of its role in the oocyte-to-embryo transition (OET) across species. Demonstrated that overall decreases in mRNA abundance in placenta from obese dams could cause global effects of maternal obesity on synthesis, stability, and/or mRNA translation and represents a novel target for reversing abnormal placentation associated with obesity. Objective 3: Develop and Evaluate Novel Reproductive Management Strategies and Technologies to Improve Reproductive Performance of Ruminants Demonstrated that presynchronization strategies that do not require progesterone (P4) withdrawal, such as the 6&6 or 8&6 Synch, provide a more user-friendly alternative with comparable fertility to traditional protocols. Generated data that suggested a modest increase in serum vitamin A and D will improve pregnancy rates after AI. Demonstrated that perfusion techniques to vitrify whole ovaries are highly successful in preserving follicular function in ewes. Evaluated the accuracy of a lateral flow-based electronic system for determination of the pregnancy and ovarian status of cattle. Determined the effect of a targeted reproductive management programs based on automated detection of estrus during the voluntary waiting period on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows Provided evidence that combining reproductive outcomes predictors and automated estrus alerts recorded during the voluntary waiting period identified subgroups of cows with different reproductive performance potential. Demonstrated that delayed induction of ovulation affects the ovarian function of lactating dairy cows synchronized with the Double-Ovsynch protocol and increases insemination after detected estrus. Developed novel reproductive management programs aimed at increasing fertility of first service through promotion of expression of estrus at the end of synchronization of ovulation protocols.

Publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles reporting research from this project in 2023-2024 Hughes CHK, Smith OE, Meinsohn MC, Brunelle M, Gévry N, Murphy BD. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; Nr5a1) regulates the formation of the ovarian reserve. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2023; 120:e2220849120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2220849120 Pate JL, Hughes CHK. Luteal prostaglandins: mechanisms regulating luteal survival and demise in ruminants. Animal 2023; 17:100739. 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100739 Hughes CHK and Murphy BD. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; Nr5a1) orchestrates the establishment and depletion of the ovarian reserve. Society for the Study of Reproduction, 56th annual meeting. July 11-14, 2023, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Invited) Krause, ART, Garner, TB and Diaz FJ. Inhibition of mouse oocyte maturation by a specific IK1 inhibitor. Society for the Study of Reproduction, July 11-14, 2023, Ottawa, Canada. Carothers A and Diaz FJ. Hormonal Regulation and Zinc Influx Activity of Zrt- and Irt-like Protein 9 (ZIP9) in the Mammalian Ovary. Society for the Study of Reproduction, July 11-14, 2023, Ottawa, Canada. Snider AP, Spuri-Gomes R, Summers AF, Tenley SC, Abedal-Majed MA, McFee RM, Wood JR, Davis JS, and Cupp AS (2023) Identification of lipids and cytokines in plasma and follicular fluid before and after FSH stimulation as potential markers for follicular maturation in cattle. Animals, 13:3289, PMID: 37894013 Ermisch AF, Bidne KL, Kurz SG, Bochantin KA, and Wood JR (2023) Ovarian inflammation mediated by TLR-4 increased transcripts of maternal effect genes and decreased embryo development. Biol Reprod 108(3): 423-436, PMID: 36461933 Ermisch AF and Wood JR (2023) N6-methyladenosine dynamics and differential methylation of maternal and zygotic mRNAs during the early stages of the maternal to zygotic transition. 56th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Ottawa, Canada, Pre-doctoral Platform Competition Talk Monteiro P. L. J., Consentini C. E. C., Andrade J. P. N., Beard A. D., García-Guerra A., Sartori R., Wiltbank M. C. 2023. Research on timed AI in Beef Cattle: Past, Present and Future, a 27-year Perspective. Theriogenology, 211: 161-171. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.07.037. Hayden C. B., Sala R. V., Pereira D. C., Moreno J. F., García-Guerra A. Use and dosage of p-FSH for ovarian superstimulation before ovum-pick up and in vitro embryo production in pregnant Holstein heifers. Journal of Diary Science, 106: 8110-8121. DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23576. Carranza Martin A, García-Guerra A, Relling A. 2023. Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on plasma and follicular fluid Resolvin D1 concentration and the expression of mRNA of genes associated with resolving synthesis in ewes. Journal of Animal Science, 101: skad310.  DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad310. Constantino, J. V., Carranza-Martin A., Premanandan C., Kirkpatrick B. W., Wiltbank M. C., García-Guerra A. 2023. Preantral follicle numbers and size in heifers carrying Trio, a bovine high fecundity allele. Reproduction, 166: 13-26. DOI: 10.1530/REP-23-0072. Rojas Canadas E., Battista S.E., Kieffer J.D., Wellert S.R., Mussard M. L., Garcia-Guerra A. 2023. GnRH dose at initiation of a 5-day CO-Synch + P4 for fixed time artificial insemination in suckled beef cows. Animal Reproduction Science, 250: 107210.  DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107210. <ol start="2023"> <li>Rykaczewski, N. B. Bello, J. D. Kieffer, A. Z. Chang, M. Trotter, A. Garcia-Guerra. 2023. “Evaluation of on-animal sensors for monitoring diurnal physical activity of beef bulls during the breeding season” Journal of Animal Sciences 101(Suppl. 3): 545-546. DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad281.641</li> </ol> <ol start="386"> <li>P. Folchini, B. J. Duran, C. Rykaczewski, A. E. Crist, M. Saad, A. C. Carranza-Martin, J. C. L. Motta, D. F. Mollenkopf, M. L. Mussard, A. Garcia-Guerra. “Induction of endometritis after pregnancy loss during the second month of gestation in cattle and its effect on the fate of the corpus luteum” Proceedings of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction 2023, July 11th – 14th, Ottawa, Canada, Page 386.</li> </ol> <ol start="380"> <li>F. Incarnato, A. E. Crist, J. C. L. Motta, C. B. Hayden, A. Garcia-Guerra. “Assessment of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone during pregnancy in beef cattle” Proceedings of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, July 11th – 14th, 2023, Ottawa, Canada, Page 380.</li> </ol> <ol start="2023"> <li>C. L. Motta, R. V. Sala, C. Hayden, D. C. Pereira, P. J. Ross, J.F. Moreno, A. Garcia-Guerra. 2023. “Ovarian stimulation with FSH increases in vitro embryo production in high AMH heifers in a dose-dependent manner”. Animal – science proceedings 14(3): 492. DOI: 10.1016/j.anscip.2023.03.099</li> </ol> <ol start="2023"> <li>Carranza-Martin, C. Furnus, A. García-Guerra, A. Relling. 2023. “Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in resolvin D1 concentration in plasma and follicular fluid in ewes”. Journal of Animal Sciences 101(Suppl. 2): 332-333. DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad341.378</li> </ol> <ol start="2023"> <li>B. Hayden, J. Motta, N. Bello, R. Sala, V. Absalon-Medina, P. Ross, J. Moreno, A. Garcia-Guerra. 2023. “Assessment of methods to synchronise follicle wave emergence in pregnant heifers”. Reproduction Fertility and Development 35(2):204-205. DOI: 10.1071/RDv35n2Ab153.</li> </ol> Hutchings DW, Elder D, Tsang PCW 2024. Effects of Phytoestrogens on Progesterone Biosynthesis in Dairy Cows. Poster; ASAS-CSAS-WSASAS Annual Meeting July 2024, Calgary, Canada. Maucieri AM, Townson DH 2024. Influence of O-GlcNAcylation on KGN cell function and metabolism. Endocrine and Metabolic Science (In Revision) Alward KJ, Cockrum RR, Ealy AD. Associations of antral follicle count with fertility in cattle: A review. JDS Commun. 2023 Jan 31;4(2):132-137. doi: 10.3168/jdsc.2022-0283. Nix J, Marrella MA, Oliver MA, Rhoads M, Ealy AD, Biase FH. Cleavage kinetics is a better indicator of embryonic developmental competency than brilliant cresyl blue staining of oocytes. Anim Reprod Sci. 2023 Jan;248:107174. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107174. Nix JL, Schettini GP, Speckhart SL, Ealy AD, Biase FH. Ablation of OCT4 function in cattle embryos by double electroporation of CRISPR-Cas for DNA and RNA targeting (CRISPR-DART). PNAS Nexus. 2023 Oct 20;2(11):pgad343. doi: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad343. Rhoads ML. Review: Reproductive consequences of whole-body adaptations of dairy cattle to heat stress. Animal. 2023 May;17 Suppl 1:100847. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100847. Soffa, D.R., J.W. Stewart, E.D. Pack, A.G. Arneson, R. De Vita, J.W. Knight, D.W. Fausnacht, R.P. Rhoads, S.G. Clark, D.G. Schmale and M.L. Rhoads. 2023. Short-term consumption of the mycotoxin zearalenone by pubertal gilts causes persistent changes in the histoarchitecture of reproductive tissues. J Anim Sci. 2023 Jan 3;101:skac421. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac421. PMID: 36574505. Speckhart SL, Oliver MA, Ealy AD. Developmental Hurdles That Can Compromise Pregnancy during the First Month of Gestation in Cattle. Animals (Basel). 2023 May 25;13(11):1760. doi: 10.3390/ani13111760. Speckhart SL, Wooldridge LK, Ealy AD.  An updated protocol for in vitro bovine embryo production. STAR Protoc. 2023 Mar 17;4(1):101924. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101924. Arneson AG, Stewart JW, Byrd MH, Perry GA, Rhoads ML. Plasma γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Concentrations in Lactating Holstein Cows during Thermoneutral and Heat Stress Conditions and Their Relationships with Circulating Glucose, Insulin and Progesterone Levels. Vet Sci. 2024 Mar 21;11(3):137. doi: 10.3390/vetsci11030137. Keane JA, Ealy AD. An Overview of Reactive Oxygen Species Damage Occurring during In Vitro Bovine Oocyte and Embryo Development and the Efficacy of Antioxidant Use to Limit These Adverse Effects. Animals (Basel). 2024 Jan 21;14(2):330. doi: 10.3390/ani14020330. McKinley E, Speckhart SL, Keane JA, Oliver MA, Rhoads ML, Edwards JL, Biase FH, Ealy AD.  Influences of Supplementing Selective Members of the Interleukin-6 Cytokine Family on Bovine Oocyte Competency. Animals (Basel). 2023 Dec 21;14(1):44. doi: 10.3390/ani14010044.   Oliver MA, Speckhart SL, Ealy AD. Interleukin-6 Family Members Improve Pre-Implantation Bovine Blastocyst Composition. 2023 American Association of Animal Science Meeting, Albuquerque, NM. Oliver MA, Speckhart SL, Edwards JL, Ealy AD. Human Recombinant Interleukin-6 has Cryoprotective Properties in Preimplantation Bovine Embryos. 2023 Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Ottawa, ON, CA.   McKinley E, Speckhart SL, Keane JA, Oliver MA, Ealy AD. Supplementing IL6, IL11, and LIF to improve culture bovine oocyte competency. 2023 Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Ottawa, ON, CA.   Nix JL, Speckhart SL, Schettini GP, Ealy AD, Biase FH. Disruption of OCT4 in cattle embryos by electroporation of CRISPR-Cas ribonucleoproteins into zygotes for DNA and RNA targeting (CRISPR-DART). 2023 Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Ottawa, ON, CA.   Speckhart SL, Oliver MA, Keane JA, Dias NW, Mercadante VRG, Biase FH, Ealy AD. Interleukin-6 control of conceptus elongation and survival is multifaceted in the cow. 2023 Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Ottawa, ON, CA.   Keane JA, Wooldridge LK, Speckhart SL, Nix JL, Biase FH, Ealy AD. Modifications in media composition supports increased blastocyst development and inner cell mass numbers of in vitro produced bovine embryos. 2023 Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Ottawa, ON, CA.   Habeeb, H. M. H., Kleditz, L., Hazzard, T. M., Bishop, C. V., Stormshak, F., Kutzler, M. A. (2023). Ovine endometrial estrogen receptor expression is altered following PG-600 administration. Veterinary Medicine and Science. 9(3). DOI:10.1002/vms3.1119 Kim, S.-Y., Xu, J., Mayerhofer, A., Bishop, C. V. (2023). Editorial: Small molecules and peptides in paracrine/autocrine regulation of ovarian folliculogenesis. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14. DOI:10.3389/fendo.2023.1168701 Slayden, O., Bishop, C. V. The Primate Uterus: Cyclic Changes Encyclopedia of Reproduction (3rd Edition). Accepted for Publication November 2023. Elsevier. Bishop, C., Stricklin, O., Fox, A., Harrington, S., Estill, C., Zelinski, M., Ting, A. “Ovarian activity after autologous cryopreservation and transplantation in ewes.” Poster Presentation, 56th Annual Meeting, Society for the Study of Reproduction, July 11-14 2023, Ottawa, Canada. Carr, S.N., B.R. Crites, H. Shinde and P.J. Bridges.  2023.  Transcriptomic changes in response to form of selenium on the interferon-tau signaling mechanism in caruncular tissue of beef heifers at maternal recognition of pregnancy.  International Journal of Molecular Sciences.  24:17327. doi:10.3390/ijms242417327. S.N. Carr, B.R. Crites and P.J. Bridges.  2023.  Effects of form of selenium on serum metabolites and iodothyronine deiodinases during early gestation in beef heifers.  Special Issue, Proc. of the 56th annual meeting of the Soc. for the Study of Reproduction. Rial, C., Hussain, I., Hoff, R., Tompkins, S., Erickson, D., Branen, J. and Giordano, J.O.* 2024. Development and evaluation of a lateral flow-based portable optical system for determination of the pregnancy status of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci.  Online ahead of print. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-24899">https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-24899</a> Laplacette A. L., Rial C., Magaña Baños G. S., García Escalera J. S., Torres S., Kerwin A., and Giordano J. O.* 2024. Effect of a targeted reproductive management program based on automated detection of estrus during the voluntary waiting period on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 225:130-141. <a href="https://10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.030">https://10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.030</a>      Sitko E. M., Laplacette A. L., Duhatschek D., Rial C., Perez M. M., Tompkins S., Kerwin A. L., Domingues R. R., Wiltbank  M. C. and Giordano J. O.* 2023. Ovarian function and endocrine phenotypes of lactating dairy cows during the estrous cycle are associated with genomic-enhanced predictions of fertility potential. J. Dairy Sci. 107:7352-7370. <a href="https://10.3168/jds.2023-24378">https://10.3168/jds.2023-24378</a>   Sitko E. M., Laplacette A. L., Duhatschek D., Rial C., Perez M. M., Tompkins S., Kerwin A. L.  and Giordano J. O.* 2023. Reproductive physiological outcomes of lactating dairy cows with different genomic merit for fertility: biomarkers, uterine health, endocrine status, estrus features, and response to synchronization of estrus and ovulation. J. Dairy Sci. <a href="https://10.3168/jds.2023-24376">https://10.3168/jds.2023-24376</a> Online ahead of print. Rial C., and J. O. Giordano*. 2023. Combining reproductive outcomes predictors and automated estrus alerts recorded during the voluntary waiting period identified subgroups of cows with different reproductive performance potential. J. Dairy Sci. 107:7299-7316. <a href="https://10.3168/jds.2023-24309">https://10.3168/jds.2023-24309</a> Laplacette A. L., Rial C., Duhastchek D., Perez M.M., Stangaferro M. L., Thomas M. J. and Giordano J. O.* 2023. Effect of delaying induction of ovulation on ovarian function of lactating dairy cows synchronized with Double-Ovsynch and inseminated after detected estrus or timed AI. J. Dairy Sci. 106 (E-Suppl. 1). Rial C., Stangaferro M. L., Thomas M. J. and Giordano J. O.* 2023. Association between vaginal discharge scores with rumination time, activity time, a health index score, and milk yield in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 106 (E-Suppl. 1). Rial C., Hussain I., Erickson D., Branen J. and Giordano J. O.* 2023. Development and demonstration of lateral-flow immunoassays for determination of the pregnancy and ovarian physiological status of cows. J. Dairy Sci. 106 (E-Suppl. 1). Theses/Dissertations IMMUNOLOGICAL AND ENDOMETRIAL CHANGES OF EARLY PREGNANCY IN DAIRY CATTLE. 2023. Doctoral Dissertation in Integrative and Biomedical Physiology. Maria Isabel da Silva, Pennsylvania State University. DeCastro, LN (2024) Evaluation of the effects of O-GlcNAcylation and Hypoxia on Estradiol Production by Bovine Granulosa Cells. URI MS Thesis Endya McKinley (2023). Investigating the supplementation of IL-6, IL-11, & LIF at in vitro maturation to improve oocyte competency (MS Thesis). Savannah L. Speckhart (2023).  Interleukin-6 and its Contribution to Embryogenesis in Cattle (PhD Dissertation). Carr, Sarah Nancy, "SELENIUM FORM-INDUCED CHANGES IN THE EARLY LUTEAL PHASE CORPUS LUTEUM, THE BLOOD, AND THE ENDOMETRIUM DURING EARLY GESTATION IN BEEF COWS" (2023). Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences. 138. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/animalsci_etds/138

