Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Chair Derek McLean called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2008. Participants were introduced and the minutes from the 2007 meeting were approved without discussion. Doug Hixon, Chair, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wyoming, welcomed everyone to UW in the Mary Mead Meeting Room at the UW Livestock Center. Colin Kaltenbach indicated that the summary report for W-112 needs to be completed in 60 days and stressed that the impact statements contained in the individual reports are of increasing importance. Brenda Alexander discussed the arrangements for dinner and lunch the following day. The registration fee for the meeting was $60 and it was arranged that Colin would collect this fee at the first break. The group thanked Steve Ford, Brenda Alexander and Gary Moss for local arrangements. Deb Hamernik reviewed a handout for the USDA update. Vacant positions at USDA and grant writing workshops were highlighted. She drew attention to the high priority research and extension areas listed in the handout as a result of the Farm Bill authorization. Deb reviewed organizational changes and acronyms. FRI replaces NRI, with similar priority areas with the additions of bioenergy and conventional plant breeding. Funding allocations were discussed with 60% to fundamental research, not less than 30% to multidisciplinary efforts, not less than 40% for applied research with funding increased to 700M/year. She also indicated that indirect costs increased to 22%. The establishment of the Research, Education and Extension office (REEO), and the establishment of NIFA to replace CSREES was described. The intent is the raise the profile of agricultural research and will be led by a director that is appointed by the President for a 6 year term. Deb shared a series of graphs which profiled the changes in competitive and state funding since 1985, changes in earmarked funds, funding level by animal species, and number of faculty and PhDs being trained in animal sciences. Funding level by state for research with beef cattle was discussed. Proposed NRI funding budgets and statistics for funding were discussed. Talked about impacts and impact statements, and Deb reiterated the importance of impacts. G. Smith questioned Deb about the potential delay in the RFA with the new NIFA organization. D. Hallford asked about the NRSP7 program and Deb indicated that there will still be some money for this program next year. Business Gary Moss was nominated for member at large by T. Geary and Kim Vonhame was nominated by Andy Roberts. Gary Moss was elected as the new Member at Large. Three sites for 2009 were nominated: Reno by Hawkins; New Mexico by Cupp; and Overton by Weems. (Voted to hold the 2009 meeting in Reno the following day). Dennis Hallford agreed to coordinate meeting arrangements for Reno. J Berardinelli made a motion to have the meeting May 18-19, 2009, this was seconded by T. Geary. These dates were approved by acclimation. Old Business: The creation of a poster to advertise W-112 to constituents was discussed by the group. The poster would highlight one of three main areas for the group, and would rotate between these areas every 2-3 years. The poster will be distributed electronically between members so that it can be edited as segments highlighted as appropriate. Derek volunteered to build the first poster and then circulate it to the membership. The W-112 website is with J. Berardinelli on his computer. Jim discussed the design of the page, some of the options that can be used, indicated he is working on the web page and that some revisions will be posted in August, 2008. New Business: None brought forward. Members shared open positions at their institutions. The remainder of the meeting was dedicated to presentations of individual reports, and identification of collaborative projects for the ensuing year. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM on June 27, 2008. Collaborative Efforts: AZ/WY Examine undernourished ewe tissue for ghrelin and ghrelin receptor. HI/TX/CO Implant CL with vehicle, PGE1 or PGE2 to examine mRNA for LH receptor, bound and unbound LH receptors, luteal weights and progesterone profiles. Examine lysophospahtidic acid (LPA), agonists and antagonists of estrogen receptors (alpha and beta) and agonists and antagonists of LPA receptors LPA2 and LPA3 on progesterone, PGE, PGF2a secretion by luteal tissue in vitro. CO/WY Examine gene expression in CL from pregnant and nonpregnant sheep. CO/PZ Provide antibodies against ISG15 for MX studies. CO/OH Examine ISG15 expression in CL collected on d 218 following high or low estradiol exposure. CO/TX Examine endocrine function of IFN-tau on the CL using uterine vein infustion. CO/TX/MT (USDA) Continue work on utility of low expression of ISG15 as a marker of nonpregnant ruminants. CO/ID Work on purification of gonadotropes and knock down genes involved in second messenger pathways involved in membrane bound steroid receptors. CO/NM Evaluate estrogen receptors in tissues from preovulatory beef heifers. MT/NM Determine metabolic hormone profiles of postpartum suckled primiparous beef cows in response to bull biostimulation. MT/NM Analyze IGF-1 in free ranging elk and postpartum cows. MT/MI Cooperate on embryo transfer protocol to evaluate in vivo viability of JY-1 altered embryos. MT/AK Cooperate on graduate student training. MT/MT (USDA) Cooperate on graduate student training. ND/WY Cooperate on IUGR studies in sheep and cattle. ND/AZ Collaborate on Ghrelin studies. NE/WA Examine role of VEGF in testis function; Microarray analysis of persistent follicles. NE/WY Evaluate testicular tissues of rams treated with RU486; Evaluate effects of undernutrition on VEGF expression in oviductal and endometrial tissues. NE/KS Expression of FSH receptor (3) isoforms in bovine follicles. OH/MT (USDA) Determine dose and duration of progesterone required to induce onset of estrus and prevent initiation of luteal phase. TX/GA Continue work on feed efficiency and reproduction interactions. UT/WA/MT (USDA) Collaborate on statistical analysis of bovine Affymetrx data. WY/ND Work on nutrient restriction studies in pregnant cattle and sheep. WY/MT (USDA) Analyze pituitaries of from fasted animals for effected gene products. WA/KSU Expression of FSHr3 isoforms in prepubertal pig testis. WA/MT (USDA) Gene chip analysis of bovine array data.

Objective 1. Investigate molecular, cellular and endocrine mechanisms that limit or control reproductive efficiency in domestic animals. Estrous cycle, physiology/CL function 1. Recent data suggest that PGE1 is a more potent antiluteolytic agent than PGE2 by increasing mRNA for LH receptors and occupied and unoccupied LH receptors on luteal and caruncular endometrium. 2. IFN-Ä also has an endocrine role in protecting the CL from luteolysis, stabilizing production of progesterone, or programming immune cells such that the CL survives in response to pregnancy. 3. Flax fed ewes also had more (P < 0.01) omega-3 fatty acids and total fatty acids in plasma. Reports of increased pregnancy rates in dairy cows fed flax may relate to P4 metabolism. 4. Ghrelin and its receptor (GHS-R1a) are expressed within the reproductive tract of dairy cattle and, thus, may be involved in the metabolic regulation of reproduction. 5. Slight nutritional differences between low quality forages fed for a short period of time, had no effect on follicular waves, dominant follicle size or cycle length or neuroendocrine function in cyclic beef heifers. Hypothalamic-Anterior Pituitary Gland Physiology 1. E2-BSA does not impact secretion of GnRH when administered to ovariectomized ewes. We infer that this means that E2-BSA does not cross the blood-brain barrier. 2. There was no surge of GnRH or LH in any of the ewes treated with E2-BSA. This indicates that E2-BSA does not dissociate into E2 and BSA in vivo. 3. It will be possible to design regimens to alter secretion of LH only at the level of the anterior pituitary gland without influencing secretion of GnRH. This may be used to develop novel mechanisms for synchronizing the LH surge in estrous (ovulation) synchronization schemes. 4. The chimeric ovine gonadotropin expresses both LH and FSH activity in sheep. Moreover, the ovine-based single chain gonadotropin induces profound and long lasting stimulation of follicle growth. This persistent expression of bioactivity suggests that the recombinant proteins have an extremely long functional life. 5. The single chain gonadotropins induce an immune response that may preclude their use in treatment protocols that require repeated administration. 