Sialo proteins and phosphatases in estrual cervical mucus of fertile and repeat breeder buffaloes ()

An on-farm trial for 90 days was conducted at four tribal villages to assess the effect of chelated mineral mixture (CMM) supplementation on blood biochemistry as well as hormonal and mineral status, nutrient intake and reproductive performance of the repeat breeder buffaloes (n = 24). The animals selected were randomly divided into two groups of 12 animals each. The group T1 was control group (farmer’s feeding schedule), and T2 treatment group (T1 + CMM @ 50 g/animal/day). Blood collection was done at 0, 45 and 90 days of the experiment from both the groups for assessment of blood biochemical, hormonal and mineral status of the animals. Average DM, DCP and TDN intake in repeat breeder buffaloes calculated as per information collected from farmers were statistically similar among both the groups and were as per ICAR requirements of animals. Results revealed significant (p less than 0.05) improvement in hemoglobin, serum glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, progesterone, and macro (Ca, P)–micro (Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Mn) mineral status of chelated mineral supplemented group as compared to control animals. The number of days taken for a successful conception in repeat breeder buffaloes as well as the cost of feeding was also reduced upon supplementation of CMM in T2 as compared to T1 group. The control group recorded a 22.12% higher cost of rearing than the treatment group during the experimental period. The findings revealed the beneficial role of cheated minerals supplementation in improving health, nutritional and reproductive status of repeat breeding buffaloes.

Download Full-text

Characterisation of sialic acid species in sheep cervical mucus

Animal Reproduction Science ◽

10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106361 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 220 ◽

pp. 106361

Author(s):

Laura Abril-Parreño ◽

Jack Morgan ◽

Anette Krogenæs ◽

Xavier Druart ◽

Mary E. Gallagher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sialic Acid ◽

Cervical Mucus

Download Full-text

The Detection of Bovine Estrus by Lactoferrin Monoclonal Antibody

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061582 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1582

Author(s):

Jihwan Lee ◽

Suhyun Lee ◽

Younbae Park ◽

Seokhyun Lee ◽

Seungmin Ha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Binding Affinity ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Cervical Mucus ◽

Female Rats ◽

Economic Damage ◽

Bovine Lactoferrin ◽

Estrous Synchronization ◽

High Binding Affinity

To improve reproductive performance in cattle, the accurate detection of estrus and optimization of insemination relative to ovulation are necessary. However, poor heat detection by farm staff leads to a decreased conception rate, thus inflicting economic damage to the beef and dairy industries. This study aimed to develop monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that can specifically bind to the bovine lactoferrin (bLF) protein, which we have previously demonstrated to be overexpressed in bovine cervical mucus during estrus. Female rats were intraperitoneally immunized with bLF protein as the antigen. Anti-bLF mAbs were then purified by affinity chromatography, and their binding affinity for the bLF antigen was examined using ELISA. We found a high binding affinity between mAbs and bLF. Finally, we developed a rapid bovine heat detection kit using the anti-bLF mAbs that we generated and tested on cervical mucus from 12 cows (estrous synchronization, n = 2; natural cycling, n = 10). We found that the kits accurately detected estrus. Overall, our fabricated heat detection kit based on rat anti-bLF mAbs could pave the way for the development of potent tools for heat detection devices for dairy cattle, thereby preventing economic loss.

Download Full-text

Endometrial Inflammation at the Time of Insemination and Its Effect on Subsequent Fertility of Dairy Cows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11071858 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1858

Author(s):

Karen Wagener ◽

Marc Drillich ◽

Christine Aurich ◽

Christoph Gabler

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Reverse Transcription ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Related Factor ◽

Subsequent Fertility ◽

Cxcl8 Mrna ◽

Repeat Breeder

Our objective was to investigate the level of endometrial immune response at artificial insemination (AI) and to relate it to subsequent fertility. From 71 healthy cows, endometrial cytobrush samples were taken at the first AI for cytological and mRNA analyses. Total RNA isolated from the cytobrushes was used for reverse transcription qPCR for selected transcripts. Animals were grouped into pregnant (PREG; n = 32) and non-pregnant (non-PREG; n = 39) cows following their first AI. The mRNA abundance of the neutrophil-related factor CEACAM1 and the chemokine CXCL5 was 1.2- (p = 0.03) and 2.0-fold (p = 0.04) greater in PREG than in non-PREG cows, respectively. Animals were further subdivided according to the number of inseminations until pregnancy (PREG1, n = 32; PREG2-3, n = 19) and in repeat breeder cows (RBC, n = 13). CEACAM1 and CXCL8 mRNA expression was 1.7- (p = 0.01) and 2.3-fold (p = 0.03) greater in PREG1 than in RBC, respectively. Cox regression showed that cows with PMN ≥ 1% had a 1.8-fold increased chance of pregnancy within 150 days postpartum compared with cows with fewer PMNs. We conclude that a certain level of inflammation before the stimulus of AI might be beneficial for subsequent fertility.

