Palmitic acid incorporation into intramuscular acylglycerols depends on both total and unbound to albumin palmitic acid concentration

Nutrition and maternal metabolic health in relation to oocyte and embryo quality: critical views on what we learned from the dairy cow model

Although fragmented and sometimes inconsistent, the proof of a vital link between the importance of the physiological status of the mother and her subsequent reproductive success is building up. High-yielding dairy cows are suffering from a substantial decline in fertility outcome over past decades. For many years, this decrease in reproductive output has correctly been considered multifactorial, with factors including farm management, feed ratios, breed and genetics and, last, but not least, ever-rising milk production. Because the problem is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach, it is hard to formulate straightforward conclusions leading to improvements on the 'work floor'. However, based on remarkable similarities on the preimplantation reproductive side between cattle and humans, there is a growing tendency to consider the dairy cow's negative energy balance and accompanying fat mobilisation as an interesting model to study the impact of maternal metabolic disorders on human fertility and, more specifically, on oocyte and preimplantation embryo quality. Considering the mutual interest of human and animal scientists studying common reproductive problems, this review has several aims. First, we briefly introduce the 'dairy cow case' by describing the state of the art of research into metabolic imbalances and their possible effects on dairy cow reproduction. Second, we try to define relevant in vitro models that can clarify certain mechanisms by which aberrant metabolite levels may influence embryonic health. We report on recent advances in the assessment of embryo metabolism and meantime critically elaborate on advantages and major limitations of in vitro models used so far. Finally, we discuss hurdles to be overcome to successfully translate the scientific data to the field.

Non-esterified fatty acids in follicular fluid of dairy cows and their effect on developmental capacity of bovine oocytes in vitro

In this study concentration and composition of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in follicular fluid (FF) of high-yielding dairy cows were determined during the period of negative energy balance (NEB) early post partum. NEFA were then added duringin vitromaturation at concentrations measured previously in FF to evaluate their effect on the oocyte’s developmental competence. At 16 and 44 days post partum, FF of the dominant follicle and blood were collected from nine high-yielding dairy cows. Samples were analysed for NEFA concentration and composition. NEFA concentrations in FF (0.2–0.6 mmol/l) during NEB remained ± 40% lower compared with serum (0.4–1.2 mmol/l). The NEFA composition differed significantly between serum and FF with oleic acid (OA), palmitic acid (PA) and stearic acid (SA) being the predominant fatty acids in FF. Based on these results, 5115 oocytes were matured for 24 h in serum-free media with or without (negative control) the addition of 0.200 mmol/l OA, 0.133 mmol/l PA or 0.067 mmol/l SA dissolved in ethanol or ethanol alone (positive control). Matured oocytes were fertilized and cultured for 7 days in SOF medium. Addition of PA or SA during oocyte maturation had negative effects on maturation, fertilization and cleavage rate and blastocyst yield. More (late) apoptotic cumulus cells were observed in cumulus–oocyte complexes matured in the presence of SA or PA. Ethanol or OA had no effect. Thesein vitroresults suggest that NEB may hamper fertility of high-yielding dairy cows through increased NEFA concentrations in FF affecting oocyte quality.