NE1227: Ovarian Influences on Reproductive Success in Ruminants

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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Annual/Termination Reports:

[03/14/2014] [07/15/2014] [07/07/2015] [07/05/2016] [05/17/2017]

Date of Annual Report: 03/14/2014

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/12/2013 - 06/14/2013
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2012 - 09/01/2013

Participants

Bridges, Phillip pbrid2@email.uky.edu –University of Kentucky;
Butler, Ron wrb2@cornell.edu –Cornell University;
Dailey, Robert rdailey@wvu.edu –West Virginia University;
Diaz, Francisco fjd10@psu.edu –Penn State University;
Flores, Jorge jflores@wvu.edu –West Virginia University;
Fortune, Joanne jf11@cornell.edu –Cornell University;
Inskeep, Keith einskeep@wvu.edu –West Virginia University;
Keating, Aileen akeating@iastate.edu –Iowa State;
Memili, Erdogan em149@ads.msstate.edu –Mississippi State University;
Ott, Troy tlo12@psu.edu –Penn State University;
Pate, Joy jlp36@psu.edu –Penn State University;
Rhoads, Shelly rhoadsm@vt.edu –Virginia Tech University;
Thompson, Gary gat10@psu.edu –Penn State University;
Townson, Dave dave.townson@unh.edu –University of New Hampshire;
Tsang, Paul paul.tsang@unh.edu –University of New Hampshire;
Wiltbank, Milo wiltbank@wisc.edu –University of Wisconsin;
Wood, Jennifer jwood5@unl.edu –University of Nebraska;
Yao, Jianbo jianbo.yao@mail.wvu.edu –West Virginia University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

<ul><li>Identified alterations in the ovarian PI3K pathway due to heat stress (gilts), obesity (mouse), and toxin exposure (mice) which are linked to reduced fertility; also showed altered mRNA abundance in ovulated oocytes due to obesity <li>Showed that endocrine disrupting chemicals (e.g. BPA, genistein) alter processes involved in establishing the primordial pool of follicles <li>Developed assays to measure bovine inflammatory and oxidative stress factors in bovine follicular fluid <li>Demonstrated the importance of zinc for meiotic maturation of the oocyte and establishment of proper imprints in the developing embryo. <li>Demonstrated that LH regulates androgen production by fetal ovarian cortex and identified Bmp4 as an activator of primordial follicle growth <li>Examined the regulation and function of KPNA7 in bovine oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. <li>Showed a benefit of including PG600 with CIDR application on conception and pregnancy rates in ewes. <li>Examined the use of artificial photoperiod to enhance breeding of fall-born ewe lambs <li>Identified sperm proteins and small non-coding RNAs that contribute to embryo development success <li>Linked increased intrafollicular androgen concentrations to altered theca cell gene expression and reduced fertility in the beef cow. <li>Identified mRNAs in the oviduct that are regulated by estrogen and therefore may play an important role in fertilization and pre-implantation development <li>Examined mechanisms by which CCN1 regulates vascular remodeling during folliculo-luteal transition including the role of integrins <li>Determined that inhibition of Fas ligand-induced apoptosis of granulosa during follicular atresia by KRT8/18 filaments is not dependent on ERK1/2 or AKT signaling <li>Identified a SNP in the growth hormone receptor associated with dairy cow fertility <li>Demonstrated that PGF2a regulates intracellular calcium via the PLC-CAMKK2-AMPK pathways <li>Demonstrated that supplementation of lactating dairy cows with methionine does not change morphological appearance of early embryos but alters gene expression in the embryos. <li>Determined that increased insulin during the final stages of follicle growth can decrease ovulation rate of follicles and fertilization rate of oocytes. <li>Evaluated the effects of increased length of proestrus period and estradiol on pregnancy loss. <li>Demonstrated a novel mechanism for protein secretion by luteal cells which are responsible for stimulation of T cells. <li>Demonstrated that pregnancy alters T cell populations in the corpus luteum which may be important for luteal rescue. Pregnancy also alters immune cell populations and inflammatory molecules in the endometrium which may promote placental growth and development <li>Demonstrated that miRNA 34a regulates survival and function of luteal steroidogenic cells. </ul>

Publications

Publications Attachment:

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Impact Statements

Defining factors that regulate primordial follicle formation, recruitment of follicles into the growing population, and inhibition of follicular atresia have implications on female reproductive longevity.
Understanding how the follicular environment (e.g. androgens, zinc, obesity) impacts ovarian somatic cell function and oocyte maturation could improve oocyte quality and/or the selection of replacement animals with follicular environments conducive to good vs. poor oocyte quality.
Paraoxonase1 is a negative acute phase protein produced by the liver that has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Research data in dairy cows shows that paraoxonase1 is transferred to ovarian follicular fluid from blood and may act to protect oocytes from local metabolic/oxidative damage and, thereby, may enhance fertility during breeding.
Defining mechanisms regulating the folliculo-luteal transition will provide insight on normal luteal function as well as mechanisms associated with granulosa carcinomas.
Basic studies continue to increase our understanding of calcium signaling and immune function impact on luteal steroidogenesis, survival, and/or regression which can be used to improve synchronization protocols and pregnancy rates in ruminants.
Fertility in dairy cows may be compromised by high circulating insulin especially if this is combined with excessive LH during the final stages of follicle development.
Improved methods for increasing estradiol near AI can reduce pregnancy losses.
Knowledge of paternal impact on embryo development
Evaluation of approaches to enhance out-of-season breeding has generated new knowledge and increased income for cooperating producers.

Date of Annual Report: 07/15/2014

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/11/2014 - 06/13/2014
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2013 - 10/01/2014

Participants

Bridges, Phillip (pbrid2@email.uky.edu) Univ Kentucky; Butler, Ron (wrb2@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ;;Dailey, Robert (rdailey@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ;;Diaz, Francisco (fjd10@psu.edu) Penn St Univ;;Flores, Jorge (jflores@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ;;Fissore, Rafael (rfissore@vasci.umass.edu) Univ Massachusetts Amherst;;Fortune, Joanne (jf11@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ;;Giordano, Julio (jog25@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ;;Inskeep, Keith (einskeep@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ;;Keating, Aileen (akeating@iastate.edu) Iowa StUniv;;Memili, Erdogan (em149@ads.msstate.edu)Mississippi St Univ;;Milvae, Robert (robert.milvae@uconn.edu) Univ Connecticut;;Ott, Troy (tlo12@psu.edu) Penn St Univ;;Pate, Joy (jlp36@psu.edu) Penn St Univ;;Rhoads, Shelly (rhoadsm@vt.edu) Virginia Tech Univ;;Townson, Dave (dave.townson@unh.edu) Univ New Hampshire;;Tsang, Paul (paul.tsang@unh.edu) Univ New Hampshire;;Wiltbank, Milo (wiltbank@wisc.edu) Univ Wisconsin;;Wood, Jennifer (jwood5@unl.edu) Univ Nebraska Lincoln;;Yao, Jianbo (jianbo.yao@mail.wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ; Administrator: Thompson, Gary (gat10@psu.edu) Penn St Univ;

