Expression of genes associated with fertility in the uterus and oviduct of heifers challenged with lipopolysaccharide.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxemia has been negatively associated with fertility. This study aimed to investigate the effect of LPS-induced inflammation on gene expression associated with bovine fertility in the uterus and oviduct. Sixteen healthy heifers were divided into two groups. The LPS group (n = 8) received two intravenous (i.v.) injections of 0.5 µg/kg of body weight of LPS with a 24-h interval, and the control group (n = 8) received two i.v. injections of saline solution with the same interval of time. All the animals had the follicular wave synchronized. Three days after the second injection of LPS, all animals were slaughtered and uterine and oviduct samples were collected. Gene expression associated with inflammatory response, thermal and oxidative stresses, oviduct environment quality, and uterine environment quality was evaluated. Body temperature and leucogram demonstrated that LPS induced an acute systemic inflammatory response. In the uterus, the expression of PTGS2 and NANOG genes was downregulated by the LPS challenge. However, no change in expression was observed in the other evaluated genes in the uterus, nor those evaluated in the oviduct. In conclusion, the inflammatory process triggered by LPS did not persist in the uterus and oviduct 3 days after challenge with LPS. Nonetheless, reduction in PTGS2 and NANOG expression in the uterus suggested that, indirectly, LPS may have a prolonged effect, which may affect corpus luteum and endometrial functions.

Characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of the bovine paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene affecting serum enzyme activity in dairy cows.

The aim of the present study was to characterize single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the bovine paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene and determine their relationship with PON1 serum activity. Blood samples were collected from 47 Holstein cows during the periparturient period. Serum PON1 was measured and DNA extracted for PCR and sequencing of the promoter region of the PON1 gene. Seven novel SNPs were identified and of these, five SNPs, at positions -105, -221, -392, -611 and -674, upstream of the start of the published mRNA sequence (NM_001046269.2), were found to be associated with variability in serum PON1 activity (P < 0.05). The SNPs at positions -221 and -611 were located in regions predicted to bind to transcription factors linked to the acute phase response.

Associations between resumption of postpartum ovarian activity, uterine health and concentrations of metabolites and acute phase proteins during the transition period in Holstein cows.

The resumption of ovarian activity, uterine health, severity of the negative energy balance and the synthesis of inflammatory mediators during the transition period in dairy cows are interrelated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the resumption of postpartum ovarian activity and the percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in endometrial cytology, lipid mobilization and the secretion of acute phase proteins. For this study, 20 multiparous Holstein cows were used. Blood samples that were collected from 21d before calving to 44d in milk (DIM) were analyzed for serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin, haptoglobin, albumin, paraoxonase and progesterone. Endometrial cytology was performed at 37±2DIM to evaluate the percentage of PMN cells in the uterine flushing. Cows were divided into two groups: (1) ovulatory cows (n=12), which returned to ovarian activity by 44±2DIM; and (2) anovulatory cows (n=8), which did not resume ovarian activity during this period. Ovulatory cows had a lower (P=0.05) percentage of PMN cells in endometrial cytology than anovulatory cows (26.3±8.3% vs. 53.4±16.9%, respectively). Ovulatory cows had higher serum albumin during the pre- (P=0.03) and postpartum periods (P=0.01), and tended to have lower haptoglobin concentrations in the prepartum period (P=0.07) and higher paraoxonase activity in the postpartum period (P=0.09). In conclusion, cows that resumed ovarian activity early in the postpartum period had higher albumin concentrations in the peripartum period, which were associated with a lower percentage of uterine PMN cells.

