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Cushman RA, Akbarinejad V, Perry GA, Lents CA. Developmental programming of the ovarian reserve in livestock. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 264:107458. [PMID: 38531261 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian females are born with a finite number of follicles in their ovaries that is referred to as the ovarian reserve. There is a large amount of variation between females in the number of antral follicles that they are born with, but this number is positively correlated to size of the ovarian reserve, has a strong repeatability within a female, and a moderate heritability. Although the heritability is moderate, numerous external factors including health, nutrition, ambient temperature, and litter size influence the size and function of the ovarian reserve throughout life. Depletion of the ovarian reserve contributes to reproductive senescence, and genetic and epigenetic factors can lead to a more rapid decline in follicle numbers in some females than others. The relationship of the size of the ovarian reserve to development of the reproductive tract and fertility is generally positive, although some studies report antagonistic associations of these traits. It seems likely that management decisions and environmental factors that result in epigenetic modifications to the genome throughout life may cause variability in the function of ovarian genes that influence fecundity and fertility, leading to differences in reproductive longevity among females born with ovarian reserves of similar size. This review summarizes our current understanding of factors influencing size of the ovarian reserve in cattle, sheep, and pigs and the relationship of the ovarian reserve to reproductive tract development and fertility. It provides strategies to apply this knowledge to improve diagnostics for better assessment of fertility and reproductive longevity in female livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Cushman
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, U S Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center NE 68933-0166, United States.
| | - Vahid Akbarinejad
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - George A Perry
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Overton, TX 75684, United States
| | - Clay A Lents
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, U S Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center NE 68933-0166, United States
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Machado AF, Facioni Guimarães SE, Lollobrigida de S Netto D, Guimarães JD, Alves Torres CA, Sanglard LP, Gomez-Leon VE. Phenotypic and genetic relationships among anogenital distance, anti-Müllerian hormone, and in vitro embryo production in Gyr dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:2512-2523. [PMID: 37863293 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and number of recovered oocytes (ROOC) are phenotypic parameters associated with in vitro embryo production (IVEP). More recently, anogenital distance (AGD) has been proposed as a proxy for fertility in dairy cattle that is easy to collect at a low cost. The aim of this study was to characterize the AGD and its phenotypic and genetic associations with AMH and IVEP in Bos indicus Gyr dairy cattle. The hypothesis was that the number of ROOC, in vitro-produced embryos, and AMH concentration would increase as the AGD decreases. From July to December 2021, a single morphometrical measurement of AGD was collected in 552 donors from 6 herds in Brazil. A subset of donors had AMH assayed on the same day. Only ovum pick-up events that occurred up to 12 mo preceding and 7 mo succeeding the AGD measurement were used to assess the association between AGD, AMH, and IVEP. Thus, 472 donors (1,551 ovum pick-up events and 140 donors with AMH) were considered in the analysis. A raw average was calculated for each individual donor's ROOC, viable oocytes, total produced embryos, viability rate, and embryo rate (defined as total produced embryos/viable oocytes). Comparisons were conducted within the age categories of 3 to <6 yr or 6 to <10 yr. Phenotypic associations were performed in SAS software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Genetic correlations were estimated using the BLUPF90 family of programs. The AGD (128.7 mm ± 14; mean ± standard deviation) had a normal distribution and was highly variable (83 to 172 mm) among the Gyr population. Our experimental hypothesis was partially supported by a phenotypic association of a greater number of total produced embryos (R2 = 0.023) as AGD decreased. Our results failed to support an increase in AMH concentration along with a decrease in AGD. In addition, positive and low genetic correlations were observed between AGD and viable oocytes (r = 0.08), and embryo rate (r = 0.20). A greater number of viable oocytes and embryos were observed in donors in the high compared with intermediate and low ROOC categories within both age categories. The age interval of 3 to <6 yr showed a greater number of recovered and viable oocytes for the high AMH compared with the low category, but no differences were observed among the AGD categories. In summary, for the Gyr breed, AGD was phenotypically inversely associated with a quantity-related parameter, such as the total number of produced embryos. In contrast, AGD showed a low genetic correlation with qualitative-related outcomes such as viable oocytes and embryo rate. Further studies should be performed to validate these retrospective analyses and to better understand the association between AGD and IVEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréia Ferreira Machado
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506; Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 36570
| | | | | | - José Domingos Guimarães
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 36570
| | - Ciro A Alves Torres
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 36570
| | - Leticia P Sanglard
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Victor E Gomez-Leon
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.
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Guardado M, Perez C, Jackson S, Magaña J, Campana S, Samperio E, Rojas BC, Hernandez S, Syas K, Hernandez R, Zavala EI, Rohlfs R. py_ped_sim - A flexible forward genetic simulator for complex family pedigree analysis. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.25.586501. [PMID: 38585824 PMCID: PMC10996500 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.25.586501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Large-scale family pedigrees are commonly used across medical, evolutionary, and forensic genetics. These pedigrees are tools for identifying genetic disorders, tracking evolutionary patterns, and establishing familial relationships via forensic genetic identification. However, there is a lack of software to accurately simulate different pedigree structures along with genomes corresponding to those individuals in a family pedigree. This limits simulation-based evaluations of methods that use pedigrees. Results We have developed a python command-line-based tool called py_ped_sim that facilitates the simulation of pedigree structures and the genomes of individuals in a pedigree. py_ped_sim represents pedigrees as directed acyclic graphs, enabling conversion between standard pedigree formats and integration with the forward population genetic simulator, SLiM. Notably, py_ped_sim allows the simulation of varying numbers of offspring for a set of parents, with the capacity to shift the distribution of sibship sizes over generations. We additionally add simulations for events of misattributed paternity, which offers a way to simulate half-sibling relationships. We validated the accuracy of our software by simulating genomes onto diverse family pedigree structures, showing that the estimated kinship coefficients closely approximated expected values. Conclusions py_ped_sim is a user-friendly and open-source solution for simulating pedigree structures and conducting pedigree genome simulations. It empowers medical, forensic, and evolutionary genetics researchers to gain deeper insights into the dynamics of genetic inheritance and relatedness within families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Guardado
- San Francisco State University, Department of Mathematics, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
- University of California San Francisco, Biological and Medical Informatics Graduate Program. San Francisco CA, 94158
- Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; San Francisco, 94134, CA, USA
- University of Oregon; Department of Data Science; Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Cynthia Perez
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
| | - Shalom Jackson
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
| | - Joaquín Magaña
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
| | - Sthen Campana
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
| | - Emily Samperio
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
| | | | - Selena Hernandez
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
| | - Kaela Syas
- San Francisco State University, Department of Mathematics, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
| | - Ryan Hernandez
- Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; San Francisco, 94134, CA, USA
| | - Elena I. Zavala
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Rori Rohlfs
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco CA, 94132, USA
- University of Oregon; Department of Data Science; Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
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Contreras-Méndez LA, Medrano JF, Thomas MG, Enns RM, Speidel SE, Luna-Nevárez G, López-Castro PA, Rivera-Acuña F, Luna-Nevárez P. The Anti-Müllerian Hormone as Endocrine and Molecular Marker Associated with Reproductive Performance in Holstein Dairy Cows Exposed to Heat Stress. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:213. [PMID: 38254382 PMCID: PMC10812537 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is proposed as a biomarker for fertility in cattle, yet this associative relationship appears to be influenced by heat stress (HS). The objective was to test serum AMH and AMH-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as markers potentially predictive of reproductive traits in dairy cows experiencing HS. The study included 300 Holstein cows that were genotyped using BovineSNP50 (54,000 SNP). A genome-wide association study was then executed. Nine intragenic SNPs within the pathways that influence the AMH gene were found important with multiple comparisons adjustment tests (p < 1.09 × 10-6). A further validation study was performed in an independent Holstein cattle population, which was divided into moderate (MH; n = 152) and severe heat-stressed (SH; n = 128) groups and then subjected to a summer reproductive management program. Serum AMH was confirmed as a predictor of fertility measures (p < 0.05) in MH but not in the SH group. Cows were genotyped, which revealed four SNPs as predictive markers for serum AMH (p < 0.01), reproductive traits (p < 0.01), and additional physiological variables (p < 0.05). These SNPs were in the genes AMH, IGFBP1, LGR5, and TLR4. In conclusion, serum AMH concentrations and AMH polymorphisms are proposed as predictive markers that can be used in conjunction with genomic breeding value approaches to improve reproductive performance in Holstein cows exposed to summer HS conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A. Contreras-Méndez
