Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Brief Summary of Minutes for the Annual Meeting:

May 23, 2023:  The virtual meeting hosted on Teams was called to order by Jeremy Miles (Chair) at 9:00 am.  After a short welcome for the committee members, an apology was given by the Chair for having to move the meet to a virtual format due to the limited number of members that could make an in-person meeting (only 4 total could make it).  A brief discussion was given that the lack of travel capacity was likely due to many of the members traveling to Europe within two weeks for the International Conference on Pig Reproduction (ICPR), which had been postponed since 2020 because the COVID pandemic.  Several of the committee members were presenting and serving as organizers/chairs at the ICPR meeting, which provide good international exposure for the research for many of the committee members.  Thanks was also given to John Parrish for originally offering to host the meeting at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.  Following this discussion (~9:10 am), brief station reports were given for Pennsylvania - Penn State University, Elizabeth Hines; Wisconsin - University of Wisconsin, John Parrish; and Illinois - University of Illinois, David Miller. 

At 10:30 am, the business meeting began to discuss details regarding the Biannual symposium (scheduled for 2024), five-year project rewrite (due in 2024), new members, potential collaborations, and other details.  First, the committee discussed potential topics for the Biannual symposium, which included effects of viruses/diseases on swine reproduction, tools for fixed timed single-inseminations, and prolapse issues.  The committee came to a consensus on the overall topic factoring on external factors that influence reproductive (viruses, disease, seasonality, etc).  An initial title, “Maximizing Efficiency of Swine Herds”, was suggested and could encompass all these external topics.  Tim Safranski, Elizabeth Hines, and Lea Rempel volunteered to serve on the organizing committee for the Biannual symposium.  The location and date for the next annual meeting/Biannual symposium was then discussed.  Brett White suggested and volunteered to have the University of Nebraska Lincoln host the meeting and symposium, which was agreed by the committee.  A brief discussion was made about moving the meeting from the usual date (Tuesday a week prior to Memorial Day) given the low ability of members to travel for the current meeting, but it was decided that usual date was still the best and it was agreed to have the meeting on May 21^st and 22^nd, with the symposium to be in held the afternoon of May 21^st after a lunch for the speakers and attendees.  Brett also volunteered to serve as secretary with Kayla Mills moving to the chair position for 2024.  It was also noted to send any recommendations for speakers to the organizing committee.  Next, the Chair highlighted that the 5-year NCERA57 rewrite was coming up and would be due next FY with current project expiring September 30, 2024.  The renewal process instructions are highlighted on the NIMSS website (https://www.ncra-saes.org/new-renewal-nc-project-instructions) and the process needs to be requested and initiated by 09/15/23.  Jeremy Miles volunteered to lead the process with Dave Miller and Kayla Mills volunteering to help with the rewrite process.  John Parrish and Rod Geisert agreed to provide advisory assistance as past members going through this process.  There was a brief discussion about potential new members for the committee.  Several names were mentioned including Amy Desaulniers (University of Nebraska Lincoln; guest at this meeting and has officially joined the committee), Mark Knauer (NC State University; has already been invited by Jeremy Miles and Elizabeth Hines and plans to join in FY24), Jeff Wiegert and Greg Johnson (Texas A&M), Clay Lents (USDA-USMARC, has been invited), and some industry representatives (Steven Terlouw, DNA Genetics/Pillen Farms; and Ashley DeDecker, Smithfield).  Finally, new potential collaborations were discussed and these included studies of micronutrients on swine production and means of implement teaching components with students and producers as well.  This led to a discussion of potential websites for teaching and extension components.  John Parrish highlighted the Animal Science Image Gallery (https://www.animalimagegallery.org/) would be a great option for uploading teaching and extension components for distribution of a variety of images and files.  The business meeting concluded at ~ 12:00 pm and the committee suspended the meeting for lunch.

At 1:00 pm, the committee reconvened with brief station reports for Nebraska - University of Nebraska, Brett White; and Nebraska - USDA, Lea Rempel.  At 2:00 pm, Kamilah Grant and Mark Mirando joined the meeting and provided an update on USDA-NIFA grants and information about specific programs.  Following the NIFA update, brief station reports were given for Nebraska - USDA, Jeremy Miles; and Mississippi - Mississippi State University, Jean Feugang.  To close out the meeting, Rod Geisert requested that condolence be noted in the minutes for the recent loss of Dr. Billy Day on April 22, 2023.  Dr. Day was one of the founding members of the NCERA57 committee and the committee is grateful for all the contributions that Dr. Day provided this committee and Swine reproductive knowledge.  The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 pm by the Chair and virtual host. 