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

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Accomplishments

Objective 1: Identify intracellular signaling pathways and gene expression regulatory mechanisms within the ovary, embryo, or female reproductive tract that promote oocyte growth and maturation, fertilization, early embryonic development, and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy • Identified small RNAs that were differentially expressed in non-pregnant v. pregnant CL • Showed functional roles for the oocyte-specific RNAs KPNA7 and ZNFO in the bovine oocyte/embryo • Identified differences in calcium channel and carrier protein expression in developing vs. mature CL • Demonstrated differences in the ability of mural granulosa cells from fertile and infertile patients to respond to hCG • Showed that increased photoperiod in combination with melatonin treatment has breed-dependent effects on estrous response and pregnancy rate in fall born ewe-lambs. • Identified mRNAs and microRNAs that are differentially expressed in the epithelial cells of the oviduct when under an estradiol- versus progesterone-dominant steroidal environment. • Showed that plasma levels of the negative acute phase protein Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) were higher in pregnant vs. open cows but were similar in healthy vs. sick cows. • Established that dairy cows with Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) Alu1(-/-) SNP have higher dry matter intake which better meets milk production (NEL) requirements, and consequently they have less negative energy balance compared to the other genotypes (-/+ and +/+). This finding is important because early ovulation in postpartum dairy cows which is strongly associated with higher pregnancy rates during lactation is also associated with less negative energy balance (NEBAL). • Showed that estradiol and progesterone act independently to inhibit follicle formation and capacity of follicles to activate in fetal bovine ovaries. The effects of estradiol on fetal ovaries are mediated through one or both nuclear ERs. • The ER modulator tamoxifen also affects the morphological development of the prepubertal reproductive tract including the ovaries. • Heat stress and obesity alters ovarian PI3K and steroidogenic signaling. Obesity also leads to low level DNA damage, DNA damage repair response, alteration to ovarian gap junction proteins, and increased oocyte mRNAs. Obesity impacted folliculogenesis through primordial follicle activation and increased the ovotoxicant sensitivity of the ovary. It also led to increased progesterone and decreased estradiol in the serum just after ovulation. • Determined that increased dose of PGF in the Double-Ovsynch protocol increased CL regression and fertility in multiparous dairy cows. Determined that increased dose of GnRH in Double-Ovsynch increased ovulation but did not increase fertility. • Determined that acute feed restriction improved fertilization and embryo quality in cows that were superovulated using an FSH product with higher LH content. However, using an FSH product with higher LH content compared to a low LH product was inhibitory to fertilization and embryo quality in late lactation cows that were full fed. • Determined that deep-horn AI did not improve fertility in dairy cows that had been subjected to superovulation. However, subclinical endometritis decreased percentage of ova that were fertilized and tended to decrease embryo recovery. • Determined that BCS loss from calving until 21 d postpartum was related to fertility in lactating dairy cows. Further, cows that had the greatest postpartum loss of weight had a reduction in percentage of embryos that were good quality. • HPLC-MS/MS analysis of follicular fluid showed that DHEA, androstenedione, testosterone, estrogen and estrone were increased in a sub-population of cows. High steroid cows had a decreased calving rate as heifers (~13%) and tend to leave the herd at a 2:1 ratio. Microarray analyses and candidate gene approaches suggest novel mechanisms differentially regulating steroid synthesis in high steroid cows. Objective 2: Identify inter-cellular interactions between somatic cells of the ovary, somatic cells and germ cells, or somatic cells and the embryo that promote follicular growth, oocyte maturation, early embryonic development, and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. • Showed that zinc deficiency only during oocyte growth and maturation impairs embryonic development, placental development, and increases the incidence of neural tube defects • In vitro maturation of cumulus-oocyte complexes in 75% follicular fluid is optimal for cumulus cell expansion, but does not improve blastocyst rate following in vitro fertilization. • Several methods and in vitro systems were developed including serum free bovine monocyte cultures, a serum-free bovine granulosa cell culture system, and immunohistochemical methods for examination of adhesion molecule expression and leukocyte accumulation within the bovine corpus luteum. • Maternal recognition of pregnancy induces changes in expression of specific miRNA in the CL. Target prediction analysis indicates that the differentially expressed miRNA are potential regulators of two pathways important to luteolysis/luteal rescue, namely apoptosis and immune response mechanisms. • Demonstrated that freshly isolated CD45+ cells isolated from regressing CL contain a greater concentration of iNOS mRNA and lesser concentration of CD163 mRNA than midcycle CL suggesting a shift in macrophage phenotype to M1. Macrophages derived from midcycle and regressing CL exhibited differential gene expression, but macrophage phenotype could not be clearly discerned in cultured cells. • Established that during early pregnancy in cattle, embryonic signals, including IFN tau, may promote development of tolerogenic macrophages and dendritic cells as well as changes in gene expression and altered cytokine secretion in the endometrium which may be required for successful establishment of pregnancy. • Found that CCN1 mRNA expression in bovine granulosa cells is rapidly induced by serum provides insight about the cellular pathways that regulate the angiogenic process associated with the follicular-luteal transition in the ovary. • Correlations between early pregnancy losses and ovarian dynamics were measured in dairy cows. Based on partial data we observed: (1) cows that underwent pregnancy loss were less likely to undergo complete luteal regression, had delayed luteal regression, and had extended inter ovulatory intervals, (2) differences in inter ovulatory intervals were due to delayed luteal regression rather than alterations in follicular wave dynamics , and (3) longer inter ovulatory intervals for open than cyclic cows may have been caused by undetected EM. Plans for Next Reporting Period: • Studies that define molecular mechanisms regulating follicular, oocyte, CL, and/or reproductive tract physiological function will be carried out. The outcome of these studies will potentially be used to improve the manipulation of the estrous cycle and improve AI, conception, and pregnancy rates • In vivo studies to improve AI protocols as well as test the effect of diet supplementation, determine the effects of mastitis, heat stress, and body condition, and document the implications of pregnancy losses on reproduction efficiency and culling dynamics of the herd will be undertaken. • Continue the collaborative project assessing the incidence of the GHR AluI (-/-) SNP in dairy cows and the implications of this SNP on negative energy balance and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows.