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | - Juan F. Medrano
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - R. Mark Enns
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Scott E. Speidel
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Guillermo Luna-Nevárez
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | - Pedro A. López-Castro
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | - Fernando Rivera-Acuña
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
| | - Pablo Luna-Nevárez
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón 85000, Mexico
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Bafandeh M, Mozaffari Makiabadi MJ, Gharagozlou F, Vojgani M, Mobedi E, Akbarinejad V. Developmental programming of production and reproduction in dairy cows: I. Association of maternal parity with offspring's birth weight, milk yield, reproductive performance and AMH concentration during the first lactation period. Theriogenology 2023; 210:34-41. [PMID: 37473594 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Multiparous dams have been reported to produce offspring with greater fertility and higher AMH concentration, as a marker of ovarian reserves, as compared with nulliparous and primiparous dams. Yet it has remained to be addressed whether this phenomenon can still be true for old multiparous cows which might experience some geriatric changes in their reproductive system. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the productive and reproductive performance of offspring with different maternal parity. To this end, offspring were classified based on their maternal parities into four categories, including offspring of nulliparous (no previous parity), primiparous (one previous parity), young multiparous (two to six previous parities) and old multiparous (seven or more previous parities) dams. In study I, data of birth weight, milk yield and reproductive variables of 11,788 offspring and data of their maternal parity were retrieved. In study II, blood samples (n = 521) were collected from offspring with various maternal parity for measurement of serum AMH. Birth weight was the lowest in the offspring of nulliparous dams (P < 0.0001) and it was lower in offspring of primiparous and old multiparous dams than offspring of young multiparous dams (P < 0.05). Milk production was the lowest in offspring of old multiparous dams (P < 0.01), and it was lower in offspring of young multiparous dams than offspring of nulliparous and primiparous dams (P < 0.0001). Offspring of old multiparous dams had greater first service conception rate, less services per conception and shorter calving to conception interval than offspring of nulliparous, primiparous and young multiparous dams (P < 0.05). Furthermore, AMH concentration was higher in offspring of old multiparous dams than offspring of nulliparous and primiparous dams (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study revealed greater milk production in offspring resulting from dams with lower parity, probably due to the genetic selection for improvement of milk production in dairy cows which imparts the younger generations greater genetic merits for milk production. Reproductive performance, however, was greater in offspring born to dams with higher parity, particularly those born to old multiparous dams, and this phenomenon might be related to their lower milk production and higher AMH concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Bafandeh
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Faramarz Gharagozlou
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Vojgani
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Emadeddin Mobedi
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Akbarinejad
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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6
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Schwarzmann L, Marchand A, Knutti B, Bruckmaier R, Bollwein H, Scarlet D. Effects of postpartum diseases on antral follicle count and serum concentration of Anti-Müllerian hormone in dairy cows. Anim Reprod Sci 2023; 255:107291. [PMID: 37392501 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The antral follicle count (AFC) and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration are validated markers for ovarian reserve in cattle, but their use as fertility markers is controverse. Here we assessed the effects of postpartum diseases on AFC and AMH concentration, as well as the influence of parity and breed on these parameters. Cows (n = 513, mostly Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss, parity 3.0 ± 1.8) underwent a single ultrasonography examination 28-56 days after parturition and categorized as having low (n ≤ 15 follicles), intermediate (n = 16-24 follicles), or high (n ≥ 25 follicles) AFC based on objective video analysis of recorded sequences. Blood samples for AMH determination were collected at the time of examination and animals divided into low (< 0.05 ng/ml) and high AMH (≥ 0.05 ng/ml) group, respectively. No effects of postpartum diseases or breed on either AFC or AMH groups could be observed. There was a strong interaction between parity and AFC, primiparous cows having less follicles (13.6 ± 6.2 vs. 17.1 ± 7.0, P < 0.001) than pluriparous cows. The AFC did not affect reproductive parameters or productivity of the cows. In comparison, pluriparous cows with high AMH concentration had shorter calving to first service (86.0 ± 37.6 vs. 97.1 ± 46.7 days, P < 0.05) and calving to conception (123.8 ± 51.9 vs. 135.8 ± 54.4 days, P < 0.05) intervals, but lower milk yield (8440.3 ± 2292.9 vs. 8927.9 ± 2192.5 kg, P < 0.05) compared to cows with low AMH. In conclusion, no effect of postpartum diseases on AFC or AMH concentration of dairy cows could be observed. However, an interaction between parity and AFC, as well as associations of AMH with fertility and productivity in pluriparous cows, were demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurin Schwarzmann
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Rupert Bruckmaier
- Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty Bern, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Heinrich Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dragos Scarlet
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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Zoda A, Ogawa S, Kagawa R, Tsukahara H, Obinata R, Urakawa M, Oono Y. Single-Step Genomic Prediction of Superovulatory Response Traits in Japanese Black Donor Cows. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:biology12050718. [PMID: 37237533 DOI: 10.3390/biology12050718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the performance of single-step genomic prediction of breeding values for superovulatory response traits in Japanese Black donor cows. A total of 25,332 records of the total number of embryos and oocytes (TNE) and the number of good embryos (NGE) per flush for 1874 Japanese Black donor cows were collected during 2008 and 2022. Genotype information on 36,426 autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for 575 out of the 1,874 cows was used. Breeding values were predicted exploiting a two-trait repeatability animal model. Two genetic relationship matrices were used, one based on pedigree information (A matrix) and the other considering both pedigree and SNP marker genotype information (H matrix). Estimated heritabilities of TNE and NGE were 0.18 and 0.11, respectively, when using the H matrix, which were both slightly lower than when using the A matrix (0.26 for TNE and 0.16 for NGE). Estimated genetic correlations between the traits were 0.61 and 0.66 when using H and A matrices, respectively. When the variance components were the same in breeding value prediction, the mean reliability was greater when using the H matrix than when using the A matrix. This advantage seems more prominent for cows with low reliability when using the A matrix. The results imply that introducing single-step genomic prediction could boost the rate of genetic improvement of superovulatory response traits, but efforts should be made to maintain genetic diversity when performing selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Zoda
- Research and Development Group, Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Kamishihoro 080-1407, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Ogawa
- Division of Meat Animal and Poultry Research, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba 305-0901, Japan
| | - Rino Kagawa
- Research and Development Group, Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Kamishihoro 080-1407, Japan
| | - Hayato Tsukahara
- Research and Development Group, Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Kamishihoro 080-1407, Japan
| | - Rui Obinata
- Research and Development Group, Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Kamishihoro 080-1407, Japan
| | - Manami Urakawa
- Research and Development Group, Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Kamishihoro 080-1407, Japan
| | - Yoshio Oono
- Research and Development Group, Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Kamishihoro 080-1407, Japan
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8
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Mossa F, Evans ACO. Review: The ovarian follicular reserve - implications for fertility in ruminants. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100744. [PMID: 37567673 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruminants are born with a finite number of healthy ovarian follicles and oocytes (ovarian reserve) and germ cell proliferation in the developing foetal gonad predominantly occurs during early gestation. Two markers have been established to reliably estimate the size of the ovarian reserve in cattle: the number of antral follicles ≤3 mm in diameter recruited per follicular wave (Antral Follicle Count, AFC) and peripheral concentrations of the Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). Studies that used one or both indicators show that the size of ovarian reserve varies greatly among age-matched individuals, but is highly repeatable in the same animal. Conditions during prenatal life are likely among the causes of such variation in the ovarian reserve. In addition, the size of the ovarian reserve is a moderately heritable trait in cattle. The association between ovarian reserve and fertility is controversial. Several studies indicate that cattle with a low ovarian reserve have phenotypic characteristics that are associated with suboptimal fertility. On the contrary, the presence and absence of a positive association between AFC and/or AMH and fertility measures (i.e. no. on services/conception, pregnancy rates, pregnancy loss) have been equally reported in cattle. In conclusion, the size of the ovarian reserve in the progeny can be enhanced by improving management of the dam from preconception to early gestation and also through genetic selection. However, although the ovarian reserve may be among the determinants of reproductive success in ruminants, the use of AFC/AMH as reliable predictors of fertility is yet to be established. Furthermore, the possibility that there is a complex interaction of AFC, AMH and reproduction has yet to be fully characterised and exploited to improve fertility in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mossa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - A C O Evans