Avaliação de parâmetros do perfil metabólico e do leite em diferentes categorias de vacas leiteiras da raça Jersey em rebanhos do Sul do Rio Grande do Sul / Evaluation of metabolic profile and milk standards in different categories of dairy herds in the Jersey breed in teh Southern of Rio Grande do sul

Desequilíbrios entre os nutrientes que ingressam no organismo animal, sua biotransformação e a eliminação das substâncias resultantes podem ocasionar alterações no metabolismo animal. A conseqüência direta dessa condição é a ocorrência das doenças metabó¬licas, também conhecidas como doenças da produção. Muitos desses desequilíbrios podem provocar doenças subclínicas que são de difícil percepção, limitando a produção de um modo persistente, provocando uma diminuição da produção, ocasionando perdas na rentabilidade do produtor e ainda possíveis alterações na composição e qualidade do leite. Os transtornos metabólicos podem ser detectados pelo estudo dos perfis bioquímicos no sangue. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar parâmetros do perfil metabólico e do leite em diferentes categorias de vacas leiteiras da raça Jersey em rebanhos do sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram utilizadas 59 vacas da raça Jersey de diferentes propriedades da região sul do Rio Grande do Sul, as fêmeas foram divididas em três grupos: o primeiro de vacas (L1) 7 a 80 dias de lactação, o segundo (L2) com vacas de 81 a 270 dias de lactação e o terceiro (vacas secas) com vacas de 45 a 10 dias pré¬parto. Amostras de sangue e leite foram coletadas e encaminhadas aos laboratórios da Univer¬sidade Federal de Pelotas/Brasil, onde foram mensurados os seguintes parâmetros: no sangue, glicose, uréia, albumina e aspartato transaminase (AST) e no leite, proteína verdadeira, lactose e gordura. Os resultados demonstraram diferenças nos parâmetros metabólicos na glicose, uréia e gama glutamil transferase (GGT), entre os grupos L1 e vacas secas, enquanto para os compo¬nentes do leite a diferença foi observada entre a gordura e a proteína verdadeira, sendo mais alta no grupo L2...

Instability between the nutrients in animal organism, their biotransformation and final substances elimination can cause changes in the animal metabolism. The consequence of this condition are metabolical diseases, known also as production diseases. Several of these imbalances can cause subclinical diseases, that are difficult to perception, limiting the production of a persistent manner, causing a decline in production, which causes losses in the profitability of the producer and possible changes in the composition and quality of milk. The metabolic disorders can be detected by the study of biochemical profiles in the blood. The objective of this study was evaluating parameters of metabolic profile and milk in different categories of dairy herds in the Jersey breed in the southern of Rio Grande do Sul. Fifty nine Jersey cows were used from different properties of the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, the females were divided into three groups: the first of cows (L1) with 7 to 80 days of lactation, the second (L2) with cows of 81 to 270 days of lactation and the third (dry cow) with cows from 45 to 10 days prepartum. Samples of blood and milk were collected and forwarded to the laboratory of the Federal University of Pelotas / Brazil, where the following parameters were measured: blood, glucose, urea, albumin and aspartate transaminase (AST) and in the milk true protein, lactose and fat. The results showed differences in metabolic parameters in glucose, urea and gama glutamil transferase (GGT), between groups L1 and dry cows, while the components of milk for the difference was observed between fat and the true protein, being highest in the group L2. None of the animals showed amendments that confirmed metabolic disease, even subclinical, but the differences were observed between the different productive periods, coming to confirm the various metabolic and nutritional needs for each productive stage of the animals

Avaliação de parâmetros do perfil metabólico e do leite em diferentes categorias de vacas leiteiras da raça Jersey em rebanhos do Sul do Rio Grande do Sul / Evaluation of metabolic profile and milk standards in different categories of dairy herds in the Jersey breed in teh Southern of Rio Grande do sul