Publications

Peer Reviewed Research Articles Matthews, J.C., Z. Zhang, J.D. Patterson, P.J. Bridges, A.J. Stromberg and J.A. Boling. 2014. Hepatic transcriptome profiles differ among maturing beef heifers supplemented with inorganic, organic, or mixed (50% Inorganic:50% Organic) forms of dietary selenium. Biological Trace Element Research. Accepted. Schneider, A., V. Absalon-Medina, G. Esposito, M. N. Corrêa, and W. R. Butler. Paraoxonase (PON) 1, 2 and 3 expression in granulosa cells and PON1 activity in follicular fluid of dairy cows. Reprod.Dom.Anim. 48:989-994, 2013. Schneider, A., M. N. Corrêa, and W. R. Butler. Association between growth hormone receptor AluI polymorphism and fertility of Holstein cows. Theriogenology 80:1061-1066, 2013. Esposito, G.,V. A. Absalón Medina, A. Schneider, R. O. Gilbert, and W. R. Butler. Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the metabolism and reproduction of dairy cows. South African Journal of Animal Science 43 (Supplement 1):S33-S37, 2013. Tripurani SK, Wee G, Lee KB, Smith GW, Wang L and Yao J. 2013. MicroRNA-212 post-transcriptionally regulates oocyte-specific basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor, factor in the germline alpha (FIGLA), during bovine early embryogenesis. PLoS ONE 8(9): e76114. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0076114. Holler,Tammy L., Matthew Dean, Todd Taylor, Daniel H. Poole, M. L. Thonney, D. L. Thomas, J. L. Pate, N. Whitley, R. A. Dailey, and E. K. Inskeep. 2014. Effects of service sire on prenatal mortality and prolificacy in ewes. J ANIM SCI jas.2013-7489; published ahead of print April 28, 2014, doi:10.2527/jas.2013-7489. Wright, M. F., E. Bowdridge, E. L. McDermott, S. Richardson, J. Scheidler, E. K. Inskeep and J. A. Flores. 2014. Mechanisms of intracellular calcium homeostasis in the developing and mature bovine corpora lutea. Biol. Reprod. 90:1-12. Tian X, Anthony K, Neuberger T and Diaz FJ. 2014. Preconception zinc deficiency disrupts postimplantation fetal and placental development. Biology of Reproduction 90(4)83, 1-12. Poole, DH, Ndiaye, K, Pate, JL. 2013. Expression and regulation of secreted phosphoprotein 1 in the bovine corpus luteum and effects on T lymphocyte chemotaxis. Reproduction 146, 527-537 Oh, J, Hristov, AN, Lee, C, Cassidy, T, Heyler, K, Varga, GA, Pate, J, Walusimbi, S, Brzezicka, E, Toyokawa, K, Werner, J, Donkin, SS, Elias, R, Dowd, S, Bravo, D. 2013. Immune and production responses of dairy cows to postruminal supplementation with phytonutrients. J Dairy Sci 96, 7830-7843 Walusimbi SS, Pate JL. 2014. Luteal cells from functional and regressing corpora lutea differentially alter the function of gamma-delta T cells. Biol. Reprod. (in press) Ribeiro ES, Bruno RG, Farias AM, Hernández-Rivera JA, Gomes GC, Surjus R, Becker LF, Birt A, Ott TL, Branen JR, Sasser RG, Keisler DH, Thatcher WW, Bilby TR, Santos JE. 2014. Low doses of bovine somatotropin enhance conceptus development and fertility in lactating dairy cows. Biol. Reprod. 90(1):10. Nteeba, J., Perfield, J.W., Ross, J.W., Keating, A.F. 2013. High fat diet induced obesity alters ovarian phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase signaling gene expression. Reproductive Toxicology 42: 68-77. Nteeba, J., Ortinau L.C., Perfield, J.W. II, Keating, A.F. 2013. Diet-induced obesity alters immune cell infiltration and expression of inflammatory cytokine genes in mouse ovarian and peri-ovarian adipose depot tissues. Molecular Reproduction and Development. 80(11):948-58. Ganesan, S., Bhattacharya, P., Keating, A.F. 2013. 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exposure induces the DNA repair response in neonatal rat ovaries. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.272: 690-69. ISU Toxicology Program Patricia A. Murphy High Impact Publication Award. Mani, V., Harris, A.J., Keating, A.F., Weber, T.E. Dekkers, J.C.M., and Gabler. N.K. 2013. Intestinal integrity, endotoxin transport and detoxification in pigs divergently selected for residual feed intake. Journal of Animal Science. 91(5):2141-50. Bhattacharya, P., Madden, J.A., Sen, N., Hoyer, P.B., and Keating, A.F. 2013. Glutathione S-transferase class mu regulation of apoptosis signal-related kinase 1 protein during VCD-induced ovotoxicity in neonatal rat ovaries. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 267(1):49-56. Deaver, S.E., A.M. Felix and M.L. Rhoads. 2014. Conception rates of lactating dairy cattle following intrauterine administration of a prostaglandin F2? receptor antagonist four days after insemination. Theriogenology. (submitted). Field, M.E., S.E. Deaver, R.P. Rhoads, R.J. Collier and M.L. Rhoads. 2013. Effects of prolonged nutrient restriction on baseline and periprandial plasma ghrelin concentrations of postpubertal Holstein heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 96(10):6473-6479. Penrod, L.V., R.E. Allen, M.L. Rhoads, S.W. Limesand and M.J. Arns. 2013. Oxytocin stimulated release of PGF2? and its inhibition by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor and an oxytocin receptor antagonist from equine endometrial cultures. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 139(1-4):69-75. Deaver, S.E., P.B. Hoyer, S.M. Dial, M.F. Field, R.J. Collier and M.L. Rhoads. 2013. Localization of ghrelin and its receptor in the reproductive tract of Holstein heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 96(1):150-157. Foradori MJ, Chen Q, Fernandez CA, Harper J, Li X, Tsang PCW, Langer R, Moses MA (2014) Matrilin-1 is an inhibitor of angiogenesis. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 289:14301-14309. PMID: 24692560 Pereira ABD, Brito AF, Townson LL, Towson DH (2013) Assessing the research and education needs of the organic dairy industry in the northeastern United States. J. Dairy Sci. 96:7340-7348. PMID: 24054299 Bender RW, Hackbart KS, Dresch AR, Carvalho PD, Vieira LM, Crump PM, Guenther JN, Fricke PM, Shaver RD, Combs DK, Wiltbank MC. 2014. Effects of acute feed restriction combined with targeted use of increasing luteinizing hormone content of follicle-stimulating hormone preparations on ovarian superstimulation, fertilization, and embryo quality in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97:764-778. Ferraretto LF, Gencoglu H, Hackbart KS, Nascimento AB, Dalla Costa F, Bender RW, Guenther JN, Shaver RD, Wiltbank MC. 2014. Effect of feed restriction on reproductive and metabolic hormones in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97:754-763. Nascimento AB, Souza AH, Keskin A, Sartori R, Wiltbank MC. 2014. Lack of complete regression of the Day 5 corpus luteum after one or two doses of PGF?? in nonlactating Holstein