Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Friday June 26, 2015 The Chair, Kristen Govoni, called the meeting to order at 12:20 pm on Friday June 26, 2015. Kristen mentioned that Caleb would serve as the meeting secretary and chair the 2016 meeting. Next Kristen called for introductions of meeting participants. Ryan Ashley discussed dinner arrangements at 6 pm as well as maps to the restaurants and registration monies for lunch and differ. Kristen mentioned voting on a location for 2016 meeting and the group agreed that we should do this at the end of the day when more meeting participants have arrived. Kristen requested participants to discuss news from each station at 12:35 pm. Each meeting participant discussed general news such as new hires and open positions at their stations. At 1:30 pm the group contacted Mark Mirando for USDA updates and budget information from the handouts including an explanation on foundational programs, exploratory grants, and dual purpose with dual benefit USDA/NIH grants. More information can be found following the website links in the forwarded handouts. At 2:40 pm Kristin asked Milan for an update on the W2112. Milan mentioned that the rewrite of the project is due and that we need to discuss what we want to accomplish for the next 5 years. We need to submit this rewrite to 2 – 4 potential reviewers in our field. If this acceptable then it goes to the multi-state regional committee. They send back edits to us and this all has to happen this year for submission to the Western states regional office by January of 2016. So this can be approved by June of 2016 and go into effect by October 1st of 2016. Milan mentioned that we should focus on some outreach, such as the Beef Symposium and presentations that Tom Geary assisted with setting up. Brenda asked what Milan would recommend for a good project/goals/objectives. The group discussed adding a few presentations for a Sheep Symposium attached to the Western ASAS sectional meeting. Also, Brenda mentioned that the group could write a review paper together. For example some of the members (especially new members) could assist with writing a review paper focusing on the groups’ research. Andrea discussed a joint sponsorship to hold a potential symposium with 2017 SSR/ASAS, which will be held in close proximity during 2017. Milan stated that we need to put a writing team together, with a good mixture of younger and older members. Tom Geary later mentioned that Mike Smith would be good to have on the rewriting committee. At 3:00 pm, Kristin asked for station reports from group members that were in attendance for the meeting. Prior to station reports, Phil asked if we could discuss a format for station reports. For example PDF versus word document submissions. The group agreed that it would be best to submit station reports as word documents. Terry mentioned that we should only submit publication that are accepted and not to submit our publications that are in preparation or submitted. This could result in duplication of publications as titles may change following acceptance of these articles. Station reports were then provided from Montana (USDA-ARS Fort Keogh), Alaska, and New Mexico. The group took a break from station reports at 4:30 pm and Kim Vonnahme and Jim Berardinelli were introduced. Kristin mentioned again that the rewrite is a top propriety. Next Kristin asked for potential meeting locations. Brenda mentioned that maybe we should go back to Reno or Vegas to increase meeting participation. Milan would like to go to a campus or ARS location. Kristin mentioned UConn. Andrea mentioned Nebraska. The group agreed that we would vote on three locations: Las Vegas, Nebraska, and Connecticut. Our next discussion focused on the new member at large. Andrea nominated Phil Cardosa and Kim seconded the nomination. No other nominations were brought forward and Phil Cardosa will be the secretary for 2016 meeting and chair the 2017 meeting. Next we discussed the directions to the restaurant, the La Posta De Mesilla, where dinner will be held at 6 pm. Tom asked if we wanted to discuss the rewrite. Milan mentioned the incorporation of outreach in the rewrite. Not necessarily just giving talks at meeting but incorporating other outreach projects and this needs to be incorporated among the group and not just focused on one person setting up a symposia. Several meeting participants mentioned that the Beef symposia was a success. Tom stated that the Beef symposia participants are writing review papers to JAS and that they will acknowledge W2112 in these review articles. Milan and Brenda said that it was a good mixture of research that was good for the Extension people at the meeting. Milan said this is a good thing to do, but we need to incorporate more participants in this outreach. Tom mentioned a symposia on animal handling and maybe we could do something on animal reproduction. Jim mentioned that the sheep symposia was almost disbanded and that this had to be rescued for this WASAS 2015 meeting. The group agreed that a W2112 Sheep symposia at the 2017 WASAS meeting would be a good outreach component for the rewrite and we could work with Kim to get the outreach component accomplished, as the 2017 WASAS is in Fargo, ND. Milan mentioned this could be a different venue from a scientific meeting, while Brenda brought up travel funding concerns and Kim mentioned a potential webinar for these outreach components. Phil requested Extension publications for outreach concerns in the rewrite and also the potential for a W2112 online booklet that could be published for free access to assist with outreach. Milan and Tom discussed the estrous synchronization handbook that is completed and will be published through an Extension website, potentially. Milan mentioned that this just needs to go electronic and others can print hard copies if they need it. Also the W2112 group can link this handbook to all experiment stations webpages. We need a small team to spearhead these assignments especially on the writing side of things. Kim mentioned a methods publication on Doppler ultrasonography and could cite W2112 as a participant. For example other publications/videos could be used for this outreach, which was mentioned by Zelieann. Ryan moved to adjourn the meeting and several participants seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 5:08 pm. Saturday June 27, 2015 Kristin Govoni called the meeting to order at 8:12 am. She wanted to discuss the rewrite and asked for volunteers. Tom, Andrea, Brenda, and Ryan volunteered to be on the rewrite team. Jim asked who was leading the re-writing team, and Brenda volunteered to lead the team. Milan asked the team members to keep himself and Caleb in the loop during the rewrite. Jim asked when the reviews would start and Milan mentioned that members of our field have to review our rewrite by January. Andrea asked when the deadline should be for our group to have the writing portion complete for review. Milan will confirm the dates and the team members should set up benchmark dates for that time. Brenda mentioned that the team should look into a Zoom conference for the rewrite. Milan requested that the group should plan to submit ideas for the next five years from group members that should be due in late summer. Brenda reiterated that outreach should be a primary focus for the rewrite. As discussed earlier, one outreach idea is a sheep symposia at Western sectional meeting in 2017 at Fargo, ND. Kim mentioned that a webinar could be used for this sheep symposia. Andrea said she could talk to Megan about setting up this outreach program. Kristin asked what are they looking for with outreach and Milan said that we could target Extension specialist and then ask them to take this information to producers. Brenda mentioned the estrous synchronization handbook; however, this should be up on experiment station websites prior to the rewrite; therefore the handbook will be an accomplishment for this 5 years. Kim mentioned the techniques Doppler paper that will be used as outreach for next 5 years. Milan reiterated that we need to make sure W2112 participants are committed to getting these outreach accomplishments finished. Continued discussion on outreach programs, and the group is focusing on the sheep symposia. Milan mentioned that we could accomplish this by 2018, which is a great milestone. The group needs to add presentations to their station reports so these can be compiled by the secretary for the annual report. Caleb will send out an email request to get these presentations. We can also add in work with SARE grants that incorporate produces into their programs. Milan requested that we need to focus on a spectrum of moving our benchtop/ basic research out to the producer from a translational approach. Milan then got off his soapbox. Kristin asked for anymore comments on the rewrite. Dennis Hallford then introduced three NMSU graduate students that were joining the W2112 meeting. Next thing on the list was to vote on a location, which was mentioned by Kristin. The potential suggestions were Las Vegas, Nebraska, and Connecticut. Next we discussed potential meeting dates. 