Desequilíbrios entre os nutrientes que ingressam no organismo animal, sua biotransformação e a eliminação das substâncias resultantes podem ocasionar alterações no metabolismo animal. A conseqüência direta dessa condição é a ocorrência das doenças metabó¬licas, também conhecidas como doenças da produção. Muitos desses desequilíbrios podem provocar doenças subclínicas que são de difícil percepção, limitando a produção de um modo persistente, provocando uma diminuição da produção, ocasionando perdas na rentabilidade do produtor e ainda possíveis alterações na composição e qualidade do leite. Os transtornos metabólicos podem ser detectados pelo estudo dos perfis bioquímicos no sangue. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar parâmetros do perfil metabólico e do leite em diferentes categorias de vacas leiteiras da raça Jersey em rebanhos do sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram utilizadas 59 vacas da raça Jersey de diferentes propriedades da região sul do Rio Grande do Sul, as fêmeas foram divididas em três grupos: o primeiro de vacas (L1) 7 a 80 dias de lactação, o segundo (L2) com vacas de 81 a 270 dias de lactação e o terceiro (vacas secas) com vacas de 45 a 10 dias pré¬parto. Amostras de sangue e leite foram coletadas e encaminhadas aos laboratórios da Univer¬sidade Federal de Pelotas/Brasil, onde foram mensurados os seguintes parâmetros: no sangue, glicose, uréia, albumina e aspartato transaminase (AST) e no leite, proteína verdadeira, lactose e gordura. Os resultados demonstraram diferenças nos parâmetros metabólicos na glicose, uréia e gama glutamil transferase (GGT), entre os grupos L1 e vacas secas, enquanto para os compo¬nentes do leite a diferença foi observada entre a gordura e a proteína verdadeira, sendo mais alta no grupo L2...(AU)

Instability between the nutrients in animal organism, their biotransformation and final substances elimination can cause changes in the animal metabolism. The consequence of this condition are metabolical diseases, known also as production diseases. Several of these imbalances can cause subclinical diseases, that are difficult to perception, limiting the production of a persistent manner, causing a decline in production, which causes losses in the profitability of the producer and possible changes in the composition and quality of milk. The metabolic disorders can be detected by the study of biochemical profiles in the blood. The objective of this study was evaluating parameters of metabolic profile and milk in different categories of dairy herds in the Jersey breed in the southern of Rio Grande do Sul. Fifty nine Jersey cows were used from different properties of the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, the females were divided into three groups: the first of cows (L1) with 7 to 80 days of lactation, the second (L2) with cows of 81 to 270 days of lactation and the third (dry cow) with cows from 45 to 10 days prepartum. Samples of blood and milk were collected and forwarded to the laboratory of the Federal University of Pelotas / Brazil, where the following parameters were measured: blood, glucose, urea, albumin and aspartate transaminase (AST) and in the milk true protein, lactose and fat. The results showed differences in metabolic parameters in glucose, urea and gama glutamil transferase (GGT), between groups L1 and dry cows, while the components of milk for the difference was observed between fat and the true protein, being highest in the group L2. None of the animals showed amendments that confirmed metabolic disease, even subclinical, but the differences were observed between the different productive periods, coming to confirm the various metabolic and nutritional needs for each productive stage of the animals(AU)

Factors that affect the in vitro production of bovine embryos. A review / Factores que afectan la producción in vitro de embriones bovinos: una revisión / Fatores que afetam a produção in vitro de embriões bovinos. A revisão

In vitro embryo production (IVP) represents a way to increase gamete use from animals with high zootechnical value. In spite of the advances obtained in IVP over the last few years, production of transferable embryos is still low. The aim of this review is to discuss ways to produce in vitro embryos, as well as oocytes formation and maturation processes that can be related to the effectiveness of obtained results. Some studies show the influence of follicular growth factors, gonadotropins, steroids and other hormones on the follicular development and the quality of the cumulus oocyte complex (COC). The follicular phase of slow growth is critical for the development of the oocyte capacity to reach the final competence and diameter. Information about endocrine influences, or likewise, the dependence of growth of small antral follicles when a loss in the oocyte or follicle functionality occurs is scarce in the literature. A variable number of different techniques and protocols for treatment of oocytes donors are described with the aim of improve the results, the COCs recovering rate and the developmental competence in vitro of collected oocytes. From the considerations presented in this review, it is possible to verify the importance of better understanding the factors involved in the IVP process, with the aim of allow new alternatives to increase the results obtained in programs of animal assisted reproduction.