cows. Theriogenology 81:389-395. Pereira MHC, Rodriguez ADP, De Carvalho RJ, Wiltbank MC, Vasconcelos JLM. 2014. Increasing length of an estradiol and progesterone timed artificial insemination protocol decreases pregnancy losses in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97:1-11. Carvalho PD, Souza AH, Amundson MC, Hackbart KS, Fuenzalida MJ, Herlihy MM, Ayres H, Dresch AR, Vieira LM, Guenther JG, Grummer RR, Fricke PM, Shaver RD, Wiltbank MC. Relationships between fertility and postpartum changes in body condition and body weight in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 2014; 97:1-18. Surjus RS, Prata AB, Borsato M, Mattos FCSZ, Martins da Silveira MC, Mourao GB, Pires AV, Wiltbank MC, Sartori R. In vivo embryo production in cows superovulated 1 or 2 days after ovum pick-up. Reproduction Fertility and Development 2014; 26:527-532. Ayres, H., R. M. Ferreira, A. P. Cunha, R. R. Araujo, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Double-Ovsynch in high-producing dairy cows: Effects on progesterone concentrations and ovulation to GnRH treatments. Theriogenology 79:159-164. Carvalho, P. D., A. H. Souza, R. Sartori, K. S. Hackbart, A. R. Dresch, L. M. Vieira, P. S. Baruselli, J. N. Guenther, P. M. Fricke, R. D. Shaver, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Effects of deep-horn AI on fertilization and embryo production in superovulated cows and heifers. Theriogenology 80:1074-1081. Diaz, F. J., W. Luo, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Prostaglandin F2alpha regulation of mRNA for activating protein 1 transcriptional factors in porcine corpora lutea (CL): lack of induction of JUN and JUND in CL without luteolytic capacity. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 44:98-108. Giordano, J. O., M. C. Wiltbank, P. M. Fricke, S. Bas, R. A. Pawlisch, J. N. Guenther, and A. B. Nascimento. 2013. Effect of increasing GnRH and PGF?? during Double-Ovsynch on ovulatory response, luteal regression, and fertility of lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 80:773-783.. Hackbart, K. S., P. M. Cunha, R. K. Meyer, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Effect of Glucocorticoid-Induced Insulin Resistance on Follicle Development and Ovulation. Biology of Reproduction 88(6):1-12. Lopes, G., Jr., J. O. Giordano, A. Valenza, M. M. Herlihy, J. N. Guenther, M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2013. Effect of timing of initiation of resynchronization and presynchronization with gonadotropin-releasing hormone on fertility of resynchronized inseminations in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 96(6):3788-3798. Nascimento AB, Souza AH, Sartori R, Wiltbank MC. 2013. Progesterone production and metabolism and its role before, during, and after artificial insemination influencing the fertility of high producing dairy cows. Acta Scientiae Veterinariea 41:1-14 Nascimento, A. B., A. H. Souza, J. N. Guenther, F. P. D. Costa, R. Sartori, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Effects of treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin or intravaginal progesterone-releasing device after AI on circulating progesterone concentrations in lactating dairy cows. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 25:818-824. Nascimento, A. B., R. W. Bender, A. H. Souza, H. Ayres, R. R. Araujo, J. N. Guenther, R. Sartori, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin on day 5 after timed artificial insemination on fertility of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 96(5):2873-2882. Penagaricano, F., A. H. Souza, P. D. Carvahlo, A. M. Driver, G. Rocio, K. S. Hackbart, D. Luchini, R. D. Shaver, M. C. Wiltbank, and H. Khatib. 2013. Effect of maternal methionine supplementation on the transcriptome of bovine preimplantation embryos. PLoS ONE 8:e72302. Pereira, M. H. C., A. D. P. Rodrigues, T. Martins, W. V. C. Oliveira, P. S. A. Silveira, M. C. Wiltbank, and J. L. M. Vasconcelos. 2013. Timed artificial insemination programs during the summer in lactating dairy cows: Comparison of the 5-d Cosynch protocol with an estrogen/progesterone-based protocol. Journal of Dairy Science 96:6904-6914. Pereira, M. H. C., C. P. Sanches, T. G. Guida, A. D. R. Rodrigues, F. L. Aragon, M. B. Veras, P. T. Borges, M. C. Wiltbank, and J. L. M. Vasconcelos. 2013. Timing of prostaglandin F-2 alpha treatment in an estrogen-based protocol for timed artificial insemination or timed embryo transfer in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 96:2837-2846. Piccinato, C. A., G. J. M. Rosa, A. U. N'Jai, C. R. Jefcoate, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Estradiol and Progesterone Exhibit Similar Patterns of Hepatic Gene Expression Regulation in the Bovine Model. PLoS ONE 8:e73552. Vasconcelos, J. L. M., M. H. C. Pereira, M. Meneghetti, C. C. Dias, O. G. SaFilho, R. F. G. Peres, A. D. P. Rodrigues, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Relationships between growth of the preovulatory follicle and gestation success in lactating dairy cows. Animal Reproduction 10:206-214. Pohlmeier WE, Xie F, Kurz SG, Lu N, and Wood JR (2014) Progressive obesity alters the steroidogenic response to ovulatory stimulation and increases the abundance of RNAs stored in the ovulated oocyte, Mol Reprod Dev (in press), PMID:24824196 McFee RM, Artac RA, Summers AF, Pohlmeier WE, Brauer VM, Kurz SG, Cushman RA, Wood JR, and Cupp AS (2014). Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A isoform expression differs prior to and after the LH surge and the ratio of these isoforms may be a marker of follicle health. Reprod (under revision) Summers AF, Pohlmeier WE, Brauer VM, Sargent KM, Kurz SG, McFee RM, Cushman RA, Cupp AS, and Wood JR (2014). Altered theca gene expression and ovarian follicular development in cows with follicular fluid androgen excess PLOS One (under revision) Baier SR, Nguyen C, Xie F, Wood JR, and Zempleni J (2014) MicroRNA from cow’s milk are bioavailable and affect gene expression in humans J Nutr (under revision) Book Chapters and Review Articles Goodman, R. L. and E. K. Inskeep. 2014. Control of the Ovarian Cycle of the Sheep. Chapter 28 in Knobil and Neill’s Physiology of Reproduction. Edited by Tony Plant and Tony Zeleznik, 47 pages (In Press). Matthews, J.C. and P.J. Bridges. 