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Widodo OS, Nishihara S, Pambudi D, Kusakabe KT, Taura Y, Nishi Y, Yamato O, Taniguchi M, Takagi M. Relationship Between Ovary Size and Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels in Holstein–Friesian Cows. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:828123. [PMID: 35769321 PMCID: PMC9234659 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.828123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to verify the association between ovarian size and blood AMH levels in HF cows. Sixty multiparous HF cows from three herds were included in this study. The data required for calculating the ovarian volume included the “major axis (length),” “minor axis (width),” and “thickness” of the ovary. All ultrasonography (US) images were acquired at the outermost ends/poles of both the ovaries and of the follicles (>8 mm) and corpus luteum (CL); concomitantly, the blood was sampled from the jugular or coccygeal vein. Based on the ovarian images of each cow, the following ovarian size patterns were calculated using an image analysis software: (1) total area of both the left and right ovaries, (2) individual size of the large ovary, and (3) individual size of the small ovary. For each ovary area pattern, two properties were assessed: (A) presence of follicles (>8 mm) and CL, which may not secret AMH, in the ovaries and (B) absence of follicles (>8 mm) and CL in the ovaries. Serum AMH levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between ovary size and serum AMH levels was measured in terms of the aforementioned patterns and was evaluated statistically. The results of our preliminary study with ovaries from slaughter-house cows (n = 22) revealed that the “thickness” of the ovary was not necessary for estimating ovarian volume and that length and width were sufficient. A strong correlation was observed among ovarian length, width, and thickness (r > 0.96). No significant difference was observed (p > 0.05) in the mean ages or parities among the three herds. Among the ovary sizes measured in this study, the highest correlation was found between the total size of an individual large ovary (including follicular and luteal size) and AMH levels (r = 0.387, p = 0.002). This is the first study to demonstrate the correlation between total size of individual large ovaries and serum AMH levels in HF cows. US observations of the ovaries will allow for estimation of differences in AMH levels and help predict ovarian activity and superovulation performance of cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oky Setyo Widodo
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Saeki Nishihara
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Dhidhi Pambudi
- Department of Mathematics Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ken Takeshi Kusakabe
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yasuho Taura
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yasunobu Nishi
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Osamu Yamato
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masayasu Taniguchi
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Takagi
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
- Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
- *Correspondence: Mitsuhiro Takagi
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Gutiérrez-Reinoso MA, Aguilera CJ, Navarrete F, Cabezas J, Castro FO, Cabezas I, Sánchez O, García-Herreros M, Rodríguez-Alvarez L. Effects of Extra-Long-Acting Recombinant Bovine FSH (bscrFSH) on Cattle Superovulation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12020153. [PMID: 35049777 PMCID: PMC8772581 DOI: 10.3390/ani12020153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years, several commercial FSH products have been developed for cattle superovulation (SOV) purposes in Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) programs. The SOV response is highly variable among individuals and remains one of the main limiting factors in obtaining a profitable number of transferable embryos. In this study, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from different origins was included in two SOV protocols, (a) FSH from purified pig pituitary extract (NIH-FSH-p; two doses/day, 12 h apart, four consecutive days); and (b) extra-long-acting bovine recombinant FSH (bscrFSH; a single dose/day, four consecutive days), to test the effects of bscrFSH on the ovarian response, hormone profile levels, in vivo embryo production and the pluripotency gene expression of the obtained embryos. A total of 68 healthy primiparous red Angus cows (Bos taurus) were randomly distributed into two experimental groups (n = 34 each). Blood sample collection for progesterone (P4) and cortisol (C) level determination was performed together with ultrasonographic assessment for ovarian size, follicles (FL) and corpora lutea (CL) quantification in each SOV protocol (Day 0, 4, 8, and 15). Moreover, FSH profiles were monitorised throughout both protocols (Day 0, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 15). In vivo embryo quantity and quality (total structures, morulae, blastocysts, viable, degenerated and blocked embryos) were recorded in each SOV protocol. Finally, embryo quality in both protocols was assessed by the analysis of the expression level of crucial genes for early embryo development (OCT4, IFNt, CDX2, BCL2, and BAX). P4 and cortisol concentration peaks in both SOV protocols were obtained on Day 15 and Day 8, respectively, which were statistically different compared to the other time-points (p < 0.05). Ovarian dimensions increased from Day 0 to Day 15 irrespective of the SOV protocol considered (p < 0.05). Significant changes in CL number were observed over time till Day 15 irrespective of the SOV protocol applied (p < 0.05), being non- significantly different between SOV protocols within each time-point (p > 0.05). The number of CL was higher on Day 15 in the bscrFSH group compared to the NIH-FSH-p group (p < 0.05). The number of embryonic structures recovered was higher in the bscrFSH group (p = 0.025), probably as a result of a tendency towards a greater number of follicles developed compared to the NIH-FSH-p group. IFNt and BAX were overexpressed in embryos from the bscrFSH group (p < 0.05), with a fold change of 16 and 1.3, respectively. However, no statistical differences were detected regarding the OCT4, CDX2, BCL2, and BCL2/BAX expression ratio (p > 0.05). In conclusion, including bscrFSH in SOV protocols could be an important alternative by reducing the number of applications and offering an improved ovarian response together with better embryo quality and superior performance in embryo production compared to NIH-FSH-p SOV protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Gutiérrez-Reinoso
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), Chillán 3780000, Chile; (M.A.G.-R.); (C.J.A.); (F.N.); (J.C.); (F.O.C.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Recursos Naturales, Carrera de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC), Latacunga 050150, Ecuador
| | - Constanza J. Aguilera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), Chillán 3780000, Chile; (M.A.G.-R.); (C.J.A.); (F.N.); (J.C.); (F.O.C.)
| | - Felipe Navarrete
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), Chillán 3780000, Chile; (M.A.G.-R.); (C.J.A.); (F.N.); (J.C.); (F.O.C.)
| | - Joel Cabezas
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), Chillán 3780000, Chile; (M.A.G.-R.); (C.J.A.); (F.N.); (J.C.); (F.O.C.)
| | - Fidel O. Castro
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), Chillán 3780000, Chile; (M.A.G.-R.); (C.J.A.); (F.N.); (J.C.); (F.O.C.)
| | - Ignacio Cabezas
- Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), Chillán 3780000, Chile;
| | - Oliberto Sánchez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Victor Lamas 1290, Concepcion 4070386, Chile;
| | - Manuel García-Herreros
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), 2005-048 Santarém, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.G.-H.); (L.R.-A.); Tel.: +56-42-220-8835 (L.R.-A.); Fax: +351-24-3767 (M.G.-H.) (ext. 330)
| | - Lleretny Rodríguez-Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), Chillán 3780000, Chile; (M.A.G.-R.); (C.J.A.); (F.N.); (J.C.); (F.O.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.G.-H.); (L.R.-A.); Tel.: +56-42-220-8835 (L.R.-A.); Fax: +351-24-3767 (M.G.-H.) (ext. 330)
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11
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Zheng J, Deng T, Jiang E, Li J, Wijayanti D, Wang Y, Ding X, Lan X. Genetic variations of bovine PCOS-related DENND1A gene identified in GWAS significantly affect female reproductive traits. Gene 2021; 802:145867. [PMID: 34352299 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified DENND1A as a potential candidate gene linked to the fertility-related phenotypes in dairy cows. However, to date, no studies have examined the association of the DENND1A insertion/deletions (indels) to bovine fertility on a large scale. Herein, two indel sites, including P4-del-26-bp and P8-ins-15-bp were identified in 1064 Holstein cows. The values of the minor allelic frequency (MAF) ranged between 0.471 (deletion) and 0.230 (deletion), respectively, and combined four different haplotypes by analyzing the haplotype combination. It is noteworthy that P4-del-26-bp is associated with the ovarian width (P = 0.0004) and corpus luteum diameter (P = 0.004). Meanwhile, P8-ins-15-bp was found to have a significant association with the ovarian width (P = 0.020), ovarian weight (P = 0.004), the number of mature follicles (P = 0.020), and diameter of the mature follicles (P = 0.016). Furthermore, the combinatorial analysis showed that the two indel combined-genotypes were significantly related to several reproductive traits (ovarian width, ovarian weight, etc.). Collectively, our findings indicated that these two novel indels and their combinations are correlated with the reproductive traits, and hence, they can serve in the marker-assisted selection (MAS) in cattle breeding. Nevertheless, further functional experiments are needed for understanding the mechanisms of these indels in cattle reproduction in a better way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanshan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Laboratory of Animal Genome and Gene Function, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Tianyu Deng
- Laboratory of Animal Genome and Gene Function, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Enhui Jiang
- Laboratory of Animal Genome and Gene Function, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Jie Li
- Laboratory of Animal Genome and Gene Function, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Dwi Wijayanti
- Laboratory of Animal Genome and Gene Function, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xuezhi Ding
- Key Laboratory of Yak Breeding Engineering, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China.