La producción in vitro de embriones (PIV) representa una manera de aumentar el uso de gametos de animales con alto valor zootécnico. A pesar de los avances obtenidos en PIV en los últimos años, la producción de embriones tranferibles sigue siendo baja. El objetivo de esta revisión es discutir maneras de producir embriones in vitro, así como los procesos de formación y de maduración de los oocitos que se pueden relacionar con la eficacia de los resultados obtenidos. Algunos estudios demuestran la influencia de los factores foliculares del crecimiento, gonadotrofinas, esteroides y otras hormonas en el desarrollo folicular y la calidad del complejo del cumulus oocito (CCO). La fase folicular del crecimiento lento es crítica para el desarrollo de la capacidad del oocito de alcanzar la capacidad y el diámetro final. Información sobre influencias endocrinas, o además, la dependencia del crecimiento de pequeños folículos antrales cuando ocurre una pérdida en la funcionalidad del oocito o del folículo, es escasa en la literatura. Un número variable de diversas técnicas y los protocolos para el tratamiento de oocitos de las donantes son descritos en esta revisión, con lo objetivo de mejorar los resultados, el índice de la recuperacion de CCOs y la capacidad de desarrollo in vitro de oocitos recogidos. De las consideraciones presentadas en esta revisión, es posible verificar la importancia de entender los factores implicados en el proceso de PIV, para permitir el desarrollo de nuevas alternativas que mejoren los resultados obtenidos en programas de la reproducción animal asistida.

A produção in vitro (PIV) de embriões representa uma maneira de incrementar o uso de gametas de animais de alto valor zootécnico. Apesar dos avanços obtidos na PIV nos últimos anos, a produção de embriões transferíveis ainda é baixa. O objetivo desta revisão é discutir maneiras de produzir embriões in vitro, assim como o processo de formação e maturação de oócitos, que pode estar relacionado a eficácia dos resultados obtidos. Aguns estudos demonstram a influência de fatores de crescimento, gonadotrofinas, esteróides e outros hormônios no desenvolvimento folicular e na qualidade do complexo cumulus oócito (CCO). A fase folicular de crescimento lento é critica para o desenvolvimento da capacidade do oócito de atingir a competência e o diâmetro finais. Informação sobre as influências endócrinas, ou seja, da dependência do crescimento de pequenos folículos antrais quando ocorre perda da funcionalidade do oócito ou folículo são escassas na literatura. Um número variável de diferentes técnicas e protocolos para o tratamento de doadoras de ovóctios são descritos com o objetivo de melhorar os resultados, a taxa de recuperação de CCOs e o desenvolvimento da competência in vitro dos oócitos coletados. Das considerações apresentadas nesta revisão é possível verificar a importância do conhecimento dos fatores envolvidos no processo de PIV, com o objetivo de possibilitar que novas alternativas incrementem os resultados obtidos em programas de reprodução animal assistida.

Risk factors for stillbirths in two swine farms in the south of Brazil.

We evaluated stillbirth risk factors in two commercial swine farms of the Rio Grande do Sul State (south of Brazil). The study was conducted during 1 month in Farm A and during 2 months in Farm B, both during 1999. Data for all farrowings that occurred during the study period were recorded (101 for Farm A and 373 for Farm B), without interference in the farm management. In Farm A, 39% of all litters born during the period of interest had stillborn piglets and the stillborn risk for piglets was 12%. In Farm B, 25% of all litters had stillborn piglets whereas the stillborn risk was 2%. Variables considered as potential risk factors for stillbirths were: parity (1, 2-3, 4+); breed (purebred or crossbred); sow body-condition (normal or fat); use of oxytocin during parturition (yes or no); obstetric intervention through vaginal palpation (yes or no); farrowing duration (<4 or > or =4h); mummified fetuses (yes or no); total litter size (<12 or > or =12 piglets); and litter birth weight (<11 or > or =11kg). All stillborn piglets had their classification validated by necropsy. In multivariable logistic-regressions, the cases were the litters having at least one stillborn piglet. In Farm A, litters having at least 12 pigs and in which oxytocin was used during the parturition had 20.8-times-higher odds of stillborn occurrence. In Farm B, litters from sows having parity > or =4 had 2.2-times-higher odds of stillborn occurrence than litters from parity 2 to 3 females, litters having > or =12 pigs had 2.0-times-higher odds of a stillborn piglet than smaller litters and farrowings in which vaginal palpation was performed had 8.0-times-higher odds. Farrowing room management to minimize stillborn risk should target higher-parity females, large litters and optimization of practices of obstetric interventions.