6 members voted for Las Vegas. 4 voted for Nebraska. 4 votes for Connecticut. Therefore, the 2016 meeting will be held in Las Vegas. Milan requested May 20th through 21st for the 2016 meeting. Terry mentioned that it’s cheaper on Sunday and Monday. Therefore, participants asked to move the meeting to May 23rd through 24th (Monday and Tuesday). Kristin and Milan said that they could help Caleb with the meeting arrangements. Ryan calculated the registration/food fees, which equals $45 per person. Kristin requested that we move to station reports. Station reports were then provided from North Dakota, Montana, Connecticut, Colorado, Arizona, and Nebraska. Kristin called for a break for lunch at 11:52 am. Kristin called for a resumption of station reports at 12:42 pm. Station reports were then provided from Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Illinois. At 3:00 pm, Kristin asked meeting participants to get together and discuss collaborations. Caleb will compile the list of collaborations for the meeting. Collaborations: • Alaska and Miles City – Reindeer bull semen collection and analysis. • Alaska and Montana State – Assay reindeer bull fecal testosterone using rutting bulls and progesterone concentrations in CIDR treated reindeer. • Nebraska and Mississippi State – Liver enzyme in sporadic anovulatory and ovulating cows. • Nebraska and New Mexico State (Ryan Ashley) – VEGF, CXCR4 reagents/immune function macrophage during organ development. • Nebraska and New Mexico State (Adam Summers) – Effects of supplementation of AFC. • Nebraska and Colorado State – Gonadotropin secretion. • Nebraska, Wyoming (Brenda), New Mexico State (Adam), and Miles City (Tom) – Send data set for gestation of cows/heifers with easy calving, want all AI data. • North Dakota State and Colorado State – Send dairy blood samples for interferon-tau assay. • North Dakota State and Miles City – Placentome work in different ruminants. • Montana State and Colorado – Placental lactogen concentrations at 50 and 80 days of pregnancy in divergent selection lines of Rambouillet ewes. • North Dakota State and Mississippi State – Uterine blood flow techniques paper • Montana State and New Mexico State (Dennis) – Effect of long-term progesterone treated ewes on IGF-1 and insulin concentrations. • Penn State and Miles City – Hereford paternal lineage, copy number variation of PRAMEY in the Hereford L1 inbreeding line. • Penn State and Missouri (Peter) – Use PRAMEY as biomarker for sperm quality evaluations in cattle. • Miles City and Missouri (Mike Smith) – Effects of ovulatory follicle size on fertility in beef cows. • Miles City and Missouri (Tom Spencer) – Genetic markers associated with uterine capacity for pregnancy. • Miles City and Missouri (Peter Sutovsky) – Negative biomarkers associated with fertility in bulls. • Miles City and Kansas State (David Grieger) – Managerial factors associated with fertility in peripubertal beef bulls. • Miles City and Alaska – Negative biomarkers associated with fertility in reindeer and musk ox bulls. • Miles City and New Mexico State (Ryan Ashley) – Roles of estrogen on CXCL/CXCR4 pathway in placental adhesion and implantation in cattle. • Miles City, Missouri (Mike Smith), and Kentucky (Ky Pohler) – microRNA associated with early pregnancy and embryonic mortality in cattle. • Connecticut and Mississippi State – Evaluation of metabolites in cotyledon, caruncle, and liver of ewes/offspring subjected to over and under-nutrition during gestation. • Connecticut and New Mexico State (Ryan Ashley) – Evaluate expression and protein of factors in cotyledon and caruncle from ewes over and under fed during gestation. Determine changes in gene expression of CXCR4 and CXCL12 in mesenchymal stem cells from offspring of ewes over and under fed during gestation. Furth determine the potential of CXCL12 to stimulate proliferation of cells. At 3:50 pm, Kristen requested impact statements. Milan needs to submit impacts that we have come up with together as a group.

Objective 1. Investigate molecular, cellular, and endocrine mechanisms that limit or control reproductive efficiency in domestic animals. Decreased Cholesterol Uptake and Increased Liver X Receptor-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux Pathways during Prostaglandin F2 Alpha-Induced and Spontaneous Luteolysis in Sheep. • Intracellular cholesterol supply controlled via the LXRs mediates luteolysis of the CL and therefore may serve as a target for modulating luteal function. • In agriculturally important species PGF2? is the known luteolysin and these data identify a novel mechanism that mediates PGF2?-induced luteolysis. Ovarian function following phthalate exposure. • We have identified ovarian processes that are targeted by phthalate-induced endocrine disruption. • Understanding how phthalates interact with ovarian follicles and the pathways that regulate their function will facilitate future studies aimed at mitigating their effects on reproduction. Inflammatory state of pancreatic islets and fetal adrenal demdullation in intrauterine growth restricted fetuses. • Placental insufficiency-induced IUGR fetuses have decreased expression of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines, which may regulate pancreatic endocrine function. • High throughput RNA sequencing identified multiple pathways that reduced ?-cell mass and impair insulin secretion responsiveness in IUGR fetal sheep islets. • High catecholamines inhibit fetal growth independent of hypoxemia, hypoglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. Furthermore, in IUGR fetuses chronically high plasma norepinephrine concentrations promote asymmetric growth in brain and heart but not pancreatic endocrine cell mass. • Fetal adrenal demedullation lowers circulating norepinephrine and attenuates growth restriction but not reduction of endocrine cell mass in IUGR sheep fetuses. Interferon-tau mediated responses and assay development. 1. We have additional data in sheep supporting the concept that IFNT protects early pregnancy through paracrine action on the endometrium and also through endocrine action on the CL and peripheral blood cells through enhancing luteal resistance to PGF. Preliminary studies in bovine suggest similar responses to IFNT in the CL. 2. A highly specific radioimmunoassay has been developed for ovine IFNT, which has different levels of detection in uterine flushing compared to serum. Unfortunately, this ovine assay may not recognize all forms of bovine IFNT and for this reason we are generating new reagents that will be used when developing a new radioimmunoassay and ELISA for IFNT in bovine tissues and fluids. 3. Development of a reliable and sensitive bovine IFNT radioimmunoassay would be useful when describing release from the conceptus and presence in bovine fluids such as uterine lumenal flushings. Transit and persistent bovine viral diarrhea virus infection. • Through clarifying exactly how BVDV persists, it may be possible to better manage biocontainment (detection) and treatment (antivirals), but also selection of breeding animals that are more resistant to viral infection. Placental lactogens: placental-fetal interactions. • The direct assessment of gene function within the placenta has not been feasible in non-rodent species, especially in ruminants. A good case in point is that the placental lactogen has been investigated for nearly 50 years, yet a direct function or relative importance has never been established. This is true for a plethora of genes expressed by the placenta. We now have the tools in hand to create transgenic placenta in sheep, that we utilized for the direct assessment of the impact of placental lactogen deficiency on sheep fetal growth near term (135 dGA). In the 50 years that we have known about PLs, this is the first direct evidence that it truly functions to augment placental and fetal growth. Furthermore, this technology can also be applied to other genes expressed within the ruminant placenta and/or fetus. Changes in hypothalamic kisspeptin and GnRH during the breeding and non-breeding season in sheep. • A radioimmunoassay has been developed that permits quantification of kisspeptin in the brain. This permitted us to show that the content of kisspeptin (rather than GnRH) changes throughout the year in sheep and is likely responsible for seasonal differences in reproductive activity. Prepartum nutritional strategy affects reproductive performance in dairy cows. 1. Formulating diets to meet requirements of the cows but avoid over-consumption of energy may improve outcomes of the transition period and lead to improved fertility. Management to improve cow comfort and ensure good intake of the ration is pivotal for success. 