Proteomics approach reveals urinary markers for early pregnancy diagnosis in buffaloes.

This study aimed to compare urine proteomics from non- and pregnant buffaloes in order to identify potential biomarkers of early pregnancy. Forty-four females underwent hormonal ovulation synchronization and were randomly divided into two experimental groups: inseminated (n = 30) and non-inseminated (n = 14). The pregnant females were further divided into two groups: pregnant at Day 12 (P12; n = 8) and at Day 18 (P18; n = 8) post-ovulation. The non-pregnant group was also subdivided into two groups: non-pregnant at Day 12 (NP12; n = 7) and at Day 18 (NP18; n = 7). Urine was collected from all females on Days 12 or 18. The samples were processed for proteomics. A total of 798 proteins were reported in the urine considering all groups. The differential proteins play essential roles during pregnancy, acting in cellular transport and metabolism, endometrial remodeling, embryonic protection, and degradation of defective proteins. We suggest that some proteins from our study can be considered biomarkers for early pregnancy diagnosis, since they were increased in pregnant buffaloes. SIGNIFICANCE: Macromolecules have been studied for early pregnancy diagnosis, aiming to increase reproductive efficiency in cattle and buffaloes. Direct methods such as rectal palpation and ultrasonography have been considered late. Thus, this study aimed to compare urine proteomics from non- and pregnant buffaloes to identify potential biomarkers of early pregnancy. The differential proteins found in our study play essential roles during pregnancy, acting in cellular transport and metabolism, endometrial remodeling, embryonic protection, and degradation of defective proteins. We suggest that these proteins can be considered possible biomarkers for early pregnancy diagnosis since they were increased in the pregnant buffaloes.

Applicability of the drainage effectiveness of Blake drains and Tenckhoff catheters in the peritoneal dialysis of healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of dialysate drainage between Tenckhoff (TC) catheter and Blake (BL) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) in healthy rabbits. DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. SETTING: University Teaching Hospital and University research laboratory. ANIMALS: Twenty healthy, male, New Zealand rabbits. INTERVENTIONS: PD via the TC catheter and the BL abdominal drain was compared during 3 consecutive days of dialysis delivery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One session of PD was performed per day for 3 consecutive days (S1: first session, S2: second session, S3: third session) and each session included 4 cycles of infusion, dwell of dialysate in the abdomen, and drainage. Data collection included daily urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, and potassium, in addition to hematological parameters (eg, RBC, HCT, hemoglobin, WBC, and platelet count). Statistical analysis using a mixed linear model with multiple comparisons was performed. The BL drain resulted in an increase in volume drained (ml/kg) when compared to TC catheter on S2 (third and fourth cycles) and S3 (first and second cycles). CONCLUSIONS: The BL drain proved to be superior to the TC catheter, being capable of draining a larger volume of dialysate during the drainage processes in the peritoneal PD of healthy rabbits. The TC catheter had major complications with regard to fluid retention in the abdomen, representing reduced drainage efficiency, while the BL drain showed a greater tendency for the peritoneal fluid to leak.

Proteomic profile of sex-sorted bull sperm evaluated by SWATH-MS analysis.

The identification of distinct proteins present on the membrane of spermatozoa with X and Y chromosomes allows the development of immuno-sexing techniques. The aim of this study, therefore, was to use mass spectrometry to analyze the protein profile of sperm previously categorized using flow cytometry into X or Y-bearing semen pools. Sex-sorted sperm samples (n = 6 X and n = 6 Y) were used. Proteins were extracted and analyzed by mass spectrometry using data independent acquisition (DIA). The data were searched against taxonomy Bos taurus in the Swiss Prot database. In total, 459 protein groups were identified. Of these, eight proteins were in differential abundances between the X- and Y-bearing sperm population. Among the major proteinsdetected, EF-hand domain-containing protein 1, a protein involved in embryonic development, is more abundant in Y-bearing spermatozoa. In addition, proteins FUN14, domain-containing protein 2, NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] iron-sulfur protein 7 mitochondrial, cytochrome C oxidase subunit 2, acetyl -CoA carboxylase type beta were more abundant in X-bearing sperm. In conclusion, there were differences in abundance of proteins between X- and Y-bearing bull spermatozoa. This fact, may contribute to future studies related to sperm physiology and possibility development of immuno-sexing techniques.