6. The single chain hFSH analogs have a long functional life in sheep. The long-lived nature of the analogs is likely due, at least in part, to the additional glycosylation that is permitted by the incorporation of the CTP segment into the single chain gonadotropin motif. Ovarian Physiology 1. The CART peptide is a potent inhibitor of follicular estradiol production in vivo. , intrafollicular CART injection resulted in a ~ 50% decrease in follicular fluid estradiol concentrations (P < 0.01; Figure 4) and a 10-40 fold decrease in granulosa cell aromatase mRNA abundance 24 h after treatment administration (P < 0.02). Results demonstrate a potent negative regulatory role for CART in regulation of estradiol production in vivo. 2. Inappropriate regulation of VEGF may also affect primordial follicle formation and progression of follicles. Therefore, VEGF is critical to follicle development and manipulation of this gene may allow us to develop better synchronization regimes or IVF procedures to ensure successful pregnancy outcomes. 3. VEGF inhibitory isoforms may be involved in sex-specific vascular development and gonadal morphogenesis. In appropriate regulation of VEGF during sex differentiation could lead to abnormal development of vasculature or seminiferous cords and would affect life-long fertility of animals. 4. VEGF isoforms are increased in estrogenic follicles. Therefore, VEGF isoforms may be a potential marker for viable follicles/oocytes to be used in IVF or embryo transfer procedures 5. Results indicate that circulating concentrations of IGF-1 during the peripartum period were better indicators of rebreeding performance of first calf heifers than either BCS or BW. Associations of IGF-1 and date of second calving were stronger when IGF-1 was measured prior to, rather than after first calving. Oocyte-embryo physiology 1. Injection of follistatin siRNA 2 did not affect proportion of early and late cleaving embryos (21% vs 19% and 41% vs 37%) and total cleavage rate (80% vs 81%). However, injection of follistatin siRNA 2 decreased the proportion of embryos reaching the 8-16-cell stage (41% vs 59%) and percent blastocyst development (12% vs 27%, P < 0.05). 2. Experiments were repeated and effects of follistatin siRNA 3 determined (25-30 embryos per treatment, n = 4 replicates). Similar results were obtained as for follistatin siRNA 2 injection. Results support a requirement of endogenous follistatin for bovine early embryogenesis. 3. Results of the present studies conclusively demonstrate a positive contribution of follistatin to regulation of bovine early embryogenesis and blastocyst cell allocation in vitro thus establishing follistatin as a functional contributor to bovine oocyte competence. 4. Results support a potential requirement of JY-1 for normal progression through embryonic genome activation. Additional studies will be required to determine if the requirement of JY-1 for normal embryonic transcription is global or JY-1 regulation is restricted to specific genes/gene families and their functional significance. 5. Indices of embryonic genome activation are impeded in embryos subjected to siRNA mediated ablation of JY-1. 6. MX1 was present in the membrane fractions of the sucrose gradient, and the protein moved to the lower (more soluble) fractions of the gradient when exosomes were pre-treated with detergent. Finally, CHMP6, a protein associated with MVBs, co-localized with MX1 in oGE cells. These results support a mechanism in which MX1 regulates secretion via MVBs in oGE cells. 7. Results from a single experiment showed that reduced levels of MX1 caused cells to proliferate at a faster rate than control cells treated with the 5-MIS-MOA or medium only, regardless of IFN tau treatment (p < 0.05). These experiments support the hypothesis that MX1 interacts with TUBB in vitro and provide evidence that levels of MX1 protein may affect oGE cell proliferation. 8. Results suggest that three splice-variants of MX1 mRNA are present in sheep, and that, unlike MX1a and MX1b, MX1c is highly abundant and is not regulated by IFN tau. 9. A linear relationship (P < 0.05; r2 = 0.36) between peak estradiol concentrations and total number of nuclei per embryo (grade 1 to 4) was observed. In conclusion, decreasing the duration of elevated estradiol exposure did not affect fertilization rate or embryo development, suggesting that oocyte quality and oviductal function was not impaired in these animals. 10. IFN-Ä acts in a paracrine manner to affect release of prostaglandin F2±. However, we detect significant release of IFN-Ä in the uterine vein and expression of interferon stimulated genes in corpora lutea from day 16 pregnant sheep. Also, we demonstrate that 24 h infusion of IFN-Ä into the uterine vein in non pregnant sheep induces IFN-stimulated genes in the corpus luteum. We conclude that IFN-Ä also has an endocrine role in protecting the CL from luteolysis, stabilizing production of progesterone, or programming immune cells such that the CL survives in response to pregnancy. 