2. BW and BCS at breeding tended to increase as the plane of nutrition was increased during either mid- or late gestation. The plane of nutrition during mid- or late gestation did not affect cyclicity, concentrations of blood hormone, or embryo quality. However, when cows were fed diverging planes of nutrition during late gestation in Exp. 1, cows fed 70%REQ and REQ tended to have greater number of embryos recovered and embryos cleaved or degenerated when compared with cows that were fed 130%REQ. When cows were fed diverging planes of nutrition during mid- gestation in Exp. 2, cows fed 70%REQ and 130%REQ flushed a greater number of embryos when compared with cows fed 100%REQ. Feeding diverging planes of nutrition in either mid- or late gestation did not impact the number of embryos that were frozen. Role of oocyte-derived follistatin in early embryogenesis. • Investigation of the role of oocyte-derived follistatin in early embryogenesis supports the utility of follistatin treatment as a potential tool to increase efficiency of in vitro embryo production and embryo quality and provides a viable platform to aid studies of the contribution of poor oocyte quality to infertility in cattle in a production setting. Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers of early embryonic viability in cattle. • Because of the high incidence of pregnancy loss that occurs after fertilization but before pregnancies can be determined via ultrasound, identification of microRNA that are unique to presence of a viable embryo between d 17 and 27 will be valuable in mitigating these losses. Also, earlier identification of non-pregnant cows will allow for refinement of re-synchronization of estrus and AI in the beef and dairy industries. Role of ovulatory follicle size on pregnancy in beef cattle. • Identifying differences in gene expression between oocytes and follicular cells within ovulatory follicles associated with different levels of maturity will facilitate our understanding of the mechanisms involved and potentially, markers of the maturation process. Steroid metabolism in hepatic and reproductive tissues. 1. At day 10 post-insemination, CL blood perfusion was increased in pregnant dairy cows and decreased pregnant beef cows compared to non-pregnant cattle. 2. Interferon-tau and progesterone exposure decreased activity of CYP1A and CYP2C in a bovine endometrial cell line. These enzymes are involved in estradiol, progesterone and/or arachidonic acid metabolism, which could alter early signals for maintenance of pregnancy. 3. The increase in progesterone uteroplacental flux is related to both an increase in placental progesterone synthesis and a decrease in placental progesterone clearance. Alterations in estradiol uteroplacental flux could be mediated via cytochrome P450 enzymes that catalyze the conversion of estrogens to catechol-estrogens. Use of bovine pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) to predict late embryonic mortality in dairy cows. • Late embryonic mortality (> d 28 of gestation) has been reported in both beef/dairy cattle and may vary from 3.2 to 42.7%. The majority of these losses occur around the time that placentomes are beginning to form (~d 35-40 of gestation). However, a way of predicting or studying late embryonic mortality has been lacking thus resulting in limited data on the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying these losses. In the present study, cows with day 31 PAG concentrations below 1.4 and 1.8 ng/mL (TAI and TET) resulted in a 95% chance of embryonic mortality. Therefore, PAG at day 31 of gestation seems to be a potential useful biomarker of late embryonic mortality and a possible model to help dissect this period of pregnancy loss in cattle. As mentioned previously the exact mechanisms that cause late embryonic mortality have been poorly examined based on the lack of a viable model for investigation. Thus these data provide a unique opportunity to select cows that will and will not experience embryonic mortality to beginning to dissect these biologically significant processes. Influence of long-term progesterone on feed efficiency and body composition in mature Rambouillet ewes. • The aforementioned study was performed as part of our hypothesis regarding the physiological changes that have occurred by continued selection for high and low reproductive rate in Rambouillet sheep. Last year we reported that there appears to be distinct genetic differences between these lines. Perhaps the outcome of these genetic differences influence litter size and alter circulation concentrations of progesterone during gestation, which in turn alters feed conversion mechanism, i.e., efficiency. Understanding the bases for these results would have far-reaching consequences for increasing reproductive efficiency and economic benefit for the agriculturally important ruminant in the Western States., and beef and dairy cattle industries in the U.S. in sheep, and perhaps, in ruminants. Uterine blood flow, calf, and placental weights from beef cows supplemented during late gestation. • Uterine blood flow during late gestation appears to be enhanced by distillers grain supplementation when forage quality is low. Mammary gland blood flow, colostrum/milk production and calf weights from beef cows supplemented during late gestation. • Mammary gland blood flow tends to be increased with distillers grain supplementation, but blood flow is similar by d 44 of lactation. Milk production tends to be increased. Cows with Intrafollicular Androgen Excess have Lower Sex Hormone Binding Globulin and appear to be Chronic or Sporadic Anovulatory. • We have identified a sub-population of cows within our UNL physiology research herd that have androstenedione (A4) excess within follicular fluid and have endocrine profiles and follicular dynamics that would suggest they are sporadic anovulatory. These high A4 have 17% reduced calving rate than low A4 and wean calves with 26lbs greater weaning weight. We have determined that they have differences in Sex Hormone Binding Globulin which will alter availability of Androgens and may impact follicular dynamics, ovulation and oocyte viability. We have also determined that after superovulation there are similar size follicles that are developed in these High and Low A4 cows but that the High A4 cows have reduced (by 50%) granulosa cell numbers. Granulosa Cell Cycle Regulation and Steroidogenesis in a High Androstenedione Follicular Microenvironment. • We have conducted microarray analysis on granulosa cells from high and low A4 cows within our herd to determine differences in gene expression and pathway analysis. These data demonstrated that granulosa cells are arrested in the cell cycle and have problems proliferating. Furthermore, there are factors secreted by the theca cells which may also inhibit granulosa cell proliferation. Sertoli cell-specific elimination of Vegfa impairs spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) maintenance and reduces fertility in male mice. • We have determined that elimination of all VEGFA isoforms in Sertoli cells affects colonization of spermatogonial stem cells in the testis and alters gene expression of genes that regulate the SSC niche. Inhibition of chemokine receptor four (CXCR4) signaling in vivo suppresses trophoblast invasion during early gestation in sheep. • Impaired CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling may lead to poor pregnancy outcomes, such as impaired trophoblast attachment and compromised embryonic growth. A better understanding of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling during early gestation, may lead to novel applied techniques to improve embryo survival during early gestation in livestock. Chemokine ligand twelve and T-helper 1 cytokines increase in corpus luteum during implantation in sheep. • Corpora lutea function is dependent on the luteal microenvironment and immune cells affect this environment by secreting cytokines. CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling may play a role in regulating the cytokine milieu in the CL thereby influencing CL integrity and function. Human chorionic gonadotropin increases serum progesterone, number of corpora lutea, and angiogenic factors in pregnant sheep. • Administration of hCG increases serum P4 in pregnant ewes due to increased number of CL per ewe. Additionally, hCG stimulates production of PAQR7 and CXCR4 in the maternal endometrium and promotes expression of proangiogenic factors in fetal extraembryonic membranes. Supplementing livestock with hCG may boost P4 levels and improve reproductive efficiency. Bovine and ovine Y chromosome sequence, organization, and gene content. • Characterization of the bovine and ovine Y chromosome sequence, organization, gene content, and gene copy number variations provides important comparative mapping information for studying Y chromosome biology and evolution, and resources for developing male-specific genetic markers that will allow us to identify high and low fertility bulls in a sire selection program. Our results further confirmed that the PRAME/PRAMEY gene family is