2014. NutriPhysioGenomics: What do they tell us about adaptation of cattle to nutritional, physiological and health challenges? Animal Production Science. Submitted Fortune, J.E., M.Y. Yang, J.J. Allen, and S.L. Herrick, 2013. The ovarian follicular reserve in cattle: What regulates its formation and size? J. Anim. Sci. 91:3041-3050. Wiltbank, MC and Pursley JR. 2014. The cow as an induced ovulator: Timed AI after synchronization of ovulation. Theriogenology 81:170-185 Wiltbank MC, Souza AH, Carvahlo PA, Cunha AP, Giordano JO, Fricke PM, Baez GM, Diskin MG. Physiological and practical effects of progesterone on reproduction in dairy cattle. Animal 2014; 8:s1:70-81. Haughian, J. M., O. J. Ginther, F. J. Diaz, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, estradiol, and inhibin regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone surges: implications for follicle emergence and selection in heifers. Biology of Reproduction 88(6):165-177. Hristov AN, Ott TL, Tricarico J, Rotz A, Waghorn G, Adesogan A, Dijkstra J, Montes F, Oh J, Kebreab E, Oosting SJ, Gerber PJ, Henderson B, Makkar HP, Firkins JL. 2013. Special topics--Mitigation of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from animal operations: III. A review of animal management mitigation options. J Anim. Sci. 2013 91(11): 5095-113. Gerber PJ, Hristov AN, Henderson B, Makkar H, Oh J, Lee C, Meinen R, Montes F, Ott TL, Firkins J, Rotz A, Dell C, Adesogan AT, Yang WZ, Tricarico JM, Kebreab E, Waghorn G, Dijkstra J, Oosting S. 2013. Technical options for the mitigation of direct methane and nitrous oxide emissions from livestock: a review. Animal. Suppl 2:220-34. Matthews, J.C. and P.J. Bridges. 2014. NutriPhysioGenomics: What do they tell us about adaptation of cattle to nutritional, physiological and health challenges? Animal Production Science. Accepted. Conference Papers and Abstracts/Presentations Garbacik, S., J.C. Matthews, K. Cerny and P.J. Bridges. 2013. Gestational form of supplemental selenium (Se) affects gene expression in the newborn calf testis. I. Steroidogenesis. Journal of Animal Science. Abstract W370. Skees, C., P.J. Bridges, J. Patterson and J.C. Matthews. 2013. Gestational form of supplemental selenium (Se) affects gene expression in the newborn calf testis. II. Spermatogenesis. Journal of Animal Science. Abstract T333 Butler, W.R. Metabolic and reproductive interactions in dry and transition dairy cows. Proceedings “InCalf Reproduction Symposium 2013”, Melbourne Australia, pp 12-15. Butler, W.R. Nutritional regulation of reproduction and fertility in dairy cattle. Proceedings “InCalf Reproduction Symposium 2013”, Melbourne Australia, pp 35-39. Wang L, Smith GW and Yao J. MicroRNA-1296 Regulates bovine oocyte-specific Karyrophrin alpha 7 expression during maternal-zygotic transition. 46th Annual Meeting Society for the Study of Reproduction, Montréal, Québec, Canada. July 22 – 26, 2013. Hand J, Wang L, Smith GW and Yao J. Identification of a novel oocyte-specific KRAB (Kruppel-associated box)-containing zinc finger protein in cattle. 46th Annual Meeting Society for the Study of Reproduction, Montréal, Québec, Canada. July 22 – 26, 2013. Wang, L. Smith GW and Yao, J. Analysis of DNA methylation at the TSS region of KPNA7 gene during bovine early embryonic development. Plant and Animal Genome XXI Conference, San Diego, CA January 12-16, 2013. Inskeep, E. K. and R. L. Goodman. 2013. Factors that affect prolificacy in sheep. Proceedings, Western Section, Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 64:19-23. Sun T and Diaz FJ. (2013). The effect of Lats1 mutation and SMAD signaling inhibitors on germ cell number and/or YAP/TAZ phosphorylation in mouse ovaries or granulosa cells. Proceedings of the 46th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Montreal, Canada., Abstract #903, p. 400. Tian X and Diaz FJ. (2013). Preconception zinc deficiency causes postimplantation embryonic loss. Proceedings of the 46th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Montreal, Canada, Abstract #105, p.68. Maalouf, S, Pate, JL. 2013. MicroRNA34a regulates survival and function of luteal steroidogenic cells. Biol. Reprod. 89(Suppl. 1):135 Walusimbi, SS, Pate, JL, Poole, DH, Ott, TL. 2013. Does pregnancy induce a tolerogenic environment in the bovine corpus Luteum? Biol. Reprod. 89(Suppl 1):132 Oh, J., A. N. Hristov, J. Pate, S. Walusimbi, and D. Bravo. 2013. Effect of capsicum oleoresin on proliferation of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells and intracellular cytokines production in vitro J. Dairy Sci. 96(Suppl. 1):592. S Vasudevan, MM Kamat, JL Pate, TL Ott. 2014. Effects of early pregnancy on endometrial cytokines and other immune related genes in dairy heifers. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 71 (Suppl. 1): 86 MM Kamat, S Vasudevan, D Townson, JL Pate, TL Ott. 2014. Changes in myeloid lineage cells in the endometrium of dairy heifers during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 71 (Suppl. 1): 59 Mouttham, LL, JE Fortune, P. Comizzoli, 2013. Detrimental effects of cryoprotectant exposure can be naturally overcome in fetal bovine ovarian tissues. Biology of Reproduction, Supplement, Proc. of the 46th annual meeting of the Soc. for the Study of Reproduction, Abstract #56. Yang, MY, JE Fortune, 2013. BPA inhibits estradiol production, decreases aromatase mRNA and increases the incidence of multi-oocyte follicles in bovine fetal ovaries in vitro. Biology of Reproduction, Supplement, Proc. of the 46th annual meeting of the Soc. for the Study of Reproduction, Abstract #124. Fortune, JE, LL Mouttham, 2013. Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) promotes activation of bovine primordial follicles in vitro. Biology of Reproduction, Supplement, Proc. of the 46th annual meeting of the Soc. for the Study of Reproduction, Abstract #553. Graves, K.L., Mordhorst, B., Oldfather, N., Wright, E.C., Hale, B., Boddicker, R.L., Keating, A.F., Ross J.W. 2013 Identification of measures predictive of puberty onset. 46th Annual Meeting Society for the Study of Reproduction, Montreal, Quebec July 22-25. Ganesan, S., Nteeba, J., Keating, A.F. 2013. Obesity alters the DNA repair response following chronic exposure to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in mouse ovaries. Society for the Study of Reproduction annual meeting. Platform presentation. Madden, J.A., Keating, A.F. 2013. Glutathione depletion rescues phosphoramide mustard-induced follicle loss in rat ovaries. Society for the Study of Reproduction annual meeting. Nteeba, J., Ganesan, S., Gray, B., and Keating, A.F. 2013. Effect of obesity on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced ovotoxicity in mice. Society for the Study of Reproduction annual meeting. Jenkins, J.D., Gabler, N.K., Keating, A.F., Millman, S.T., Siegford, J.M., Johnson, A.K. 2013. Barrow approachability to a human when selected for feed efficiency. American Society of Animal Science annual meeting. Madden, J.A., and Keating, A.F. 2013. Chloroethylaziridine: an ovotoxic metabolite of cyclophosphamide? Society of Toxicology annual meeting. Ganesan, S., and Keating, A.F. 2013. Role of connexin proteins during the ovarian response to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exposure in rat ovaries. Society of Toxicology annual meeting. Wood, A.Y.