Respectively submitted,

Jeremy Miles – 2023 Chair/Secretary NCERA57 Swine Reproductive Physiology

For FY2023 reporting period, the NCERA57 committee yielded 33 multi-station publications including peer-review journal articles and abstracts associated with swine reproduction, physiology, and genetics of which contributed to the committee’s Objectives highlighted in the Impact bullets below.  In addition, five committee members presented invited presentation at the 11^th International Conference on Pig Reproduction in Ghent, Belgium providing international exposure of the current research being performed from members of the committee.  The committee also continues to multi-station collaborations on extramural grants (one NIH and three USDA-AFRI-NIFA grants active grants), two of these grants are new during this reporting period.  Finally, the committee initiated the planning for the NCERA57 Biannual Symposium with the proposed title “Maximizing Efficiency of Swine Herds” that will focus on external factors that influence reproductive productivity. 

NCERA57 Project Objectives:

1. Improve boar performance through research on: technology to reduce the number of sperm required for maximal fertility in artificial insemination, impacts of seasonal infertility on spermatogenesis, semen and male fertility as well as methods to mitigate these impacts, improved quality of insemination doses of semen through improved semen evaluation, additives and male selection, and evaluation of timed AI procedures with frozen semen.
2. Improved sow and gilt performance via research on: endocrine control of female reproduction, development of protocols for timing of ovulation and insemination, pubertal development, mammary gland development and physiology, epigenetic impacts on the fetus of summer heat stress and the potential effects of endocrine disruptors.
3. Increase the basic knowledge of folliculogenesis, spermatogenesis, fertilization, early embryo development, conceptus signaling for the establishment of pregnancy, uterine morphogenesis, endometrial secretion and immune function, and regulation of placental attachment and growth to be applied to future methods for improving reproduction efficiency of swine.
4. Increase the utilization of the rapidly advancing technology of functional genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics toward research regarding many of the items in objectives 1, 2 and 3.
5. Provide unique mechanisms for open scientific exchange and dialogue to advance research initiatives of participating scientists, and exchange of information and techniques that enhance teaching and adaptation of technology through the cooperative extension service, higher education and the swine industry.
6. Unique to this committee is the development of innovative teaching methods for undergraduate education. This will be continued with emphasis on how to increase student engagement, development of on-line resources that are available to multiple universities and instructors, and how to adapt to the changing type of student present in the land-grant universities.
7. Continuation of the biennial symposia that brings together university educators, extension scientists, reproductive physiologists and swine industry representatives to ensure researchers understand the swine industry, the industry is aware of current developments and technologies and educators can gather the latest information to implement in university and extension programs.
8. Collaborative USDA research grants between groups of researchers will be pursued to fund research on the objectives.

Impacts Statement for the Committee are illustrated by contributions of multi-station locations to the NCEAR57 Project Objectives as followed:

Publications:

Basis Science and Technology

1. Li, Y., Adur, M.K., Lonergan, S.M., Keating, A.F., Ross, J.W.   MicroRNA21 inhibition affects porcine oocyte maturation and alters protein expression critical for metabolic pathway function.  Mol Reprod Dev.  89(10):443-458. https://doi:10.1002/mrd.23641.
2. Miller, K.A., Johnson, E.M., Matchan, S.A., Goehring, D., Ross, J.W., Gabler, N.K.   Strategies to manage barn feed supply to prolong and hold late finishing pigs during a supply chain disruption.  Transl Anim Sci. 7(1):txac166. https://doi:10.1093/tas/txac166.
3. Studer, J.M., Schweer, W.P., Gabler, N.K., Ross, J.W.   Functions of manganese in reproduction. Anim Reprod Sci. 238:106924. https://doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.106924.

 Boar Performance

1. de Andrade, A.F.C., Balogun, K., Machaty, Z., Knox, R.V.  Effects of supplemental antioxidants on in vitro fertility measures for cryopreserved boar spermatozoa. Theriogenology. 200:33-42. https://doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.
2. Andrade, A.F.C., Knox, R.V., Torres, M.A., Pavaneli, A.P.P.   What is the relevance of seminal plasma from a functional and preservation perspective? Anim Reprod Sci. 246:106946. https://doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.106946.   
3. Lawlor, M., Zigo, M., Kerns, K., Cho, I.K., Easley, C.A., Sutovsky, P.  Spermatozoan Metabolism as a Non-Traditional Model for the Study of Huntington’s Disease. Intl J of Molc Sci. 23(13):7163.  https://doi:10.3390/ijms23137163.
4. Nogueira, E., Tirpák, F., Hamilton, L., Zigo, M., Kerns, K., Sutovsky, M., Kim, J., Volkmann, D., Jovine, L., Taylor, J., Schnabel, R., Sutovsky, P.  A Non-Synonymous Point Mutation in a WD-40 Domain Repeat of EML5 Leads to Decreased Bovine Sperm Quality and Fertility. Front. Cell Dev. Biol.  https://doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.872740.
5. 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.
6. Spooner-Harris, M., Kerns, K., Zigo, M., Sutovsky, P., Balboula, A., Patterson, A. A re‑appraisal of mesenchymal‑epithelial transition (MET) in endometrial epithelial remodeling. Cell Tissue Res. 391(2):393-408. https://doi:10.1007/s00441-022-03711-z.
7. Zigo, M., Kerns, K., Sen, S., Essien, C., Oko, R., Xu, D., Sutovsky, P.  Zinc is a master-regulator of sperm function associated with binding, motility, and metabolic modulation during porcine sperm capacitation. Commun. Biol. 5(1):538.  https://10.1038/s42003-022-03485-8.