Impact Statements

Specific impactful discoveries from the group include, but are not limited to: 1) describing the roles of pro-inflammatory cytokines and environmental stressors on follicle growth, steroidogenesis, luteal regression, and conceptus-uterine-immune interactions, 2) use of trace mineral supplementation to improve oocyte quality and increase systemic progesterone concentrations, 3) impact of beef cow body condition score and weight on the metabolome of follicular fluid and serum, 4) genetic determinants of ovulation and implantation rates, 5) endocrine and molecular mechanisms controlling ovulation rate in cows, 6) mechanisms associated with preimplantation embryo development and quality, 7) elucidate the underlying biology driving differences in dairy cow performance due to genetics, health, management, and environmental conditions, 8) developed novel reproductive management strategies that improve reproductive performance in dairy and beef herds, and 9) factors that cause pregnancy loss in cattle and development of methods to reduce losses. These findings were used to develop programs to improve synchronization of ovulation and to overcome environmental and nutritional factors that can disrupt reproduction.
The group developed new management strategies and technologies to effectively use artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET) technologies to improve reproductive performance and thereby immediately impact producers.
collaborators have presented annual reports on the project to cattle AI organizations (Select Sires, Genex CRI, Alta Genetics), the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), dairy industry associations (Minnesota Dairy Association, Vermont Dairy Association), pharmaceutical and technology companies (Zoetis, Merck, Allflex), and extension education organization (PRO-Dairy). In turn, those groups spread the technology to farm families/producers for implementation which benefits the on-farm profitability and sustains agricultural production systems that are highly competitive in the global economy.
Student training is another important impact of this project. Members of the NE227 group (NY, IA, MS, OH, OR, PA, KY, MA, NE, TN, VT, WI, VA) developed a course on Contemporary Topics in Reproductive Biology to improve student understanding of the breadth of reproductive physiology including topics outside their primary area of research. More than 50 students have enrolled in each of the last two offerings of the course. This accounted for a majority of the MS and PhD students across the experiment stations in this multistate project. Numerous undergraduate students with an interest in reproductive physiology were also introduced to investigative research. These activities represent an important contribution of the project to the education of the next generation of scientists, consultants, and other workers in animal agriculture industries.

Date of Annual Report: 06/05/2025

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/12/2025 - 05/14/2025
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2024 - 09/30/2025

Participants

Cecily Bishop (Oregon)
Phil Bridges (Kentucky)
Rodolfo Cardoso (Texas)
Alan Ealy (Virginia)
Maria Gracia Gervasi (Connecticut)
Julio Giordano (Cornell)
Angela Gonella (Florida)
Alvaro Garcia-Guerra (Ohio)
Camilla Hughes (Pennsylvania)
Aileen Keating (Iowa)
Dan Mathews (Tennessee)
Jessica Motto (Maine)
Amanda Patterson (Missouri)
Shelly Rhoads (Virginia)
Cecilia Rocha (Missouri)
Kosta Siminitras (Louisiana)
Dave Townson (Rhode Island)
Milo Wiltbank (Wisconsin)
Jen Wood (Nebraska)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Host: Dr. Alvaro Garcia-Guerra, The Ohio State University

Monday, May 12^th, 2025

Arrive at the Deer Creek Lodge

Dinner on own

Tuesday May 13^th, 2024

09:00 Call to order; Alan Ealy, Virginia Tech

Introductions

Group business

Meeting plan

9:15 Short presentations by new members:

Maria Gracia Gervasi (Connecticut)

Cecilia Rocha (Missouri)

Jessica Motto (Maine)

9:30 Alvaro Garcia-Guerra (Ohio)

9:45 Aileen Keating (Iowa)

10:00 Rodolfo Cardoso (Texas)

10:15 Break

10:30 Kamilah Grant and Mark Mirando

USDA-NIFA Updates

11:00 Jen Wood (Nebraska)

11:15 Angela Gonella (Florida)

11:30 Julio Giordono (Cornell)

11:45 Milo Wiltbank (Wisconsin)

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Amanda Patterson (Missouri)

1:15 Shelly Rhoads (Virginia)

1:30 Dan Mathews (Tennessee)

1:45 Camilla Hughes (Pennsylvania)

2:00 Leave for Tour of ST Genetics

11000 Huntington Rd

South Charleston, OH

Group Dinner-to be determined

Wednesday May 14^th, 2025

9:00 Cecily Bishop (Oregon)

9:15 Kosta Siminitras (Louisiana)

9:30 Alan Ealy (Virginia)

9:45 Graduate Reproductive Biology Course Update

Alan Ealy and others

10:00 New Collaborative Teaching Opportunites

Dave Townson and Alan Ealy

10:30 Break out groups to discuss collaborative research and teaching opportunities

11:15 Reports of collaborative efforts that were discussed

12:00 Adjourn

Accomplishments

Accomplishments Objective 1: Identify Mechanisms that Regulate Ovarian Function and Oocyte Quality during the Estrous Cycle Determined the effect of Ang II on CCN1 expression, and the activity of gelatinase MMPs (MMP2 and MMP9), in steroidogenic cells obtained from the mid-cycle bovine corpus luteum. Determined the effect of calcium ionophore on CCN1 expression, and the activity of gelatinase MMPs (MMP2 and MMP9) by steroidogenic cells obtained from the mid-cycle bovine corpus luteum. Determined the effects of phytoestrogens in red clover on progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2α) production in bovine corpora lutea. Proteomic profiling revealed potential mechanisms regulating prostaglandin F2α responsiveness in bovine corpora lutea A role of Zinc Insufficiency has been identified in Bovine Granulosa Cell Viability. A recent set of studies suggests that most of the temporal changes in the CL during early pregnancy that we previously reported are not regulated directly by IFNT, drawing into question identities of other luteal regulators during early pregnancy or the effect of age of CL independent of embryonic signaling. Recent work described the effect of FSH dose on ovarian response and in vitro embryo production in pregnant cattle with low AMH. Generated new knowledge related to the impact of preovulatory follicle maturity on oocyte metabolism and competence for embryo development based on metabolome data of maturing oocytes, in vitro embryo development, and RNA-sequencing results of blastocysts.  Demonstrated that circulating and follicular fluid metabolites are differentially regulated in lactating beef cows of thin, obese, and moderate body composition, and that systemic regulation of reactive oxygen species may be dependent on body condition score. Explored the extent to which higher estrus associated body temperature advanced preovulatory follicle progression and the metabolome of the preovulatory follicle.  New knowledge was also generated pertaining to the impact of elevated body temperature induced by an acute episode of heat stress after the LH surge impacts preovulatory follicle metabolome.  Recent work showed that increased DNA damage in oocytes is correlated with diminished autophagy activation. Heat stress impacts insulin and glucose in dairy cattle experiencing heat stress. This adversely influences preovulatory follicular environment to oocyte quality and competency for embryonic development.  Studies have described the relative contributions of steroid hormones as well as undefined components of the follicular fluid. An improvement in fertility is observed following displayed estrus in a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol.  Follicular fluid contributes to fertility under these circumstances as blastocyst development was greater when oocytes were exposed to follicular fluid from animals that did display estrus. Determined that KGN cells, an immortal granulosa cell tumor line, express proteins that are post translationally modified by O-GlcNAcylation and that manipulation of O-GlcNAcylation in vitro impairs KGN proliferation and oxidative phosphorylation. Demonstrated that manipulation of O-GlcNAcylation in primary cultures of bovine granulosa cells impairs transcript expression of STAR but otherwise has no effect on expression of FSHR and CYP19A1 transcripts, or estradiol production. Provided preliminary evidence that induction of hypoxia in primary cultures of bovine granulosa cells augments estradiol production; however, manipulation of O-GlcNAcylation does not impact this. This work also identified 354 proteins of the granulosa cell proteome are putatively modified by O-GlcNAcylation, and these proteins encompass a wide range of functional categories including transcription factors, metabolic enzymes, and cytoskeletal proteins. Identified the signaling pathways and epigenomic factors that regulate RNA binding protein-mRNA interactions during oocyte growth and maturation. We hypothesize that changes in oocyte signaling pathways, i.e., increased ERK1/2, AMPK, and CDK1, that occur after the LH surge, regulate the phosphorylation of BTG4, ELAVL1 ZFP36L2, and MSY2 and subsequently the binding affinity of each RBP to a target 3’UTR. Determined the effects of luteinizing hormone/protein kinase (PKA) signaling on metabolic pathways driving function of luteal cells and progesterone production. Explored the signaling and metabolic pathways regulating the function of granulosa cells. We determined the PKA-induced metabolic changes and content of related proteins as well as function of glucose metabolism branches on granulosa cell function. Examined the roles of metabolites as signaling molecules in the somatic ovarian cells. We found that main kinase triggered by gonadotropins, such as protein kinase A (PKA), enhances histone acetylation and increases chromatin availability in the granulosa cells.  Objective 2: Determine Factors Associated with Fertilization, Embryo Development, and Conceptus-Endometrial Interactions that Dictate Pregnancy Success Investigated the role of methyl donors during the periconceptional period and their influence on embryonic development, pregnancy establishment, offspring development, and epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation. Ongoing research is evaluating how rumen-protected methionine (RPM) supplementation during the periconceptional period (7 days before to 7 days after timed artificial insemination) affects postnatal development of offspring. Additional studies are exploring the impact of RPM supplementation in oocyte donor cows on the composition of follicular fluid and its potential to enhance in vitro bovine embryo production. Described impacts of environmental exposures on the function of the ovary. Protein profiling of those changes within the ovary are now being associated with loss of ovarian function, changes to hormone production, and impairments to the female gamete. Explored the functional role of endometrial prostaglandin F₂α in luteal regression after conceptus demise in cattle. Uncovered the “uterine secretory cycle” as a physiological determinant of preimplantation success. Through temporal transcriptomic profiling of endometrial secretions across the estrous cycle, the work established a foundational framework which governs the cyclical preparedness of the uterus for sperm transit and early embryo development. This highlights how hormone-driven endometrial outputs align precisely with fertilization and preimplantation requirements. It was revealed that there is a limited responsiveness of the endometrium to embryos during the cycle. The uterine environment is pre-programmed rather than reactively modulated in response to embryos, refining the understanding of when conceptus-endometrial interactions are most critical and sensitive for successful implantation. Linked uterine luminal conditions to metabolic support of embryo elongation. The identification of a quasi-anoxic uterine environment that favors anaerobic glycolysis provides mechanistic insight into how the uterus metabolically supports rapid conceptus expansion, a critical feature for implantation in Ruminantia. Completed oral dosing pilot study to determine if gestating beef cows consume enough vitamin A and D precursors via free choice mineral supplement to raise serum levels of vitamin A and D above threshold previously associated with achievement of pregnancy after first artificial insemination cycle post-calving.  Explored how the interleukin-6 (IL6) cytokine family embryonic disk development and conceptus elongation. Recent discoveries include that supplementing IL6 improves bovine conceptus elongation, that IL6 controls epiblast development, and that LIF preferentially controls hypoblast development. Antioxidant supplementation can improve in vitro bovine embryo production. Identified a conditioned media with the capacity to increase day 7 IVP embryo development by 60%. An increase in embryo quality was also observed. Described endometrial biological responses specific to IVP cattle embryos and IVP cattle embryo specific molecules that elicit these responses. Expanded vitamin A and D analyses to begin to evaluate effects of vitamin E alone or in combination with A and D on breeding success following first cycle artificial insemination. Future studies will evaluate A, D and E impacts on embryo development and chromosomal integrity.  Characterized adenomyosis (ectopic endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium) in postpartum dairy cows and is investigating its effect on fertility. An association between postpartum metritis and the severity of adenomyosis was uncovered, including increased fibrosis, which may impact the receptivity of the uterus to an embryo. Investigated the impact of metritis/endometritis on postpartum endometrial epithelial regeneration and the effects on fertility. A putative endometrial epithelial stem/progenitor cell population has been identified, and this stem cell is being expanded in diseased endometrium in an attempt to repair the epithelial barrier. Investigated the feasibility of using endometrial cytology 14 days after artificial insemination without harming the pregnancy outcome. Collecting cytobrush samples on day 14 does not harm the outcome of the pregnancy, and harvested cells are luminal epithelial and glandular epithelial in nature.  Determined post-transcriptional mechanisms that regulate steroidogenesis by ovarian somatic cells. It is our hypothesis that regulation of steroidogenesis in ovarian granulosa and theca cells during the estrous cycle as well as the change in steroidogenesis during transition of granulosa and theca cells to luteal cells is dependent on changes in RNA methylation and the translation of the proteins that liberate and convert cholesterol to progesterone, androgen, and/or estrogen. Objective 3: Develop and Evaluate Novel Reproductive Management Strategies and Technologies to Improve Reproductive Performance of Ruminants Evaluated a novel recombinant hormone protocol for embryo production in Holstein heifers using a single injection of long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Current investigations are assessing the use of low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at the time of progesterone device withdrawal to support follicular development. Optimization of synchronization protocols were pursued in an attempt to maximize fertility and reproductive efficiency. Determined the effect of a targeted reproductive management programs based on automated detection of estrus during the voluntary waiting period on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows.  Continued to experiment with estrous synchronization protocols to define how many times progesterone devices can be reused without harming the fertility of the cow. Provided evidence that combining reproductive outcomes predictors and automated estrus alerts recorded during the voluntary waiting period identified subgroups of cows with different reproductive performance potential. Demonstrated that delayed induction of ovulation affects the ovarian function of lactating dairy cows synchronized with the Double-Ovsynch protocol and increases insemination after detected estrus. Developed novel reproductive management programs aimed at increasing fertility of first service through promotion of expression of estrus at the end of synchronization of ovulation protocols. Identified associations between milk production potential and the profitability of primiparous Holstein cows submitted to insemination with programs that prioritized insemination at detected estrus or timed artificial insemination Defined a lateral flow-based electronic system for determination of the pregnancy and ovarian status of cattle. Validated antibody detecting von Willebrand Factor to detect vascularization in sheep ovaries as part of ongoing efforts to study a sheep model of ovarian vitrification and re-transplantation in collaboration with 21st Century Medicine and Expanse Bio, LLC. Completed fertility analyses of an additional cohort of ewes in this ovarian vitrification model including performing in vitro fertilization of recovered oocytes from vitrified, warmed and re-transplanted ovaries. Identified novel candidate genes and proteins that may regulate luteal responsiveness to PGF2A Evaluated regulation of luteal gene expression by the maternal recognition of pregnancy signal, IFNT, and determined that the luteal gene expression changes that occur in early pregnancy are mostly not regulated by IFNT

Publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles (2024 Arneson AG, Stewart JW, Byrd MH, Perry GA, Rhoads ML. 2024. Plasma GABA concentrations in lactating Holstein cows during thermoneutral and heat stress conditions and their relationships with circulating glucose, insulin, and progesterone levels. Vet. Sci. 11:137. doi: 10.3390/vetsci11030137.  Azari-Dolatabad N, Stokes AE, Hessock EA, Edwards JL, Payton RR, Clark HM, Schrick FN, Moorey SE. 2024. Proestrus, follicle dynamics, and hormone profiles in Jersey cows during synchronization and re-synchronization after preovulatory follicle aspiration. Journal of Animal Science and Research. 8(1). doi:10.16966/2576-6457.167. Brochado C, Duran B J, Kieffer JD, Pinczak A, Menchaca A, Garcia-Guerra A. 2024. Reduced embryo yield obtained from superstimulated ewes with low ovarian follicular reserve is improved by lengthening the FSH treatment. Theriogenology, 218: 79-88. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.024">10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.024</a>. Cavalcante de Souza, D, Gonella-Diaza A, Tonizza de Carvalho NA, Elliff FM, Soares de Carvalho JG, Mendes Vieira L, Bonfim Neto AP, de Carvalho Papa P, Ghuman SS, Madureira EH, Pugliesi G, Binelli M, Baruselli PS 2024. Supplementation with Long-Acting Injectable Progesterone Three Days after TAI Impaired Luteal Function in Buffaloes. Tropical Animal Health and Production 56: article number 76. DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-03913-3. Chang WJ, Baker MS, Laritsky E, Gunasekara CJ, Maduranga U, Galliou J, McFadden JW, Waltemyer JR, Berggren-Thomas B, Tate BN, Zhang HH, Rosen BD, Van Tassell CP, Liu GE, Coarfa C, Ren YA, Waterland RA 2024. Systemic interindividual epigenetic variants in cattle share major hallmarks with those in humans. uly 15th. Genome Biology. https://genomebiology. biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13059-024-03307-6 Clark HM, Stokes AE, Edwards JL, Payton RR, Schrick FN, Campagna SR, Sarumi Q, Hessock EA, Roberts SR, Azaridolatabad N, Moorey SE. 2024. Impact of preovulatory follicle maturity on oocyte metabolism and embryo development. PNAS Nexus. 3(5):pgae181. doi:10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae181. Ermisch AF and Wood JR. 2024. Regulation of Oocyte mRNA Metabolism: A Key Determinant of Oocyte Developmental Competence. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol, 238: 23-46, PMID: 39030353. Gonella-Diaza A, Sponchiado M, Rodrigues França M, Liu L, Pugliesi G, Guimarães Lo Turco E, Peñagaricano F, Binelli M. 2024. The metabolomic composition of the oviductal fluid is controlled by the periovulatory hormonal context in Bos indicus cows. Biology of Reproduction 111(6): 1188-1201. DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae153. González-Alvarez ME, Antwi-Boasiako C, Keating AF. 2024. Effects of per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances on female reproduction. Toxics. 12(7):455. doi: 10.3390/toxics12070455. González-Alvarez ME, Inyang I, Keating AF. 2024. Exposure to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene impacts ovarian DNA damage sensing and repair proteins differently in lean and obese female mice and weight loss may mitigate obesity-induced ovarian dysfunction. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 486:116930. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116930 Hayden C B, Motta JCL, Sala RV, Bello N, Coutinho da Silva M, García-Guerra A. 2024. Efficacy of methods to synchronize follicular wave emergence in pregnant heifers. JDS Communications, JDSC.2024-0629.R1, In press. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2024-0629">10.3168/jdsc.2024-0629</a>. Hill KS, Edwards JL, Payton RR, Schrick FN, Campagna SR, Hessock EA, Moorey SE. 2024. Relationships of circulating and preovulatory follicular fluid hydrogen peroxide level with body condition score and metabolome profiles of lactating beef cows. Agriculture. 14(8):1406. doi: 10.3390/agriculture14081406. Inyang I, White HE, Timme K, Keating AF. 2024. Biological sex differences in hepatic response to in utero dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exposure. Reproductive Toxicology. 124:108553. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108553. PMID: 38307155. Joyce K, Gad A, Menjivar NG, Gebremedhn S, Heredia D, Dubeux G, Lopez-Duarte MC, Bittar J, Gonella-Diaza A, Tesfaye D. 2024. Seasonal environmental fluctuations alter the transcriptome dynamics of oocytes and granulosa cells in beef cows. Journal of Ovarian Research 17(1): article number 201. DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01530-0. Keane JA, Ealy AD. 2024. An Overview of Reactive Oxygen Species Damage Occurring during In Vitro Bovine Oocyte and Embryo Development and the Efficacy of Antioxidant Use to Limit These Adverse Effects. Animals (Basel). Jan 21;14(2):330. doi: 10.3390/ani14020330. Keating AF, Ross JW, Baumgard LH. 2024. Systemic and Ovarian Impacts of Heat Stress in the Porcine Model. Reproduction. Nov 11;168(6):e240217. doi: 10.1530/REP-24-0217. Maucieri AM, Townson DH 2024. Influence of O-GlcNAcylation on KGN cell function. Endocrine and Metabolic Science 16:100192. Mirzaei A, Londoño-Mendez MC, Lasso-Ramirez S, Adams PE, Seekford ZK, Bromfield JJ, Heredia D, Di Lorenzo N, Chebel RC, Gonella-Diaza AM. 2024. Embryo production by Holstein heifers superovulated with a recombinant long-acting follicle stimulating hormone analog. Journal of Animal Sciences 102: skae326. DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae326. Mills MD, Pollock AB, Batey IE, O’Neil MA, Schrick FN, Payton RR, Moorey SE, Fioravanti P, Hipsher W, Zoca SM, Edwards JL. 2024. Magnitude and persistence of higher estrus associated temperatures in beef heifers and suckled cows. Journal of Animal Science. 102. Skae079. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae079. Novbatova G., Timme K, Keating AF. 2024. High fat diet-induced obesity and gestational DMBA exposure alter folliculogenesis and the proteome of the maternal ovary. Biology of Reproduction. 111(2):496-511. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioae070. Laplacette AL, Rial C, Sitko EM, Perez MM, Tompkins S, Stangaferro ML, Thomas MJ, Giordano JO. 2024. Delaying induction of ovulation and timed artificial insemination in a Double-Ovsynch protocol increased expression of estrus and altered first-service reproductive outcomes of lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 2024 Oct 14:S0022-0302(24)01216-5. <a href="https://doi:10.3168">https://doi:10.3168/jds.2024-24994</a>. Oliver MA, Speckhart SL, Edwards JL, Rhoads ML, Ealy AD. 2024. Human recombinant interleukin-6 improves the morphological quality of cryopreserved in vitro produced bovine blastocysts. Theriogenology. 226:173-180. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.06.014.  Ott TL, Tibary A, Waqas M, Geisert R, Giordano JO. 2024. Pregnancy establishment and diagnosis in livestock. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, 13. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-021022-032214">https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-021022-032214</a> Plewes MR, Talbott HA, Schott MB, Wood JR, Cupp AS, Davis JS. 2024. Unraveling the role of lipid droplets and perilipin 2 in bovine luteal cells. FASEB J 38:e23710, PMID: 38822676. Przygrokzka E, Binderwala F, Powers R, McFee RM, Cupp AS, Wood JR, Davis JS. 2024. Metabolic control of luteinizing hormone-responsive ovarian steroidogenesis. J. Biol Chem 301:108042 PMID: 39615688, PMCID: PMC11732475. Rial C, Giordano JO. 2024. Combining reproductive outcomes predictors and automated estrus alerts recorded during the voluntary waiting period identified subgroups of cows with different reproductive performance potential. J. Dairy Sci. 107:7299-7316. <a href="https://10.3168/jds.2023-24309">https://10.3168/jds.2023-24309</a> Roach CM, Mayorga EJ, Baumgard LH, Ross JW, Keating AF. 2024. Heat stress alters the ovarian proteome in pre-pubertal gilts. Journal of Animal Science. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae053. PMID: 38605681; PMCID: PMC11025630. Roach CM, Mayorga EJ, Baumgard LH, Ross JW, Keating AF. 2024. Phenotypic, endocrinological, and metabolic effects of zearalenone exposure and additive effect of heat stress in prepubertal female pigs. Journal of Thermal Biology. 119:103742. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103742.  Roach CM, Mayorga EJ, Baumgard LH, Ross JW, Keating AF. 2024. Zearalenone exposure differentially affects the ovarian proteome in prepubertal gilts during thermal neutral and heat stress conditions. Journal of Animal Science. 102:skae115. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae115. Rishi JK, Timme K, White HE, Kerns KC, Keating AF. 2024. Altered histone abundance as a mode of ovotoxicity during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exposure with additive influence of obesity. Biology of Reproduction. 110(2):419-429. PMID: 37856498. DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad140. Rishi JK, Timme K, White HE, Kerns KC, Keating AF. 2024. Trajectory of primordial follicle depletion is accelerated in obese mice in response to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exposure. Biology of Reproduction. 111(2):483-495. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioae059. Sahoo PK, Krishnamoorthy C, Wood JR, Hanson C, Anderson-Berry A, Mott JL, Natarajan SK. 2024. Palmitate induces integrated stress response and lipoapoptosis in trophoblasts. Cell Death and Disease, 15:31, PMID: 38212315  Schalich KM, Koganti PP, Castillo JM, Reiff OM, Cheong SH and Selvaraj V. 2024. The uterine secretory cycle: recurring physiology of endometrial outputs that setup the uterine luminal microenvironment. Physiological Genomics. 56(1):74-97. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1152/physiolgenomics.00035.2023">https://doi.org/10.1152/physiolgenomics.00035.2023</a> Senn, L. K., K. D. Peterson, J. L. Edwards, R. R. Payton, and D. J. Mathew. Oviduct and endometrial epithelium improve IVP bovine embryo developmental kinetics. Reproduction. 2024. 167 e240008.  doi:10.1530/REP-24-0008. Speckhart SL, Oliver MA, Keane JA, Dias NW, Mercadante VRG, Biase FH, Ealy AD. 2024. Interleukin-6 supplementation improves bovine conceptus elongation and transcriptomic indicators of developmental competence. Biol Reprod. Jul 12;111(1):43-53. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioae045. Studer JM, Kiefer ZE, Koester LR, Johnson EM, Schmitz-Esser S, Farkas A, Galina Pantoja L, Vonnahme KA, Greiner LL, Keating AF, Baumgard LH, Ross JW. 2024. Evaluation of circulating immune cells, analytes, and inflammatory markers in sows affected with postpartum dysgalactia syndrome. Journal of Animal Science. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae270.  Sun F Ali NN, Londoño-Vásquez D, Simintiras CA, Qiao H, Ortega MS, Agca Y, Takahashi M, Rivera RM, Kelleher AM, Sutovsky P, Patterson AL, Balboula AZ. Increased DNA damage in full-grown oocytes is correlated with diminished autophagy activation. Nature Communications. 2024. 19: 9463. Timme K, González-Alvarez, ME, Keating AF. Pre-pubertal obesity compromises ovarian oxidative stress, DNA repair and chemical biotransformation. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 2024. 489:116981. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116981. Book Chapters (2024) Bishop CV. Corpus Luteum (Encyclopedia of Reproduction, 3rd Edition). 2024. Elsevier. González-Alvarez ME, Kiefer ZE, Studer JM, Ross JW, Keating AF. 2024. Understanding ovarian function in pigs. Advances in pig breeding and reproduction. In Press. BDS Publishing. J.W. Ross (Ed.). Conference Proceedings (2024) Garcia Guerra A, Motta JCL, Hayden CB, Sala RV, Pereira DC, Absalon-Medina A, Moreno JF, Ross. J. Manejo reproductivo de la donante para la producción exitosa de embriones in vitro. (Translation: Reproductive management of the donor for successful in vitro embryo production). Proceedings of the 9° Simposio Internacional Avances en Reproducción Bovina (9th International Symposium Advances in Bovine Reproduction), August 1-2nd, 2024, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, Pages 1-17. Garcia Guerra A, Sala RV, Motta JCL, Wiltbank MC. Manejo de receptoras de embriones para una reproduccion exitosa: fertilidad y eficiencia. (Translation: Management of Embryo Recipients for Successful Reproduction: Fertility and Efficiency). Proceedings of the 9° Simposio Internacional Avances en Reproducción Bovina (9th International Symposium Advances in Bovine Reproduction), August 1-2nd, 2024, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, Pages 119-137. Garcia Guerra A, Rojas Cañadas E, Crist AE, Folchini NP, Mussard ML. Avances en programas de sincronizacion para IATF en ganado de carne: estrategias de presincronización. (Translation: Advances in synchronization programs for fixed time AI in beef cattle: presynchronization strategies). Proceedings of the XXVI Congreso Internacional Anembe de Medicina Bovina (XXVI International Congress of Bovine Medicine Anembe) 2024, April 24 - 26, Córdoba, Spain, Pages 200-212. Garcia Guerra A, Duran B, Motta JCL, Sala RV, Wiltbank MC. Perdidas gestacionales: bases fisiologicas y estrategias para reducirlas. (Translation: Pregnancy loss: physiological bases and mitigating strategies). Proceedings of the XXVI Congreso Internacional Anembe de Medicina Bovina (XXVI International Congress of Bovine Medicine Anembe) 2024, April 24 - 26, Córdoba, Spain, Pages 184-199. Ting A, Weegman B, Bishop CV, Wowk B, Chow L, Pagotan R, Stricklin OE, Fox AK, Harrington SS, Weiss T, Estill C, Fahy G, Zelinski M. (2024). Functional preservation after ovarian tissue and whole ovary vitrification and auto-transplantation in large animal models (vol. 117, pp. 105023). Cryobiology <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011224024001780">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011224024001780</a>. Abstracts (2024) Adeyanju O, González-Alvarez ME, Antwi-Boasiako, C, Polivanov LJ, Shelton J, Nordell NE, Sillman SJ, Laws MJ, Raetzman L, Flaws JA, Desaulniers AT, Keating AF. 2024. Female offspring ovarian chemical metabolism protein abundance is altered by in utero atrazine exposure. Society for Study of Reproduction annual meeting. Alward KJ, Oliver MA, Johnson SE, Ealy AD. In Vitro Embryo Production Can Be Achieved After Delayed Harvest of Bovine Oocytes from Abattoir-derived Ovaries. 2024. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Dublin Ireland. Antwi-Boasiako C, González-Alvarez ME, Romoser MR, Ross JW, Baumgard LH, Keating AF. 2024.  The effects of heat stress on the abundance of proteins involved in chemical biotransformation in the corpora lutea of post-pubertal gilts. Society for Study of Reproduction annual meeting. Baber T, Newman S, Joyce K, Rhoads ML. 2024. Relationships between circulating glucose concentrations and productivity in heat-stressed dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 107(suppl 1): 320. Bishop CV, RancHER. 2024. Strategies for Preparing Low Parity Heifers and Cows for Their Next Breeding Season, Online. National, Invited.. Bowne S, Ting A, Bishop CV. 2024. Northwest Reproductive Sciences Symposium, "Use of Anti-Mullerian Hormone to Determine Oocyte Aspiration Success in Synchronized Sheep.," Bend, OR. Regional, Accepted. Branco L. Henning J, Rocha, CC. 2024. Rescuing the weight loss caused by toxic calves in calves. CAFNR Research Symposium, Columbia MO. Carothers A , Diaz FJ. 2024. Role of Zinc Insufficiency in Bovine Granulosa Cell Viability. 57th annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, July 15-19, 2024, Dublin, Ireland (poster presentation). Crist AE, Motta JCL, Hayden CB, Rykaczewski C, Mussard MM, Garcia-Guerra A. 2024. Characterization of anovular phenotypes in postpartum beef cows. Reproduction Fertility and Development 36(2):230-231. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv36n2Ab154">10.1071/RDv36n2Ab154</a> Davis JS, Przygrodzka E, Plewes MR. 2024. Control of Luteal Function by Luteinizing Hormone: Insights into multi-organelle control of steroidogenesis. The 6th International Conference on Uterine Disorders and Corpus Luteum Function. September 9–12, 2024, Wroclaw, Poland. Ermisch AF, Shao J, Beede K, Schmaltz R, Ramer-Tait A, Wood JR. 2024. Luteinizing hormone stimulation of germ-free and conventionalized female mice reveals microbiome-dependent effect on ovarian steroidogenesis and ovulation. 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Dublin, Ireland.  Ermisch AF and Wood JR. 2024. Comparison of N6-methyladenosine modification of mRNA during the bovine and murine oocyte to embryo transition. 50th Annual Meeting of the International Embryo Transfer Society, Denver, CO.   Folchini NP, Crist AE, Motta JCL, Wellert S, Rykaczewski C, Saad M, Carranza Martin AC, Garcia-Guerra A. 2024. Expression of estrus and fertility of different presynchronization strategies for fixed-time artificial insemination in suckled beef cows. Reproduction Fertility and Development 36(2):244-245. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv36n2Ab181">10.1071/RDv36n2Ab181</a> Fox AK, Hammerich MS, Bishop CV. 2024. Northwest Reproductive Sciences Symposium, Vitamin A and D Pre-exposure to Prime Reproductive Success in Breeding Beef Cows. Bend, OR. Regional, Accepted.   Garcia-Guerra A, Motta JCL, Crist AE, Folchini NP, Rykaczewski C, Wellert S. 2024. Optimization of the time of insemination and presynchronization treatment in beef heifers submitted to fixed-time artificial insemination. Reproduction Fertility and Development 36(2):243. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv36n2Ab178">10.1071/RDv36n2Ab178</a> Giordano JO. 2024. Ovarian physiology of previously inseminated cows: Considerations for rebreeding. J. Dairy Sci. 107 (E-Suppl. 1). <a href="https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024">https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024</a> González-Alvarez ME, Timme K, Keating AF. 2024. Effect of DMBA exposure on ovarian chemical metabolism, DNA damage sensing and repair, and oxidative stress proteins in prepubertal mice. Society for Study of Reproduction annual meeting. Haffner C, Rishi JK, Keating AF. 2024. Altered abundance of proteins involved in chemical biotransformation in inguinal adipose tissue in lean and obese female mice during exposure to dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Society for Study of Reproduction annual meeting. Henning J, Branco L, Rocha CC. 2024. Using anogenital distance to predict probability of pregnancy to artificial insemination in beef heifers. CAFNR Research Symposium, Columbia MO. Heredia DC, Tarnonsky F, Lopez-Duarte MC, Venturini M, Ojeda OA., Luchini D., Hansen PJ, Pringle D, DiLorenzo N, Gonella-Diaza AM. 2024. Impact of supplementing rumen-protected methionine during the periconceptional period in the post-weaning period in female calves, Journal of Animal Science, 102 (S1): 69–70, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae019.081">DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae019.081</a> Hughes CHK, Hellmers AC, daSilva MI, Ott TL, Pate JL. 2024. IFNT-dependent and IFNT-independent changes in the CL of early pregnancy. 57th annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, July 15-19, 2024, Dublin, Ireland (poster presentation). Hughes J, Hughes CHK. 2024. Proteomic profiling reveals potential mechanisms regulating prostaglandin F2A responsiveness in bovine corpora lutea. Annual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association, June 16-19, 2024, West Palm Beach, FL (poster presentation). Keane JA, Oliver MA, Pollock AB, Alward KJ, McGehee JF, Kesler ML, Snider AP, Ealy AD. Impacts of OmniGen-AF® Feed Supplementation on Ovum Pick-Up Collections in Beef Cattle. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Dublin Ireland. Laplacette AL,  Stangaferro ML, Thomas MJ, Giordano JO. 2024. Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows managed with a targeted reproductive program aimed at increasing AI in estrus after synchronization of ovulation. J. Dairy Sci. 107 (E-Suppl. 1). <a href="https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024">https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024</a> Laplacette AL,  Stangaferro ML, Thomas MJ, Giordano JO. 2024. A reproductive management program aimed at maximizing insemination of cows at detected estrus after synchronization of ovulation improved first service outcomes. J. Dairy Sci. 107 (E-Suppl. 1). <a href="https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024">https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024</a> Laws MJ, Kramer S, Weis K, Polivanov LJ, Shelton J, Nordell NE, White BR, Sillman SJ, Raetzman L, Keating AF, Flaws JA, Desaulniers AT. 2024. Environmentally Relevant Maternal Atrazine Exposure Leads to Aberrant Endocrine Effects in Piglets. Society for Study of Reproduction annual meeting. Mathew DJ, Peterson KD, Freeman TF, Oliver MA, Kakhniashvili D, Johnson DL, Payton RR, Prado TM. Strickland LG, Edwards JL, Beever JE. 2024. Processes and pathways associated with in vivo derived and in vitro produced male and female bovine conceptus proteins. 57th Annual Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR), Dublin, Ireland. Abstract and poster presentation. Moorey SE. Role of the preovulatory follicle in oocyte metabolic and developmental competence for pregnancy. 2024. American Society of Animal Science / Canadian Society of Animal Science / Western Section American Society of Animal Science Joint Annual Meeting; Biennial Reproduction Symposium. Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Invited abstract and oral presentation. Motta JCL, Carranza-Martin AC, Rykaczewski C, Folchini NP, Saad M, Hayden C, Sala RV, Bond R, Pereira DC, Ross PJ, Garcia-Guerra A. 2024. Anti-Müllerian hormone: how early can it be used as a biomarker for future in vitro embryo production in Bos taurus cattle? Reproduction Fertility and Development 36(2):250-251. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv36n2Ab191">10.1071/RDv36n2Ab191</a> Nikolaou TA, Rial C, Hussain I, Giordano JO, Erickson D. 2024. ReproPhone: A lateral flow based portable platform for the determination of cattle reproductive status. Biomedical Engineering Society. 2024. Baltimore, MD., October 2024. Oliver MA, Johnson SE, Ealy AD. 2024. Supplementation of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor or Interleukin 6 Modifies the Cellular Lineage Composition within the Embryonic Disc of Extended Cultured Bovine Blastocysts. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Dublin Ireland.  Pollock AB, Oliver MA, Johnson SE, Ealy AD. 2024. Chemical Inhibition of IL6ST Compromises the In Vitro Production of Bovine Embryos. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Dublin Ireland.  Reamsnyder T, Sala RV, Pinete-Gonzalez A, Maldonado E, Robles-Morado I, Martinez LC, Absalon-Medina VA, Fricke VC, Juarez-Dorantes RI, Ross PJ, Moreno JF, Motta JCL, Garcia-Guerra A. 2024. “Effect of length of progesterone device administration during a modified CO-Synch for fixed-time embryo transfer in heifers” Reproduction Fertility and Development 36(2):209-210. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv36n2Ab114">10.1071/RDv36n2Ab114</a> Rishi JK, Montes C, Walley JW, Keating AF. 2024. Obesity alters sumoylation-dependent proteomic response in ovaries of mice exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Society for Study of Reproduction annual meeting. Roa-Vidal P, Markway M, Moraes JGN, Lucy MC, Patterson AL. 2024. Uncovering the spatial gene expression of the bovine uterus: a novel study model for adenomyosis. Poster presented at the Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium Annual Meeting, Kansas City Kansas. Roa-Vidal P, Medeiros de Almedia J, Wang Z, Patterson AL. 2024. Establishing a bovine in vitro model to investigate the mechanisms of adenomyosis development. Poster presented at the Translational Bioscience PhD Program Symposium, MU School of Medicine, Columbia MO. Rose PA, Bidne KL, McCain AR, Shankar K, Wood JR. 2024. Maternal obesity is associated with global reductions in gene expression including mRNAs that contribute to cell migration and glucocorticoid metabolism in the mid-gestation mouse placenta. 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Dublin, Ireland. Saad M, Duran BJ, Rykaczewski C, Kieffer JD, Menchaca A, Garcia-Guerra A. 2024. Effect of P.G. 600 dose on expression of estrus, fertility, and prolificacy in ewes synchronized out-of-season using a short-term progesterone-based protocol. Reproduction Fertility and Development 36(2):245. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv36n2Ab182">10.1071/RDv36n2Ab182</a> Sala RV, Motta JCL, Absalon-Medina VA, Fricke VC, Crist AE, Reamsnyder T, Ross PJ, Moreno JF, Garcia-Guerra A. 2024. Assessment of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone delivery mode before ovum pickup and in vitro embryo production in pregnant heifers. Reproduction Fertility and Development 36(2):250. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv36n2Ab190">10.1071/RDv36n2Ab190</a> Sellmer Ramos I, Caldeira MO, Patterson AL, Lucy MC. 2024. Spatial transcriptomics of the neonatal bovine uterus reveals potential markers of epithelial differentiation driving endometrial adenogenesis. Poster presented at the Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting, Dublin Ireland. Sitko EM, Giordano JO. 2024. Effect of prioritizing AI in estrus or timed AI and milk yield on cash flow of primiparous cows. J. Dairy Sci. 107 (E-Suppl. 1). <a href="https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024">https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024</a> Sitko EM, Laplacette AL, Duhatschek D, Rial C, Perez MM, Tompkins S, Kerwin AL, Domingues RR, Wiltbank MC, Giordano JO. 2024. The&ensp;ovarian function and endocrine phenotypes of lactating dairy cows were&ensp;associated with genomic merit for fertility. J. Dairy Sci. 107 (E-Suppl. 1). <a href="https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024">https://www.adsa.org/Meetings/Past-Meetings/2024</a> Timme K, González-Alvarez ME, Keating AF. 2024. Both obesity and DMBA exposure alter ovarian follicle number, ZP3 and PPP2CA in prepubertal females. Society for Study of Reproduction annual meeting.  Venturini M, Heredia DC, Lopez MC, Joice K, Ruiz M, Dubeux JCB,  Dilorenzo N, Gonella-Diaza AM. 2024. Plasma metabolomics and feed behavior patterns in feed efficient or inefficient beef bulls. Journal of Animal Science, 102 (S1): 1–2, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae019.001">DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae019.001</a> Weiss T, Ting A, Bishop CV. 2024. Northwest Reproductive Sciences Symposium, Optimization of Immunohistochemistry Techniques for the Use of Polyclonal Rabbit Anti-Human von Willebrand Factor to Detect Ovarian Vascularization in Ovine Cryopreserved Ovaries, Bend, OR. Regional, Accepted. Wiltbank MC, Andrade JP, Gomez-Leon V, Garcia-Guerra A, Monteiro PLJ, Domingues RR, Fricke PM, Sartori R. 2024. The dichotomy between pregnancy survival and loss: Challenging post-conceived notions. Journal of Dairy Science 107(Supp 1):170.

