Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Chair Dean Hawkins called the meeting to order at 8 am on Monday, May 18, 2009. Participants introduced themselves and minutes from the 2008 meeting were approved without discussion. The group thanked Dennis Hallford and Mike Teglas for making the arrangements for the meeting in Reno. Colin Kaltenbach indicated that the summary report for W-112 needs to be completed in 60 days and stressed that the impact statements for the committee were of increasing importance. A handout was provided that gave some guidance as to the desired content of impact statements. It was stressed that we should have 2-3 key impacts to highlight each year and that during the meeting the next day, we would have a session to identify these key impacts. Mark Mirando indicated that impacts should address exactly this, not reiterate results and for fundamental research, impacts should identify the critical knowledge gaps that were closed as a result of the research. Mark Mirando provided a handout regarding USDA Programs. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) was created in the last farm bill and will be led by a director appointed by the president. " A budget page from Mark that included NRI/AFRI funding was reviewed. Appropriations for 2009 were discussed. Grants.gov appears to be working well for proposal submission. Noted that strict deadlines are being enforced, and validation of a submission could take up to 48 hours, therefore submit proposals early! " The new Integrated Solutions program was discussed. With the new program, integrated proposals will no longer be included in the Animal Reproduction program. Bill Weiss is the panel manager for integrated solutions and Pat Johnson is manager for the animal reproduction. The integrated proposals can request up to 1 million dollars/proposal. A committee of 6 reviewed the pre-proposal letters of intent and approximately 25 proposals were requested for this program in 2009. " It was indicated that eligibility for equipment grants have been restored to previous levels. " Grant workshops were announced and the post-award meetings for USDA-NRI in animal reproduction were discussed. " Mark indicated that Adele Turzillo is new national program leader in animal production systems. " Funding statistics for the NRI last year were discussed. Size of awards is expected to stay relatively constant and it was indicated by Mark that more detailed budget justifications are needed in some proposals. The meeting site for next year was discussed. Overton, Fargo, Reno, Davis were all nominated and seconded. It was decided to defer the final decision until the next day. Dates for the meetings in 2010 were discussed and May 17-18, 2010 was suggested as consistent with the current year. It was unanimously decided to meet in 2010 on these dates. Announcements were made by each station regarding new faculty, positions available, changes, etc. Mike Teglas indicated he had arranged a Basque meal for the evening for those that wish to attend and will provide directions later in the day. Some major announcements were that Niswender retired, Bondurant and Anderson retired, Hamernik left CSREES and is now at UNL, Nett won Hartman award and Reeves the Casida award and Hawkins had moved to WTAM. New members of W112, Jim Pru and Mike Teglas were in attendance. Station reports proceeded until 5:30 pm and adjournment for the day. On Tuesday morning, presentations continued from 8:00 until 9:45 am. Discussion was reopened for the location of the next meeting. Votes were taken for Fargo, Overton, Reno, Davis and after a runoff between Davis and Fargo, it was determined that the meeting will be held May 17-18, 2009 in Davis. It was suggested that the meeting be held in Sacramento to reduce costs, but consensus appeared to favor Davis as the meeting location. A discussion of collaborations between stations ensued, which is summarized below. Impact statements were discussed, and it was suggested that we submit 2-3 this year. A statement regarding the importance of residual feed intake from Ron Randel, an estrous synchronization statement incorporating primarily work by Mike Day and Tom Geary, and a third impact regarding twinning and lambing rate in ewes that would be provided by Gary Moss were discussed. It was considered that this third impact may be submitted in the following year. Randel and Day were to submit these impacts to Colin Kaltenbach in the next 3 weeks. A general discussion ensued about impact statements. Mark Mirando indicated that he and Adele Turzillo will alternate as our representatives. Mark indicated that if AFRI grants are awarded, it is import for the awardee to move quickly to finalize animal protocols and receive funds in a timely manner. Tod Hansen asked when the deadline will be for next year? Mark hopes to move this deadline back to November in increments over a two year period. A motion by Jim Berardinelli to adjourn the meeting was seconded by Charles Weems. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 am on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 Collaborative Efforts for the coming year: CO/OH ISG mRNAs in maternal blood and IFNt in conceptus CO/WA , use mouse ISG15 knock out model to understand role of ISG15 in bovine uterus CO/NM thyroid hormones in heifers carrying BVDV infected fetuses CO/HI/TX PGEs and CL function using intraluteal implants CO/WY CL gene expression in pregnant vs nonpregnant ewes AK/MT/WY Male exposure and induction of estrus AK/WY/MN Influence of progesterone on sexual behavior AZ/CO Influence of gestational nutrition on pancreatic function AZ/WY Influence of gestational nutrition on insulin FL Antiviral assay available for members FL/AK Polymorphisms in caribou and muskoxen MI/FL Extended oocyte/embryo cultura MI/MT Oocyte quality and follicle diameter OH/MT/WA Estradiol influences on fertility OH/PA MX and IFNt in cattle MT/MI Oocyte quality NE/WA VEGF and gonadal function NE Collaborate on using obesity markers to identify variants in cattle NV/TX Stress hormones and abortion in cattle and sheep NM/KS Metabolic hormones and reproduction NM/WY/MT Gender for twins and effect on reproduction NM/OH Influence of IGF-1 on precocious puberty TX/MN Inhibin concentrations and temperament WTAM/NM Development in intact males ND/WA Fetal programming WY/MT/NE Progesterone and sexual behavior WY/UT SNPs in sheep AR/NM Pasture systems and reproduction

Objective 1. Investigate molecular, cellular and endocrine mechanisms that limit or control reproductive efficiency in domestic animals. Estrous cycle, physiology/CL function Endocannabinoid type 1 and type 2 receptors may play a role in luteolysis. In addition, PGE1 and PGE2 may be anliluteolysins in the ewe to prevent luteolysis. Alteration of lymphocyte function is important for rescue of the bovine corpus luteum during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Significant release of IFN-Ä in the uterine vein and expression of interferon stimulated genes in corpora lutea were detected in day 16 pregnant sheep and 24 h infusion of IFN-Ä into the uterine vein in non pregnant sheep induces IFN-stimulated genes in the corpus luteum; supporting an endocrine role for IFN-Ä in maternal recognition of pregnancy. Expression of LHR and mTOR depends on the stage of luteal development, differentiation, and regression, and PGF regulates LHR and mTOR expression during luteolysis. Hypothalamic-Anterior Pituitary Gland Physiology Polymorphisms within the promoter region of the bovine FSH gene are associated with NEFA and hormone concentrations of Brahman influenced cows. A polymorphism in the FSH promoter region of Angus-Brahman influenced bulls are associated with bull immune responses. It was suggested that FFA, especially long chain unsaturated fatty acids, impair GnRH-induced LH secretion. E2 acting by a non-genomic mechanism induces a slight but significant increase in the number of GnRH receptors and this action occurs directly on the pituitary gland. Augmentation of the non-genomic actions of E2, through high doses of E2BSA, interferes with the onset, duration, and magnitude of the surge of LH induced by E2. The increase in the number of GnRH receptors induced by activation of ESR1 can account for the slight increase in secretion of LH, observed following administration of a selective ESR1 agonist. The presence of readily detectable amounts of two forms of ±-inhibin-like immunoreactivity in bull and ram plasma and non-detectable amounts of ²-subunit indicates that substantial amounts of free inhibin ±-subunit exists in ovine and bovine plasma. In cattle a portion of the free ±-inhibin-like immunoreactivity appears to come from extragonadal sources. Presence of ±-inhibin-like material in plasma likely underlies some of the variation in responses to active immunization against inhibin. Passive immunization against inhibin at two-day intervals resulted in a 2- to 3-fold sustained increase in FSH concentrations during the treatment period. Ovarian Physiology CART binding sites are present on bovine granulosa cells and granulosa cell CART binding is increased in response to FSH treatment. VEGF isoforms may be indicators of follicle status and oocyte competence in beef cattle. Dietary intake in donor ewes has a substantial effect on oocyte quality, which