 Sow and Gilt Performance

1. Arend, L.S., Vinas, R.F., Silva, G.S., Lower, A.J., Connor JF, Knox RV.   Effects of nursing a large litter and ovarian response to gonadotropins at weaning on subsequent fertility in first parity sows. J Anim Sci. 101:skac398. https://doi:10.1093/jas/skac398.
2. Bhatia, V., Stevens, T., Derks, M.F.L., Dunkelberger, J., Knol, E.F., Ross, J.W., Dekkers, J.C.M.   Identification of the genetic basis of sow pelvic organ prolapse.  Front Genet.  14:1154713.  https://doi:10.3389/fgene.2023.1154713.
3. Walsh, S.C., Miles, J.R., Broeckling, C.D., Rempel, L.A., Wright-Johnson, E.C., Pannier, A.K.  Secreted metabolome of porcine blastocysts encapsulated within in vitro 3D alginate hydrogel culture systems undergoing morphological changes provides insights into specific mechanisms involved in the initiation of porcine conceptus elongation. Reprod Fertil Dev. 35(5):375-394. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD22210.

 Seasonality and Heat Stress

1. Adur, M.K., Seibert, J.T., Romoser, M.R., Bidne, K.L., Baumgard, L.H., Keating, A.F., Ross, J.W.   Porcine endometrial heat shock proteins are differentially influenced by pregnancy status, heat stress, and altrenogest supplementation during the peri-implantation period.  J Anim Sci. 100(7):skac129. https://doi:10.1093/jas/skac129.
2. Brown-Brandl, T.M., Hayes, M.D., Rohrer, G.A., Eigenberg, R.A.  Thermal comfort evaluation of three genetic lines of nursery pigs using thermal images. Biosystems Engineering. 225:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2022.11.002.
3. Raber, V.L., Pritchett, R.K., Robbins, L.A., Stewart, K.R., Gaskill, B.N., Green-Miller, A.R., Johnson, J.S.  Evaluating the temperature preferences of sexually mature Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire boars.  Transl Anim Sci.  May 29;7(1):txad060. https://doi:10.1093/tas/txad060.
4. Ramirez, B.C., Hoff, S.J., Hayes, M.D., Brown-Brandl, T.M., Harmon, J.D., Rohrer, G.A. 2022.  A review of swine heat production: 2003 to 2020. Frontiers in Animal Science. 3. Article 908434. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2022.908434.
5. Roach, C.M., Bidne, K.L., Romoser, M.R., Ross, J.W., Baumgard, L.H., Keating, A.F.  Impact of heat stress on prolactin-mediated ovarian JAK-STAT signaling in postpubertal gilts.  J Anim Sci. 100(7):skac129. https://doi:10.1093/jas/skac129.
6. Romoser, M.R., Bidne, K.L., Baumgard, L.H., Keating, A.F., Ross, J.W.   Effects of increased ambient temperature and supplemental altrenogest before pregnancy establishment in gilts. J Anim Sci. 100(2):skac007. https://doi:10.1093/jas/skac007.
7. Rudolph TE, Roach CM, Baumgard LH, Ross JW, Keating AF, Selsby JT.   The impact of Zearalenone on heat-stressed skeletal muscle in pigs.  J Anim Sci. 100(8):skac215. https://doi:10.1093/jas/skac215.