essential for acrosome formation and male fertility, which provide insights into the molecular mechanism of acrosome biogenesis and spermiogenesis. Endogenous cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone secretion and GnRH-induced LH and testosterone secretion in prenatally stressed sexually mature Brahman bulls. • Prenatal stress may program bull calves to function more normally when presented with a stressor later in life. When stressed the prenatally stressed bulls had more LH pulses compared with control bulls. Evaluation of hair cortisol in beef cattle of divergent temperaments. • Hair cortisol fails to be as correlated with beef cattle temperament as serum cortisol concentrations. Hair cortisol is not a predictor of animal temperament where serum cortisol is a predictor of temperament. Relationship between body condition score, follicular activity and postpartum interval in Brahman females. • Postpartum interval is negatively correlated with body condition score and follicular diameter and number. Cows with greater body condition scores had larger follicular diameters during the early postpartum period and shorter postpartum intervals. The Effects of Maternal Under- and Over-feeding on Muscle Development of Lambs as Determined by RNA-Seq Analysis. • Over- and under-feeding during gestation both negatively impact offspring muscle development, but may work through different mechanisms by altering the expression of genes involved in metabolism, hypertrophy, nutrient uptake and protein turnover. Effects of Poor Maternal Nutrition During Gestation on Protein Expression in the Liver of Lambs. • Over-feeding during gestation may affect offspring growth through changes in liver production of IGFBP-3. Identification of Early Pregnancy and Fetal Landmarks via Transabdominal Ultrasound in Sheep. • Pregnancy in sheep can be detected as early as d 20 of gestation with accurate detection by d 28 using trans-abdominal ultrasound. • Placental and fetal landmarks are distinguishable via transabdominal ultrasound, which aid in pregnancy detection and estimating fetal/gestational age. Effects of Under- and Over-Feeding During Gestation on Organ Development of Offspring During Gestation. • Over- and under-feeding during gestation alters offspring liver, kidney and renal fat development during both early and late gestation. Statistical approaches of biological processes. • Published an R package (mvGST), which takes p-values from multiple tests of differential expression on each gene, and identifies biological processes (or molecular functions or cellular components) with specific activity differences (up or down) in multiple comparisons. This package allows statistically valid claims of differential expression (or activity) of biological processes in multiple comparisons, such as at different stages of embryonic development. Since its release, this package has been downloaded by over 800 unique users. • Published an approach (SFL for Short Focus Level) to limit the probability of any Type I errors in GO graph testing, in such a way as to be more powerful than competing approaches while also being computationally roughly 15,000 times faster (Saunders et al., 2014). This approach allows greater statistical power in confirmatory identification of biological processes that are differentially active (such as between embryos from different assisted reproductive technologies at specific stages of development), while making fewer Type I errors. Epidermal Growth Factor Promotes Interferon-tau Expression in Bovine Trophectoderm. • Epidermal growth factor is implicated as a mediator of interferon tau expression. This finding provides evidence for the vital role of this uterine factor during pre- and peri-implantation development in cattle. Production of Bovine Primitive Endoderm Outgrowths and Cell Lines for the Study of Early Embryogenesis. • Culture schemes have been developed to optimize primitive endoderm cell line development. This culture protocol will have applications for understanding endoderm specification, differentiation, and function during embryonic and extraembryonic development in cattle. The Role of Early Postnatal Nutrition and Estrogen Administration in Uterine Gland Development in Holstein Dairy Calves. • Early life plane of nutrition impacts uterine gland development rates in cattle. The consequences of the rate of uterine gland development on subsequent fertility remain to be established. • Early life plane of nutrition does not impact estrogen receptor alpha or beta expression in endometrium at 8 or 10 weeks of life. Conditional Pgrmc1 deletion results in subfertility in the female. Development of an orthotopic transplantation model for assessing endometrial stem cell functions in vivo. • Pgrmc1 plays an important role in female reproduction. Conditional deletion of this gene in the uterus results in a subfertility phenotype stemming from faulty endometrial function shortly after embryo implantation. It was established that PGRMC1 is necessary for estradiol-induced uterine epithelial cell proliferation. These findings have relevance to basic steroid hormone signaling mechanisms that are essential for normal fertility in all female mammals. • Regeneration of the endometrium likely involves distinct mechanisms that include: 1) activation of a unique population of stem cells; and 2) mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. An orthotopic transplantation model was developed to evaluate the functional characteristics of putative endometrial stem/progenitor cells. • The helix-loop-helix transcription factors encoded by the E2a and Heb genes are functionally required for female fertility. Conditional deletion of E2a and Heb results in disruption of LH production by the pituitary. Here, both the alpha and beta subunits of LH are transcriptionally blunted in E2a/Heb knockout mice. Through ChIP-PCR it was determined that the E2a protein product (i.e., E47) bound to E-box elements in critical genes that have been shown to be functionally necessary for uterine decidualization through mouse mutagenesis studies. Some of these genes include Wnt4, Hand2, Pgr, Foxo1A and Hoxa10. • AMPK plays an essential role in ensuring proper regeneration of the endometrium following parturition. Deficiency in the genes the encode the alpha 1 and alpha 2 subunits of AMPK causes development of endometrial fibrosis in all mutant female mice following parturition, as well as development of stromal cell tumors in ~20 of the female mice. These studies likely have relevance to the horse and dairy industries where delayed/faulty uterine involution is known to compromise fertility and fecundity. Maternal overnutrition/obesity (MO) in the ewe has multigenerational metabolic programming effects on adult granddaughters (F2). • These data demonstrate that as previously reported for male F2 offspring from obese grandmothers, an ad libitum feeding challenge during adulthood induced marked insulin resistance in female offspring from obese grandmothers. In contrast to the male F2 offspring, however, this elevated insulin resistance developed in the total absence of any increase in weight gain over that of female F2 offspring from Control-fed mothers in response to ad libitum feeding. Differential Expression Analysis of Placentae from Overfed/Obese ewes and Lean Ewes Fed Only to Requirements. • This study investigated how maternal obesity alters gene expression in the placenta, the organ responsible for providing maternal nutrients to the developing fetus. We performed pathway and enrichment analysis on the differentially expressed genes and identified individual genes and broader pathways that are candidates for further investigation. Maternal Obesity (MO) During Ovine Pregnancy Leads to Increased Collagen Content and Cross-Linking in the Myocardium of Adult F1 but not F2 Offspring. • These data provide evidence for programming of increased myocardial fibrosis in adult F1 offspring of obese mothers which potentially results from obesity-induced changes in fetal life and might impair cardiac muscle function in postnatal life. Elevating Blood Cortisol (CORT) Concentrations at Birth in Lambs Eliminates the Early Postnatal Leptin Surge. • Maternal obesity (MO) in the ewe obliterates this leptin peak and also elevates lamb blood CORT. Offspring of MO ewes exhibit increased appetite, weight gain and adiposity to ad lib feeding. Since CORT alters perinatal adipose tissue development we hypothesized that exogenous CORT administration to normal newborn lambs would raise their plasma CORT to values seen in lambs born to MO ewes, eliminating their leptin peak. These data are consistent with the concept that the markedly elevated blood CORT seen at birth in MO lambs is responsible for the elimination of the early postnatal leptin spike in this species Metabolomics reveals specific metabolic adaptations in mid and late gestation sheep fetuses in response to maternal overnutrition/obesity during pregnancy. • Here, we utilized targeted electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics (West Coast Metabolomics Center, Davis, CA) to compare the effects of excess maternal nutrition during gestation on fetal plasma metabolite (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleic acids) profile at mid (n=6) and late gestation (n=5) in our well characterized MO sheep model. These data are consistent with the concept that maternal obesity/overnutrition during pregnancy results in in utero metabolic and growth adaptations that might have long-term effects on the risk of adult-onset diseases such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. Effects of maternal obesity on plasma concentration of adiponectin and expression ofits receptors in cotyledonary tissue at mid- and late gestation in sheep. • Maternal obesity did not result in an expected decrease in serum concentration of adiponectin in the maternal or fetal circulation. Differences in the large molecular weight hormone were not determined. Placental expression of adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1, AdipoR2) were uninfluenced by maternal obesity, but increased from mid to late gestation. The role of adiponectin with maternal obesity is not resolved, but increases with gestation suggest a role for adiponectin in fetal growth and development. Ram reproductive behavior and serum testosterone of white faced rams during the early and mid-breeding season and out of season. • What controls expression of sexual interest is not completely known, and furthering our understanding is important since an understanding of basic mechanisms is a prerequisite to the development of methods to manipulate behavior. Rams express the most robust sexual behavior during the fall breeding season and this behavior is supported by increased synthesis of testosterone. Synthesis of testosterone decreases outside of the breeding season as does the expression of sexual investigation. Copulatory behavior, however, is largely unaffected by season. The expression of sexual interest may only be supported in a rich testosterone environment, or alternatively increased sexual interest and consequent exposure to sexual stimuli may increase synthesis of testosterone. Dopamine Synthesis in the Ventral Tegmental Area in Rams with High or Low Libido. • Recognition of sexual stimuli by the ram is required for the identification of sexually receptive ewes. Rams expressing low levels of sexual interest appear to similarly identify and process sexually evocative olfactory stimuli, but reduced vigilance and engagement of hypothalamic regions may diminish mounting activity. Sexual activity activates dopamine reward mechanisms within the brainstem of the animal, insuring reproductive success across time. Decreased activity in that system may be the cause of tempered sexual interest in low sexually performing rams. Objective 2: Development and application of methodologies to improve animal health, well-being, and reproductive efficiency of domestic ruminants in order to allow sustainable operation of production systems in the western United States. Efficacy of commercially available sheep/goat CIDR-s for estrous synchronization in farmed reindeer. 1. The use of commercial CIDR-s in reindeer reduces labor requirements associated with CIDR-b modification and simplifies estrous synchronization in the reindeer herd, making the technique practical for reindeer producers to improve reproductive efficiency, including timing of calf birth, in herds kept behind fence. Animal Reproduction & Biotechnology Laboratory. • The ARBL continues work with regional veterinarians and cattle producers in addition to biotechnology and biopharma companies to develop biotechnologies and diagnostics that may be used to benefit reproduction and health in ruminants. The use of estrus detection patches to determine time of insemination. • Using estrus detection patches eliminates time needed for estrus observation and can be used to indicate which females have the highest chance of conceiving at timed insemination. Long vs short-term CIDR treatment for estrous synchronization of ewes. • Greater estrous response in ewes from a 14-day CIDR treatment indicates this is a preferred synchronization protocol compared to 7-day CIDR protocols. Effect of injectable mirco-minerals on pregnancy rates in crossbred beef cows. • Micro-mineral administration at initiation of an estrous synchronization protocol may not be associated with improved TAI or breeding season pregnancy rates in crossbred beef cows. Effect of estrous response on pregnancy rates of crossbred beef cows inseminated with sexed semen. • Increased pregnancy rates may be associated with cows that have exhibited estrus at TAI and inseminated with sexed semen. Evaluation of uterine capacity for pregnancy in beef heifers. • The genetic markers identified in this study may be useful to select animals for fertility and enhance our understanding of the physiological pathways governing pregnancy success and loss in mammals. Evaluation of new biomarkers as additional tools for fertility assessment in beef bulls. • Data generated from these studies of biomarkers associated with fertility may allow for improvements in customary breeding soundness evaluations that lead to improved pregnancy rates obtained with both AI and natural service. Metabolites, metabolic hormones, and hematological variables in mountain goats (oreamnos americanus) and Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis). • Management of high mountain ungulates is imperative in the Greater Yellowstone area to preserve the quality of the environment and habitat of these wild species. The results reported here are one component of a multidisciplinary approach that aims at understanding the ecological and physiological factors that contribute to reproductive success of big horn sheep and mountain goats in the GYA. This information will be used by many conservation groups as well as state and federal mangers for developing strategies to insure that propagation and habitat of these species. Reproductive responses and pre-weaning offspring growth performance of Rambouillet ewes synchronized with previously used or new progesterone-containing intravaginal inserts. • Intravaginal progesterone containing inserts can be reused at least once (12-day period) after the initial use for 12 days. Growth and pubertal responses of Rambouillet ewe lambs produced by ewes treated with dexamethasone during early pregnancy. • Administering 1 mg of dexamethasone daily for 5 d to ewes beginning 10 d after breeding did not affect age at puberty of female offspring. Effect of prostaglandin administration after ram turn out on ewe reproductive efficiency and pre-weaning lamb performance. • Administering 10 mg Lutalyse 2.5 d after ram turn out resulted in a similar proportion of ewes being marked after 5 d of the breeding season when compared to a 12-d CIDR protocol. Uterine and corpus luteal vascular dynamics on day 34 of pregnancy do not differ between dairy cattle which abort or carry pregnancy to term. • Monitoring uterine and ovarian vascular dynamics early in gestation does not offer a method to identify cows at risk for pregnancy loss. Milestones: Regional, national and international interactions with producer groups 1. Geary, T. W. Advances in herd fertility. Montana Hereford Tour. Miles City, MT. September, 2014. 2. Geary, T. W. Flow cytometry to evaluate bull fertility. USDA-ARS Customer Focus Group Meeting. Miles City, MT. September, 2014. 3. Geary, T. W. Pregnancy failure in beef cattle: Who/What is to blame? Montana State University Scientist Seminar. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT. September, 2014. 4. Geary, T. W. Reproduction and pregnancy establishment in beef cattle. Seeley Lake High School Invited Seminar. Seeley Lake, MT. November, 2014. 5. Geary, T. W. Limitations to pregnancy success in beef cattle. Warnick Lecture, University of Florida, Gainsville, December, 2014. 6. Geary, T. W. Limitations to pregnancy success in beef cattle. North Dakota / South Dakota Joint Veterinary Association Meeting. Deadwood, SD. February, 2015. 7. Geary, T. W. Limitations to pregnancy success in beef cattle. Montana Producer Seminar Series. Miles City, MT. February, 2015. 8. Geary, T. W. and F. M. Abreu. Reproductive management for optimal uterine preparedness for pregnancy. 19th Annual Course on New Approaches to Production and Reproduction in Cattle. Pp. 1-13. Uberlandia, Brazil, March 2015. 9. Geary, T. W. and F. M. Abreu. Reproductive management for optimal oocyte development to enhance fertility. 19th Annual Course on New Approaches to Production and Reproduction in Cattle. Pp. 14-29. Uberlandia, Brazil, March 2015. 10. Geary, T. W., P. Sutovosky, A. Zezeski, and K. Kerns. Practical applications and scientific progress in bull fertility for the beef producer. Western Section American Society of Animal Science Beef Symposium, Ruidoso, NM, June 2015. 11. F.C. Cardoso. 2015. Transitioning with Ease. PDPW Transition Cow Conference. April 7-9, Appleton, Fennimore, and Eau Claire, WI. Role: speaker. Audience: dairy producers, dairy industry representatives, and consultants. 400 attendees. 12. Lemley, C. O. Fetal programming: influences on lifetime productivity. Invited speaker for the Mississippi Beef Cattle Improvement Association Annual Meeting (Raymond, MS) March 5, 2014.