11. Using mice as a gene deletion model for cattle, we have demonstrated that ISG15 is a molecular sentinel that functions to assist mothers when coping with environmental stressors imposed on pregnancy. 12. The window of time during early ruminant pregnancy during which the conceptus is rapidly elongating and becoming apposed to the uterine lining, is the time frame in which significant pregnancy loss occurs and coincides with the expression of PF. While the function of this nuclear protein has yet to be determined, the use of lentiviral-mediated RNA interference clearly demonstrates that PF is required for normal conceptus elongation and survival. Additionally, these studies demonstrate the usefulness of lentiviral-mediated RNA interference to study the function of genes expressed in the ruminant placenta. Testicular Physiology 1. In comparison to baseline expression (0-hr), the expression of KDR and Flt-1 were significantly induced (p<0.05) at 3 hrs, regardless of treatment. However, VEGF treatment did significantly increase the expression of Flt-1 and KDR mRNA at 24 hrs when compared to controls. These data support the conclusion VEGF is important in germ cell survival in the developing bovine testis. 2. At three days of SSC-peritubular myoid cell co-culture, testosterone treatment resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in stem cell colonization following transplantation supporting our hypothesis that peritubular myoid cells and testosterone are important components of the SSC niche in the adult testis. 3. Development of methods to control reproduction of overabundant wildlife and feral species should provide tools to reduce populations of problem species and reduced damage done to agricultural crops and natural habitats of competing species, and reduce the spread of disease to domestic livestock. 4. Development of methods for SSC isolation, propagation and cryopreservation will allow earlier and more wide-spread use of superior males genetics. 5. SSC cryopreservation will allow fertility to be restored follow treatments (chemo therapy) that deplete adult stem cell populations. 6. Identification of Y-specific genes or markers associated with increased fertility will allow for enhanced genetic screening of breeding stock and identification of superior males earlier in life. 7. VEGF inhibitory isoforms may be involved in sex-specific vascular development and gonadal morphogenesis. In appropriate regulation of VEGF during sex differentiation could lead to abnormal development of vasculature or seminiferous cords and would affect life-long fertility of animals. 8. Examination of bovine testis with in situ hybridization revealed that the bCDYL and bCDYL2 transcripts were found mainly in spermatids, though the amounts of transcripts varied among genes/variants. In addition, antisense transcripts were detected in bCDYL variants 2/3, and 4, and the bCDYL2 gene. 9. Expression analysis of the bDDX3Y gene in 12 bovine tissues by RT-PCR showed that both transcripts are predominantly expressed in the bovine testis. 10. An association study among bulls from four groups of high fertility (high non-return rate), low fertility (low non-return rate), sub-fertility, and infertility has indicated that these SNPs and their haplotypes are significantly correlated with bull fertility. Out data suggest the bovine DAZL SNPs can be potentially used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for male fertility in cattle breeding programs. 11. Overall, these data demonstrate that GDNF up-regulation of Bcl6b, Erm, and Lhx1 expression through SFK signaling is a key component of the intracellular mechanism for SSC self-renewal. 12. Results implicate Leydig cells and possibly myoid cells as contributors to the SSC niche microenvironment and add CSF-1 to the list of niche factors influencing SSC self-renewal. 13. Using magnetic activated cells sorting technology we have been able to isolate a6-integrin, Thy1, and Ep-CAM expressing cell fractions from bull testes. We are now assessing whether these cells fractions are enriched for SSCs compared to the total testis cell population based on expression of other SSC markers and the functional ability of bovine SSCs to colonize the testes of recipient mice following transplantation. 14. Studies demonstrated that ± L-PGDS reacts with oocytes and also spermatozoa, resulting in increases of in vitro sperm-oocyte binding and inhibition of fertilization, and may have a possible role in bovine fertilization. 