*, H.L.M. Tucker, V.L. McCracken, S.E. Deaver, B.M. Brown, R.M. Akers and M.L. Rhoads. 2013. Tamoxifen treatment affects morphological characteristics and gene expression within the reproductive tract of prepubertal Holstein heifers. J. Dairy Sci. J. Dairy Sci. 96(suppl 1):635. Brown, B., J. Stallings and M. Rhoads*. 2013. Periconceptional heat stress of Holstein cows affects subsequent milk production and composition. J. Dairy Sci. 96(suppl 1):470-471. McCracken, V.L.*, G. Xie, S.E. Deaver, L.H. Baumgard, R.P. Rhoads and M.L. Rhoads. 2013. Effects of heat stress and insulin on hepatic progesterone catabolic enzymes cytochrome P450 2C and 3A in lactating cows. J. Dairy Sci. 96(suppl 1):597. Kohlhaas, K.S.*, J.L. Zambito, H.S. Spooner, R.C. Boston, M.L. Rhoads, J.W. Knight and R.K. Splan. 2013. Effects of oral resveratrol supplementation on insulin sensitivity and reproductive cyclicity in obese mares on pasture. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 33(5):370-371. McCracken, V.L.*, A.Y. Wood, A.L. Zezeski, J.G. Wiegert, D.W. Lugar, J.M. Scheffler, S.W. El-Kadi, A.D. Ealy and M.L. Rhoads. Porcine pre-pubertal reproductive tract development is altered by consumption of high fructose but not high fat diets. Biol. Reprod. (in press). Wood, A.Y., A.L. Zezeski*, V.L. McCracken, A.D. Ealy and M.L. Rhoads. Maturation of bovine cumulus oocyte complexes in media containing follicular fluid improves cumulus cell expansion without affecting the outcome of in vitro fertilization. M.L. Rhoads. 2014 Implementing strategies to reduce heat stress in dairy herds. Ceva Sante Animale ReprodAction Cattle Symposium Nice, France M.L. Rhoads. 2013 Metabolic adaptations to heat stress and the related implications for fertility of lactating dairy cattle. 6th Annual Conference of the Veterinary Research Division Cairo, Egypt Coticchia C, Miseirvitch J, Cummings C, Davis JS, Tsang PCW, Moses MA (2014) Regulation of cysteine rich 61-connective tissue growth factor-nephroblastoma overexpressed (CCN1) in granulosa cells. Accepted abstract for the 47th Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. Townson DH, Diaz FJ, Ocon-Grove OM, Johnson AL (2014) A practical in vitro approach for the investigation of bovine granulosa cells from small follicles. Accepted abstract for the 47th Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. Robert Wijma, Matias L Stangaferro, Josh R Branen, Jeremy M Howard and Julio O Giordano, Altered ovarian dynamics in lactating dairy cows undergoing embryonic mortality. Accepted Abstract for the Animal and Dairy Science American Association Annual Meeting, 2014. Giordano, J. O. Pregnancy losses and non-pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle. Dairy Health Management Certificate Program. (Attendants: ~50 veterinarians, 6 scientists, and 5 graduate students). Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. June 4th, 2014. Giordano, J. O. Reproductive physiology of dairy cattle update. Ohio Dairy Health and Management Certificate Program. (Attendants: ~10 veterinarians, 4 scientists, and 2 graduate students). College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University. May 1st, 2014. Giordano, J. O. Management strategies for a successful first and subsequent AI services in lactating dairy cows. Vetoquinol continuing education program for bovine practitioners. (Attendants: ~55 veterinarians, 2 industry scientists, and 10 industry professionals). New York City, NY. April 21st, 2014 Xie F, Pohlmeier WE, Lu N, Smith JE, McKnite AM, Ciobanu DC, and Wood JR (2013) Genetic background determines the effect of a high fat diet on body weight, ovulation rates, ovarian steroidogenesis, and mRNA abundance of maternal effect genes in ovulated MII-arrested oocytes. Society for the Study of Reproduction 46th Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Pohlmeier WE, Xie F, Lu N, Smith JE, Wood JR (2013) Progressive obesity alters the steroidogenic response to ovulatory stimulation and increases the abundance of RNAs stored in the MII-arrested oocyte. Society for the Study of Reproduction 46th Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Summers AF, Pohlmeier WE, Brauer VM, Sargent KM, McFee RM, Cushman RA, Wood JR, and Cupp AS (2013) A bovine model for polycystic ovary syndrome. Society for the Study of Reproduction 46th Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada McFee RM, Kurz SG, Summers AF, Pohlmeier WE, Wood JR, Cushman RA, and Cupp AS (2013) Granulosa cells activate different signal transduction pathways dependent on follicle health status and ability to convert androstenedione to estrogen resulting in different steroidogenic profiles for beef cattle follicles. Society for the Study of Reproduction 46th Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Extension Reports AF Summers, WE Pohlmeier, VM Brauer, KM Sargent, RM McFee, SG Kurz, RA Cushman, JR Wood, AS Cupp. Androgen Excess in Beef Cows Results in Altered Theca Cell Gene Expression and Fertility. Nebraska Beef Report 2014. RM McFee, R A Artac, AF Summers, WE Pohlmeier, VM Brauer, SG Kurz, RA Cushman, JR Wood, AS Cupp. Follicular vascular endothelial growth factor A expression before and after the LH surge. Nebraska Beef Report 2014. Theses/Dissertations Garbacik, Stefani R., "Gestational Form of Supplemental Selenium (Se) Affects Steroidogenic Gene Expression in the Newborn Calf Testis" (2014). Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences. Paper 34. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/animalsci_etds/34 Deacon, Matthew L. 2013. The Effects of Artificial Photoperiod on Age at Puberty in Fall-born Ewe Lambs. MS Thesis West Virginia University, Morgantown WV. 46 pages. The Role of Zinc in Ovarian Function. Dissertation in Animal Science by Xi Tian. The Pennsylvania State University. 2013 In addition to Hatch Multistate Funds, these studies were supported by: National Institute of Health research grants HD074831 and HD057283 to FJD. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2012-67015-30212 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to JLP. C. Lee Rumberger and Family Chair in Agricultural Science funds to JLP Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2013-67015-2096 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to JRW/ASC National Pork Board, Virginia Horse Industry Board, and John Lee Pratt Animal Nutrition Program funds to MLR