1. Akbar, H., F. C. Cardoso, S. Meier, C. Burke, S. Mcdougall, M. Mitchell, C. Walker, S. L. Rodriguez-Zas, R. E. Everts, H. A. Lewin, J. R. Roche, J. J. Loor. (2014). Postpartal Subclinical Endometritis Alters Transcriptome Profiles in Liver and Adipose Tissue of Dairy Cows. Bioinformatics and Biology Insights, 8:45-63. 2. Andrews, S.E., L.D. Brown, S.E. Thorn, M.A. Davis, S.W. Limesand, W.W. Hay, Jr., P.J. Rozance (2015). Increased Adrenergic Signaling Is Responsible for Decreased Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in the Chronically Hyperinsulinemic Ovine Fetus. Endocrinology 1(1):367-76. 3. Ashry M, Lee KB, Mondal M, Datta TK, Folger JK, Hemeida NA and Smith GW. 2015. Expression of TGF? superfamily components and other markers of oocyte quality in oocytes selected by brilliant cresyl blue staining: Relevance to early embryonic development. Molecular Reproduction and Development 82:251-264. 4. Blanchard, M., Anderson, M., Hoar, B., Blanchard, P., Yeargan, B., Teglas, M. B., Belshaw, M., Stott, J. (2014). Assessment of a fluorescent antibody test for the detection of antibodies against epizootic bovine abortion. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 26(5), 622-­?630. 5. Burton, D. J., P. A. Ludden, R. H. Stobart, B.M. Alexander. 2015. Fifty years of the Wyoming Ram Test: How sheep have changed. Journal of Animal Science. J Anim Sci. Mar;93(3):1327-31. 6. Camacho, L. E., C.O. Lemley, L. D. Prezotto, M. L. Bauer, H. C. Freetly, K. C. Swanson, K. A. Vonnahme. 2014. Effects of maternal nutrient restriction followed by re-alimentation during mid-gestation on uterine blood flow in beef cows. Theriogenology. 81:1248-1256. 7. Camacho, L. E., C. O. Lemley, M. L. Van Emon, J. S. Caton, K. C. Swanson, and K. A. Vonnahme. 2014. Effects of maternal nutrient restriction followed by realimentation during early and mid-gestation on beef cows. I. Maternal performance and organ weights at different stages of gestation. Journal of Animal Science. 92:520-529. 8. Canovas, A. Reverter, A., DeAtley, K.L., Ashley, R.L., Colgrave, M.L., Fortes, M. R., Islas-Trejo, A., Lehnert, S., Porto-Neto, L., Rincon, G., Silver, G.A., Snelling, W.M., Medrano, J.F., Thomas, M.G. 2014. Multi-Tissue Omics Analyses Reveal Molecular Regulatory Networks for Puberty in Composite Beef Cattle. PLoS One. Jul 21;9(7):e102551. PMID: 25048735. 9. Chaoqun Zhu, Y. Z Yin, J. Ren, R.J. McCormick, S.P. Ford, W. Guo. 2015. RBM20 is an essential factor for thyroid hormone-regulated titin isoform transition. J. Molec. Cell Biol. 7 (1):88-90. 10. Cleys, E.R., J.L. Halleran, V.A. Enriquez, J.C. da Silveira, R.C. West, Q.A. Winger, R.V. Anthony, J.E. Bruemmer, C.M. Clay and G.J. Bouma. 2015. Androgen receptor and histone lysine demethylases in ovine placenta. PLoS One 10(2):e0117472. 11. Coleson, M.P.T., N.S. Sanchez, A.K. Ashley, T.T. Ross, and R.L. Ashley. 2015. Human chorionic gonadotropin increases serum progesterone, number of corpora lutea, and angiogenic factors in pregnant sheep. Reproduction. Jul;150(1):43-52. PMID: 25861798. 12. Cupp AS. Sertoli Cell Based Gene Therapy? Biol Reprod. 2014 Aug;91(2):40. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.121996. Epub 2014 Jun 18. No abstract available. PMID:24943042. Free article (Invited Commentary). 13. Cushman, R.A., R.G. Tait Jr., A.K. McNeel, E.D. Forbes, O.L. Amundson, C.A. Lents, A.K. Lindholm-Perry, G.A. Perry, J.R. Wood, A.S. Cupp, T.P.L. Smith, H.C. Freetly, and G.L. Bennett. A polymorphism in myostatin influences puberty but not fertility in beef heifers, whereas µ-calpain affects first calf birth weight J Anim Sci. 2015 Jan;93(1):117-26. doi: 10.2527/jas.2014-8505. 14. Datta TK*, Rajput SK, Wee G, Lee KB, Folger JK, Smith GW. 2015. Requirement of the transcription factor USF1 in bovine oocyte and early embryonic development. Reproduction 149:203-212 15. Davis, M. A., A.R. Macko, L.V. Steyn, M.J. Anderson, S.W. Limesand (2015). Fetal adrenal demedullation lowers circulating norepinephrine and attenuates growth restriction but not reduction of endocrine cell mass in an ovine model of intrauterine growth restriction. Nutrients 7, 500-516; doi:10.3390/nu7010500. 16. Decker, J. E., McKay, S. D., Rolf, M. M., Kim, J. W., Alcalá, A. M., Sonstegard, T. S., Hanotte, O., Götherström, A., Bradley, D. G., Seabury, C. M., Praharani, L., Babar, M. E., Yildiz, M. A., Michael P. Heaton, M. P., Liu, W.-S., Reecy, J.M., Saif-Ur-Rehman, M., Schnabel, R.D., Taylor, J.F. (2014) Worldwide patterns of divergence, migration and admixture in domesticated cattle. PLoS Genet. 10(3): e1004254. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004254. 17. Dey S, Chamero P, Pru JK, Chien MS, Ibarra-Soria X, Spencer KR, Logan DW, Matsunami H, Peluso JJ, Stowers L. Cyclic regulation of sensory perception by a female hormone alters behavior. Cell 2015;161:1334-1344. 18. Dobbs, K.B., Gagne, D., Fournier, E., Dufort, I., Robert, C., Block, J., Sirard, M.A., Bonilla, L., Ealy, A.D., Louriero, B., and Hansen, P.J. (2014). Sexual dimorphism in developmental programming of the bovine preimplantation embryo caused by colony-stimulating factor 2. Biol. Reprod. 91:80. 19. Drackley, J. K. and F. C. Cardoso. (2014). Prepartum and postpartum nutritional management to optimize fertility in high-yielding dairy cows in confined TMR systems. Animal, 8:S1, 5-14. 20. Eborn, D.R and D.M. Grieger. 2013. Timed insemination of beef heifers using the 7-11 Synch protocol. J Anim. Sci. February, vol. 91(2): 666-672. 21. Field, M.E., R.V. Anthony, T.E. Engle, S.L. Archibeque, D.H. Keisler and H. Han. 2015. Duration of maternal undernutrition differentially alters fetal growth and hormone concentrations. Dom. Anim. Endocrinol. 51:1-7. 22. Freetly, H.C., K.A. Vonnahme, A.K. McNeel, L.E. Camacho, O.L. Amundson, E.D. Forbes, C.A. Lents, and R.A. Cushman. 2014. The consequence of nutrient management on heifer ovarian and mammary development. Journal of Animal Science. 92:5437-5443. 23. Friel AM, Zhang L, Pru CA, Clark NC, McCallum ML, Blok LJ, Shioda T, Peluso JJ, Rueda BR, Pru JK. Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 deficiency attenuates growth while promoting chemosensitivity of human endometrial xenograft tumors. Cancer Lett 2015;356:434-442. 24. Fu G., Saunders G., and Stevens J.R. (2014) “Holm multiple correction for large-scale gene-shape association mapping.” BMC Genetics 15(Suppl 1):S5. 25. Goodman, L. E., A. F. Cibils, S. L. Lopez, R. L. Steiner, J. D. Graham, K. C. McDaniel, L. Abbott, B. L. Stegelmeier, and D. M. Hallford. 2014. Targeted grazing of white locoweed (Oxytropis sericea) in northern New Mexico: Short-term effects of herbivory regime on vegetation and sheep. Rangeland Ecol. Manage. 67: 680-692. 26. Grazul-Bilska, A.T., T. L. Neville, E. Borowczyk, A. Sharma, L. P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton, D.A. Redmer, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2014. Ovarian and uterine characteristics and onset of puberty in adolescent offspring: Effects of maternal diet and Se supplementation in sheep. Theriogenology. 81:887-895. 27. Griffin D, Liu X, Pru CA, Pru JK, Peluso JJ. Expression of progesterone receptor membrane component-2 within the immature rat ovary and its role in regulating mitosis and apoptosis of spontaneously immortalized granulosa cells. Biol Reprod 2014;91:36. 28. Gupta PS, Folger JK, Rajput SK, Lv L, Yao J, Ireland JJ, Smith GW. 2014. Regulation and regulatory role of WNT signaling in potentiating FSH action during bovine dominant follicle selection. PLoS ONE 2014; 9:e100201. 29. Hart, C.G., L.E. Camacho, K.C. Swanson, K.A. Vonnahme, and C.O. Lemley. 2014. Hepatic steroid metabolizing enzyme activity during early, mid, and late bovine pregnancy. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 49:31-38. 30. Henkes, L.E., J.K. Pru, R.L. Ashley, R.V. Anthony, D.N. Veeramachaneni, K.C. Gates, and T.R. Hansen. 2015. Embryo Mortality in Isg15-/- Mice Is Exacerbated by Environmental Stress. Biology of Reproduction. 92(2):36. PMID: 25505199. 31. Hoffman, M. L., Rokossa, M. A., Zinn, S., Hoagland, T., Govoni, K. 2014. Poor maternal nutrition during gestation in sheep reduces circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 in offspring. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 49:39-48.? 32. Kaminski, S.L., A.T. Grazul-Bilska, E.K. Harris, E.P. Berg, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2014. Impact of maternal physical activity during gestation on porcine fetal, neonatal, and adolescent ovarian development. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 48:56-61. 