| | - Xianyong Lan
- Laboratory of Animal Genome and Gene Function, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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12
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Torres-Simental JF, Peña-Calderón C, Avendaño-Reyes L, Correa-Calderón A, Macías-Cruz U, Rodríguez-Borbón A, Leyva-Corona JC, Rivera-Acuña F, Thomas MG, Luna-Nevárez P. Predictive markers for superovulation response and embryo production in beef cattle managed in northwest Mexico are influenced by climate. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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13
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Juengel JL, Cushman RA, Dupont J, Fabre S, Lea RG, Martin GB, Mossa F, Pitman JL, Price CA, Smith P. The ovarian follicle of ruminants: the path from conceptus to adult. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 33:RD21086. [PMID: 34210385 DOI: 10.1071/rd21086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This review resulted from an international workshop and presents a consensus view of critical advances over the past decade in our understanding of follicle function in ruminants. The major concepts covered include: (1) the value of major genes; (2) the dynamics of fetal ovarian development and its sensitivity to nutritional and environmental influences; (3) the concept of an ovarian follicle reserve, aligned with the rise of anti-Müllerian hormone as a controller of ovarian processes; (4) renewed recognition of the diverse and important roles of theca cells; (5) the importance of follicular fluid as a microenvironment that determines oocyte quality; (6) the 'adipokinome' as a key concept linking metabolic inputs with follicle development; and (7) the contribution of follicle development to the success of conception. These concepts are important because, in sheep and cattle, ovulation rate is tightly regulated and, as the primary determinant of litter size, it is a major component of reproductive efficiency and therefore productivity. Nowadays, reproductive efficiency is also a target for improving the 'methane efficiency' of livestock enterprises, increasing the need to understand the processes of ovarian development and folliculogenesis, while avoiding detrimental trade-offs as greater performance is sought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Juengel
- AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel, New Zealand; and Corresponding author
| | - Robert A Cushman
- Livestock Biosystems Research Unit, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, USA
| | - Joëlle Dupont
- INRAE Institute UMR85 Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Tours University, France
| | - Stéphane Fabre
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement, Institut national polytechnique de Toulouse, Ecole nationale vétérinaire de Toulouse, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Richard G Lea
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Graeme B Martin
- UWA Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Francesca Mossa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Janet L Pitman
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Christopher A Price
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Peter Smith
- AgResearch Ltd, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Mosgiel, New Zealand
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14
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Shi A, Gepts P, Song Q, Xiong H, Michaels TE, Chen S. Genome-Wide Association Study and Genomic Prediction for Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance in USDA Common Bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris) Core Collection. Front Plant Sci 2021; 12:624156. [PMID: 34163495 PMCID: PMC8215670 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.624156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines) has become the major yield-limiting biological factor in soybean production. Common bean is also a good host of SCN, and its production is challenged by this emerging pest in many regions such as the upper Midwest USA. The use of host genetic resistance has been the most effective and environmentally friendly method to manage SCN. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the SCN resistance in the USDA common bean core collection and conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers with SCN resistance. A total of 315 accessions of the USDA common bean core collection were evaluated for resistance to SCN HG Type 0 (race 6). The common bean core set was genotyped with the BARCBean6K_3 Infinium BeadChips, consisting of 4,654 SNPs. Results showed that 15 accessions were resistant to SCN with a Female Index (FI) at 4.8 to 9.4, and 62 accessions were moderately resistant (10 < FI < 30) to HG Type 0. The association study showed that 11 SNP markers, located on chromosomes Pv04, 07, 09, and 11, were strongly associated with resistance to HG Type 0. GWAS was also conducted for resistance to HG Type 2.5.7 and HG Type 1.2.3.5.6.7 based on the public dataset (N = 276), consisting of a diverse set of common bean accessions genotyped with the BARCBean6K_3 chip. Six SNPs associated with HG Type 2.5.7 resistance on Pv 01, 02, 03, and 07, and 12 SNPs with HG Type 1.2.3.5.6.7 resistance on Pv 01, 03, 06, 07, 09, 10, and 11 were detected. The accuracy of genomic prediction (GP) was 0.36 to 0.49 for resistance to the three SCN HG types, indicating that genomic selection (GS) of SCN resistance is feasible. This study provides basic information for developing SCN-resistant common bean cultivars, using the USDA core germ plasm accessions. The SNP markers can be used in molecular breeding in common beans through marker-assisted selection (MAS) and GS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainong Shi
- Department of Horticulture, PTSC316, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Paul Gepts
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Qijian Song
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Haizheng Xiong
- Department of Horticulture, PTSC316, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Thomas E. Michaels
- Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Senyu Chen
- Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca, MN, United States
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15
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Cortellari M, Barbato M, Talenti A, Bionda A, Carta A, Ciampolini R, Ciani E, Crisà A, Frattini S, Lasagna E, Marletta D, Mastrangelo S, Negro A, Randi E, Sarti FM, Sartore S, Soglia D, Liotta L, Stella A, Ajmone-Marsan P, Pilla F, Colli L, Crepaldi P. The climatic and genetic heritage of Italian goat breeds with genomic SNP data. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10986. [PMID: 34040003 PMCID: PMC8154919 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89900-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Local adaptation of animals to the environment can abruptly become a burden when faced with rapid climatic changes such as those foreseen for the Italian peninsula over the next 70 years. Our study investigates the genetic structure of the Italian goat populations and links it with the environment and how genetics might evolve over the next 50 years. We used one of the largest national datasets including > 1000 goats from 33 populations across the Italian peninsula collected by the Italian Goat Consortium and genotyped with over 50 k markers. Our results showed that Italian goats can be discriminated in three groups reflective of the Italian geography and its geo-political situation preceding the country unification around two centuries ago. We leveraged the remarkable genetic and geographical diversity of the Italian goat populations and performed landscape genomics analysis to disentangle the relationship between genotype and environment, finding 64 SNPs intercepting genomic regions linked to growth, circadian rhythm, fertility, and inflammatory response. Lastly, we calculated the hypothetical future genotypic frequencies of the most relevant SNPs identified through landscape genomics to evaluate their long-term effect on the genetic structure of the Italian goat populations. Our results provide an insight into the past and the future of the Italian local goat populations, helping the institutions in defining new conservation strategy plans that could preserve their diversity and their link to local realities challenged by climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Cortellari
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali – Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Barbato
- grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, della Nutrizione e degli Alimenti and BioDNA Centro di ricerca sulla Biodiversità e sul DNA Antico, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Andrea Talenti
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali – Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy ,grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG UK
| | - Arianna Bionda
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali – Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonello Carta
- Unità di Ricerca di Genetica e Biotecnologie, Agris Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberta Ciampolini
- grid.5395.a0000 0004 1757 3729Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Ciani
- grid.7644.10000 0001 0120 3326Dipartimento di Bioscienze Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica, Università degli Studi di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Crisà
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria (CREA) - Research Centre for Animal Production and Acquaculture, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Frattini
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali – Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Emiliano Lasagna
- grid.9027.c0000 0004 1757 3630Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Donata Marletta
- grid.8158.40000 0004 1757 1969Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via Valdisavoia 5, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Mastrangelo
- grid.10776.370000 0004 1762 5517Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessio Negro
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali – Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Ettore Randi
- grid.5117.20000 0001 0742 471XDepartment of Chemistry and Bioscience, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Francesca M. Sarti
- grid.9027.c0000 0004 1757 3630Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Sartore
- grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Dominga Soglia
- grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Torino, largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Luigi Liotta