results in lower rates of cleavage, and morula and blastocyst formation after IVF in sheep. Oocyte-embryo-uterine physiology MX1 was associated with a distinct population of exosomes. Exosomal proteins are implicated in angiogenesis, immune modulation, apoptosis, and cell signaling. Determining the function of MX1 in the secretion of exosomes will improve understanding of the biology of early pregnancy. Many of the same genes regulated in the endometrium during early pregnancy are also regulated in the peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and some of these genes may be under the influence of progesterone. Alteration in gene expression in PBL during early pregnancy appears to be extensive and raises the question of the roles these genes play not only in pregnancy establishment, but also in affecting the maternal circulating immune system. Spermatozoa from some bulls and oocytes may associate with SPP1, suggesting a facilitory role on in vitro fertilization and embryo development. It is suggested that RCA-1 lectin enhances binding of UTF-derived SPP1 to bovine oocytes, resulting in increased sperm-egg binding and fertilization in vitro and a possible role in fertilization. Antibodies to SPP1, L-PGDS and BSA react with oocytes incubated with ODF and inhibit sperm binding, fertilization and embryonic development in vitro, suggesting a potential role of these proteins in these events SPP1 improved the efficiency of bovine in vitro embryo production and influenced sperm capacitation. Five ovine trophoblast cell lines were generated from day 15 sheep conceptuses that include both mononucleated cytotrophoblasts and binucleate cells that are being used to investigate the mechanism of action of Periattachment Factor (PRR15). Using mice as a gene deletion model for cattle, it was demonstrated that ISG15 is a molecular sentinel that functions to assist mothers when coping with environmental stressors imposed on pregnancy. At least four FGFRs preside in pre- and peri-attachment bovine conceptuses. Moreover, conceptuses express at least three candidate FGFs during elongation, the time of peak IFNT expression. FGF2 may signal through a downstream PRKCD to positively regulate IFNT expression in bovine trophectoderm. There was no effect of addition of FGF2 on competence of embryos to develop to the blastocyst stage although addition at Day 0 hastened the onset of hatching. Dispase digestion and FACS is a useful approach for obtaining enriched populations of BNCs and MNCs from midgestation bovine cotyledons. Cumulus expansion and progression to metaphase II, and fertilization and cleavage rates following in vitro fertilization are reduced following siRNA mediated ablation of JY-1 in oocytes and such effects can be rescued by addition of recombinant JY-1 to culture medium. The common SMAD (SMAD 4) of maternal origin is required for bovine early embryogenesis. Preliminary results suggest that the effect of follicle size on fertility may be on oocyte maturation or early embryonic development (before d 7). Uterine angiogenesis, manifested by increased capillary cell proliferation, enlargement of capillaries and increased expression of factor VIII, is initiated very early in pregnancy. Localization of PrPC to specific cells and structures within embryos, and in uterine and placental tissues suggests that PrPC has a significant, but unknown, role during the estrous cycle and during developmental processes of early pregnancy. Changes in angiogenic factor expression of CAR and FM tissues during early pregnancy are associated with dramatic increases in capillary cell proliferation and capillary size. Supplementation of LSM during late gestation does not appear to impact growth rate in calves or the onset of puberty in heifer calves. Testicular Physiology An approach was developed that when combined with the Y chromosome BAC tiling paths and BAC fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), will facilitate the clarification of the MSY region in cattle. It was demonstrated that the Thy1+ cell population in pre-pubertal bull testes is enriched for proliferating spermatogonia indicating that Thy1 is a conserved marker of SSCs in the bull. TGFBeta1 does not appear to affect alternative splicing of the VEGF gene which may indicate that the VEGF gene is regulated differently in cancer cell lines versus the gonad. We are sorting through effects of IGF-1. While Activin appears to increase cord formation in the testis there does not appear to be any effects on expression of the VEGF isoforms. Gonadal morphology in VEGF Sertoli and Granulosa cell KO mice is altered and their gonads are smaller which may result