Impact Statements

Increased understanding of how the pool of resting follicles is formed and of the signals that allow or inhibit activation and subsequent growth is of potential practical importance because the size of the ?follicular reserve? has been linked to fertility in cattle.
Defining links between alterations in central metabolism during obesity and heat stress and negative impacts on ovarian function and oocyte quality will produce biological targets to ameliorate negative reproductive outcomes. Likewise understanding how environmental effects (e.g. zinc deficiency) during oocyte development negatively affect embryo/fetal and placental development will allow for therapies to better reverse these poor outcomes.
Provide indications of how external factors affect the development of the prepubertal reproductive tract as well as highlight the importance of the content of the follicular fluid on the maturation of the cumulus-oocyte complexes.
Greater understanding of gene expression and mRNA stability during folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, and early embryogenesis will enable solutions to reverse early embryonic loss that continues to limit reproductive success.
Basic studies continue to increase our information on regulation of luteal function and maintenance during the estrous cycle in ruminants, specifically in regard to actions on calcium flux and signaling and miRNA modulation of immune response at maternal recognition of pregnancy.
Implementing different post-implantation hormonal treatments based on specific infertility cause could lead to increased pregnancy rates while keeping the number of multiple gestations low.
By understanding the effect of ovarian steroids on oviductal epithelial cell function, breeding protocols can be designed to maximize the ability of the oviduct to facilitate fertilization and early embryonic development.
In dairy cows paraoxonase1 is transferred to ovarian follicular fluid from blood and becomes available to protect oocytes from local metabolic/oxidative damage and could thereby enhance fertility during breeding.
The presence of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) AluI(-/-) allele in Holstein cows is associated with increased serum IGF-I concentrations and a shorter calving to conception interval during lactation ie. higher fertility.
By acquiring new fundamental knowledge of how the building of the blood vessel network is regulated in the follicle and the corpus luteum, how signal transduction mechanism influence granulosa cell fate, and how immune cell accumulation within the corpus luteum affects luteal function, these efforts will lead to more effective/targeted strategies to lower infertility rate and increase income to dairy producers.
Cows that undergo pregnancy loss present delayed luteal regression and extended inter ovulatory intervals which delays time to re-insemination and impairs subsequent reproductive performance.
The development of a bovine monocyte culture system can be used to produce in vitro differentiated macrophages and provide the information needed to classify bovine macrophages as M1 or M2 and better understand the role of immune cells on establishment of pregnancy.

Date of Annual Report: 07/07/2015

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/18/2015 - 05/20/2015
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2014 - 10/01/2015

Participants

Bridges, Phillip (pbrid2@email.uky.edu) Univ Kentucky;
Butler, Ron (wrb2@cornell.edu) Cornell University;
Dailey, Robert (rdailey@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ;
Flores, Jorge (jflores@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ;
Fissore, Rafael (rfissore@vasci.umass.edu) Univ Massachusetts Amherst;
Fortune, Joanne (jf11@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ;
Giordano, Julio (jog25@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ;
Inskeep, Keith (einskeep@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ;
Keating, Aileen (akeating@iastate.edu) Iowa St Univ;
Memili, Erdogan (em149@ads.msstate.edu) Mississippi St Univ;
Ott, Troy (tlo12@psu.edu) Penn St Univ;
Pate, Joy (jlp36@psu.edu) Penn St Univ;
Rhoads, Shelly (rhoadsm@vt.edu) Virginia Tech univ;
Quirk, Susan (smq1@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ;
Townson, Dave (dave.townson@unh.edu) Univ New Hampshire;
Tsang, Paul (paul.tsang@unh.edu) Univ New Hampshire;
Wiltbank, Milo (wiltbank@wisc.edu) Univ Wisconsin;
Wood, Jennifer (jwood5@unl.edu) Univ Nebraska;
Yao, Jianbo (jianbo.yao@mail.wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ;
Administrator: Thompson, Gary (gat10@psu.edu) Penn St Univ;

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Generated information on micro RNAs and zinc finger proteins which expand our knowledge of regulation of oocyte maturation and early embryogenesis. Evaluated strategies that increase the proportion of cows inseminated in estrus (important to numerous farms) or via timed artificial insemination (TAI) with the finding that it is imperative that a TAI protocol is included immediately after completion of the period intended to inseminate cows in estrus. Identified the impact that thermal stress has on ovarian signaling, resulting in a mechanistic map being developed, upon which strategies to ameliorate seasonal infertility can be based. Germinal vesicle stage and mature bovine oocytes have been collected and an assay for quantification of sonic hedgehog messenger RNA designed. Discovered that the effects of estradiol on bovine follicle formation and capacity to activate are mediated through binding to a nuclear receptor, with evidence particularly strong for a role for ESR2. Activin A had effects on both early follicular development (stimulation of follicle formation and activation) and also on steroidogenesis by fetal bovine ovarian tissue, with effects on progesterone, but not estradiol, production. Determined that changes in microRNA expression in the corpus luteum may facilitate luteal rescue during maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP). The miRNA that change during MRP target pathways involved in apoptosis and immune response. Discovered that acute zinc depletion promotes progesterone accumulation in media from cumulus cells or luteal tissue cultured in vitro. Found that during early pregnancy in cattle, increased CD47 expression induces inhibitory signals known to bring about cell-cell adhesion and T cell inactivation. Determined that maturation of bovine cumulus oocyte complexes in media containing follicular fluid improves cumulus cell expansion without affecting the outcome of in vitro fertilization Transcriptomal analysis examining the effect of stage of the cycle on epithelial cell function, specifically within the ampulla and isthmus of the bovine oviduct has been completed. Established novel animal models of metabolic stress which have been used to generate changes in knowledge regarding the steroids which are produced by somatic cells of the ovary and changes in oocyte gene expression associated with reduced oocyte quality. Blood samples and phenotypic data on reproductive performance have been collected from lactating dairy cows at 3 stations (NY, PA, and NH), DNA was extracted and cows genotyped for an AluI polymorphism in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene. Determined the physiological responses to cows that were treated with the Double-Ovsynch timed AI protocol. Determined that increased dose of PGF in the Double-Ovsynch protocol increased CL regression and fertility in multiparous dairy cows. Determined that increased dose of GnRH in Double-Ovsynch increased ovulation but did not increase fertility. Determined the effect of acute feed restriction on metabolic and reproductive hormones. Determined that acute feed restriction improved fertilization and embryo quality in cows that had were superovulated using an FSH product with higher LH content. However, using an FSH product with higher LH content compared to a low LH product was inhibitory to fertilization and embryo quality in late lactation cows that were full fed. A practical in vitro approach for the investigation of bovine granulosa cells from small follicles has been developed. Discovered that physiological concentration of estradiol and FGF2 may be regulators of CCN1 expression in a granulosa cell line.