- grid.10438.3e0000 0001 2178 8421Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandra Stella
- grid.5326.20000 0001 1940 4177Institute of Biology and Biotechnology in Agriculture, National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Ajmone-Marsan
- grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, della Nutrizione e degli Alimenti and BioDNA Centro di ricerca sulla Biodiversità e sul DNA Antico, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Fabio Pilla
- grid.10373.360000000122055422Dipartimento Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti Universitá degli Studi del Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Licia Colli
- grid.8142.f0000 0001 0941 3192Dipartimento di Scienze Animali, della Nutrizione e degli Alimenti and BioDNA Centro di ricerca sulla Biodiversità e sul DNA Antico, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Paola Crepaldi
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali – Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
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KaboodMehri R, Sorouri ZZ, Sharami SH, Bagheri SE, Yazdipaz S, Doaei S. The association between the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and dietary intake in Iranian women. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2021; 304:687-94. [PMID: 34021805 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-021-06098-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This paper aimed to assess the association between AMH with dietary intake of adult women referred to the infertility clinic of Al-Zahra Hospital in Rasht, Iran. METHODS This cross-sectional study was performed on 234 adult women referred to the infertility clinic of Al-Zahra Hospital, Rasht, Iran. The participants were categorized into two groups based on their AMH levels. Participants' data on lifestyle and anthropometry as well as blood samples were collected. Dietary intakes were assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS Serum AMH concentration was negatively associated with the intake of fast foods (P = 0.002) and saturated fats (P = 0.040). These associations remained significant after adjustments for age, rural or urban location, and education. Additional adjustments for body mass index (BMI) and physical activity did not change the results. The results remained significant after further adjustments for menstrual age, menstrual pattern, and oral contraceptive pills. CONCLUSION Fast foods and saturated fats were significantly associated with lower AMH concentrations and modifying the amount of these dietary components may be an important strategy for increasing the reservation of ovaries in women. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm these findings and to identify the underlying mechanisms.
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Okawa H, Monniaux D, Mizokami C, Fujikura A, Takano T, Sato S, Shinya U, Kawashima C, Yamato O, Fushimi Y, Vos PLAM, Taniguchi M, Takagi M. Association between Anti-Müllerian Hormone Concentration and Inflammation Markers in Serum during the Peripartum Period in Dairy Cows. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1241. [PMID: 33925800 PMCID: PMC8146605 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationships between changes in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and various traits, including milk somatic cell counts (SCC), were evaluated. Blood samples were collected from 43 Holstein cows 14 days before (D-14) and 10 (D10) and 28 days after (D28) parturition, and vaginal discharge score (VDS) and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) percentages were assessed in endometrial samples at D28. Cows were separated into four quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on changes in AMH concentration during the peripartum period (AMH ratio: D28/D-14). Correlations between AMH ratio and each parameter were evaluated and classified into high-AMH (Q4, 1.83 ± 0.12, n = 11) and low-AMH (Q1, 0.83 ± 0.05, n = 11) groups. The AMH ratio was positively correlated with magnesium and non-esterified fatty acids levels, and the albumin/globulin ratio at D10 and D28, but negatively correlated with serum amyloid A (SAA) at D10. SAA and γ-globulin levels were significantly higher in the low-AMH group at D28. There was no significant difference in VDS, PMNL percentage, and milk SCC between the two groups. The decreasing AMH ratio from the prepartum to the postpartum period corresponds to high inflammation biomarker levels. Whether it subsequently affects the reproductive prognosis of postpartum cows needs further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Okawa
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; (H.O.); (M.T.)
- Fukuoka Prefecture Dairy Cooperative Association, Fukuoka 839-0832, Japan; (C.M.); (A.F.); (T.T.)
- Guardian Co. Ltd., Kagoshima 890-0033, Japan;
| | - Danielle Monniaux
- Physiologie de la Reproduction, Centre INRA, 37380 Nouzilly, France;
| | - Chihiro Mizokami
- Fukuoka Prefecture Dairy Cooperative Association, Fukuoka 839-0832, Japan; (C.M.); (A.F.); (T.T.)
| | - Atsushi Fujikura
- Fukuoka Prefecture Dairy Cooperative Association, Fukuoka 839-0832, Japan; (C.M.); (A.F.); (T.T.)
| | - Toshihiro Takano
- Fukuoka Prefecture Dairy Cooperative Association, Fukuoka 839-0832, Japan; (C.M.); (A.F.); (T.T.)
| | - Satoko Sato
- Soo Agriculture Mutual Aid Association, Soo 899-8212, Japan; (S.S.); (U.S.)
| | - Urara Shinya
- Soo Agriculture Mutual Aid Association, Soo 899-8212, Japan; (S.S.); (U.S.)
| | - Chiho Kawashima
- Field Center of Animal Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan;
| | - Osamu Yamato
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan;
| | | | - Peter L. A. M. Vos
- Department Population Health Sciences, Farm Animal Health, Section Reproduction, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Masayasu Taniguchi
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; (H.O.); (M.T.)
| | - Mitsuhiro Takagi
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan; (H.O.); (M.T.)
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Alward KJ, Graves WM, Palomares RA, Ely LO, Bohlen JF. Characterizing Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentration and change over time in Holstein dairy cattle. Theriogenology 2021; 168:83-89. [PMID: 33872933 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize circulating Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations in a population of Holstein heifers and examine the impact that life events and stage of life have on those concentrations. Virgin, Holstein heifers (n = 105) 13 ± 0.8 months old were heat detected using tail-chalk, bred via artificial insemination and pregnancy checked 32+ days later. Serum samples for AMH were collected upon enrollment (heifer), at 5-20 days in milk (fresh) and at 45-60 days in milk (pre-breeding). Transrectal ultrasonography was performed upon enrollment (heifer) and at 45-60 days in milk (pre-breeding) to determine antral follicle count (AFC), cyclicity status, and uterine health. Heifers were blocked into thirds by AMH concentration: HIGH (>354 pg/mL; n = 34), MID (183-354 pg/mL; n = 35) and LOW (<183 pg/mL; n = 36), with distribution re-evaluated at subsequent samplings (fresh, pre-breeding). As heifers, age and conception risk to first service were not impacted by AMH (P > 0.05). Reason for leaving the herd, health incidences and calving difficulty were not impacted by AMH (P > 0.05). AFC and cyclicity had a positive impact on heifer AMH (P < 0.01). AFC and AMH in heifers were highly correlated (0.56, P < 0.001). AFC for heifers differed by AMH group with the HIGH group having the greatest AFC (8.76), followed by the MID (5.87), then the LOW (3.53) group (P < 0.0001). However, this association was not evident in the pre-breeding group (P > 0.05). From the heifer to the fresh sample, average AMH dropped from 313.15 pg/mL to 160.01 pg/mL (P < 0.0001). Average AMH at the pre-breeding sample was 183.23 pg/mL, which was lower than the heifer sample (P < 0.0001), but not different from the fresh sample (P > 0.05). AFC and AMH at the heifer sample had a positive impact on AMH at the fresh sample (P < 0.01) and pre-breeding AMH was positively impacted by both the fresh and heifer AMH concentration (P < 0.001). Most animals kept their AMH categorization through all three time points with more of the LOW AMH animals maintaining their categorization than the other groups. However, 32.1% of animals changed their AMH categorization from the heifer sample to the fresh sample, with 53.8% moving to a lower AMH categorization (corresponding to lower AMH) and 46.2% moving to a higher AMH categorization (corresponding to higher AMH). No differences were seen in circulating AMH based on health events however, differences in AMH concentration over time indicate a drop in circulating AMH post-calving. Circulating AMH concentration as a pre-breeding heifer is highly indicative of circulating AMH concentration as a first lactation animal and may be used to predict an adult animal's AMH concentration. However, it is necessary to compare AMH concentrations to herdmates as published AMH values vary widely from herd to herd. In addition, sampling time should be considered when determining AMH categorization of animals as circulating AMH concentration immediately post-calving may not be indicative of an animal's true AMH categorization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla J Alward
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - William M Graves
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Lane O Ely
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jillian F Bohlen
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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Peters SO, Kızılkaya K, Ibeagha-Awemu EM, Sinecen M, Zhao X. Comparative accuracies of genetic values predicted for economically important milk traits, genome-wide association, and linkage disequilibrium patterns of Canadian Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 2020; 104:1900-1916. [PMID: 33358789 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Genomic selection methodologies and genome-wide association studies use powerful statistical procedures that correlate large amounts of high-density SNP genotypes and phenotypic data. Actual 305-d milk (MY), fat (FY), and protein (PY) yield data on 695 cows and 76,355 genotyping-by-sequencing-generated SNP marker genotypes from Canadian Holstein dairy cows were used to characterize linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure of Canadian Holstein cows. Also, the comparison of pedigree-based BLUP, genomic BLUP (GBLUP), and Bayesian (BayesB) statistical methods in the genomic selection methodologies and the comparison of Bayesian ridge regression and BayesB statistical methods in the genome-wide association studies were carried out for MY, FY, and PY. Results from LD analysis revealed that as marker distance decreases, LD increases through chromosomes. However, unexpected high peaks in LD were observed between marker pairs with larger marker distances on all chromosomes. The GBLUP and BayesB models resulted in similar heritability estimates through 10-fold cross-validation for MY and PY; however, the GBLUP model resulted in higher heritability estimates than BayesB model for FY. The predictive ability of GBLUP model was significantly lower than that of BayesB for MY, FY, and PY. Association analyses indicated that 28 high-effect markers and markers on Bos taurus autosome 14 located within 6 genes (DOP1B, TONSL, CPSF1, ADCK5, PARP10, and GRINA) associated significantly with FY.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunday O Peters