15. Interactions of BSP A1/A2 and 30 kDa and osteopontin with the sperm membrane undergo modifications dictated by the oviductal fluid. BSPs are thought to modulate cholesterol and phospholipid movement from the sperm membrane and help sperm binding to the oviductal epithelium. Furthermore, our model suggests that OPN participates in sperm-oocyte interaction, affecting fertilization and early embryonic development. 16. Results of two experiments confirm that in ram lambs active immunization against I-inhibin peptide increases sperm production by approximately 26%. The increase may be advantageous in the use of winter-born ram lambs during the following fall-breeding season. Uterine-Placental-Fetal Nutritional Interactions during Pregnancy 1. Across treatments, peripheral progesterone concentrations were decreased (treatment x time, P < 0.05) and steady-state concentrations of PGR mRNA were greater (P < 0.05) in the non-pregnant than pregnant heifers. In summary, peripheral progesterone concentrations, conceptus development and IFNt production were not affected by reducing preovulatory estradiol concentrations. 2. In sheep fetuses with placental insufficiency induced IUGR, functional changes in pancreatic ²-cells come prior to declines in ²-cell mass and mitosis, indicating insulin might be a primary initiator of fetal growth restriction. Strikingly, these studies indicate that the major impairments in ²-cell development and function take place during the final third of gestation when nutrient and oxygen disparities double due to impaired placental transport. 3. In lambs from IUGR pregnancies, we found an early overcorrection in first phase insulin secretion. The greater insulin secretion responsiveness was superimposed onto persistently higher insulin sensitivity; thus making insulin secretion and insulin action discordant as a result of fetal nutrient and oxygen deprivation. 4. In the IUGR lambs the greater insulin sensitivity resulted from increased peripheral glucose uptake rather than central insulin sensitivity because hepatic glucose production was similar. These data indicate that a skeletal muscle and adipose tissues are primary targets for the improved insulin sensitivity. 5. Ghrelin likely affects early embryonic development based on its pattern of expression within the reproductive tract (highest in the ampulla). 6. The nested factorial probe-level statistical model can be used to assess differential expression in future studies where large sample sizes (number of biological replicates on microarrays) are not practical, as in bovine NT studies. 7. The statistical tools developed here can be used to study a possible genetic (and subsequently pathway or ontology) basis of successful (vs. failed) NT pregnancies without requiring large numbers of biological replicates. 8. In the ewe, the conversion of placentomes from A to D type increases their ability to deliver nutrients to the fetus, thereby protecting the fetus from intrauterine growth restriction. This conversion normally occurs during late gestation (>120 days) in response to the exponential growth of the fetus, but some animals have the ability to convert their placentomes during early gestation in the face of a maternal stressor such as undernutrition. This ability for early placentomal conversion appears to be related to pre-gestational ewe selection, and thus may be epigenetic in nature. 9. The effect of maternal obesity on the ratio of estrogen-receptor (ER) ² to ER± in the fetus may affect the propensity for obesity in offspring by influencing the appetite stimulatory NPY and AgRP Nutritional and metabolic effects in non-pregnant animals 1. Live animal carcass composition is highly correlated with BW and DMI, but not RFI. Parameters of live animal carcass composition may not be useful predictors of feed efficiency in limit fed beef heifers. 2. The ovulatory response to acute nutritional restriction was invariable in this experiment and not related to RFI. The effects of acute nutritional restriction on ovulation in beef heifers are probably mediated by many factors but the influence of RFI appears to be minimal. 3. Selection for low residual feed intake may increase the age at puberty in Brahman bulls. Bulls with low residual feed intake are more efficient but do not have as much body fat as their less efficient (high residual feed intake) herdmates. 4. Limit feeding, a fixed percent of body weight, may be more appropriate for Brahman bulls than ad libitum feeding to establish feed efficiency. 5. The correlation between prepubertal residual feed intake and postpubertal residual feed intake in heifers was 0.48 (P < .0001). Residual feed intake measured before puberty is only a moderate predictor of variation in this trait during the postpubertal period. 