Download Full-text

Metabolomic profiles of plasma and uterine luminal fluids from healthy and repeat breeder Holstein cows

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-021-02755-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Natsumi Funeshima ◽

Ryotaro Miura ◽

Taiga Katoh ◽

Hikari Yaginuma ◽

Takeshi Kitou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mononuclear Cells ◽

Plasma Metabolites ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Interferon Tau ◽

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽

Metabolomic Profiling ◽

Reproductive Disorder ◽

Uterine Fluid ◽

Reduced Rate ◽

Repeat Breeder

Abstract Background Repeat breeding is a critical reproductive disorder in cattle. The problem of repeat breeder cattle remains largely unmanageable due to a lack of informative biomarkers. Here, we utilized metabolomic profiling in an attempt to identify metabolites in the blood plasma and uterine luminal fluids. We collected blood and uterine fluid from repeat breeder and healthy cows on day 7 of the estrous cycle. Results Metabolomic analysis identified 17 plasma metabolites detected at concentrations that distinguished between the two groups, including decreased various bile acids among the repeat breeders. However, no metabolites that varied significantly were detected in the uterine luminal fluids between two groups. Among the plasma samples, kynurenine was identified as undergoing the most significant variation. Kynurenine is a metabolite produced from tryptophan via the actions of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). As IDO is key for maternal immune tolerance and induced in response to interferon tau (IFNT, ruminant maternal recognition of pregnancy factor), we examined the responsiveness to IFNT on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from healthy and repeat breeder cows. The mRNA expression of IFNT-response makers (ISG15 and MX2) were significantly increased by IFNT treatment in a dose-dependent manner in both groups. Although treatment with IFNT promoted the expression of IDO in PBMCs from both groups, it did so at a substantially reduced rate among the repeat breeder cows, suggesting that decreased levels of kynurenine may relate to the reduced IDO expression in repeat breeder cows. Conclusions These findings provide valuable information towards the identification of critical biomarkers for repeat breeding syndrome in cattle.

Download Full-text

Use of fertility awareness methods as a component of safer conception for women in HIV-serodifferent relationships in Kenya

Reproductive Health ◽

10.1186/s12978-021-01128-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yasaman Zia ◽

Jennifer Velloza ◽

Lynda Oluoch ◽

Richard Momanyi ◽

Sarah Mbugua ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Transmission ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Cervical Mucus ◽

Safer Conception ◽

Open Label ◽

Fertility Awareness ◽

Menstrual Cycles ◽

Condomless Sex ◽

Message Service

Abstract Background For couples affected by HIV, and serodifferent couples in particular, pregnancy desire is often juxtaposed against the risk of HIV transmission between the couple and the potential neonate leading to thinking about measures to minimize risk of HIV transmission. We assess the use of fertility awareness methods [FAM] and evaluate the drivers of alignment between indicators of fertility and sexual behavior among HIV-serodifferent couples desiring pregnancy. Methods HIV-serodifferent couples from Thika, Kenya were enrolled into an open-label pilot evaluation of safer conception strategies. Women responded to daily 7-item short message service [SMS] surveys on FAM and sexual activity. Menstrual cycles were categorized as having condomless sex aligned, not aligned, or partially aligned to the predicted peak fertility. We used binomial logit models with generalized estimating equations to assess alignment between condomless sex during peak fertility days and FAM results. We used Cox proportional hazards to compare pregnancy incidence among months with sex and peak fertility aligned and mis-aligned. Results A total of 6929 SMS surveys across 252 menstrual cycles of 65 women were included. Reporting “sticky” cervical mucus (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.25, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.30, 3.90) and positive ovulation prediction kit [OPK] result (aOR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.86) were associated with increased likelihood of alignment of condomless sex during peak fertility. Pregnancy incidence was statistically similar among periods with sex aligned and not aligned with peak fertility. Conclusions Among women engaged in a comprehensive safer conception program, a moderate percentage of women aligned condomless sex and predicted peak fertility days at least once. While FAM, particularly cervical mucus and OPK, are an inexpensive option for couples to consider using as a component of their safer conception strategies, antiretroviral-based strategies remain important to minimize risk.

Download Full-text

Movements of HIV-Virions in Human Cervical Mucus

Biomacromolecules ◽

10.1021/bm900344q ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 2482-2488 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Hacène Boukari ◽

Beda Brichacek ◽

Pamela Stratton ◽

Sheila F. Mahoney ◽

Jeffrey D. Lifson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Mucus

Download Full-text