- Department of Animal Science, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA 30149; Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
| | - Kadir Kızılkaya
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, 09100, Turkey
| | - Eveline M Ibeagha-Awemu
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, 2000 Rue College, Sherbrooke, QC, J1M 0C8 Canada
| | - Mahmut Sinecen
- Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, 09100, Turkey
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-De-Bellevue, QC, H9S 3V9 Canada
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Fushimi Y, Okawa H, Monniaux D, Takagi M. Efficacy of a single blood anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration measurement for the selection of Japanese Black heifer embryo donors in herd breeding programs. J Reprod Dev 2020; 66:593-598. [PMID: 32938834 PMCID: PMC7768178 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2020-069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the relationship between plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in Japanese Black (JB) heifers at 7-10 months of age and the number of embryos recovered after superovulation treatment in selected ovum pick-up donors, concomitantly with changes in their AMH concentrations before and after parturition. Plasma AMH concentrations in heifers were positively correlated with the total number of follicles (r = 0.647, P < 0.01) and embryos (r = 0.681, P < 0.01) recovered from the animals postpartum, when selected as donor cows, but did not correlate with the total number of transferable embryos. No difference was observed between the plasma AMH concentration at the heifer period and the postpartum period. Additionally, serum AMH concentrations of heifers weakly correlated with the number of follicles and embryos recovered by virgin flush after superovulation treatment at 13-15 months of age. Therefore, a single blood AMH concentration measurement may accelerate intensive JB cattle breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Danielle Monniaux
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE, CNRS, IFCE, Université de Tours, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Mitsuhiro Takagi
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
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21
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Abstract
AMH, KISS1R and GDF9 genes play a vital role in human and animal reproduction and might be used as the genetic markers for the reproduction traits selection. The aim of this study was to screen the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the AMH, KISS1R and GDF9 genes and to determine the correlations between these SNPs and the litter size in goats. Nine single SNPs within these genes were used for genotyping of the 190 Dazu black goat populations by SNaPshot technique. The polymorphisms of nine SNPs within these genes were detected in Dazu black goats. The significant correlation was observed between one SNP (g.89172108A > C) within the AMH gene and the litter size of second born in Dazu black goats (p < 0.05). The SNP was located in exon 4 (XM_018050765.1) of the AMH gene and was one nonsynonymous substitution, which resulted in a change of an amino acid from Glutamine to Proline (Gln38Pro). These results suggested that the nonsynonymous SNP g.89172108A > C of AMH gene could be used as a potential genetic marker for Marker-assisted selection (MAS) in goats breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Guo Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong-Fu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
| | - De-Li Huang
- Chongqing Tengda Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Peng
- Chongqing Tengda Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Chongqing, China
| | - Ri-Su Na
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization, Chongqing, China
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Succu S, Sale S, Ghirello G, Ireland JJ, Evans ACO, Atzori AS, Mossa F. Exposure of dairy cows to high environmental temperatures and their lactation status impairs establishment of the ovarian reserve in their offspring. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:11957-11969. [PMID: 33041040 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to establish if exposure of pregnant dairy cows to high environmental temperatures and humidity during the first trimester of pregnancy impairs the establishment of the ovarian reserve (total number of healthy follicles and oocytes in ovaries) and fertility in their offspring. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations and number of follicles ≥3 mm (antral follicle count; AFC) were assessed on a random day of the estrous cycle in 310 sixteen-month-old dairy heifers. Based on season of their conception and early fetal life, heifers were separated into 2 groups: summer (mean monthly temperature-humidity index = 69.33 ± 2.6) and winter (temperature-humidity index = 54.91 ± 1.08). The AMH and AFC were lower in summer (419.27 ± 22.81 pg/mL and 9.32 ± 0.42 follicles, respectively) compared with winter heifers (634.91 ± 47.60 pg/mL and 11.84 ± 0.46 follicles, respectively) and were not influenced by farm and age at sampling. Heifers born to dams that were not being milked during gestation had lower AMH and AFC compared with offspring of cows on their first lactation, whereas no difference was detected between offspring of cows on their first and subsequent lactations. Summer and winter heifers had similar age at first service and at first calving, and similar number of services per conception. Regardless of season in early fetal life, heifers were classified into 3 groups based on AMH and AFC (low = 20%, intermediate = 60%, high = 20%). Heifers with the lowest AMH were older at first service compared with herd mates with intermediate AMH, but age at first calving and number of services per conception were similar among AMH categories. No difference was detected in any of the fertility measures among AFC categories. Heifers born to mothers exposed to high environmental temperatures in early gestation had smaller ovarian reserves compared with herd mates conceived in winter, but no association between season of early fetal life and fertility at first conception was established. Season of conception and maternal lactation status affect the size of the ovarian reserve, but not fertility, at first conception in the progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Succu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - S Sale
- Embryosardegna, 08022 Dorgali (NU), Italy
| | - G Ghirello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - J J Ireland
- Molecular Reproductive Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1225
| | - A C O Evans
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - A S Atzori
- Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, viale Italia 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - F Mossa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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23
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Lopes JS, Alcázar-Triviño E, Soriano-Úbeda C, Hamdi M, Cánovas S, Rizos D, Coy P. Reproductive Outcomes and Endocrine Profile in Artificially Inseminated versus Embryo Transferred Cows. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1359. [PMID: 32781545 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Bovine embryos are nowadays produced in laboratories, frozen and transferred to other cows. However, the percentage of pregnancies obtained after these transfers as well as difficulties found during labor, especially due to increased size of calves, are a matter of great concern. One of the possible explanations for these problems relies on the embryo being produced in in vitro conditions (laboratory settings), more specifically the culture medium (liquid) used to develop these embryos. In an attempt to better mimic what happens naturally, female reproductive liquids (from oviducts and uterus) were used as a supplement to the culture of the embryos. As controls, embryos produced using the standard protocol in the laboratory were produced, as well as embryos derived from artificial insemination of cows (in vivo). An evaluation on the pregnancy rates, how the hormonal profile of the recipients changed during pregnancy, difficulties during parturitions, and phenotype of calves were recorded. Results showed that all the groups were very similar, but many differences were noted on the hormonal profiles during pregnancy. In conclusion, all systems provided safe production of calves, but long-term analysis of these calves is necessary to understand the future impact of the laboratory protocols. Abstract The increasing use of in vitro embryo production (IVP) followed by embryo transfer (ET), alongside with cryopreservation of embryos, has risen concerns regarding the possible altered pregnancy rates, calving or even neonatal mortality. One of the hypotheses for these alterations is the current culture conditions of the IVP. In an attempt to better mimic the physiological milieu, embryos were produced with female reproductive fluids (RF) as supplements to culture medium, and another group of embryos were supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as in vitro control. Embryos were cryopreserved and transferred while, in parallel, an in vivo control (artificial insemination, AI) with the same bull used for IVP was included. An overview on pregnancy rates, recipients’ hormonal levels, parturition, and resulting calves were recorded. Results show much similarity between groups in terms of pregnancy rates, gestation length and calves’ weight. Nonetheless, several differences on hormonal levels were noted between recipients carrying AI embryos especially when compared to BSA. Some calving issues and neonatal mortality were observed in both IVP groups. In conclusion, most of the parameters studied were similar between both types of IVP derived embryos and the in vivo-derived embryos, suggesting that the IVP technology used was efficient enough for the safe production of calves.