33. Keller-Wood, M, X. Feng, C.E. Wood, E. Richards1, R.V. Anthony, G.E. Dahl and S. Tao. 2014. Elevated maternal cortisol leads to relative maternal hyperglycemia and increased stillbirth in ovine pregnancy. Am. J. Physiol.- Reg, Integrat. and Comp. Physiol. 307: R405-413. 34. Kurz, SG, KL Dennison, NM Samanas, MP Hickman, TL Walker, AS Cupp and JD. Shull. Ept7 Influences Estrogen Action in the Pituitary Gland and Body Weight of Rats. Mamm Genome. 2014 Jun;25(5-6):244-52. doi: 10.1007/s00335-014-9504-4. Epub 2014 Jan 22. PMID:24448715. 35. Lai D, Ding J, Smith GW, Smith GD, Takayama S. 2015. Slow and steady cell shrinkage reduces osmotic stress in bovine and murine oocyte and zygote vitrification. Hum Reprod 30:37-45. 36. Larson, J. E., B. E. Voelz, D. K. Hardin, and C. O. Lemley. 2014. Nutritional characteristics of the dairy cow during early gestation and subsequent growth and cardiac measurements of her offspring. American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. 9:146-154. 37. Lee KB, Folger JK, Rajput SK, Smith GW. 2014. Temporal regulation of mRNAs for select bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), BMP receptors and their associated SMAD proteins during bovine early embryonic development: effects of exogenous BMP2 on embryo developmental progression. Reprod Biol Endocrinol12:67. 38. Lee KB, Zhang K, Folger JK, Knott JG, Smith GW. 2014. Evidence supporting a functional requirement of SMAD4 for bovine preimplantation embryonic development: A potential link to embryotropic actions of follistatin. Biol Reprod 91:62. 39. Lemley, C.O., A.M. Meyer, T.L. Neville, D.M. Hallford, L. E. Camacho, K.R. Maddock-Carlin, T.A. Wilmoth, M.E. Wilson, G.A. Perry, D.A. Redmer, L.P. Reynolds, J.S. Caton, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2014. Dietary selenium and nutritional plane alters maternal endocrine profiles during pregnancy and lactation. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 46:1-11. 40. Long, N.M., D.C. Rule, N. Tuersunjiang, P.W. Nathanielsz, S.P. Ford. 2014. Maternal obesity in sheep increases fatty acid synthesis, upregulates nutrient transporters, and increases adiposity in adult male offspring after a feeding challenge. PLoS One. 10 (4):e0122152. 41. Liu, W.-S., Chang, T.-C. (2014) Y chromosome-linked genes implicated in spermatogenesis in cattle. Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants VIII. Ed: Jennifer Juengel, Akio Miyamoto, Christopher Price, Larry Raynolds, Mike Smith, and Robert Webb. Context Products Ltd., England. P239-255. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.1392.9922 42. Maalouf, S.W., Liu, W.-S., Albert, I., Pate, J.L. (2014) Regulating life or death: Potential role of microRNA in rescue of the corpus luteum. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 398(1-2), 78-88. DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.10.005 43. Madsen, C. A., G. A. Perry, C. L. Mogck, R. F. Daly, M. D. MacNeil, and T. W. Geary. 2015. Effects of preovulatory estradiol on embryo survival and pregnancy establishment in beef cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.05.006 44. Magolski, J.D., N.W. Shappell, K.A. Vonnahme, G. M. Anderson, D.J. Newman, and E. P. Berg. 2014. Consumption of ground beef obtained from cattle that had received steroidal growth-promotants does not trigger early onset of estrus using a prepubertal porcine model. Journal of Nutrition. 144:1718-1724. 45. Martin, N.T., J.M. Thomas, J.M. Nash, D.A. Mallory, M.R. Ellersieck, S.E. Poock, M.F. Smith and D.J. Patterson, 2014. Comparison of a 16- versus a 19-day interval between controlled internal drug release removal and prostaglandin F2? following a 14-day controlled internal drug release treatment and fixed-time artificial insemination in postpartum beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 92:1757-1765. 46. McCosh, R. B., E. M. Berry, M. E. Wehrman, R. R. Redden, D. M. Hallford, and J. G. Berardinelli. 2015. Temporal concentrations of cortisol and LH in virgin ewes acutely exposed to rams during the transition into the breeding season. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 154: 25-28.doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.01.008http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432015000202 47. Meteer, W. C., D. W. Shike, and F. C. Cardoso. (2015). Review: Prepartum and postpartum nutritional management to optimize fertility in beef cattle. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 2015. 43: 1286. In print. 48. McCoski, S.R., Xie, M., Hall, E.B., Mercadante, P.M., Spencer, T.E., Lonergan, P. and Ealy, A.D. (2014). Validation of an interferon stimulatory response element reporter gene assay for quantifying type I interferons. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 47:22-26. 49. Mirto, A.J., K.J. Austin, V.A. Uthlaut, C.E. Roselli, B.M. Alexander, 2015. Fos Expression in the Olfactory Pathway of High- and Low-Sexually Performing Rams Exposed to Urine from Estrous or Ovariectomized Ewes. Applied Animal Behvior. In Review. 50. Odhiambo, J. F., J. M. DeJarnette, T. W. Geary, C. E. Kennedy, S. S. Suarez, M. Sutovsky, and P. Sutovsky. 2015. Increased conception rates in beef cattle inseminated with nanopurified bull semen. Biol. Reprod. 91(4):1-10. 51. Oki, A.C., J.G. Berardinelli, J.A. Clapper, D.H. Pooled, and P.L. Senger. 2014. Enhancing the learning experience of students in reproductive science with multimedia platforms. Clinical Theriogenology 6: 147-153. 52. Oliver, M., Nader, G., Maas, J., Blanchard, M., Stott, J., Teglas, M. B., Bushnell, R. (2013). Management Alternatives To Minimize Foothill Abortion. The Progressive Rancher, July/August, 20-­?23. 53. Peluso JJ, Pru JK. Non-canonical progesterone signaling in granulosa cell function. Reproduction 2014;147:R169-178. 54. Price, D.M., A.W. Lewis, D.A. Neuendorff, J.A. Carroll, N.C. Burdick Sanchez, R.C. Vann, T.H. Welsh, Jr. and R.D. Randel. 2015. Physiological and metabolic responses of gestating Brahman cows to repeated transportation. J. Anim. Sci. 93:2:737-745. 55. Prezotto, L.D., C.O. Lemley, L.E. Camacho, F.E. Doscher, A.M. Meyer, J.S. Caton, K.A. Vonnahme, and K.C. Swanson. 2014. Effects of nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation on maternal and foetal hepatic and small intestinal energy utilization. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 98:797-807. 56. Quinn, K.E., A.K. Ashley, L.P. Reynolds, A.T. Grazul-Bilska, R.L. Ashley. 2014. Activation of the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis may drive vascularization of the ovine placenta. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 47:11-21. PMID: 24486002. 57. Ramstead, A. G., I. A. Schepetkin, K. Todd, J. Loeffelholz, J. G. Berardinelli, M. T. Quinn, M. A. Jutila. 2015. Aging influences the response of t cells to stimulation by the ellagitannin, oenothein b. International Immunopharmacology. 26:367-377. http://ac.els-cdn.com/S1567576915001630/1-s2.0-S1567576915001630-main.pdf?_tid=3c7daa52-fb49-11e4-92d7-00000aab0f6c&acdnat=1431725449_a6db9384725788feed9c14ea9b2adf5e 58. Reed, S. A., Raja, J. S., Hoffman, M. L., Zinn, S., Govoni, K. 2014. Poor maternal nutrition inhibits muscle development in ovine offspring. Journal of Animal Science & Biotechnology. 5:43. 59. Rozance, P.J., M.J. Anderson, M.G. Martinez, A. Fahy, A.R. Macko, J. Kailey, G.J. Seedorf, S.H. Abman, W.W. Hay, Jr., S.W. Limesand (2015). Placental Insufficiency Decreases Pancreatic Vascularity and Disrupts Hepatocyte Growth Factor Signaling in the Pancreatic Islet Endothelial Cell in Fetal Sheep. Diabetes 64(2):555-64. 60. Sargent KM, Lu N, DT Clopton, WE Pohlmeier, V Brauer, Napoleon Ferrara, David Silversides, AS Cupp. Loss of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) isoforms in Granulosa cells using pDMRT-1 cre reduces female fertility by affecting granulosa cell function to arrest follicular development. PLoS One. 2015 Feb 6;10(2):e0116332. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116332. eCollection 2015. 61. Saunders G., Fu G., and Stevens J.R. (2014) “A graphical weighted power improving multiplicity correction approach for SNP selections.” Current Genomics 15(5):380-389. 62. Saunders G., Stevens J.R., and Isom S.C. (2014) “A shortcut for multiple testing on the directed acyclic graph of Gene Ontology.” BMC Bioinformatics 15:349. 63. Scholljegerdes, E. J., L.A. Lekatz, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2014. Short-term oilseed supplementation affects plasma fatty acid composition, progesterone, and prostaglandin F metabolite in lactating beef cows. Animal. 8:777-785. 64. Sen N, Liu X, Craig ZR. Short term exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) disrupts ovarian function in young CD-1 mice. Reprod Toxicol 2015; 53:15-22. 65. Seto NL, Bogan RL. Decreased cholesterol uptake and increased liver x receptor-mediated cholesterol efflux pathways during prostaglandin f2 alpha-induced and spontaneous luteolysis in sheep. Biol Reprod. 2015 May;92(5):128. 