in reduction in fertility (1 less pup than controls) plus abnormal structures on the ovaries. VEGF anti-angiogenic isoforms may increase germ cell apoptosis therefore factors that increase amounts of these isoforms may negatively affect spermatogenesis and male fertility. Findings supported the conclusion that Sertoli cells undergo critical maturation events by 2-wks of age in the boar testis. Findings supported the hypothesis that peritubular myoid cells and testosterone are important components of the SSC niche in the adult testis. Uterine-Placental-Fetal Nutritional Interactions during Pregnancy Fetal desensitization of adrenergic receptor responsiveness resulting from chronically elevated catecholamine exposure in utero could promote a fetal programming response that leads to dyslipidemia. Thus, Chronic, mild, pulsatile hyperglycemia causes impaired insulin responsiveness, dysregulation of ROS, and oxidative stress in the late term sheep fetus, indicating that oxidative stress may be a mechanism for the adverse effects of diabetic pregnancy on offspring. Through examination of fetal cardiac gene expression, it was apparent that the timing of the environmental insult to the fetus impacted the number of genes with altered expression as well as the degree to which their expression was altered. Early to mid-gestation hypobaric-hypoxia appears to have its greatest impact on gene expression within the right ventricle of fetal sheep. Both dam nutrition and replacement heifer development impact feed costs and retention of young cows in the herd. Heifers developed on restricted diets from dams wintered on restricted diets had greater retention rates to their 5th breeding season. Nutritional plane and Se supply play a significant role in mammary and colostrum composition in pregnant ewe lambs as well as passive immunity of their offspring. It is suggested that nutritional plane and Se supply during gestation affect subsequent ewe milk production and composition, even when ewes are fed to nutritional requirements during early lactation. Data suggest that FGF2 and receptor FGFR2 IIIc have a role in regulating early placental growth. It is proposed that FGF2 plays a role in regulating uteroplacental vascular and nonvascular growth during early pregnancy. Maternal nutrition affected expression of FSHR in fetal ovaries, and therefore may play a regulatory role in fetal, and perhaps postnatal, follicular development. Fetuses of ewes made obese at conception and continuously fed above NRC requirements throughout gestation, exhibited marked increases in glucose and fatty acid uptake and adiposity by midgestation. At birth, lambs from these obese mothers had an increased % body fat and a reduced pancreatic function. Female offspring born to ewes nutrient restricted 50% from day 28 to day 78 exhibited reduced ovarian P4 secretion and decreased reproductive performance as adults. Ewes born twin to a male lamb tended to have lower lifetime productivity than ewes born twin to a female lamb. Statistical Methodology 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. Statistical tools were developed that 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. Nutritional and reproduction One third of heifers with elevated plasma GHR concentrations became anestrus although no direct correlations between circulating GHR concentrations and reproductive parameters were detected. Heat stress increases plasma ghrelin concentrations with measurable changes in ghrelin concentrations limited to the peri-prandial period. Serum urea nitrogen is elevated in heifers grazing overseeded ryegrass in the spring, but declines prior to the time of breeding. Perturbations in energy balance may alter the responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to the stimulatory effects of kisspeptin. Limit feeding replacement beef heifers reduces the variation in RFI. Nonetheless, sufficient variation in RFI still exists to identify animals with differences in feed efficiency. Excessive UIP may actually enhance reproductive performance in mature cattle as well as increase calf weaning weights. Extending grazing in heifer development systems decreases costs without compromising production. Selection for low residual feed intake, more feed efficient animals, can result in about 14 days earlier return to estrus after calving. Bos indicus, Bos taurus and crossbred cattle differ in circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I breed type. All animals with Bos indicus genetics had higher concentrations of IGF- I than their Bos taurus counterparts. Residual feed intake was not related to concentrations of IGF- I. Measuring concentrations