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Grigoletto L, Santana MHA, Bressan FF, Eler JP, Nogueira MFG, Kadarmideen HN, Baruselli PS, Ferraz JBS, Brito LF. Genetic Parameters and Genome-Wide Association Studies for Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels and Antral Follicle Populations Measured After Estrus Synchronization in Nellore Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1185. [PMID: 32668804 PMCID: PMC7401547 DOI: 10.3390/ani10071185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive efficiency plays a major role in the long-term sustainability of livestock industries and can be improved through genetic and genomic selection. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters (heritability and genetic correlation) and identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with anti-Müllerian hormone levels (AMH) and antral follicle populations measured after estrous synchronization (AFP) in Nellore cattle. The datasets included phenotypic records for 1099 and 289 Nellore females for AFP and AMH, respectively, high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes for 944 animals, and 4129 individuals in the pedigree. The heritability estimates for AMH and AFP were 0.28 ± 0.07 and 0.30 ± 0.09, and the traits were highly and positively genetically correlated (rG = 0.81 ± 0.02). These findings indicated that these traits can be improved through selective breeding, and substantial indirect genetic gains are expected by selecting for only one of the two traits. A total of 31 genomic regions were shown to be associated with AMH or AFP, and two genomic regions located on BTA1 (64.9-65.0 Mb and 109.1-109.2 Mb) overlapped between the traits. Various candidate genes were identified to be potentially linked to important biological processes such as ovulation, tissue remodeling, and the immune system. Our findings support the use of AMH and AFP as indicator traits to genetically improve fertility rates in Nellore cattle and identify better oocyte donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís Grigoletto
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, 13635-900 São Paulo, Brazil; (M.H.A.S.); (F.F.B.); (J.P.E.); (J.B.S.F.)
| | - Miguel Henrique Almeida Santana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, 13635-900 São Paulo, Brazil; (M.H.A.S.); (F.F.B.); (J.P.E.); (J.B.S.F.)
| | - Fabiana Fernandes Bressan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, 13635-900 São Paulo, Brazil; (M.H.A.S.); (F.F.B.); (J.P.E.); (J.B.S.F.)
| | - Joanir Pereira Eler
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, 13635-900 São Paulo, Brazil; (M.H.A.S.); (F.F.B.); (J.P.E.); (J.B.S.F.)
| | - Marcelo Fábio Gouveia Nogueira
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Sciences and Languages, São Paulo State University, Assis, 19806-900 São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - Haja N. Kadarmideen
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, 102500 Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Pietro Sampaio Baruselli
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, 05508-270 São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - José Bento Sterman Ferraz
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, 13635-900 São Paulo, Brazil; (M.H.A.S.); (F.F.B.); (J.P.E.); (J.B.S.F.)
| | - Luiz F. Brito
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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Akbarinejad V, Gharagozlou F, Vojgani M, Ranji A. Evidence for quadratic association between serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and fertility in dairy cows. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 218:106457. [PMID: 32507251 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In cattle, results of some but not other studies indicated there has been an association of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration with reproductive variables. Considering the inconsistency in results among previous studies, there was evaluation of associations between circulating AMH and reproductive performance in dairy cows, and to this end, the prevailing data of serum AMH concentration and reproductive variables were used (n = 172). Preliminarily, association of AMH concentration with reproductive indices were analyzed using linear and quadratic models. Subsequently, cows were categorized based on AMH concentrations in four equal quartiles, including cows with the least (Q1; n = 43), moderately lesser (Q2; n = 43), moderately greater (Q3; n = 43) and greatest (Q4; n = 43) AMH concentrations, and reproductive variables were compared among the respective AMH quartiles. Initially, assessments indicated reproductive variables were not linearly associated with serum AMH (P > 0.05); however, for all reproductive variables except days to first breeding service (DFS) there was a quadratic association with serum AMH (P < 0.05). Results from analysis of reproductive performance in various AMH quartiles indicated there was a longer period of DFS for cows in Q3 than Q1 (P < 0.05). First postpartum insemination to conception and calving to conception intervals were shorter for cows in Q3 than Q1 and Q4 (P < 0.05) and for cows in Q2 than Q1 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, results from the present study indicate cows with intermediate AMH concentrations had greater reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Akbarinejad
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - F Gharagozlou
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Vojgani
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - A Ranji
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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26
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Umer S, Zhao SJ, Sammad A, Weldegebriall Sahlu B, Yunwei P, Zhu H. AMH: Could It Be Used as A Biomarker for Fertility and Superovulation in Domestic Animals? Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E1009. [PMID: 31817280 DOI: 10.3390/genes10121009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a reliable and easily detectable reproductive marker for the fertility competence of many farm animal species. AMH is also a good predictor of superovulation in cattle, sheep, and mares. In this review, we have summarized the recent findings related to AMH and its predictive reliability related to fertility and superovulation in domestic animals, especially in cattle. We focused on: (1) the dynamics of AMH level from infancy to prepubescence as well as during puberty and adulthood; (2) AMH as a predictor of fertility; (3) the association between antral follicle count (AFC) and plasma AMH level; (4) AMH as a predictor of superovulation; and (5) factors affecting AMH levels in domestic animals, especially cattle. Many factors affect the circulatory levels of AMH when considering the plasma, like nutrition, activity of granulosa cells, disease state and endocrine disruptions during fetal life. Briefly, we concluded that AMH concentrations are static within individuals, and collection of a single dose of blood has become more popular in the field of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). It may act as a potential predictor of fertility, superovulation, and ovarian disorders in domestic animals. However, due to the limited research in domestic animals, this potential of AMH remains underutilized.