Impact Statements

1) Obtaining a greater basic understanding of the complex, molecular regulation of bovine ovarian blood flow and cellular function during the estrous cycle to minimize infertility and pregnancy losses.
2) Understanding the impacts of environmental exposures on female reproductive function will enable us to develop schemes to reduce the adverse effects of heat stress, and endogenous and exogenous chemical exposures in cattle and other mammals.
3) Assessing mouse and pig models to understand basic biological impacts of these exposures as well as to develop targets to mitigate negative effects. The impacts of these findings are that the scientific, clinical and production animal communities benefit from the advanced knowledge provided.
4) Insight gained from research describing how zinc, an essential micronutrient, influences bovine mural granulosa cell proliferation will advance the understanding of the mechanisms that govern the maintenance of pregnancy, and this ultimately will allow for the development of strategies to reduce pregnancy loss and, thus, increasing reproductive efficiency.
5) Advancing our mechanistic understanding of bovine conceptus elongation will lead to new strategies for reducing early pregnancy losses, thus enhancing reproductive efficiency and economic viability in cattle production systems.
6) Optimizing ovarian function, embryo quality, and uterine receptivity to pregnancy are key areas that must be addressed to improve reproductive success in cattle. Insight gained from this research will provide important information to advance the understanding of the mechanisms that govern the ovarian follicle’s contribution to oocyte competence for embryo development and the uterine-conceptus relationships required for pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Ultimately, by characterizing physiologically normal follicular and uterine environments, and determining deficiencies during assisted reproduction, strategies to overcome limitations of assisted reproductive techniques can be developed.
7) Identifying the critical physiological responses to heat stress and determining their overall impact on reproduction, health and well-being will equip researchers and producers with the information needed to effectively improve the management of heat-stressed cattle.
8) Fundamental knowledge of the mechanisms regulating the health of the follicle, and ultimately improving fertility of dairy cows, will impact the >$2.2B dairy industry (annually) in the states of Vermont and Rhode Island.
9) Targeted reproductive management (TRM) of dairy cattle will increase dairy farm profitability and sustainability through tailored reproductive management schemes based on data for predictors of variability in cow biology and expected performance.
10) Understanding the molecular and cellular basis regulating ovarian and uterine physiology in dairy cattle will provide new opportunities for developing targeted strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes in dairy cows.
11) Providing modest increases in the availability of vitamins A, D and E can be a relatively inexpensive method to improve fertility, and this scheme may become increasingly relevant in future years due to climate impacts on production.
12) Providing new insights into the stability, translation, and degradation of oocyte mRNAs is regulated during oogenesis, embryogenesis, and the first stages of placentation will provide new insights into how alterations in mRNA metabolism influences oocyte quality.
13) Highly steroidogenic granulosa cells are essential for the growth and development of the oocyte and the eventual establishment of pregnancy. Understanding the mechanisms that control granulosa cell function has important implications that will ultimately lead to improving fertility by developing new strategies to enhance reproductive outcomes and assisted reproduction technologies.
Student training is another important impact of this project. Members of the NE227 group (NY, IA, MS, OH, OR, PA, KY, MA, NE, TN, VT, WI, VA) developed a course on Contemporary Topics in Reproductive Biology to improve student understanding of the breadth of reproductive physiology including topics outside their primary area of research. Greater than 50 students have enrolled in the fall 2024 offering. This accounted for a majority of the MS and PhD students across the experiment stations in this multistate project. Numerous undergraduate students with an interest in reproductive physiology were also introduced to investigative research. These activities represent an important contribution of the project to the education of the next generation of scientists, consultants, and other workers in animal agriculture industries.

Date of Annual Report: 07/06/2026

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/18/2026 - 05/19/2026
Period the Report Covers: 05/23/2025 - 05/17/2026

Participants

Cecily Bishop (Oregon)
Alan Ealy (Virginia)
Lannett Edwards (Tennessee)
Julio Giordano (Cornell)
Angela Gonella (Florida)
Alvaro Garcia-Guerra (Ohio)
Camilla Hughes (Pennsylvania)
Aileen Keating (Iowa)
Dan Mathews (Tennessee)
Sarah Moorey (Tennessee)
Jessica Motto (Maine)
Emelia Przygrodzka (Maryland)
Cecilia Rocha (Missouri)
Zack Seekford (Washington)
Kosta Siminitras (Louisiana)
Dave Townson (Rhode Island)
Milo Wiltbank (Wisconsin)
Jen Wood (Nebraska)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Accomplishments  Objective 1: Identify Mechanisms that Regulate Ovarian Function and Oocyte Quality during the Estrous Cycle <ul> <li>Explored the impact of altered insulin and glucose observed in dairy cattle experiencing heat stress (impact on the reproductive tract and elsewhere throughout the body). </li> <li>Investigated the contribution of the preovulatory follicular environment to oocyte quality and competency for embryonic development.  Studies have described the relative contributions of steroid hormones as well as undefined components of the follicular fluid.</li> <li>Evaluated the effect of FSH treatment duration during MOET regimen in cattle with low AFC phenotype.</li> <li>Explored mechanisms responsible for the improvement in fertility that is observed following displayed estrus in a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol.  This work determined that the follicular fluid contributes to fertility under these circumstances as blastocyst development was greater when oocytes were exposed to follicular fluid from animals that did display estrus (compared to those that did not).</li> <li>Determined the effects of thrombin and calcium ionophore, alone and in combination, on CCN1 expression, in steroidogenic cells obtained from the midcycle bovine corpus luteum.</li> <li>Determined the effects of thrombin and calcium ionophore, alone and in combination, on VEGF expression, in steroidogenic cells obtained from the midcycle bovine corpus luteum.</li> <li>Determined the effects of the phytoestrogen, equol, on progesterone (P4) production in bovine corpora lutea.</li> <li>Explored metabolomic signatures of ovarian development in cattle</li> <li>Determining the role of melatonin on oocyte development in-vivo and the potential for melatonin to improve quality of oocytes in-vitro</li> <li>Generated preliminary evidence that melatonin is present in follicular fluid and plans to publish this novel finding. The next study will examine follicular fluid melatonin concentrations and oocyte quality in lactating dairy cattle.</li> <li>Described orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 as a potential novel regulator of ovarian reserve establishment in cattle.</li> <li>Examined the modulation of apoptotic mechanisms in developing bovine corpora lutea as regulating susceptibility to luteolysis in response to PGF2A.</li> <li>Described the role of potassium ions in oocyte maturation.</li> <li>Evaluated the dose-dependent effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on ovarian response and in vitro embryo production (IVP) in prepubertal Holstein heifers.</li> <li>We have determined how chemical exposures negatively impacts ovarian function in pre- and post-pubertal female pigs and have identified targets of heat stress in the ovary that are altered to impair fertility.</li> <li>Identification of factors associated with higher estrous associated temperatures in beef cattle.</li> <li>Identification of advanced follicular progression and differential metabolite profiles in beef heifers with varied levels of higher estrous associated temperatures and sexually active behavior.</li> <li>Identification of differential transcript profiles in bovine embryos matured in the presence of greater vs lesser maturity that indicate superior metabolism, oxidative balance, and WNT signaling in embryos resulting from oocytes matured in the presence of greater maturity follicular fluid that may explain some of the difference in embryo quality and pregnancy establishment between follicles of greater and lesser maturity.</li> <li>Identification of differential metabolome profiles in preovulatory follicles of greater vs lesser maturity at the time of GnRH administration that may contribute to superior pregnancy outcome in cows induced to ovulate a follicle of greater maturity.</li> <li>Examined combinatorial exposures (i.e. chemicals with heat stress) to determine additive impacts.</li> <li>Identified novel ovarian causes of chemical dysfunction. The impacts of this research are making discoveries that benefit scientific, clinical and production animal communities.</li> <li>We have disseminated our findings through manuscript publication, and through presentations at national and international conferences. </li> <li>Benefit to the broader public is that improved reproductive function in female animals is needed for a healthy and sustainable protein food source supply and animal welfare is improved by enhanced female reproductive health.</li> <li>Determined effects of luteinizing hormone/protein kinase (PKA) signaling on metabolic pathways driving function of luteal cells and progesterone production.</li> <li>Determined signaling and metabolic pathways regulating the function of granulosa cells. We determined the PKA-induced metabolic changes and content of related proteins as well as function of glucose metabolism branches on granulosa cell function.</li> <li>Determined the role of metabolites as signaling molecules in the somatic ovarian cells. We found that main kinase triggered by gonadotropins, such as protein kinase A (PKA), enhances histone acetylation and increases chromatin availability in the granulosa cells. </li> <li>Explored the regulation of chemokine expression from luteal cells after prostaglandin F2a.</li> </ul>   Objective 2: Determine Factors Associated with Fertilization, Embryo Development, and Conceptus-Endometrial Interactions that Dictate Pregnancy Success <ul> <li>Explored how various members of the interleukin-6 (IL6) cytokine family influences development of the embryonic disk to begin to decipher the mechanisms at play that produce beneficial effects of IL6 supplementation on early conceptus development.</li> <li>Used gene editing technologies to show that embryo-derived IL6 family members, and likely IL6 itself, is required for normal embryogenesis in cattle.</li> <li>Developed a bovine model to increase the number of small antral follicles during the recruitment phase of a follicular wave in cattle with low AFC phenotype.</li> <li>The use of antioxidants to improve in vitro bovine embryo production was explored.</li> <li>Evaluating melatonin concentrations in follicular fluid and blood circulation with pregnancy success and early pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cattle.</li> <li>Investigated the role of uterine perfusion in corpus luteum maintenance during pregnancy in cattle.</li> <li>Characterizing adenomyosis (ectopic endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium) in postpartum dairy cows and is investigating its effect on fertility. Our studies have found an association between postpartum metritis and the severity of adenomyosis, including increased fibrosis, which may impact the receptivity of the uterus to an embryo.</li> <li>Investigating the impact of metritis/endometritis on postpartum endometrial epithelial regeneration and the effects on fertility. Our studies have identified a putative endometrial epithelial stem/progenitor cell population that is expanded in diseased endometrium in an attempt to repair the luminal epithelium which is required for pregnancy establishment.</li> <li>Developing an animal model that will investigate the effects of preovulatory estradiol concentrations in the DNA methylation profile and cellular subpopulations in the uterus. So far, we have validated a protocol to harvest luminal epithelial cells and submit them to single cell RNAseq. The next step is to validate the animal model with high and low estradiol concentrations, and after that collect the uterine samples.</li> <li>Determined that elevated progesterone (P4) for a limited time (D14-19) increases fertility in heifers that are recipients of IVF embryos.</li> <li>Associated fertility traits with markers of oocyte competence in dairy cattle.</li> <li>Investigating the role of methyl donors during the periconceptional period and their influence on embryonic development, pregnancy establishment, offspring development, and epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation.</li> <li>Exploring the mechanisms governing bovine conceptus elongation. Our overarching long-term goal is to recapitulate this phenomenon in vitro.</li> <li>Expanded on previous studies demonstrating vitamin A and D injectable supplementation increases success at first breeding post-parturition in first and second calf Angus and Angus cross-bred heifers to evaluate effects of vitamin E alone or in combination with A and D on breeding success following first cycle artificial insemination.</li> <li>Identification of endometrial biological responses specific to IVP cattle embryos and IVP cattle embryo specific molecules that elicit these responses that may explain why IVP cattle embryos suffer from a high rate of embryonic loss after transfer.</li> <li>Establishment of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to genetically edit bovine embryos and test the function of two embryo proteins (galectin-1 and -3) thought to be necessary for pregnancy and that could be utilized as a technology to improve pregnancy success.</li> <li>Investigating the application of Sperm Energy-restriction and Recovery (SER) prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a strategy to improve bovine embryo production. Preliminary results indicate that SER treatment enhances sperm motility without affecting fertilization rates and improves embryo development to the blastocyst stage.</li> <li>Ongoing studies are evaluating SER as a modulator of the sperm-specific phospholipase C zeta 1 (PLCζ1), the primary sperm-derived oocyte activation factor, as well as the potential contribution of secondary sperm factors such as phospholipase C delta 4 (PLCδ4) to successful fertilization in cattle.</li> <li>Developing and implementing novel approaches to assess sperm function and to investigate how sperm quality and physiology influence post-fertilization events and early embryonic development.</li> </ul>  Objective 3: Develop and Evaluate Novel Reproductive Management Strategies and Technologies to Improve Reproductive Performance of Ruminants <ul> <li>Determined the effect of a targeted reproductive management programs based on automated detection of estrus during the voluntary waiting period on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows</li> <li>Provided evidence that combining reproductive outcomes predictors and automated estrus alerts recorded during the voluntary waiting period identified subgroups of cows with different reproductive performance potential.</li> <li>Evaluated a rapid resynchronization program allowing timed embryo transfer every 21d.</li> <li>Explored the effect of timing of AI with conventional or sex-sorted semen on fertility of dairy cows.</li> <li>Demonstrated that delayed induction of ovulation affects the ovarian function of lactating dairy cows synchronized with the Double-Ovsynch protocol and increases insemination after detected estrus.</li> <li>Developed novel reproductive management programs aimed at increasing fertility of first service through promotion of expression of estrus at the end of synchronization of ovulation protocols.</li> <li>Exploring the use of circulating melatonin concentrations before artificial insemination as a predictor of pregnancy success in lactating dairy cattle. </li> <li>Identified associations between milk production potential and the profitability of primiparous Holstein cows submitted to insemination with programs that prioritized insemination at detected estrus or timed artificial insemination</li> <li>Refined lateral flow-based electronic system for determination of the pregnancy and ovarian status of cattle.</li> <li>Explored ways to optimize synchronization protocols to maximize fertility and reproductive efficiency.</li> <li>In collaboration with ST Genetics, submitted a provisional patent application entitled “Amniotic fluid metabolic biomarkers and methods of use”.</li> <li>Identification of sperm metabolites that differ in abundance between Angus bulls of high and low field fertility that may be used as biomarkers of ejaculate quality.</li> <li>Continued efforts for the development and evaluation of innovative reproductive technologies aimed at improving fertilization outcomes and embryo production efficiency in cattle.</li> <li>Validating accelerometers devices for use in beef cattle. The next step is to define what is the best time to perform artificial insemination in beef cattle when accelerometer devices are used for estrus detection.</li> <li>Performed one experiment testing how many times intravaginal progesterone devices can be reused in beef cattle submitted to a 7-day synchronization protocol.</li> <li>Studied the use of anogenital distance (distance from the center of the anus to the clitoris) as a marker of puberty attainment and probability of pregnancy by artificial insemination in beef heifers.</li> <li>Working towards optimization of whole ovary cryopreservation in ewes.</li> <li>Understand the relationship between feed efficiency and seminal quality in beef bulls.</li> <li>Evaluated a novel recombinant hormone protocol for embryo production in Holstein heifers using a single injection of long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).</li> <li>Assessing the use of low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at the time of progesterone device withdrawal to support follicular development.</li> </ul>

Publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles (2025)   <ul> <li>Absalon-Medina VA, Sala RV, Pereira DC, Fricke VC, Devkota I, Bonomo ZL, Fuego DM, McDonald MM, Sánchez JM, Rabaglino MB, Matsakas A, Vourekas A, Fu X, Rivera RM, Lonergan P, Ross PJ and Simintiras CA. Amniotic fluid metabolic biomarkers of fetal physiology and pregnancy success. Biology of Reproduction. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf236.</li> <li>Alward KJ, Duncan AJ, Ealy AD, Dahl GE, Petersson-Wolfe CS, Cockrum RR. Changes in photoperiod during the dry period impact colostrum production in Holstein and Jersey cows. J Dairy Sci. 2025 Feb;108(2):1672-1685. doi: 10.3168/jds.2024-25415.</li> <li>Alward, KJ, Graves, W M., Palomares, RA and JF Bohlen. 2025. Evaluating the relationships between anti-Müllerian hormone, milk production, estrous expression and first service conception rate in lactating dairy cows. Therio. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117598.</li> <li>Andrade JPN, Domingues RR, Gomez-León VE, Madureira G, Sartori LC, Grillo GF, Fosado M, Sala RV, Wiltbank MC. Delayed embryonic attachment, circulating pregnancy-associated glycoproteins, and pregnancy loss in heifer embryo recipients. Theriogenology 2025; 247. ARTN 117561 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117561</li> <li>Andrade JPN, Gomez-León VE, Madureira G, Sartori LC, Grillo GF, Domingues RR, Fosado M, Sala R, Wiltbank MC. ReBreed21-ET: Evaluation of a rapid resynchronization program that allows timed embryo transfer every 21 days. Theriogenology 2025; 235:145-151. 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.12.031</li> <li>Bennett, A., Rocha, CC., Waheed, A., Mesquita, FS., Maia, TS., Haimon, ML.-J., Hoorn, QA., Sagheer, M., Cuellar, CJ., Sultana, H., Ojeda-Rojas, OA., Krisher, RL., Rubessa, M., Pohler, KG., Hansen, PJ., Moriel, P., Chebel, RC., and Binelli, M (2025). Assessment and Prediction of Embryo Survival in Fertility-Classified Beef Cows. Theriogenology, 117560. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117560</li> <li>Binelli M, Lopez-Duarte MC, Gonella-Diaza A, Silva FACC, Pugliesi G, Martins T, Rocha CC. Effectors and predictors of conceptus survival in cattle: What is next? Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2025 Jul;92:106939. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2025.106939. PMID: 40064052.</li> <li>Buol, BM, Antwi-Boasiako, C, Mayorga, EJ, Gonzalez-Alvarez, MS, Baumgard, LH, Keating, AF 2025. Effects of perfluorooctanoic acid exposure and heat stress on performance and liver health biomarkers in post-pubertal gilts. Journal of Animal Science. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf348.</li> <li>Chasi B, Andrade JP, Monteiro PLJ, Castro B, Moreno E, Anta E, Ali NN, Cole JB, Wiltbank MC, Balboula AZ, Ortega MS. Association of fertility traits with markers of oocyte competence in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 2025; 108:12814-12823. 10.3168/jds.2025-26726</li> <li>Consentini CEC, Abadia T, Galindez JPA, Lopes ALM, Ferro PPC, Pazini YE, Faria N, Machado F, Capella T, dos Santos TN, Duarte M, Ferreira PP, Matos LMF, Ferreira DR, Campos E, Prata A, Melo LF, Wiltbank MC, Sartori R Fertility programs for lactating dairy cows: A novel presynch plus timed artificial insemination program (Double E-Synch) produces similar ovarian dynamics, synchronization, and fertility as Double-Ovsynch. Journal of Dairy Science 2025; 108:4435-4447. 10.3168/jds.2024-25221</li> <li>de Castro Lourenço V, de Oliveira L, Maldonado MBC, Rolniche LCM, de Oliveira Bezerra L, Feltrin IR, Morelli KG, Mendes AF, Rocha CC, Castilho C, Bridi A, Pugliesi G, Ealy AD, Nogueira MFG, Membrive CMB. Oleic acid supplementation increases the PGE2:PGF2α ratio and alters expression of prostaglandin biosynthesis and maternal pregnancy recognition genes in bovine trophoblast cells in vitro. Theriogenology. 2025 Oct 1;245:117503. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117503.</li> <li>Gabel A and Diaz FJ. Zinc deficiency in bovine mural granulosa cells results in hippo pathway-mediated apoptosis, Biology of Reproduction, 2025. ioaf222, doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf222</li> <li>Garcia-Guerra A, Motta J C L , Sala R V., Hayden C B , Ponte E., Absalon-Medina V A., Ross P J 2025. Optimizing In Vitro Embryo Production in Cattle: Strategies for Donor Management and Selection. Animal Reproduction, 22(3):e20250079. doi: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2025-0079.</li> <li>Giordano J O 2025. Data-driven technologies and management practices for improving the sustainability of reproductive management. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 37, RD24148 doi: 10.1071/RD24148</li> <li>González-Brusi L, Devkota I, Sánchez JM, Lamas-Toranzo I, Lonergan P, Bermejo-Álvarez P and Simintiras CA. Bovine uterine fluid lipidome parallels embryo and conceptus developmental milestones. Biology of Reproduction. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf194.</li> <li>Good, SL., Antwi-Boasiako, C., González-Alvarez, ME., Buol, BM., Baumgard, LH., Keating, AF., Charbonnet, JA 2025. Distribution of perfluorooctanoic acid in exposed female post-pubertal pigs in thermal neutral or heat stressed conditions. Toxicological Sciences. 205(1):143-153. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaf013.</li> <li>Harl AW, Negrón-Pérez VM, Stewart JW, Perry GA, Ealy AD, Rhoads ML. Follicular fluid from cows that express estrus during a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol promotes blastocyst development. J Dev Biol. 2025 Apr 25;13(2):14. doi: 10.3390/jdb13020014.</li> <li>Harl AW, Negrón-Pérez VM, Stewart JW, Perry GA, Ealy AD, Rhoads ML. Maturation of bovine cumulus oocyte complexes in follicular fluid with or without estradiol, progesterone or the combination affects cumulus cell expansion and blastocyst development. PLoS One. 2025 Jun 2;20(6):e0321266. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321266.</li> <li>Hayden C B, Motta J C L , Sala R V., Bello N., Coutinho da Silva M., García-Guerra A 2025. Efficacy of methods to synchronize follicular wave emergence in pregnant heifers. JDS Communications, 6(1): 154-159. doi: 10.3168/jdsc.2024-0629.</li> <li>Heredia D, Tarnonsky F, Venturini M, Lopez-Duarte MC, Fernandez-Marenchino I, García-Guerra A, Luchini D, Hansen PJ, Pringle D, Dilorenzo N, Gonella-Diaza AM. Impact of dietary supplementation of beef cows with rumen-protected methionine during the periconceptional period on post-weaning performance of female offspring. J Anim Sci. 2025 Jan 4;103:skaf380. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf380. PMID: 41165602.</li> <li>Hester JM, and Diaz FJ. DTPA Disrupts Development of Preantral Ovarian Follicles in vitro. Reproduction and Fertility 6.4 (2025), e240125. doi: 10.1530/RAF-24-0125.</li> <li>Hoorn QA, Kenny DA, Fair S, Lonergan P and Simintiras CA. Metabolic profiling identifies fertility markers in bull sperm. Biology of Reproduction. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf234.</li> <li>Hughes CHK, Hellmers AC, daSilva MI, Ott TL, Pate JL. IFNT-dependent and -independent changes in the CL of early pregnancy. Biol Reprod 2025; ioaf044. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf044.</li> <li>Izquierdo VS, Vendramini JMB, Ashrafi N, Mimi RA, Graham SF, Gonella-Diaza A, Moriel P Heat stress mitigation during prepartum and postpartum altered the plasma metabolome in Bos indicus-influenced cow-calf pairs. J Anim Sci. 2025 Jan 4;103:skaf195. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf195. PMID: 40506825;</li> <li>Keane JA, Wooldridge LK, Oliver MA, Speckhart SL, Alward KJ, Nix JL, Biase FH, Ealy AD. Modifications in media composition and antioxidant support influences in vitro produced bovine blastocyst inner cell mass and trophectoderm numbers. Theriogenology. 2025 Oct 15;246:117532. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117532.</li> <li>Klabnik JL, Beever JE, Payton RR, Lamour KH, Schrick FN, Edwards JL. A step toward understanding direct impacts of a higher estrus associated temperature (HEAT): Transcript level changes in cumulus-oocyte complexes directly exposed to acute elevated temperature. Animals. 2025. 15(4), 517 doi: 10.3390/ani15040517.</li> <li>Laplacette, A L., Stangaferro, M L., Thomas, M J., and Giordano, J O. 2025. Effect on first service outcomes of a modified Double-Ovsynch protocol designed to increase fertility through insemination of cows in estrus and a targeted intervention for non-estrus cows. J Dairy Sci. (In press). https://doi: 10.3168/jds.2025-27396</li> <li>Laplacette A L., Rial C., Sitko E M., Perez M M., Tompkins S., Stangaferro M L., Thomas M J., and Giordano J O. 2025. Delaying induction of ovulation and timed artificial insemination in a Double-Ovsynch protocol increased expression of estrus and altered first-service reproductive outcomes of lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 108(1), 1103–1124. https://doi: 10.3168/jds.2024-24994</li> <li>Leavitt ML, Patterson AL, Wagle MD, Warren WC, Spencer TE, Davenport KM. Cross-species integration of single-cell transcriptomics reveals conserved mechanisms driving post-implantation placental development in ruminants. Scientific Reports. 2025 Nov 26;15(1):45435. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-29895-2.</li> <li>Luo WX, Wiltbank-Chau LB, Shrestha HK, Wiltbank MC. Differential responsiveness and signaling pathways for prostaglandin F2a on chemokine mRNA in bovine corpus luteum and luteinized granulosa cells. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 2025; 93. ARTN 106962 10.1016/j.domaniend.2025.106962</li> <li>Maldonado, MBC., Cabrini, DC., Bezerra, LO., Rolniche, LCM., Lourenço, VC., Feltrin, IR., Morelli, KG., Mendes, AF., Rocha, CC., Bridi, A., Pugliesi, A., Nogueira, MFG., Membrive, CMB (2025). Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation: Insights into prostaglandin synthesis and vitro embryonic development. Animal Reproduction Science, 107990. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107990.</li> <li>McDonald KS, Drum JN, Moraes JGN, Melton C, Ojeda-Rojas OA, Venturini M, Gonella-Diaza AM, Prather RS, Ortega MS. Effect of FGF2, LIF, IGF1 supplementation on pregnancy success following embryo transfer of in vitro derived embryos. Theriogenology. 2025 Oct 1;245:117533. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117533. PMID: 40513373.</li> <li>Molins Colomer M, Hughes CHK, Casella E Non-Invasive Thermal Monitoring of Dairy Cows' Core Body Temperature with Multi-Modal Sensing. IEEE MetroAgriFor 2025. doi: 10.1109/MetroAgriFor66923.2025.11512516.</li> <li>Morin F, Hughes CHK, Roussel V, Gevry N, Murphy BD. Double knockout of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; NR5A1) and liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1; NR5A2) in the mouse ovary results in infertility due to disruption of follicle development and ovulation. Biol Reprod 2025; 113: 182-198. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf079</li> <li>Motta JCL., Sala RV., Hayden CB., Pereira DC., Fricke VC.; Absalon-Medina VA., Ross PJ., García-Guerra A Ovarian superstimulation for in vitro embryo production based on Anti-Müllerian hormone phenotype: Effect of FSH dose schedule. Animal Reproduction Science. 2025. 281: 107980. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.107980</li> <li>Motta JCL., Hayden C B., Sala R V., Ross P J., Garcia-Guerra A 2024 Advances in synchronization and superstimulation for OPU/IVEP: Optimizing oocyte quantity and quality. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 37: RD24143. doi: 10.1071/RD24143.</li> <li>Mörig, F., Drillich, M., Burnett, T A., Bruinjé, T C., Giordano, J O., Madureira, A M L., and Borchardt, S 2025. Evaluation of the association between automated estrus alerts from activity monitoring systems in early lactation with reproductive performance in lactating Holstein cows: A meta-analysis. J Dairy Sci. (In press). https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(25)00966-X/fulltext</li> <li>Negrón-Pérez VM, Al Naib A, Zezeski AL, McCracken-Harlow VL, Perry GA, Ealy AD, Rhoads ML. Cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation and embryonic development of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes matured in varying concentrations of follicular fluid. PLoS One. 2025 Feb 7;20(2):e0318376. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318376.</li> <li>Newman, ML., Primo, VAB., Ugarte Marin, MB., Peixoto, PMG., Gonzalez, TD., Bennett, A., Rocha, CC Binelli, M., Bishop, JV., Guzeloglu, A., Hansen, TR., Thatcher, WW., Bisinotto, RS (2025) Interferon-tau concentration at the vaginal fornix and cervical ostium predicted early pregnancy outcomes in lactating dairy cows, Biology of Reproduction, ioaf251, doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf251</li> <li>Oliver MA, Alward KJ, Rhoads ML, Ealy AD. Human Recombinant Interleukin-6 and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Improve Inner Cell Mass Cell Number but Lack Cryoprotective Activities on In Vitro-Produced Bovine Blastocysts. Animals (Basel). 2025 Feb 25;15(5):668. doi: 10.3390/ani15050668.</li> <li>Peterson KD, Oliver MA, Freeman TF, Poudel SP, Behura SK, Kakhniashvili D, Johnson DL, Payton RR, Prado TM, Strickland LG, Edwards JL, Shepherd EA, Beever JE, Spencer TE, Mathew DJ. Bovine endometrium drives and responds to divergence of in vitro produced conceptus biochemistry. The FASEB Journal. 2025. doi: 10.1096/fj.202501962R.</li> <li>Peterson KD, Freeman TF, Poudel SP, Behura SK, Kakhniashvili D, Johnson DL, Prado TM, Strickland LG, Beever JE, Spencer TE, Mathew DJ. 2025. Unraveling the elongating bovine conceptus microenvironment: Identification of gene transcripts and proteins along the conceptus-maternal interface in cattle. Biology of Reproduction. 2025. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf002. Featured in the</li> <li>Przygrodzka E., Bhinderwala F., Powers R., McFee RM., Cupp AS., Wood JR., Davis JS Metabolic control of Luteinizing Hormone-responsive ovarian steroidogenesis. J Biol Chem. J Biol Chem. 2025 Jan;301(1):108042.</li> <li>Rishi, JK., Montes, C., Walley, JW., Keating, AF 2025. Ovarian SUMO-2/3 targets and their differential response to genotoxic stress induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene exposure in lean and obese female mice. Biology of Reproduction. 113(4):962-976. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf101.</li> <li>Rocha, CC., Silva, FACC., Cavani, L., Cordeiro, ALL., Maldonado, MBC., Bennett, A., Waheed, A., Campbell, M., Pohler, KG., Peñagaricano, F and Binelli, M (2025), Endometrial Gene Expression Predicts Pregnancy Outcome in Brahman Cows. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 92: e70047. doi: 10.1002/mrd.70047</li> <li>Rocha, CC., Montevecchio, AB., Bennett, A., Waheed, A., Mazziotta, M., Maia, TS., Haimon, MLJ., Hoorn, QA., Sagheer, M., Cuellar, CJ., Ojeda-Rojas, OA., Krisher, RL., Rubessa, M., Pohler, KG., Hansen, PJ., Moriel, P., Chebel, RC., and Binelli, M (2025). Relationships between activity monitoring device data and ovarian, uterine, hormonal, and pregnancy variables in beef cows. (2-25). Theriogenology. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.01.001</li> <li>Sagheer M, Haimon MLJ, Montoya SH, Heredia D, Tarnonsky F, Venturini ME, Gonella-Diaza A, DiLorenzo N, McFadden JW, Dalmaso de Melo G, Pohler KG, Hansen PJ. Feeding rumen-protected choline during the periconceptional period programs postnatal phenotype of suckled beef calves. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2025 Apr 2;16(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s40104-025-01188-8. PMID: 40170061.</li> <li>Santos VG, Carvalho PD, Souza AH, Priskas S, Castro JAL, Pereira AMF, Ross PJ, Moreno J, Wiltbank MC, Fricke PM. Effect of timing of artificial insemination with conventional or sex-sorted semen on fertility of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 2025; 108:8945-8958. 10.3168/jds.2025-26428.</li> <li>Schultz, RB., Adur, MA., Kiefer, ZE., Studer, JM., Bidne, KL, Romoser, MR., Baumgard, LH., Keating, AF., Ross, JW 2025. The effect of pregnancy, heat stress and altrenogest supplementation on the porcine mid-luteal phase corpus luteum proteome. Theriogenology. 246:117536. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117536.</li> <li>Sellmer Ramos I, Caldeira MO, Poock SE, Moraes JGN, Lucy MC, Patterson AL. Adenomyosis and fibrosis define the morphological memory of the postpartum uterus of dairy cows previously exposed to metritis. Journal of Dairy Science Communications. 2025 Mar;6(2):250-255. doi: 10.3168/jdsc.2024-0633.</li> <li>Shawky AEM, Scarboro A, Avanzino K, Simintiras CA, Hatzoglou M and Vourekas A. DDX3X as a selective dual switch regulator of mRNA translation in early response to stress. Cell Reports. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116493.</li> <li>Silva GM, Podversich F, Silva AEM, Macias Franco A, Gonella-Diaza A, Mateescu RG, DiLorenzo N Short communication: thermotolerance and residual feed intake in Bos-indicus crossbred beef heifers. Transl Anim Sci. 2025 Apr 15;9:txaf051. doi: 10.1093/tas/txaf051. PMID: 40463911;</li> <li>Soto-Moreno EJ, Ali NN, Küllmer F, Nasufovic V, Frolikova M, Tepla O, Masata J, Trauner D, Patterson AL, Arndt HD, Komrskova K, Zernicka-Goetz M, Glover DM, Balboula AZ. Spindle-localized F-actin regulates polar MTOC organization and the fidelity of meiotic spindle formation. Nature Communications. 2025 Sep 19;16(1):8323. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-63586-w.</li> <li>Speckhart SL, Pollock AB, Alward KJ, Farrell K, Oliver MA, Lee K, Biase FH, Ealy AD. The interleukin-6 signal transducer receptor subunit is required for optimal in vitro bovine embryo development. Biol Reprod. 2025 Mar 16;112(3):434-446. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioaf006.</li> <li>Stokes, AE, Clark HM, Edwards JL, Payton RR, Beever JE, Freeman TF, Schrick FN, Hessock EA, Moorey SE. Transcriptome profiles of blastocysts originating from oocytes matured in follicular fluid from preovulatory follicles of greater or lesser maturity. BMC Genomics. 2025. 26: 339. doi: 10.1186/s12864-025-11521-0.</li> <li>Timme, K., Inyang, I., White, HE., Keating, AF 2025. Diet-induced obesity alters the ovarian chemical biotransformation and oxidative stress response proteins both basally and in response to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Toxicological Science. 204(1):9-19. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae150.</li> <li>Venturini M, de Agostini Losano J, Heredia D, López Duarte MC, Infante J, Podversich F, McGraw M, Siddique MS, Guertin J, Poliakiwski B, Smith DJ, Pohler K, DiLorenzo N, Daigneault BW, Gonella Diaza A Residual feed intake and reproductive-related parameters in yearling Brangus bulls. J Anim Sci. 2025 Jan 4;103:skaf055. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf055. PMID: 39989134;</li> <li>Walsh AA, Morozyuk M, Schettini GP, Mercadante VRG, Ealy AD, Biase FH. Frozen media preserves blastocyst development and quality in cattle embryos produced in vitro: a six-month evaluation. Theriogenology. 2025 Nov;247:117595. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117595.</li> </ul>   Book Chapters (2025)   <ul> <li>Giordano O. Reproductive strategies for dairy cattle in Encyclopedia of Livestock Medicine for Large Animal and Poultry Production. 2025. First Edition. Editor: João Simões. Publisher: Springer Cham. ISBN 978-3-031-52133-1 <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52133-1">https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52133-1</a></li> </ul>     Conference Proceedings (2025)   <ul> <li>Giordano J. O. Enhancing reproductive performance and management of cows with different reproductive potential through data-driven technology. Israeli Cattle Breeders Association Annual Conference. Jerusalem, Israel. December 2nd, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Challenges and opportunities in reinsemination programs: combining biology and management to improve reproductive success. ANEMBE (National Association of Spanish Bovine Practitioners). May 29th, 2025. Vittoria, Spain.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Genomics and reproduction: biology, management, and profitability of cows with different genetic potential for fertility. ANEMBE (National Association of Spanish Bovine Practitioners). May 29th, 2025. Vittoria, Spain.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Improving dairy herd health monitoring and management using automated monitoring technologies. Western Canadian Dairy Seminar. Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. March 4th, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Monitoring reproductive programs using herd records. Delivered in English and Spanish. Dairy Manager School, Alta Genetics. Garden City, Kansas. November 18th, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Reproductive management of lactating dairy cows. Delivered in English and Spanish. Dairy Manager School, Alta Genetics. Garden City, Kansas. November 18th, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Automated monitoring technology for dairy cows. Automated Dairy Herd Health Monitoring Outreach Program for NY Dairy Farms. Sponsored by New York Farm Viability Institute. Harford, New York. October 24th, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. The intersection of biology and data-driven technology for (cow) precision reproductive management. CoRe - Cornell Reproductive Biology Seminar. Ithaca, New York. October 28th, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Targeted reproductive management of dairy cattle. Danone Milk Academy. Celine, Ohio. October 28th, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Targeted reproductive management. Merck Workshop for Technical Services Team. Kansas City, Missouri. September 23rd, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Dairy tech research at Cornell University. Precision Dairy Management Conference. Bloomington, Minnesota. June 18th, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. and M. M. Perez. The present and future of technology for automated herd monitoring and management at CAST for the Farm of the Future. Western New York Dairy Day. Perry, NY. February 4th, 2025.</li> <li>Giordano J. O. Data-driven technologies and management practices for improving the sustainability of reproductive management. International embryo technology society. Forth Worth, TX. January 21st</li> <li>Giordano J. O., C. Rial, A. L. Laplacette, M. M. Perez, and E. M. Sitko. Enhancing reproductive performance and management of cows with different reproductive potential through data-driven technology. Ohio Dairy Veterinarians annual meeting. Columbus, OH. January 10th</li> <li>Patterson AL. Unraveling Cellular Plasticity in Endometrial Regeneration. The Society for Reproductive Investigation 72nd Annual Meeting, Charlotte, NC, March 25-29, 2025.</li> <li>Rocha, C.C. Branco, L.CS. Binelli, M. Using automated monitoring devices for estrus detection in embryo transfer programs. (2025) American Embryo Transfer Association, October 16-18, Reno- Nevada, USA.</li> </ul>   Abstracts (2025) <ul> <li>Adeyanju O, González-Alvarez ME, Antwi-Boasiako C, Keating AF. 2025. Obesity amplifies the reproductive toxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): disruptions in non-gravid uterine protein abundance and apoptotic pathways. Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting.</li> <li>Alward KJ, Pollock AB, Ealy AD. 2025. Antral follicle count and dominant follicle size in dairy cattle. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting, June 22–25, 2025; Louisville, KY, USA.</li> <li>Antwi-Boasiako C, González-Alvarez ME, Buol BM, Adeyanju OZ, Baumgard LH, Keating AF. 2025. Investigating ovarian effects of perfluorooctanoic acid in post-pubertal pigs during thermal neutral and heat stress conditions. Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting.</li> <li>Arroyo-Salvo CA, Río S, Boghetti ME, Turner R, Gambini A, Visconti P, Perez-Martinez S, Gervasi MG. 2025. Comparative study of the effects of sperm energy restriction and recovery (SER) treatment on bovine and equine cryopreserved sperm. Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar, Fertilization & Activation of Development; July 2025; Holderness, NH, USA. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Batey IE, Fioravanti P, Hill KS, Payton RR, Gan H, Zhao Y, Schrick FN, O’Neil MA, Edwards JL. 2025. Higher estrous associated temperatures (HEAT): relationship with different estrous active behaviors. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Bishop CV, Bowne S, Weiss T, Hanna C, Estill C, Ting A. 2025. Ovine model of whole ovary vitrification for cryopreservation: ovarian function post-transplantation. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 31, 2025; Washington, DC, USA. Invited presentation.</li> <li>Bishop CV, Stormshak F. 2025. Mechanisms of luteal formation and maintenance. Advances in Reproductive Physiology: Unraveling the High Fertility Cycle in Cattle Symposium, ASAS-CSAS Annual Meeting; July 9, 2025; Hollywood, FL, USA. Invited presentation.</li> <li>Bonomo ZL, Devkota I, Fuego DM, Allon MA, Dozortsev D, Tralik B, Marbrey MW, Fu X, Simintiras CA. 2025. Cannabinoid exposure duration differentially alters human endometrial epithelial organoid behavior. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting; July 2025; Washington, DC, USA. Oral and poster presentation.</li> <li>Branco LCS, Henning J, VanWye G, Ricardo K, Duit C, Thomas JM, Bilby TR, Rocha CC. 2025. Using automated monitoring devices to predict pregnancy by artificial insemination in grazing beef cows. American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting; Hollywood, FL, USA.</li> <li>Brockman M, Rishi JK, Timme K, Keating AF. 2025. Impact of obesity on basal hepatic abundance of TLR4 and AOAH and the response to dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exposure in female mice. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting.</li> <li>Chitwood BM, Hessock EA, Edwards JL, Payton RR, Campagna SR, Schrick FN, Moorey SE. 2025. Follicular fluid insulin, glucose, and their correlation with TCA cycle and purine metabolites are positively related to bovine preovulatory follicle maturity. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>DeCastro LD, Stenhouse C, Hughes CHK. 2025. Metabolomic signatures of ovarian development in cattle. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA. Poster presentation. USDA NIFA Merit Award winner.</li> <li>Devkota I, Bonomo ZL, Fuego DM, Loux SC, Simintiras CA. 2025. Hormonal modulation of bovine endometrial epithelial organoids. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting; July 2025; Washington, DC, USA. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Fuego DM, Devkota I, Bonomo ZL, Dondeti MF, Vourekas AV, Simintiras CA. 2025. Cannabinoid exposure alters oviduct fluid composition in vitro with potential implications for embryo epigenetic reprogramming. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting; July 2025; Washington, DC, USA. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Folchini NP, Saad M, Kidwell EG, Bonacim PM, Ehresmann LX, Domingues RR, Kleinhenz M, Pohler K, Garcia-Guerra A. 2025. Functional role of prostaglandin F2α in luteal regression after induced pregnancy loss in cattle. Animal Reproduction 22(3).</li> <li>Ferst JG, da Silveira JC, Simintiras CA, Lonergan P. 2025. Increased negative energy balance alters the metabolic signature of uterine fluid extracellular vesicles and influences embryo metabolism in vitro. Brazilian Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting; August 2025; Costa do Sauípe, Bahia, Brazil. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Fioravanti P, Moorey SE, Batey IE, Mills MD, Pollock AB, Hill KS, O’Neil MA, Payton RR, Hessock EA, Schrick FN, Edwards JL. 2025. Advanced preovulatory follicle progression associated with higher estrous-associated temperatures (HEAT) and impacted by estrous active behaviors. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Fioravanti P, Moorey SE, Batey IE, Mills M, Hill KS, Pollock AB, Payton RR, Hessock EA, Schrick FN, Campagna SR, O’Neil MA, Edwards JL. 2025. Impact of higher estrus-associated temperatures (H.E.A.T.) and mounting activity on the periovulatory follicular fluid metabolome in beef heifers. International Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting; January 18–22, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA.</li> <li>Grote CE, Shofner I, Keller A, Timme K, Keating AF. 2025. Green eggs and ham – Development of a novel system for primordial follicle evaluation in the porcine ovary. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting.</li> <li>González-Alvarez ME, Timme K, Keating AF. 2025. [No title provided]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting.</li> <li>M. Koppelman, J. P. Fulton, S. Khanal, A. Garcia-Guerra, T. Berger-Wolf. 2025. Utilizing image-based artificial intelligence for grading bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes. Animal – Science Proceedings 16(4):722–723. doi:10.1016/j.anscip.2025.08.279. Peer-reviewed.</li> <li>Haffner CJ, González-Alvarez ME, Timme K, Keating AF. 2025. Altered hepatic chemical biotransformation mRNA and protein abundance in prepubescent lean and obese female mice during exposure to dimethylbenz[a] Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting.</li> <li>Haine S, Glasper C, Do L, Weismann M, Murphy E, Przygrodzka E. 2025. Protein kinase A (PKA)-stimulated glucose metabolism is essential for granulosa cell function. ANSC Annual Symposium; May 2025; College Park, MD, USA.</li> <li>Henning J, Branco LCS, Diggs A, Allegro L, Griffin P, Silva AG, Bilby TR, Nickell J, Thomas JM, Rocha CC. 2025. Defining the interval from estrus to ovulation when using SenseHub accelerometers for estrus detection in grazing beef heifers. Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Conference; North Platte, NE, USA.</li> <li>Henning J, Branco LCS, VanWye G, Brown M, Duit C, Thomas JM, Martins T, Rocha CC. 2025. Using anogenital distance, a prenatal marker of androgen exposure, to predict pregnancy by artificial insemination in yearling beef heifers. Perinatal Biology Symposium, American Society of Animal Science; Snowmass, CO, USA.</li> <li>Henning J, Branco LCS, VanWye G, Brown M, Duit C, Thomas JM, Martins T, Rocha CC. 2025. Using anogenital distance at pre-breeding examination to predict pregnancy by artificial insemination in yearling beef heifers. American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting; Hollywood, FL, USA.</li> <li>Henning J, Branco LCS, VanWye G, Ricardo K, Duit C, Thomas JM, Bilby TR, Rocha CC. 2025. Using automated monitoring devices to predict pregnancy by artificial insemination in grazing beef cows. DAREC Symposium; Columbia, MO, USA.</li> <li>Heredia D, Dias Zucoloto JC, Teixeira Zucoloto W, Dias Zucoloto T, Infante J, Luchini D, Gonella-Diaza A, Bertam C. 2025. Rumen-protected methionine modulates plasma and follicular fluid metabolites in beef cows. International Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting. Reproduction, Fertility, and Development</li> <li>Hessock EA, Stokes AE, Clark HM, Edwards JL, Payton RR, Beever JE, Freeman TF, Schrick FN, Moorey SE. 2025. Transcript profiles of blastocysts produced from oocytes matured in fluid from preovulatory follicles of varied maturity. International Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting; January 18–22, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA.</li> <li>Hill KS, Fioravanti P, Batey IE, Payton RR, O’Neil MA, Schrick FN, Menegatti Zoca S, Moorey SE, Edwards JL. 2025. Relationship between standing estrus at fixed-time artificial insemination with day 11 progesterone levels in suckled Bos taurus beef cattle. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Hill KS, Edwards JL, Payton RR, Schrick FN, Campagna SR, Hessock EA, Moorey SE. 2025. Relationships of circulating and preovulatory follicular fluid hydrogen peroxide level with body condition score and metabolome profiles in lactating beef cows. International Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting; January 18–22, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA.</li> <li>Hoorn QA, Simintiras CA, Kenny DA, Fair S, Lonergan P. 2025. Sperm metabolomic profiles reflect bull fertility status. Association of Embryo Technology in Europe Annual Meeting; September 2025; Cork, Ireland. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Hughes CHK. 2025. Luteolysis at single cell resolution: luteal cell–immune cell interactions. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting; July 28–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Hughes CHK. 2025. SF-1 regulates ovarian follicle formation and development. ENDO 2025; July 12–15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA.</li> <li>Hughes CHK. 2025. Novel mechanisms conferring resistance to regression during luteal development and pregnancy. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting; June 22–25, 2025; Louisville, KY, USA.</li> <li>Hughes-Brown JM, Pate JL, Hughes CHK. 2025. Modulation of apoptotic mechanisms in developing bovine corpora lutea may regulate susceptibility to luteolysis in response to PGF2α. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA. Oral presentation. Trainee travel award winner.</li> <li>Hutchings D, Elder D, Tsang PC. 2026. The phytoestrogen equol dysregulates the function of the bovine corpus luteum. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting; July 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Ibadin NO, Diaz FJ. 2025. Differential effects of potassium channel modulators on mouse sperm motility and function. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting; July 29–August 5, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Infante J, Wang J, Heredia D, Venturini D, Lopez-Duarte MC, Yu H, Gonella A. 2025. Predicting active and non-active corpus luteum in early pregnancy using computer vision and machine learning on Doppler ultrasound images in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 103(Suppl 3):366.</li> <li>Kennedy J, Peterson KD, Chitwood BM, Lonas AB, Young MA, Payton RR, Poudel SP, Behura SK, Oliver MA, Strickland LG, Prado TM, Edwards JL, Charpigny G, Spencer TE, Mathew DJ. 2025. Impact of early pregnancy on the maternal anterior pituitary transcriptome in cattle. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Klabnik JL, Beever JE, Payton RR, Lamour KH, Schrick FN, Edwards JL. 2025. A step toward understanding direct impacts of a higher estrus-associated temperature (HEAT): transcript level changes in cumulus-oocyte complexes directly exposed to acute elevated temperature. International Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting; January 18–22, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA.</li> <li>Koppelman GM, Fulton JP, Khanal S, Garcia-Guerra A, Berger-Wolf T. 2025. Utilizing image-based artificial intelligence for grading bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes. Animal – Science Proceedings 16(4):722–723. doi:10.1016/j.anscip.2025.08.279. Peer-reviewed.</li> <li>Kuzniar MA, Edwards JL, Payton RR, Campagna SR, Sarumi Q, Hessock EA, Schrick FN, Moorey SE. 2025. Relationship between preovulatory follicle maturity and the follicular fluid metabolome. International Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting; January 18–22, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA.</li> <li>Laplacette AL, Giordano JO. 2025. Combining early lactation automated estrus alerts and predictors of reproductive performance for grouping cows based on first service reproductive potential. Journal of Dairy Science 108(E-Suppl 1).</li> <li>Laplacette AL, Giordano JO. 2025. Patterns of behavioral parameters and performance outcomes in lactating cows with automated health alerts and no clinical signs of disease. Journal of Dairy Science 108(E-Suppl 1).</li> <li>Laplacette AL, Giordano JO. 2025. Predicting first service pregnancy outcome in lactating dairy cows with machine learning algorithms trained on behavioral, performance, and cow feature data. Journal of Dairy Science 108(E-Suppl 1).</li> <li>Lopez-Duarte MC, Heredia D, Venturini M, Infante J, Catussi B, Maderal A, Tarnonsky F, Gonella-Diaza A. 2025. Characterization of plasmatic extracellular vesicles during pregnancy in beef cattle. International Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting. Reproduction, Fertility, and Development</li> <li>Moorey SE. 2025. Role of the preovulatory follicle in oocyte metabolism and competence for embryo development in cattle. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting; June 22–25, 2025; Louisville, KY, USA.</li> <li>Mostafa M, Tyree MF, Stenhouse C, Hughes CHK. 2025. Orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 as a potential novel regulator of ovarian reserve establishment in cattle. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA. Accepted presentation; withdrawn due to health of first author.</li> <li>Motta JCL, Carranza-Martin AC, Saad M, Rykaczewski C, Crist A, Folchini NP, Sala RV, Bond R, Ross PJ, Garcia-Guerra A. 2025. Association between circulating anti-Müllerian hormone at birth and puberty onset in Holstein heifers. Proceedings of the 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA. P110.</li> <li>Motta JCL, Sala RV, Absalón-Medina VA, Fricke VC, Ross PJ, Moreno JF, Garcia-Guerra A. 2025. Ovarian stimulation with FSH in low AMH heifers increases ovarian response and oocyte developmental competence in a dose-limited manner. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 37(1). doi:10.1071/RDv37n1Ab209.</li> <li>Motta JCL, Garcia-Guerra A. 2025. Ovarian reserve and fertility: bridging basic science and reproductive management. Journal of Animal Science 103(Suppl 3):224–225. doi:10.1093/jas/skaf300.265.</li> <li>Saad M, Rykaczewski C, Edwards A, Ponte E, da Silva Junior FPJ, Domingues R, Garcia-Guerra A. 2025. Accessory corpora lutea in ewes: influence on fertility and CL maintenance. Proceedings of the 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA. P246. Peer-reviewed.</li> <li>Oliver MA, Ealy AD. 2025. Interleukin-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor influence epiblast cell number and hypoblast migration in cultured, post-hatched bovine blastocysts. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Payton RR, Moorey SE, Campagna SR, Schrick FN, Pohler KG, Edwards JL. 2025. Heat-induced hyperthermia after a GnRH-induced LH surge impacts circulating and periovulatory intrafollicular metabolites in lactating dairy cows. 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Payton RR, Moorey SE, Campagna SR, Schrick FN, Pohler KG, Edwards JL. 2025. Heat-induced hyperthermia impacts the periovulatory follicular fluid metabolome in lactating dairy cows. International Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting; January 18–22, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA.</li> <li>Peterson KD, Kolape J, Mathew DJ. 2025. Evidence of endometrial binucleate cells in cattle: a product of monoculture or a new endometrial epithelial phenotype? 58th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction; July 29–August 1, 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Przygrodzka E, Haine S, Do L, Weisman M, Glasper C, Murphy E. 2025. Protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated chromatin accessibility and transcriptomic alterations in granulosa cells. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting; July 2025; Washington, DC, USA.</li> <li>Roa-Vidal P, Markway M, Moraes JGN, Poock S, Matthew LC, Patterson AL. 2025. Beyond the lesions: adenomyosis alters uterine gene expression at a global scale in the bovine model. Gilbert S. Greenwald 22nd Annual Symposium on Reproductive and Developmental Sciences; October 16–17, 2025; Kansas City, KS, USA. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Roa-Vidal P, Markway M, Moraes JGN, Matthew LC, Patterson AL. 2025. Implementing the dairy cow as a novel study model to uncover cell migration pathways dysregulated in adenomyosis. Society for Reproductive Investigation 72nd Annual Meeting; March 25–29, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Roberts SR, Hessock EA, Lonas AB, Campagna SR, Moorey SE, Zoca SM. 2025. Association between sperm metabolites and field fertility in beef bulls. International Embryo Technology Society Annual Meeting; January 18–22, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA.</li> <li>Roth E, Pearl S, Sand J, Bello T, Przygrodzka E. 2025. PKA signaling drives metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming during granulosa cell luteinization. Honors Program, University of Maryland.</li> <li>Sellmer Ramos I, Caldeira MO, Moraes JGN, Poock SE, Lucy MC, Patterson AL. 2025. Investigating the phenotype of putative stem/progenitor epithelia established at the endometrial stratum basalis of the bovine uterus. Gilbert S. Greenwald 22nd Annual Symposium on Reproductive and Developmental Sciences; October 16–17, 2025; Kansas City, KS, USA. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Sellmer Ramos I, Caldeira MO, Poock SE, Moraes JGN, Lucy MC, Patterson AL. 2025. Characterization of the endometrial epithelium of postpartum dairy cows using a multimodal transcriptomic approach to investigate disease programming of fertility. American Society of Animal Science Midwest Section Annual Meeting; March 9–12, 2025; Omaha, NE, USA. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Timme K, González-Alvarez ME, Keating AF. 2025. Inhibition of PI3K altered the ovarian response to DMBA exposure. Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting.</li> <li>Tourzani DA, Guo S, Visconti P, Gervasi MG. 2025. Sperm energy restriction and recovery (SER) prior to IVF alters early embryo development and implantation competence. Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar, Fertilization & Activation of Development; July 2025; Holderness, NH, USA. Poster presentation.</li> <li>Venturini M, de Agostini Losano J, Heredia D, Lopez-Duarte MC, Infante J, Podversich F, Tarnonsky F, Gonella A, McGraw M, Muhammad S, Guertin J, Poliakiwski B, Smith D, Pohler K, DiLorenzo N, Daigneault B. 2025. Relationship between reproductive parameters and residual feed intake in yearling beef bulls. American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Annual Meeting; 2025. Journal of Animal Science 103(Suppl 2):138.</li> </ul>         Theses/Dissertations (2025) <ul> <li>Batey IE. Estrous active behaviors and other factors related to higher estrous-associated temperatures in beef cattle. MS thesis.</li> <li>Christian H. Obesity modulates basal and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced hepatic inflammatory signaling and xenobiotic biotransformation pathways. MS thesis.</li> <li>Crist A. Enhancing ovulatory response and fertility in beef cows: presynchronization approaches using progesterone and prostaglandin F2α. MS thesis, The Ohio State University.</li> <li>Fuego DM. Oviduct fluid metabolic regulation of embryonic genome methylation. MS thesis.</li> <li>Gabel A. Zinc-dependent signaling and ZIP9 function in mammalian mural granulosa cells. PhD dissertation.</li> <li>Heredia D. Rumen-protected methionine supplementation during the periconceptional period in beef cattle: impacts on postnatal development and offspring performance. MS thesis.</li> <li>Hughes-Brown J. A multiomics approach to characterizing the acquisition of luteolytic capacity in the bovine corpus luteum. MS thesis.</li> <li>Keane JA. Enhancing bovine in vitro embryo production: effects of immunomodulatory and antioxidant supplements during oocyte maturation. PhD dissertation.</li> <li>Lopez Duarte MC. Cell-free DNA and extracellular vesicles as indicators of reproductive status in beef cows. MS thesis.</li> <li>Oliver MA. Investigating the actions of interleukin-6 family members on post-hatching blastocyst development in cattle. PhD dissertation.</li> <li>Roberts SR. Association between sperm metabolites and field fertility in Angus bulls. MS thesis.</li> <li>Venturini M. Residual feed intake in beef cattle: omics technologies to identify biomarkers and reproductive-related traits. MS thesis.</li> </ul>