6. Our efforts in the selenium studies continue to determine how selenium being fed impacts maternal and fetal tissues during pregnancy. Data indicate maternal nutrition impacts circulating hormones, as well as maternal and fetal placental tissues from the offspring. Further data are being analyzed for growth parameters and carcass composition of the offspring born from dams fed supranutritional levels of selenium as well as differing global levels of nutrition. Interestingly, both over- and under-nutrition impact colostrum yield and IgG production. 7. Work with the estrogen and phytoestrogen (SDG from flax) model indicate that SDG may be anti-estrogenic with increased lengths of feeding. Estrogen and linseed meal impact vascularity of the GI tract in ewes and therefore may impact nutrient uptake in pregnant ruminants. 8. Results indicate that circulating concentrations of IGF-1 during the peripartum period were better indicators of rebreeding performance of first calf heifers than either BCS or BW. Associations of IGF-1 and date of second calving were stronger when IGF-1 was measured prior to, rather than after first calving. Objective 2. Develop and improve assisted reproductive technologies to enhance sustainability of production systems for domestic ruminants. Estrus, estrous synchronization and and A.I. 1. In various studies that have included 1700 postpartum cows, timed AI pregnancy rate was 69.8% for cows that received the 5d CO-Synch + CIDR program with the 2XPGF treatment (n=586; Table 2). In cows receiving a 7d CO-Synch + CIDR program or the 5d program with either the 1XPGF or 1XCLP treatment (n = 745) timed AI pregnancy rate was 56.8%. We have achieved the overall aim of this area of study by increasing timed AI pregnancy rate from the 50 to 60% range, up to approximately 70%. We have also concluded that to take advantage of the enhanced timed AI pregnancy rate that is achieved with the 5d program in postpartum cows, two PGF or CLP doses are necessary. 2. In anestrous cows, GnRH1+ cows had greater follicle growth from d-5 to 0 (P<0.01) compared to GnRH1- but similar growth rate from d-2 to 0 (P>0.10), while CIDR+ cows had faster growth rate from d-2 to 0 (P<0.05) compared to CIDR- cows but the growth rate was similar from d -5 to 0. In both experiments, follicle growth was faster (P<0.05) from d-5 to d0 in cows ovulating large (>11mm) compared to small follicles. 3. Milk progesterone in non-pregnant dairy goats treated with an intravaginal insert containing progesterone was similar to values quantified in milk from control does over a 22-d period. 4. Intravaginal inserts containing progesterone do not result in more progesterone in milk than that expected in normally cycling or pregnant does. 5. Treatment with bovine somatotropin at a synchronized estrus results in increased serum IGF-I and decreased triiodothyronine and progesterone compared with control values. 6. A hormonal method to induce estrus, ovulation and CL formation in seasonally anestrous ewes was tested. The method did not use a gonadotropin or the isolation of rams before breeding. Elimination of these steps would reduce cost and the separate housing of rams and ewes. The method, which utilizes progesterone delivered via a CIDR-G and an i.m. injection, has been reported to be highly effective in a study conducted in a middle-east country. Present results, however, demonstrated that under Minnesota conditions the method was ineffective. Our findings may preclude Minnesota sheep producers from committing resources to try the published method. Puberty 1. Precocious puberty was induced in 60, 41 and 0% of HIGH-S, LOW-S and CONT treatments respectively. Concentrations of insulin in response to feeding did not differ between the HIGH-S and LOW-S treatments but both of the high energy diets resulted in greater insulin concentrations during the 6 hours after feeding than in the CONT treatment. 2. Criollo heifers may reach puberty earlier and at lighter body weights than British breeds. Immunocastration 1. One vaccine currently available which may prove useful in a wildlife disease management strategy is GonaCon". This contraceptive vaccine, directed at gonadotropic releasing hormones, has been proven safe and effective in a variety of species. Regulatory approval is expected soon for the injectable form of GonaCon", and efforts are underway to develop an oral form of this vaccine which would greatly expand its potential usefulness in disease management strategies. Pregnancy, pregnancy detection and maintenance 1. Identification of failed pregnancies at 18 days after insemination allows for rapid re-synchronization and re-insemination of open cows every 21 days. This should substantially reduce the calving interval in the dairy industry. 