Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

May 24, 2022:  The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am by John Parrish (Chair) and Kara Stewart (Local Host).  Kara introduced Kayla Mills, her past PhD student, who would be serving as a new member to NCEA57 from USDA-BARC.  There was some discussion on the historical aspects of the committee by various members with John Parrish highlighting the historical document located on the NIMSS system.  John Parrish also discussed some details on submitting the final report and to get access to the NIMSS system via Christian Hamilton.  It was also discussed that we need to officially add Kayla Mills as a representative and work with Christian Hamilton on this process.

Station reports started at 9:15 am:  1) USDA-USMARC, Nebraska, Lea Rempel; 2) Purdue University, Indiana, Kara Stewart; 3) USDA-BARC, Maryland, Kayla Mills.  Following these morning station reports, John Parrish nominated Kayla Mills for the secretary for next year’s annual meeting, seconded by Jeremy Miles, and approved by all representative presence.  There was discussion about adding Karl Kerns from Iowa State University and someone from NC State University.  John Parrish also mentioned his willingness to host the 2023 NCERA57 meeting and highlighted that it could be his last meeting.  At 11:00 am Mark Mirando, USDA-NIFA National Science Liaison, joined via Zoom and introduced Kamilah Grant, the new USDA-NIFA Animal Reproduction NPL.  Mark then provided the USDA-NIFA update.  After concluding the USDA-NIFA update, John Parrish initiated a discussion about predatory journals and publications, following this discussion the Committee had lunch with producers, speakers, and attendees of the NCERA57 Biannual Symposium. 

At 12:30 pm, the Committee reconvened with Kara Stewart (Symposium Organizing Chair) kicking off the 2022 NCERA57 Biannual Symposium: Managing the Hyperprolific Sow.  This symposium was originally scheduled for 2020, but due to the COVID pandemic had been postponed 2 years.  The speaker and their presentation titles are as followed:

• Changes in the physiology and re-thinking management of the modern sow – Dr. Nicoleme Soede
• An overview of sow performance-challenges we are facing today – Mr. Ron Ketchem
• Practical approaches to feeding the modern sow – Dr. Laura Greiner
• What’s happening between sow and her litter? – Dr. Walt Hurley
• Optimizing litter performance pre-weaning and beyond – Dr. Greg Krahn
• Dietary management of the transition animal: Perspective from dairy cows to sows – Dr. Bob Vansaun

The Symposium concluded at 5:00 pm and the Committee adjourned for the day.

May 25, 2022:  Prior to the Committee reconvening at 7:45 am, Wayne Singleton setup a display of historical reproduction equipment used for animal research and production.  The meeting was called to ordered by John Parrish and the other station reports were given:  1) University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, John Parrish; 2) University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Nebraska, Brett White; 3) Iowa State University, Iowa, Jason Ross.  Following the station reports, there was a brief business meeting where the committee confirmed Kayla Mill as next year’s secretary and set the 2023 meeting date for May 23-24, 2023 at the University of Wisconsin hosted by John Parrish.  In addition, further discussion about inviting Karl Kerns was provided and noted that Kayla Mills and any new participants would need to get appropriate forms filled out under the participant tab on the NIMSS website.  Jason Ross also noted the Iowa State University might be a good option for host the next symposium in 2024.  Finally, the Committee thanked Kara Stewart for all her efforts in organizing the Symposium and all the speakers and sponsors (United Animal Health, Merk, AASV, Summit Smart Farms, Topigs Norsvin, CSA Animal Nutrition).  The Committee adjourned at 10:00 am and Kara Stewart provided the group a tour of the Creighton Hall Animal Science building at Purdue University. 