Impact Statements

Generated new knowledge of ovarian follicular dynamics and ovarian reserve biology, supporting the future development of more effective embryo transfer strategies for low-antral follicle count (AFC) females.
Developed precision reproductive management approaches that integrate automated estrus detection, reproductive performance predictors, and synchronization protocols to improve fertility and profitability in dairy herds.
Identified molecular regulators of angiogenesis and vascular maintenance in the bovine corpus luteum, providing new insights into mechanisms that sustain luteal function and fertility.
Improved synchronization protocols and identified fertility-associated phenotypes that enhance the success of artificial insemination and embryo production technologies in cattle.
Advanced understanding of how periconceptional nutrition, epigenetic regulation, and reproductive management influence embryo development, pregnancy establishment, and offspring performance in beef cattle.
Revealed fundamental mechanisms by which environmental and metabolic stressors impair ovarian function and female fertility, providing a basis for strategies that improve reproductive resilience.
Expanded knowledge of the biological mechanisms governing conceptus elongation, supporting strategies to reduce early embryonic loss and improve reproductive efficiency in cattle.
Evaluated the role of vitamins A, D, and E in reproductive performance, providing evidence to support cost-effective nutritional strategies that improve fertility and resilience in beef cattle.
Identified the metabolic, endocrine, and molecular determinants of oocyte quality and embryo viability, advancing assisted reproductive technologies and increasing the likelihood of producing healthy calves.
Demonstrated that targeted manipulation of sperm metabolism and characterization of sperm-derived activation factors can improve embryo development and enhance the efficiency of in vitro embryo production systems.
Defined metabolic and signaling pathways controlling granulosa cell function, revealing novel targets for improving ovarian function, ovulation, and oocyte competence.
Identified molecular markers and uterine repair mechanisms associated with pregnancy establishment and postpartum uterine health, supporting improved fertility management in both beef and dairy cattle.
Demonstrated measurable improvements in reproductive management on commercial livestock operations, increasing producer profitability while enhancing labor efficiency, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
Advanced understanding of melatonin's role in ovarian function, oocyte competence, and pregnancy maintenance, supporting development of biomarkers and management strategies to improve dairy cattle fertility.
Strengthened workforce development by training graduate and undergraduate students in contemporary reproductive biology through a multistate collaborative program, preparing the next generation of scientists and animal agriculture professionals.