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27
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Alward KJ, Bohlen JF. Overview of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and association with fertility in female cattle. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 55:3-10. [PMID: 31674697 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by granulosa cells of early-antral follicles found on the ovary. After production, it enters circulation and can be detected from a blood sample with an ELISA. Multiple works have found that circulating AMH is a reliable marker of the antral follicle population (AFP) of an animal as well as directly correlated to an animal's response to a superovulation protocol. Research has also found high repeatability within an animal's oestrous cycle. Further use of AMH may be valuable as a reproductive management tool, based on previous research linking productive life with circulating AMH in heifers and success to various breeding protocols by AMH concentration. The aim of this review was to summarize previous works describing basic function of AMH as well as explore recent research examining AMH as a reproductive tool and measurement of fertility in dairy animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla J Alward
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jillian F Bohlen
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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28
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Gobikrushanth M, Purfield DC, Canadas ER, Herlihy MM, Kenneally J, Murray M, Kearney FJ, Colazo MG, Ambrose DJ, Butler ST. Anti-Müllerian hormone in grazing dairy cows: Identification of factors affecting plasma concentration, relationship with phenotypic fertility, and genome-wide associations. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:11622-11635. [PMID: 31521342 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the distribution and variability of plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration; (2) evaluate factors associated with phenotypic variation in plasma AMH; (3) examine the associations between categories of plasma AMH and reproductive outcomes [pregnancy to first artificial insemination (P/AI), and pregnancy rates within 21, 42, and 84 d after the mating start date (MSD)]; (4) estimate pedigree and genomic heritability for plasma AMH; and (5) identify and validate SNP associated with phenotypic variation in plasma AMH. Plasma AMH concentration (pg/mL) was determined from a blood sample collected (mean ± standard deviation) 10 ± 2 d after first insemination at detected estrus (IDE) in 2,628 first- and second-parity Irish dairy cows. Overall, plasma AMH had a positively skewed distribution with mean (± standard deviation), median, minimum, and maximum concentrations of 326 ± 231, 268, 15, and 2,863 pg/mL, respectively. Plasma AMH was greatest for Jersey, followed by Holstein × Jersey, Holstein × Norwegian Red, and Holstein cows (410, 332, 284, and 257 pg/mL, respectively). Second-parity cows had greater plasma AMH than first-parity cows (333 vs. 301 pg/mL, respectively). Samples collected at 7 and 8 d after first IDE had lesser plasma AMH than those collected on d 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 after first IDE (291 and 297 vs. 317, 319, 331, 337, and 320 pg/mL). Plasma AMH was not associated with either body condition score at first IDE or the interval from calving to MSD. Cows were categorized into low (≤150 pg/mL; n = 526; lowest 20%), intermediate (>150 to ≤461 pg/mL; n = 1,576; intermediate 60%), and high AMH (>461 pg/mL; n = 526; highest 20%) groups based on plasma AMH, and associations with reproductive outcomes were tested. Cows with high and intermediate plasma AMH had 1.42- and 1.51-times-greater odds of becoming pregnant within 84 d after the MSD than those with low plasma AMH (90.3 and 90.8 vs. 86.8%, respectively); however, P/AI and pregnancy rate within 21 and 42 d after the MSD did not differ among AMH categories. Plasma AMH was moderately heritable (pedigree heritability of 0.40 ± 0.06 and genomic heritability of 0.45 ± 0.05), and 68 SNP across Bos taurus autosomes 7 and 11 were associated with phenotypic variation in plasma AMH. Out of 68 SNP, 42 were located in a single quantitative trait locus on Bos taurus autosome 11 that harbored 6 previously identified candidate genes (NR5A1, HSPA5, CRB2, DENND1A, NDUFA8, and PTGS) linked to fertility-related phenotypes in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gobikrushanth
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2P5; Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland, P61 C996
| | - D C Purfield
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland, P61 C996
| | - E R Canadas
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland, P61 C996
| | - M M Herlihy
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland, P61 C996
| | - J Kenneally
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland, P61 C996
| | - M Murray
- Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland, C15 PW93
| | - F J Kearney
- Irish Cattle Breeding Association, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland, P72 X050
| | - M G Colazo
- Livestock Systems Section, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6H 5T6
| | - D J Ambrose
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2P5; Livestock Systems Section, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6H 5T6
| | - S T Butler
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland, P61 C996.
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Fushimi Y, Monniaux D, Takagi M. Efficacy of a single measurement of plasma anti-Müllerian hormone concentration for ovum pick-up donor selection of Japanese Black heifers in herd breeding programs. J Reprod Dev 2019; 65:369-374. [PMID: 30930424 PMCID: PMC6708858 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2019-003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of a single measurement of plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration in heifers in determining the number of oocytes recoverable by ovum pick-up (OPU), and compared AMH concentrations among sister heifers from the same parents. For this, blood samples from 50 embryo-transfer-derived female Japanese Black (JB) heifers (mean: 8.7 age in months) were collected and plasma AMH concentration was measured. At 13-15 months of age, both the number of follicles (2-9 mm) and the number of collected oocytes after OPU were counted and compared. Results indicated that the heifers with the highest AMH concentration had the highest number of follicles in their ovaries and gave the highest number of collected oocytes with OPU, thereby indicating that a single measurement of plasma AMH concentration is informative for the selection of OPU-donor heifers in herd breeding programs. The practice of performing a single AMH measurement may accelerate the intensive breeding of JB herds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danielle Monniaux
- Physiologie de la Reproduction, Centre INRA Val de Loire, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Mitsuhiro Takagi
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
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Sevgi R, Erdem H, Karaşahin T, Yılmaz MA, Satılmış M, Okuroğlu A, Ünal İ, Dursun Ş, Alkan H, Satılmış F, Güler M. Determination of the relationship between serum anti-Müllerian hormone level and superovulatory response in Simmental cows. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:1322-1329. [PMID: 31278782 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The most significant focal points of the embryo transfer technology are as follows: the selection of donors, the response of the selected donor to the superovulation protocol and the obtained number of the transferable embryos. For this purpose, it is suggested that donor selection can be done by anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, and embryo production is evaluated. AMH is secreted by the granulosa cells of primordial, pre-antral and antral follicles below 4 mm in the ovary, independent of FSH. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum AMH levels and the number of corpus luteum (CL), total embryos and transferable embryos that were shaped after a uniform superovulation protocol. For this reason, 48 Simmental cows, which were located at General Directory of Agricultural Enterprises (region, province, etc. instead of the general directorate), were used as donors for the embryo transfer. Blood samples were taken at random, regardless of the stage of animal's sexual cycle. AMH levels were measured by enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) method of the miniVIDAS® (bioMérieux SA) using AMH Bovine Test Kit. According to the statistical analyses of the obtained data, AMH levels were positively correlated with CL and total embryos (p < .05). No significant correlations between AMH and transferable embryos were approved (p > .05). It was also determined that each 200 pg/ml increase in serum AMH level resulted in one increase in CL number. Overall, considering the positive correlation between AMH level and the obtained number of CL and total embryos after a superovulation treatment, it was concluded that measuring blood AMH level prior to any further costly implementation may be an effective method in donor selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramazan Sevgi
- International Center for Livestock Research and Training, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Erdem
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Tahir Karaşahin
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ali Yılmaz
- International Center for Livestock Research and Training, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Muharrem Satılmış
- International Center for Livestock Research and Training, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Alaeddin Okuroğlu
- International Center for Livestock Research and Training, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İlker Ünal
- International Center for Livestock Research and Training, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Şükrü Dursun
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
| | - Hasan Alkan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Fatma Satılmış
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Güler
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
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Mossa F, Ireland JJ. Physiology and endocrinology symposium: Anti-Müllerian hormone: a biomarker for the ovarian reserve, ovarian function, and fertility in dairy cows. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:1446-1455. [PMID: 30668706 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes studies we conducted to test the hypothesis that size of the ovarian reserve (number of healthy follicles and oocytes in ovaries) positively impacts ovarian function and fertility in cattle. Key results, primarily in Bos taurus dairy cattle, show that antral follicle count (AFC) during follicular waves is highly variable between individuals, but very highly repeatable within individuals. Cycling heifers with low (≤15 follicles ≥3 mm, ~20% of a herd) vs. a high AFC (≥25, ~20% of a herd) have a smaller ovarian reserve, higher FSH but lower anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), androstenedione, estradiol, and progesterone concentrations. Moreover, cattle with low AFC have a thinner endometrium, decreased response of granulosal, thecal, or luteal cells to FSH or LH and a poorer response to superovulation compared to cattle with high AFC. Interestingly, cows with a very high AFC as heifers have reduced fertility, fewer lactations, and shorter herd longevity, whereas cows with a low vs. intermediate AFC have reduced fertility, fewer lactations, and shorter herd longevity. Anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations are static within individuals but highly positively correlated with AFC, but fertility is not correlated with circulating AMH concentration in heifers and dairy cows with low vs. a higher AMH as heifers have reduced fertility and a shorter herd longevity. Anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations in dairy heifers are a moderately heritable trait (36%), and negatively impacted by inadequate maternal nutrition during early pregnancy or high maternal somatic cell count. We conclude that genetic or environmental manipulations of AMH could enhance size of the ovarian reserve and ovarian function, thereby improving fertility, response to superovulation, and longevity in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mossa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - James J Ireland
- Molecular Reproductive Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
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