1. In support of Objective 1 & 3 – Reported the influence of fish oil supplementation on boar sperm quantity and spermatogenesis (Wisconsin, Iowa, and Ohio).
2. In support of Objective 1 & 3– Published a book chapter on Animal Andrology (Illinois and Indiana).
3. In support of Objectives 1, 3, & 4 – Identified sperm proteome following acute scrotal temperature in pigs (Missouri and Illinois).
4. In support of Objective 1, 3, & 4 – Identified metabolites involved in binding of sperm to oviduct glycans to extend sperm lifespan (Missouri and Illinois).
5. In support of Objective 1, 3, 4 & 8 – Continued collaboration on USDA-NIFA grant: Proteomic identification of molecular pathways and biomarker related to porcine seasonal heat-induced infertility in males (Illinois and Wisconsin).
6. In support of Objective 1, 3, 4 & 8 – Continued collaboration on NIH grant: Accumulation, storage, and release of sperm in the oviduct (Illinois and Missouri).
7. In support of Objective 2, 3 & 4 – Characterized kisspeptin, NKB, and NK3R in the hypothalamus of gilts following Altrenogest treatment (USMARC, West Virginia, Ohio, and Mississippi).
8. In support of Objective 2, 3 & 4 – Identified biomarkers of fertility in gilts (BARC & Indiana)
9. In support of Objective 2, 3, 4 & 8 – Continued collaboration on National Pork Board Grant: Investigating survivability in swine (BARC, Indiana, and Iowa)  
10. In support of Objective 3 & 4 – Characterized extensive transcriptomic differences in spherical, ovoid and tubular conceptus during the initiation of elongation in gilts (USMARC and Nebraska).
11. In support of Objective 3, 4 & 8 – New USDA-NIFA grant awarded: Influence of maternal and embryonic extracellular vesicles on the initiation of porcine conceptus elongation, #2021-67015-34416 (Nebraska and USMARC).
12. In support of Objective 5 – Planning committee for the SowBridge program, an extension program targeted to translating science into usable information for swine farms (Indiana, Missouri, and Illinois).
13. In support of Objective 5 – Organized and presented an Extension Webinar on farrowing induction in sows (Indiana and Pennsylvania).
14. In support of Objective 5 & 7 – Organized and hosted the 2022 NCERA57 Biannual Symposium: Managing the Hyperprolific Sow (Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri).

Basic Science and Technology

1. Cline, P.M., Tsai, T.C., Lents, C.A., Stelzleni, A.M., Dove, C.R., Azain, M. 2021. Interaction of dietary carbohydrate and fat on glucose metabolism in growing pigs. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 78. Article 106655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2021.106655.
2. Meinen, R.J., Spiegal, S.A., Kleinman, P.J., Flynn, K.C., Goslee, S.C., Mikesell, R.E., Church, C., Bryant, R.B., Boggess, M.V. 2022. Opportunities to implement manureshed management in the Iowa, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania swine industry. Journal of Environmental Quality. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20340.
3. Velez, F.J., Bosilevac, J.M., Singh, P. 2021. Validation of high-resolution melting assays for the detection of virulent strains of Escherichia coli O26 and O111 in beef and pork enrichment broths. Food Control. 128. Article 108123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108123.

 Boar Performance

1. Andrade, A., Grossfeld, R., Knox, R. V. 2021 In vitro effects of commercial freezing and thawing extenders on boar sperm quality. Anim. Reprod. Sci. Pages 106906 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106906.
2. Sharif, M., Hickl, V., Juarez, G., Di, X., Kerns, K., Sutovsky, P., Bovin, N., Miller, D. J.   Hyperactivation is sufficient to release sperm from immobilized oviduct glycans.  Sci Rep 12, 6446. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-10390-x
3. Sharif, M., Kerns, K., Sutovsky, P., Bovin, N., Miller, D.J.   Progesterone induces porcine sperm release from oviduct glycans in a proteasome-dependent manner.  Reproduction. 161(4):449-457. doi: 10.1530/REP-20-0474.

 Sow and Gilt Performance

1. Arend, L.S., Knox, R.V. 2021. Fertility responses of melatonin-treated gilts before and during the follicular and early luteal phases when there are different temperatures and lighting conditions in the housing area. Anim Reprod Sci, 230, 106769. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106769
2. Knox, R.V., Arend, L.S., Buerkley, A.L., Patterson J.L., Foxcroft, G.R. 2021. Effect of physical or fenceline boar exposure and gonadotropins on fertility in gilts. J. Anim. Sci. DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab348.
3. Lindo, A.N., Thorson, J., Bedenbaugh, M.N., Mccosh, R.B., Lopez, J.A., Young, S.A., Meadows, L.J., Bowdridge, E.C., Fergani, C., Freking, B.A., Lehman, M.N., Hileman, S.M., Lents, C.A. 2021. Localization of kisspeptin, NKB, and NK3R in the hypothalamus of gilts treated with the progestin altrenogest. Biology of Reproduction. Article 103. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioab103.
4. Miles, J.R., Walsh S.C., Rempel L.A., Pannier A.K.. 2022. Mechanisms regulating the initiation of porcine conceptus elongation.  Mol Reprod Dev.   DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23623.
5. Mills, K.M., Ferreira, C.R., Stewart, K.R., Casey T.M.   Biomarkers predictive of long-term fertility found in vaginal lipidome of gilts at weaning.  J Anim Sci DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-210669/v1
6. Mills, K.M., Shirley, L.K., Sharp, K., Garcia, R., Suarez-Trujillo, A., Stewart, K.R. 2021. Effects of induction on the farrowing process and piglet blood parameters at time of birth. TAS 5:108.  doi: 10.1093/tas/txab032 
7. Vande Pol, K.D., Tolosa, A.F., Bautista, R.O., Willard, N.C., Gates, R.S., Shull, C.M., Brown, C.B., Alencar, S.A., Lents, C.A., Ellis, M. 2021. Effects of drying and providing supplemental oxygen to piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth. Translational Animal Science. 5(3). Article txab095. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txab095.
8. Walsh, S.C., Miles, J.R., Keel-Mercer, B.N., Rempel, L.A., Wright-Johnson, E.C., Lindholm-Perry, A.K., Oliver, W.T., Pannier, A.K. 2022. Global analysis of differential gene expression within the porcine conceptus transcriptome as it transitions through spherical, ovoid, and tubular morphologies during the initiation of elongation. Molecular Reproduction and Development. Article 23553. https://doi.org/10.1002/mrd.23553