of IGF- I is not a reliable physiological marker for selecting more feed efficient cattle. Cortisol response to an ACTH challenge is not a reliable physiological marker for selecting more feed efficient cattle. Metabolic effects of fasting on reproduction may be mediated by the expression of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and FSH in the ovine anterior pituitary gland. Objective 2. Develop and improve assisted reproductive technologies to enhance sustainability of production systems for domestic ruminants. Estrus, hormones, estrous synchronization and A.I. Timing of a 30 day period of energy supplementation or type of supplement did not affect serum blood urea nitrogen or glucose concentrations and did not alter pregnancy rates to timed AI or overall pregnancy rate. Recombinant single chain analogs of ovine gonadotropins can be used to induce a superovulatory response in sheep and may have broader application in ovulation induction protocols. Using a CIDR for 7d with PG given on the day of CIDR removal results in an improvement of the estrus synchronization response compared to that of a CIDR for 14d followed 17d later by PG but both programs yielded similar overall AI pregnancy rates when combined with TAI and GnRH in postpartum beef cows. AI pregnancy rates are not altered by exposing heifers to bulls during an estrus synchronization protocol that included CIDR for 14 d, followed 18 d later with PGF2± (PG), and, timed AI (TAI) and GnRH. Pregnancy rates in low antral follicle count heifers are reduced when compared to high follicle count cattle. There are also correlations with ovarian weight, reproductive tract score and antral follicle count which may be predictors of reproductive longevity in the herd. Pregnancy rates in ewes were not adversely affected by applying progesterone via a CIDR on the day of estrus. Treatment of ewes with bovine somatotropin at a synchronized estrus resulted in decreased conception rate and reduced weights of offspring. Serum thyroid hormones and prolactin change substantially near the time of estrus and ovulation. Cyclic activity was induced but not maintained in prepubertal Rambouillet ewe lambs by progesterone and PMSG administration. The 5 d CO-Synch + CIDR program for timed AI in postpartum beef cows results in an 11% increase in timed AI pregnancy rate relative to the traditional 7 d program. The requirement for 2 injections of PGF that is inherent to the system cannot be circumvented by postponing timing of AI by 12 h. Relative to the traditional 7 d CO-Synch + CIDR program, the 5 d program results in ovulation of follicles of similar diameter that tend to produce greater peak estradiol concentrations during the proestrus. Puberty It was demonstrated that in contrast to rodents, transiently induced hypothyroidism during the neonatal period of Sertoli cell proliferation in rams negatively effects sperm production at puberty and emphasizes the importance of neonatal nutritional requirements for establishing the foundation of sperm production in adult animals. Genetic selection for age at puberty impacts postpartum anestrous interval in beef cattle and could potentially influence timing of conception in postpartum cows. No influence of residual feed intake on age or weight at puberty in Brahman bulls was detected. Precocious puberty is induced with both high and low starch diets that support accelerated weight gains. Occurrence of precocious puberty was associated with increased systemic concentrations of IGF-1 in heifer fed two diets that supported similar ADG. Immunocastration The SpayVac" and IVT-PZP vaccines presented in an emulsion form with AdjuVac" produce a single-shot immunocontraceptive vaccine lasting up to 7 years. Two doses of GonaCon prevented pregnancy of elk cows for at least 3 yr therefore its use for population management of elk warrants consideration as part of a strategy to control brucellosis. One-injection and two-injection formulations of GonaCon and GonaCon-B produced multi-year contraception in adult female white-tailed deer. Long-term contraception of mustang mares with a single shot of either the SpayVacTM or GonaConTM vaccine is possible. Results of immunocontraception studies suggested that White-tailed does possess an FSHRH peptide secreted by the hypothalamus which modulates follicle development, and resulting estrogen production and reproductive behavior. Disease, immune function Persistent infection with ncpBVDV induces a chronic type I interferon response perhaps contributing to the IUGR seen in persistent BVDV and in other viral infections during pregnancy. Bovine fetuses infected with BVDV prior to development of the fetal immune system do not recognize the virus as foreign as a result, at least in part, to the inability to mount a strong innate immune response. 