2. The negative relationship described here between gestation length and the time of conception is very robust and evident from our earliest dataset. This relationship adds to the growing body of information that challenges previously held concepts of gestation length being a species specific, genetically fixed parameter. The magnitude of the negative relationship (- 0.37) is consistent with findings recently reported in Finnish reindeer, Iberian red deer, and New Zealand red deer. 3. The lack of association between gestation length and the sex or birth weight of calves, both in the switchback study and the larger dataset was unexpected. While this is similar to findings in red deer, it differs from the Finnish reindeer study. In the latter, late conceiving reindeer produced calves of lighter birth weight and significantly more females. Although we found a significant tendency for birth weight of males to increase with gestation length, this wasnt true for females and the sex of the calf didnt vary with gestation length. In fact, there was preponderance (non-significant) of females arising from early conceptions, in contrast to the Norwegian study. Animal Growth 1. These data suggest that the management system under which a ruminant female is selected can have profound effects on her ability to protect her fetus from intrauterine growth restriction in the face of maternal insults such as undernutrition. This lends support to the idea of epigenetics, whereby environmental factors such as maternal malnutrition and stress can alter maternal gene expression patterns through alterations in methylation or acetylation of DNA. 2. Maternal obesity from conception through mid-gestation accelerates fetal growth, and results in a marked increase in the size of the fetal pancreas and the numbers of insulin secreting ²-cells that it contains. Because the ²-cell population is derived from pluripotent cells which are partially differentiated and can under go only a limited number of cell divisions, a premature acceleration of ²-cell mitoses could have detrimental impacts on pancreatic function in later life, which will be evaluated. 3. Undernutrition may impact embryo survival by influencing the expression of oviductal genes that regulate intracellular processes and synthesis of IGF-I in the endometrium. 4. While it has been reported that when adolescent ewe lambs are impregnated by transfer of embryos derived from mature ewes and placed on a high plane of nutrition throughout gestation fetal growth restriction ensues, this does not appear to happen when the ewe lambs are naturally mated. This may infer that the earlier reports result from embryo x nutrition interaction that does not occur in naturally mated ewe lambs. Disease, immune function 1. Persistent infection with ncpBVDV induces a chronic type I interferon response. Because type I interferon acts as a growth suppressive cytokine, this long-term upregulation may contribute to the IUGR seen in persistent BVDV and in other viral infections during pregnancy. 2. Bovine fetuses infected with BVDV prior to development of the fetal immune system do not recognize the virus as foreign. This failure of recognition of the virus is believed to be caused, in part, by an inability to mount a strong innate immune response. 3. Infection with ncpBVDV induces a vigorous type I IFN response in acutely infected animals. Presence of a fetus persistently infected with ncpBVDV causes down-regulation of SDF-1/CXCR4 signalling in the blood of the dam. This could have deleterious consequences on fetal development and the immune response. 4. Alteration of lymphocyte function is important for rescue of the bovine corpus luteum during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Behavior 1. Maximum rectal temperature is reached within 20 minutes of onset of transportation. Exit velocity is correlated (0.62; P < 0.01) with rectal temperature during transportation. Temperamental cattle have increased cortisol and epinephrine concentrations as well as increased rectal temperature during transportation. 2.Temperament affects the degree of response of the bovine adrenal medulla but not cortex to a lipopolysaccharide (e Coli) challenge. Calm animals had higher concentrations of epinephrine following the challenge than temperamental animals. 