 Genetics and Genomics

1. Herrera-Uribe, J., Wiarda, J., Sivasankaran, S.K., Daharsh, L., Liu, H., Byrne, K.A., Smith, T.P., Lunney, J.K., Loving, C.L., Tuggle, C.K. 2021. Reference Transcriptomes of Porcine Peripheral Immune Cells Created Through Bulk and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing. Frontiers in Genetics. 12. Article 689406. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.689406.

Teaching and Extension

1. Hines, E., Romoser, M., Cover, J. Improving the gilt selection process.  Penn State Extension Report.  https://extension.psu.edu/improving-the-gilt-selection-process
2. Knox, R. 2021. The New Building Designs on Swine Farms in China. June 2021. Illinois AgriNews.
3. Knox, R. 2021.  New technology used in the swine breeding barn. Dec. 2021. Illinois AgriNews.

 Abstracts/Posters/Book Chapter/Professional Presentations

1. Arend, L.S., Vinas, R.F., Silva, G., Lower, A., Connor, J.F., Knox. R.V.  Effects of nursing a large litter and ovarian response to gonadotropins at weaning on subsequent fertility in first parity sows. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 100, Issue Supplement_2, May 2022, Page 85, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac064.137
2. Hauxwell, K., Ostrand, L.M., Schmidt, T.B., Psota, E., Mote, B.E., Rohrer, G.A. 2021. Activity and bone lesion analysis on gilt retention to the breeding herd [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 99(Supplement 1):154. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab054.264.
3. Hines E., Stewart, K.R.   Farrowing induction and your sows.  Extension Webinar.  Penn State Extension.  https://extension.psu.edu/farrowing-induction-and-your-sows-webinar
4. Knox, R. V. 2021. Overview of Management of Reproduction: Pigs. Merck Veterinary Manual. pp 1-22. Management of Reproduction: Pigs - Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com)
5. Knox, R.V. 2021. Gilt puberty, subsequent fertility, and incidence of silent heat in response to boar exposure and hormone induction, A.D. Leman Pre-Conference Workshop.
6. Knox, R.V. 2022. Tools used and needed in the gilt pool. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 100, Issue Supplement_2, May 2022, Pages 9–10, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac064.013
7. Ostrand, L.M., Tranhaile-Grannemann, M.D., See, G., Schmidt, T.B., Psota, E., Rohrer, G.A., Mote, B.E. 2021. Utilization of NUtrack to assess variance components and heritability of activity traits [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 99(Supplement 1):17. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab054.030.
8. Parrish, J.J., Gall, T., Wilson, M., Ballard, M. 2022. Salmate fish oil supplement to boars and impact on sperm production and spermatogenesis.
9. Stewart, K.R., Knox, R.V. 2022. Applied animal andrology: Boar in Manual of Animal Andrology, edited by P.J. Chenoweth and S.P. Lorton, CAB International, 2022, pp95-107.
10. Studer, J.M., Kiefer, Z.E., Gianluppi, R., Adur, M.K., Shultz, R.B., Horst, E.A., Mayorga, E.J., Keating, A.F., Baumgard, L.H., Lents, C.A., Ross, J.W. 2021. Direct and indirect effects of heat stress on the hepatic and ovarian proteome in gilts [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 99(Supplement 1):106-107. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab054.173.
11. Vinas, R.F., Arend, L.S., Silva, G., Lower, A.J., Connor, J.F., Kaustubh, B., Furugen, A., Andrade, A., Knox. R.V. Evaluation of electrical impedance spectroscopy to determine swine herd reproductive status using the accuracy of ultrasound and hormonal assays as diagnostic tools. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 100, Issue Supplement_2, May 2022, Page 84, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac064.135