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 signaling in the blood of the dam which could have deleterious consequences on fetal development and the immune response. An experimental inoculum using infected splenocytes from SCID mice has been a quantifiable and predictable method of infection to produce EBA induced abortions over 2 years. This has led to the production of a murine origin inoculum to be tested for use as a "stop gap" method of vaccination and protection. Heifers appear to be more adept at coping with and recovering from an immune challenge compared with bulls. A sexually dimorphic innate immune response to an endotoxin challenge was found for tumor necrosis factor-06, interleukin 6 and interferon gamma. Behavior and Stress A component of the biostimulatory effect of bulls involves altering follicular wave dynamics by shortening the inter-wave interval and increasing the dominant follicle diameter, providing new insight into the mechanism whereby bull exposure accelerates resumption of ovulatory cycles in anestrous postpartum cows. Bull exposure affects temporal patterns of leptin concentrations in anestrous postpartum cows. Adrenal cortical function is influenced by both breedtype and gender. Angus cattle routinely have greater circulating concentrations of cortisol than do Brahman cattle and steers and heifers routinely have greater concentrations of cortisol than do bulls. When animals are challenged with an endotoxin a sexually dimorphic adrenal cortical response was found with heifers having a greater response than bulls. There were no differences in adrenal medullary function found. Initial expression of adult male sexual behavior appears to be influenced by developmental effects of progesterone. Subsequent expression, however, appears independent of progesterone influence. Producers are aware of differences in ram libido that would affect flock performance they have not incorporated breeding performance as an important criteria for ram selection. Usefulness/Impact Statements: Overview The data obtained during the past year by W1112 participants yielded substantial advancements in basic and applied reproductive mechanisms. The breadth and depth of W1112 projects is immense and covers areas as diverse as estrous synchronization, pregnancy failure, testis function to genomic modulation. Data collected over the past year have increased our understanding of pituitary, testis, oocyte, follicle and corpus luteum function/development that may enable us to more efficiently manipulate ovulation, estrus, puberty, pregnancy and production of sperm. Furthermore, advances were made in understanding how nutrition impacts fetal development, placental efficiency, heifer development, estrous cycles, and development of more viable offspring. Members continue to develop novel approaches to investigate basic and applied aspects of reproductive efficiency. New image analysis programs and statistical procedures have been developed to investigate vascular development, follicular growth and microarray data. Recombinant proteins have been developed to manipulate reproductive function. Members of our group have also made significant progress in understanding how behavior, exposure to male biostimulation, and disease may affect general overall health, feed and reproductive efficiency. Also progress has been made in identifying factors that can be commercialized for immunocastration and in fine tuning these approaches to be more producer friendly. Participants in W-1112 have published 98refereed journal articles many of which were derived from collaborative efforts initiated through the W1112 Regional Research Project.

Refereed Journal Publications: Alexander, B.M., P. Singh, K.J. Austin, R.R. Cockrum, K.M. Cammack, B.W. Hess, G.E. Moss, P.W. Nathaneilsz, and S.P. Ford. 2008. Effect of maternal fatness on fetal steroids and semi-quantitative real-time PCR expression of receptor genes in sheep. Anim. Reprod. Sci. In Press. Dec. 24. [Epub ahead of print]. 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. 85(2): 345-348. Alexander, L. J., L. A. Kuehn, T. P. Smith, L. K. Matukumalli, B. Mote, J. E. Koltes, J. Reecy, T. W. Geary, D. C. Rule, and M. D. MacNeil. 2009. A Limousin specific myostatin allele affects longissimus muscle area and fatty acid profiles in a Wagyu-Limousin F2 population. J. Anim. Sci. 87: 1576-1581. Anna T. Grazul-Bilska, Jashoman Banerjee, Ilker Yazici, Ewa Borowczyk, Jerzy J. Bilski, Rakesh K. Sharma, Maria Siemionov, Tommaso Falcone. Morphology and function of cryopreserved whole ovine ovaries after heterotopic autotransplantation. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 6: 16; 2008. Araujo, R. C., Pires, A. V., Susin, I., Mendes, C. Q., Rodrigues, G. H., Urano, F. S., Ribeiro, M. F., Oliveira, C. A., Viau, P., and Day, M. L. 2008. Postpartum ovarian activity of Santa Inês lactating ewes fed diets containing soybean hulls as a replacement for coastcross (Cynodon sp.) hay. 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2008.12.015. Arroyo, J.A., R.V. Anthony and H.L. Galan. 2008. Decreased Placental X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP) in an Ovine Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 199:80.e1- 0.e8. Aston K.I., Li G.P., Sessions B.R., Davis A.P., Winger Q.A., Rickords L.F., Stevens J.R., and White K.L. Global Gene Expression Analysis of Bovine Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Blastocysts and Cotyledons. Molecular Reproduction and Development 2009, 76:471-482. 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 somatotrophic axis in feedlot heifers. South African J. Anim. Sci. 38: 207-216. 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. 38(3):207-216 Bailey, J. D., J. G. Berardinelli, T. E. Rocke, and R. A. Bessen. 2008. Prominent pancreatic endcrinopathy and altered control of food intake disrupt energy homeostasis in prion diseases. J. Endocrinology 197:251-263. Behrends, S. M., R. K. Miller, F. M. Rouquette, Jr., R. D. Randel, B. G. Warrington, T.D.A. Forbes, T. H. Welsh, Jr., H. Lippke, J. M. Behrends, G. E. Carstens and J. W. Holloway. 2009. Relationship of temperament, growth, carcass characteristics and tenderness in beef steers. Meat Sci. 81:433-438. Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Tolnay AE, Reisenhauer CE, Hansen TR, Smirnova N, Van Campen H. Transplacental infection with non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhoea virus types 1b and 2: viral spread and molecular neuropathology. J Comp Pathol 2008; 138: 72-85. Bott, RC, DT Clopton, AS Cupp. A Proposed Role for VEGF Isoforms in Sex-Specific Vasculature Development in the Gonad. (2008) ; Reproduction in Domestic Animals. Vol 43(Suppl 2): July; 310-316. Breen KM, Davis TL, Doro LC, Nett TM, Oakley AE, Padmanabhan V, Rispoli LA, Wagenmaker ER, Karsch FJ,2008. Insight into the neuroendocrine site and cellular mechanism by which cortisol suppresses pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Endocrinology 149:767-73. Bridges, G. A., M. L. Mussard, C. R. Burke and M. L. Day. 2009. Influence of the length of proestrus on fertility and endocrine function in female cattle. Anim. Reprod. Sci. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.05.002. Bridges, G. A., L. A. Helser, D. E. Grum, M. L. Mussard, C. L. Gasser and M. L. Day. 2008. Decreasing the interval between GnRH and PGF2± from 7 to 5 days and lengthening proestrus increases timed-AI pregnancy rates in beef cows. Theriogenology 69:843851. Caires KC, Schmidt JA, Oliver AP, de Avila JM, McLean DJ. 2008. Endocrine regulation of the establishment of spermatogenesis in pigs. Reprod Domest Anim, 43(2):280-287. Carlson, D.C., J.J. Reed, P.P. Borowicz, J.B. Taylor, L.P. Reynolds, T.L. Neville, D.A. Redmer, K.A. Vonnahme, J. S. Caton. 2008. Effects of dietary selenium supply and timing of nutrient restriction during gestation on maternal growth and body composition of pregnant adolescent ewes. Journal of Animal Science 87:669-680. Caton, J. S., J. J. Reed, R. P. Aitken, J. S. Milne, P. P. Borowicz, L. P. Reynolds, D. A. Redmer, and J. M. Wallace. 2009. Effects of maternal nutrition and stage of gestation on body weight, visceral organ mass, and on indices of jejunal cellularity, proliferation, and vascularity in pregnant ewe lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 87: 222-235. Cooke, F.N., Pennington, K.A., Yang, Q.E. and Ealy, A.D. 2009. Several fibroblast growth factors are expressed during pre-attachment bovine conceptus development and regulate interferon-tau expression from trophectoderm. 137:259-269. Cooke, R.F., Arthington, J.D., Araujo, D.B., Lamb, G.C. and Ealy, A.D. 2008. Effects of supplementation frequency on performance, reproductive, and metabolic responses of Brahman-crossbred females. J. Anim. Sci. 86:2296-2309. Cupp A. S., J. Matthews, E. Huff-Lonergan, D. Moody Spurlock, and D. McLean. Cell Biology Symposium: The Role of MicroRNA in cell Function. J. Anim.Sci. 2008. Nov 7. [Epub ahead of print]. Cupp AS, Matthews J, Huff-Lonergan E, Spurlock DM, McLean D. 2009. Cell biology symposium: the role of microRNA in cell function. 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