3. Temperament does not affect growth of the suckling calf; however, temperament does influence postweaning growth traits of calves. 4. Bull exposure decreased cortisol pulse frequency and lengthened cortisol pulse duration before ROA. The results indicate that changes in characteristics of cortisol concentrations patterns precede the biostimulatory effect of bulls to induce resumption of ovulatory activity in postpartum, anovular, suckled beef cows. 5. Androstadienone, administered oro-nasally to postpartum cows did not alter mean, baseline, and pulse amplitude of cortisol. However, androstadienone exposure appeared to decrease pulse frequency and increase the duration of pulses of cortisol. These preliminary results indicate that androstadienone may be a putative pheromone involved with the biostimulatory effect of bulls on resumption of ovulatory activity in postpartum, suckled beef cows. 6. A phase of testosterone-responsive sexual development occurs in rams at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Progesterone antagonist administered during this phase perturbed subsequent testosterone production but did not overtly influence postpubertal sexual behavior. 7. Progesterone appears to be more important for the expression of sexual investigative behaviors than consummatory behavior in adult rams. 8. While reindeer are affected by male presence and can be estrous synchronized, the male effect does not cause luteal demise followed by a return to estrus. Introduction of the reindeer bull during mid-estrous cycle does not explain the occurrence of repeated short estrous cycles reported by other researchers.

Refereed Journal Publications Acosta, T.J., S. Yoshioka, J. Komiyama, S.H. Lee, A.T. Grazul-Bilska, D.J. Skarzynski and K. Okuda. 2007. Effects of storage and passage of luteal endothelial cells on endothelin-1 and prostaglandin F2± production. Journal of Reproduction and Development, 53: 473-480, 2007. Alexander B.M., E.A. Van Kirk, L.M. Naughton, and W.J. Murdoch. 2007. Ovarian morphometrics in TP-53-deficient mice. The Anatomical Record 290:59-64. Alexander B.M., Z. Kiyma , M. McFarland, E.A. Van Kirk, and G.E. and Moss. 2007. Influence of Short-Term Fasting during the Luteal Phase of the Estrous Cycle on Ovarian Follicular Development during the Ensuing Proestrus. Animal Reprod Sci 97:356-363. Alexander, B. M., Z. Kiyma, M. McFarland, E. A. Van Kirk, D. M. Hallford, D. E. Hawkins, K. K. Kane, and G. E. Moss. 2007. Influence of short-term fasting during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle on ovarian follicular development during the ensuing proestrus of ewes. Anim Reprod Sci 97: 356-363. Alexander, B.M., R.S. Stobart, and G.E. Moss. 2008. Scrapie resistance and production traits in Rambouillet rams: ram performance test 2002-2006. Res. Vet. Sci. In Press. Alexander, L. J., T. W. Geary, W. M. Snelling, and M. D. MacNeil. Quantitative trait loci with additive effect on growth and carcass traits in a Wagyu-Limousin F*2 population. Animal Genetics 38:413?416. Alexander, L. J., M. D. MacNeil, T. W. Geary, W. M. Snelling, D. C. Rule, and J. A. Scanda. Quantitative trait loci with additive effect on palatability and fatty acid composition of meat in a Wagyu-Limousin F*2 population. Animal Genetics 38:506?513. B. J. Renquist, T. E. Adams, B. M. Adams, C. C. Calvert. (2008). Circulating estradiol suppresses luteinizing hormone pulse frequency during dietary restriction. Dom. Animal Endocrinol. 34:301-310. B. J. Renquist, T. E. Adams, B. M. Adams, C. C. Calvert. (2008). Dietary restriction reduces the rate of estradiol clearance in sheep (Ovis Aries). J. Animal Sci. 86:1124-1131. Bailey, C.R., G.C. Duff, S.R. Sanders, S.P. Cuneo, C.P. McMurphy, S.W. Limesand, J.A. Marchello, D.W. Schafer, M.L. Rhoads and D.M. Hallford. 2008. Effects of ovariectomy and anabolic steroid implantation on the somatotropic axis in feedlot heifers. S. African J. Anim. Sci. (accepted). Baltes-Breitwisch, MM , RC Bott, DM Larson, JM Martin, AS Cupp. Male biostimulation prior to a short melengesterol acetate (MGA) synchronization protocol increased timed AI conception rates in multiparous cows. (In revision for Journal of Animal Science). Barry, J.S. and R.V. Anthony. 2008. The pregnant sheep as a model for human pregnancy. Theriogenology 69:55-67. Barry, J.S., P.J. Rozance and R.V. Anthony. 2008. An animal model for intrauterine growth restriction. Sem. Perinatol. 32:225-230. Bettegowda, A., J. Yao, A. Sen, Q. Li, K. Lee, Y. Kobayashi, O.V. Patel, P.M. Coussens, J.J. 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