66. Shasa, D.R., J.F. Odhiambo, N.M. Long, N. Tuersunjiang, P.W. Nathanielsz, S.P. Ford. 2014. Multigenerational impact of maternal overnutrition/obesity in the sheep on the neonatal leptin surge in granddaughters. Int. J. Obesity (Lond.), 39 (4):695-701. 67. Shipka, MP, JE Rowell, SC Gerlach, J Greenberg, and T Paragi. (2014) Sustainable Livestock Systems for Alaska: Production, Processing, and Marketing. In: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in the Circumpolar North. MP 2014-16. Seefeldt, S. and Helfferich, D. eds. Proceedings of the 8th Circumpolar Agricultural Conference & Inaugural University of the Arctic Food Summit, held 29 Sept. – 3 Oct. 2013 in Girdwood, Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska: Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station. 68. Shukla P., S. Ghatta, N. Dubey, C. O. Lemley, M. L. Johnson, A. Modgil, K. Vonnahme, J. S. Caton, L. P. Reynolds, C. Sun, and S. T. O'Rourke. 2014. Maternal nutrient restriction during pregnancy impairs an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-like pathway in sheep fetal coronary arteries. Journal of Physiology. 307:H134-142. 69. Shukla, P., C. O. Lemley, N. Dubey, A. M. Meyer, S. T. O’Rourke, and K. A. Vonnahme. 2014. Effect of maternal nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation from mid to late gestation on vascular reactivity of maternal and fetal placental arteries. Placenta. 35:461-466. 70. Stapp, A. D., C. A. Gifford, D. M. Hallford, and J. A. Hernandez-Gifford. 2014. Evaluation of steroidogenic capacity after follicle stimulating hormone stimulation in bovine granulosa cells of revalor 200 implanted heifers. J. Anim. Sci. Biotechnol. 5: 1-6. 71. Stapp, A. D., B. I. Gomez, C. A. Gifford, D. M. Hallford, and J. A. Hernandez-Gifford. 2014. Canonical WNT signaling inhibits follicle stimulating hormone mediated steroidogenesis in primary cultures of rat granulosa cells. PLoS ONE 9 (1 72. Steyn, L.V., K. Ananthakrishnan, M.J. Anderson, R. Patek, A.C. Kelly, J. Vagner, R.M. Lynch, S.W. Limesand (2015). A Synthetic Heterobivalent Ligand Composed of Glucagon-like Peptide 1 and Yohimbine Specifically Targets ?-cells within the Pancreas. Molecular Imaging and Biology (accepted). 73. Sullivan, R. R., Faris, B. R., Eborn, D., Grieger, D. M., Cino-Ozuna, A. G., & Rozell, T. G. Follicular expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptor variants in the ewe. 2013. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 11(1). 74. Summers, AF, WE Pohlmeier, KM Sargent, BD Cole, RJ Vinton, SG Kurz, RM McFee, RA Cushman, AS Cupp*, JR Wood. Altered theca and cumulus oocyte complex gene expression, follicular arrest and reduced fertility in cows with dominant follicle follicular fluid androgen excess. PLoS One. 2014 Oct 16;9(10):e110683. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110683. eCollection 2014.* corresponding author. 75. Swartz, J. D., M. Lachman, K.Westveer,T. O’Neill,T. W. Geary, R. W. Kott, J. G. Berardinelli, P. G. Hat?eld, J. M.Thomson, A. J. Roberts and C. J.Yeoman. 2014. Characterization of the vaginal microbiota of ewes and cows reveals a unique microbiota with low levels of lactobacilli and near-neutral pH. Front. Vet. Sci. 1(19):1-10. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2014.00019 76. Talbott, H, A Delaney, P Zhang, Y Yu, RA. Cushman, AS Cupp, X Hou, JS Davis. Effects of IL8 and Immune Cells on the Regulation of Luteal Progesterone Secretion. Reproduction. 2014 Jul;148(1):21-31. doi: 10.1530/REP-13-0602. Epub 2014 Mar 31. 77. Tanino Karen, Milan Shipka, Carol Lewis, Stephen Sparrow, Terri Lynn Paulson, John Stewart, David Natcher, Connie Achtymichuk, Mike Furi, Bryan Kosteroski, M.P.M. Nair, Rachel Engler-Stringer. (2014) Advancing Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in the Circumpolar North. Arctic Change 2014, Ottawa, Canada. 78. Thomas, J.M., S.E. Poock, M.R. Ellersieck, M.F. Smith and D. J. Patterson. 2014. Delayed insemination of non-estrous heifers and cows when using conventional semen in timed artificial insemination. J. Anim. Sci. 92:4189-4197. 79. Thomas, J.M. S. L. Lock, S.E. Poock, M.R. Ellersieck, M.F. Smith and D. J. Patterson. 2014. Delayed insemination of nonestrous cows improves pregnancy rates when using sex-sorted semen in timed artificial insemination of suckled beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 92:1745-1750. 80. Van Emon, M.L., C.S. Schauer, L.A. Lekatz, S. R. Eckerman, K.R. Maddock-Carlin, and K.A. Vonnahme. 2014. Supplementing metabolizable protein to ewes during late gestation: I. Effects on ewe performance and offspring performance from birth to weaning. Journal of Animal Science. 92:339-348. 81. Vonnahme, K.A. 2014. 2013 Early Career Achievement Award: Recognizing achievement of young scholars working to foster the discovery, sharing, and application of knowledge concerning the responsible use of animals to enhance human life and well-being. J. Anim. Sci. 92:873-874. 82. Walker R. S, B. Buttrey, J. Gurie, and G. T. Gentry. 2014. Evaluating heat detector patch response to determine GnRH use at timed- artificial insemination on pregnancy rates in beef cattle. Prof. Anim. Sci. 30:613-619. 83. Wallace, R.M., K.G. Pohler, M.F. Smith and J.A. Green. 2015. Placental PAGs: Gene origins, expression patterns and use as markers of pregnancy. Reproduction (in press). 84. Weems, Y.S., J. Pang, A. Raney, T. Uchima, E. Lennon, D. Johnson, T.M. Nett, R.D. Randel and C.W. Weems. 2014. Prostaglandins E1 or E2 (PGE1; PGE2) inhibit an oxytocin-induced premature luteolysis in ewes when oxytocin is given early in the estrous cycle. Theriogenology 82:507-512. 85. Weems, Y.S., Y. Ma, S.P. Ford, T.M. Nett, R.C. Vann, A.W. Lewis, D.A. Neuendorff, T.H. Welsh, Jr., R.D. Randel and C.W. Weems. 2014. Effects of intraluteal implants of prostaglandin E1 or E2 on angiogenic growth factors in luteal tissue of Angus and Brahman cows. Theriogenology 82:440-446. 86. Weems, Y.S., S.P. Ford, T.M. Nett, R.C. Vann, A.W. Lewis, D.A. Neuendorff, T.H. Welsh, Jr, R.D. Randel, C.W. Weems. 2014. Effects of Intraluteal implants of prostaglandin E1 or E2 on Angiogenic growth Factors in luteal tissue of Angus and Brahman cows. Theriogenology 82 (9):1224-1230. 87. Yang, Q.E., Ozawa, M., Zhang, K., Johnson, S.E., and Ealy, A.D. (2014) The requirement for protein kinase C delta (PRKCD) during preimplantation bovine embryo development. Repro. Fertil. Devel. Epub: 8/13/2014. 88. Yates, D.T., D.S. Clarke, A.R. Macko, M.J. Anderson, L.A. Shelton, M. Nearing, R.E. Allen, R.P. Rhoads, S.W. Limesand (2014). Myoblast from Intrauterine Growth-Restricted Sheep Fetuses Exhibit Intrinsic Deficiencies in Proliferation that Contribute to Smaller Semitendinosus Myofibers. Journal of Physiology 592(Pt 14):3113-25 doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2014.272591. 89. Yue, X.-P. , Dechow, C., Liu, W.-S. (2015) A limited number of Y chromosome lineages present in North American Holsteins. J. Dairy Sci. 98, 2738–2745. DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8601 90. Zhu M.J., M. Du, S.P. Ford. 2014. Cell Biology Symposium: Impacts of maternal obesity on placental and gut inflammation and health. J Anim. Sci. 92(5):1840-1849. 91. Wang X, Burghardt RC, Romero JJ, Hansen TR, Wu G, Bazer FW. Functional Roles of Arginine During the Peri-Implantation Period of Pregnancy. III. Arginine Stimulates Proliferation and Interferon Tau Production by Ovine Trophectoderm Cells via Nitric Oxide and Polyamine-TSC2-MTOR Signaling Pathways. Biol Reprod 2015; 92:75. 92. Henkes LE, Pru JK, Ashley RL, Anthony RV, Veeramachaneni DN, Gates KC, Hansen TR. Embryo mortality in Isg15-/- mice is exacerbated by environmental stress. Biol Reprod 2015; 92:36. 93. Wang X, Frank JW, Xu J, Dunlap KA, Satterfield MC, Burghardt RC, Romero JJ, Hansen TR, Wu G, Bazer FW. Functional role of arginine during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy. II. Consequences of loss of function of nitric oxide synthase NOS3 mRNA in ovine conceptus trophectoderm. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:59. 94. Wang X, Frank JW, Little DR, Dunlap KA, Satterfield MC, Burghardt RC, Hansen TR, Wu G, Bazer FW. Functional role of arginine during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy. I. Consequences of loss of function of arginine transporter SLC7A1 mRNA in ovine conceptus trophectoderm. FASEB J 2014; 28:2852-2863. 95. Smirnova NP, Webb BT, McGill JL, Schaut RG, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Van Campen H, Sacco RE, Hansen TR. Induction of interferon-gamma and downstream pathways during establishment of fetal persistent infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus. Virus Res 2014; 183:95-106. 96. Hansen TR, Smirnova NP, Webb BT, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Sacco RE, Van Campen H. Innate and adaptive immune responses to in utero infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus. Animal Health Research Reviews 2014; 16:15-26. 97. Hansen TR, Pru JK. ISGylation: a conserved pathway in mammalian pregnancy. Adv Exp Med Biol 2014; 759:13-31.