 Abstracts/Posters/Professional Presentations

1. Geisert, R. Gene editing provides a tool to investigate the role of conceptus factors involved in the establishment of pregnancy.  Proceedings of the 11^th International Conference on Pig Reproduction, Ghent, Belgium.  (Invited presentation)
2. Kerns, K.   Capacitation Patterns.  Proceedings of the 11^th International Conference on Pig Reproduction, Ghent, Belgium.  (Invited presentation)
3. Knox, R.   Follicle Development in Pigs:  State of the Art.  Proceedings of the 11^th International Conference on Pig Reproduction, Ghent, Belgium.  (Invited presentation)
4. Loucks, A., Hines, E.A.   Processed soy ingredients may adequately replace soybean meal in sow transition diets.  Proceedings of the 11^th International Conference on Pig Reproduction, Ghent, Belgium.  Abst. 36. (Poster & Flash talk)
5. Miles, J.   Mechanisms regulating the initiation of porcine conceptus elongation. Proceedings of the 11^th International Conference on Pig Reproduction, Ghent, Belgium.  (Invited presentation)
6. Miles, J.R., Rempel, L.A., Snider, A.P., Pannier, A.K. 2023 Characterization of mRNA expression for key glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid enzymes within trophectoderm and embryonic disc during initiation of porcine conceptus elongation. Proceedings of the 11^th International Conference on Pig Reproduction, Ghent, Belgium.  57. (Poster) 
7. Nordell*, N.E., C.J. Bernhard, M. Wegner*, R. Metcalf*, J. Rupert*, D. Lagundžin, Sharma, K.G. Sharp, T.J. Safranski, M.C. Lucy, Desaulniers, A.T. 2023. In utero exposure to maternal heat stress impairs Leydig cell development and function in the boar. ASAS Midwest Animal Science. Madison, WI. (Oral presentation)
8. Nordell, N.E., C.J. Bernhard, M. Wegner, R. Metcalf, J. Rupert, D. Lagundžin, K. Sharma, K.G. Sharp, T.J. Safranski, M.C. Lucy, Desaulniers, A.T. 2022. In utero heat stress impairs Leydig cell development and function in a porcine model. 19th Annual Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Kansas City, MO. Abst 13.  (Poster)
9. Parrish, J.J., Gall, T., Wilson, M., Parsley, M., Ballard, M.   Protected fish oil supplement to boars and the impact on sperm production and spermatogenesis.  ASAS Midwest Animal Science. Madison, WI.  (Oral presentation)
10. Studer, J., Kiefer, Z.E., Koester, L., Johnson, E., Baumgard, L.H., Schmitz-Esser, S., Greiner, L.L., Keating, A.F., Farkas, A., Galina-Pantoja, L., Vonnahme, K.A., Ross, J.W.   Metabolites in Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome Altered in Sows Suffering from Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome.  Proceedings of the Society for the Study of Reproduction 56^th Annual Meeting, Ottawa, Canada.  Abst P489 (Poster) 
11. Taechamaeteekul, P., Sang-Gassanee, K., Lin H.Y., Collell, M., Komolpis, K., Knox, R.V., Tummaruk, P. 2023 A clinical application of serum progesterone strip test to determine reproductive status in replacement gilts. Proceedings of the 11^th International Conference on Pig Reproduction, Ghent, Belgium. 28. (Poster)
12. White, B.   Gonadal steroidogenesis in boars and gilts with reduced endogenous levels of GnRH-II receptor.  Proceedings of the 11^th International Conference on Pig Reproduction, Ghent, Belgium.  (Invited presentation)
13. Zigo, M., Kerns, K., Ahlering, P., Sutovsky, P.   Comparison of Human and Porcine Sperm Zincoproteomes with Focus on Clinical and Evolutionary Implications.  Proceedings of the Society for the Study of Reproduction 56^th Annual Meeting, Ottawa, Canada.  Abst P456 (Poster)  

Multi-station Funded Grants (Active):

1. NIH, R01HD095841, “Accumulation, Storage, and Release of Sperm in the Oviduct” Miller¹, D. (PD), Prather², R,. Sutovsky², P. (¹University of Illinois; ²University of Missouri)
2. USDA-AFRI-NIFA Grant #2021-67015-34416, $500,000, Jul 1, 2021 – Oct 1, 2024, “Influence of Maternal and Embryonic Extracellular Vesicles on the Initiation of Porcine Conceptus Elongation” Pannier¹, A.K. (PD), Miles², J.R. (Co-PD), Rempel², L.A. (¹University of Nebraska; ²USDA, ARS, USMARC)
3. USDA-AFRI-NIFA Grant #2022-08916, $999,618, May 1, 2023 – May 1, 2027, “Identifying AMR gene reservoirs and bacterial host-AMR gene associations to identify bacterial host range of AMR genes in swine production systems” Fernando¹, S., Burkey¹, T., Miller¹, P., Schmidt², A., Anderson², C., Oliver³, W., Rempel³, L., Wells³, J. (¹University of Nebraska; ²Iowa State University; ³USDA, ARS, USMARC)
4. USDA-AFRI-NIFA Grant #2023-XXXXX, $650,000, May 1, 2023 – May 1, 2026, “Enhancing boar fertility in the face of climate change through the mitigation of in utero heat stress” Desaulniers¹, A.T. (PD), Lents², C., White¹, B., Brito³, L, Johnson⁴, J. (¹University of Nebraska; ²USDA, ARS, USMARC, ³Purdue University; ⁴USDA, ARS, West Lafayette)