Publications

Peer-reviewed research articles: Wang, L., Yao, J. 2014. The microRNAs important for ovarian and early embryonic development in cattle. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. 38: 599-605. Gupta, P.S.P., Folger, J.K., Rajput, S., Lv, L., Yao, J., Ireland, J., Smith, G.W. 2014. Regulation and regulatory role of WNT signaling in potentiating FSH action during bovine dominant follicle selection. PLoS ONE 9(6): e100201. Holler, T.L., Dean, M., Taylor, T., Poole, D.H., Thonney, M.L., Thomas, D.L., Pate, J.L., Whitley, N., Dailey, R.A., Inskeep, E.K. 2014. Effects of service sire on prenatal mortality and prolificacy in ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 92:3108-3115. Ganesan, S., Keating, A.F. 2014. Phosphoramide mustard exposure induces DNA adduct formation and the DNA damage repair response in rat ovarian granulosa cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 282(3):252-25. Ganesan, S., Nteeba, J., Keating, A.F. 2014. Enhanced susceptibility of ovaries from obese mice to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced DNA damage. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 281(2):203-210. Nteeba, J., Ganesan, S., Keating, A.F. 2014. Progressive obesity alters ovarian folliculogenesis with impacts on pro-inflammatory and steroidogenic signaling. Biol Reprod. 91(4):86. Madden, J.A., Keating, A.F. 2014. Ovarian xenobiotic biotransformation enzymes are altered during phosphoramide mustard-induced ovotoxicity. Toxicol Sci. 141(2):441-52. Baumgard, L.H., Keating, A.F., Ross, J.W., Rhoads, R.P. 2015. Effects of heat stress on the immune system, metabolism and nutrient partitioning: implications on reproductive success. Rev. Brazil Reprod. Anim. 39: 173-183. Maalouf, S.W., Liu, W.S., Albert, I., Pate, J.L. 2014. Regulating life or death: Potential role of microRNA in rescue of the corpus luteum. Mol Cell Endocrinol 398:78-88. Walusimbi, S.S., Pate, J.L. 2014. Luteal cells from functional and regressing corpora lutea differentially alter the function of gamma-delta T cells. Biol. Reprod. 90(6):140, 1-10. Ott, T.L., Kamat, M.M., Vasudevan, S., Townson, D.H., Pate, J.L. 2014. Maternal immune responses to conceptus signals during early pregnancy in ruminants. Anim. Reprod. 11(3): 237-245. Ott, T.L., Dechow, C., O’Connor, M.L. 2014. Advances in reproductive management: pregnancy diagnosis in ruminants. Anim. Reprod. 11(3): 207-216. Matthews, J.C., Zhang, Z., Patterson, J.D., Bridges, P.J., Stromberg, A.J., Boling, J.A. 2014. Hepatic transcriptome profiles differ among maturing beef heifers supplemented with inorganic, organic, or mixed (50% Inorganic:50% Organic) forms of dietary selenium. Biological Trace Element Research. 160:321-329. Matthews, J.C., Bridges, P.J. 2014. NutriPhysioGenomics applications to identify adaptations of cattle to consumption of ergot alkaloids and inorganic versus organic forms of selenium: altered nutritional, physiological and health states? Animal Production Science. 54:1594-1604. Pohlmeier, W.E., Xie, F., Kurz, S.G., Lu, N., Wood, J.R. 2014. Progressive obesity alters the steroidogenic response to ovulatory stimulation and increases the abundance of RNAs stored in the ovulated oocyte, Mol Reprod Dev 81(8): 735-747. Baier, S.R., Nguyen, C., Xie, F., Wood, J.R., Zempleni, J. 2014. MicroRNAs are absorbed in biologically meaningful amounts from nutritionally relevant doses of cow milk and affect gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, HEK-293 kidney cell cultures, and mouse livers J Nutr 144(10): 1495-1500. Summers, A.F., Pohlmeier, W.E., Brauer, V.M., Sargent, K.M., Kurz, S.G., McFee, R.M., Cushman, R.A., Cupp, A.S., Wood, J.R. 2014. Altered theca gene expression and ovarian follicular development in cows with follicular fluid androgen excess PLoS ONE 9(10) e110683. Vieira-Neto, A., Gilbert, R.O., Butler, W.R., Santos, J.E.P., Ribeiro, E.S., Vercouteren, M.M., Bruno, R.G., Bittar, J.H.J., Galvao, K.N.. Individual and combined effects of anovulation and cytological endometritis on the reproductive performance of dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 97:5415-5425, 2014. Bender, R.W., Hackbart, K.S., Dresch, A.R., Carvalho, P.D., Vieira, L.M., Crump, P.M., Guenther, J.N., Fricke, P.M., Shaver, R.D., Combs, D.K., Wiltbank, M.C. 2014. Effects of acute feed restriction combined with targeted use of increasing luteinizing hormone content of follicle-stimulating hormone preparations on ovarian superstimulation, fertilization, and embryo quality in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97:764-778. Ferraretto, L.F., Gencoglu, H., Hackbart, K.S., Nascimento, A.B., Dalla Costa, F., Bender, R.W., Guenther, J.N., Shaver, R.D., Wiltbank, M.C.. 2014. Effect of feed restriction on reproductive and metabolic hormones in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97:754-763. Nascimento, A.B., Souza, A.H., Keskin, A., Sartori, R., Wiltbank, M.C. 2014. Lack of complete regression of the Day 5 corpus luteum after one or two doses of PGF2? in nonlactating Holstein cows. Theriogenology 81:389-395. Pereira, M.H.C., Rodriguez, A.D.P., De Carvalho, R.J., Wiltbank, M.C., Vasconcelos, J.L.M. 2014. Increasing length of an estradiol and progesterone timed artificial insemination protocol decreases pregnancy losses in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97:1-11. Wiltbank, M.C., Pursley, J.R. 2014. The cow as an induced ovulator: Timed AI after synchronization of ovulation. Theriogenology 81:170-185. Carvalho, P.D., Souza, A.H., Amundson, M.C., Hackbart, K.S., Fuenzalida, M.J., Herlihy, M.M., Ayres, H., Dresch, A.R., Vieira, L.M., Guenther, J.G., Grummer, R.R., Fricke, P.M., Shaver, R.D., Wiltbank, M.C. 2014. Relationships between fertility and postpartum changes in body condition and body weight in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97:1-18. Wiltbank, M.C., Souza, A.H., Carvahlo, P.A., Cunha, A.P., Giordano, J.O., Fricke, P.M., Baez, G.M., Diskin, M.G. 2014. Physiological and practical effects of progesterone on reproduction in dairy cattle. Animal 8:70-81. Wiltbank, M.C., Garcia-Guerra, A., Carvalho, P.D., Hackbart, K.S., Bender, R.W., Souza, A.H., Toledo, M.Z., Baez, G.M., Surjus, R., Sartori, R. 2014. Effects of energy and protein nutrition in the dam on embryonic development. Animal Reproduction 11:168-182. Carvalho, P.D., Guenther, J.N., Fuenzalida, M.J., Amundson, M.C., Wiltbank, M.C., Fricke, P.M. 2014. Presynchronization using a modified Ovsynch protocol or a single gonadotropin-releasing hormone injection 7 d before an Ovsynch-56 protocol for submission of lactating dairy cows to first timed artificial insemination. Journal of Dairy Science 97:6305-6315. Book Chapters and Review Articles: Johnson, J.S., Abuajamieh, M., Sanz-Fernandez, M.V., Seibert, J.T., Stoakes, S.K., Nteeba, J., Keating, A.F., Ross, J.W., Rhoads, R.P., Baumgard, L.H. 2014. Thermal stress alters postabsorptive metabolism during pre- and postnatal development. Climate Change Impact on Livestock: Adaptation and Mitigation. Seijan, V. (ed.). Chapter 5, 61-79. Hoyer, P.B., Keating, A.F. 2014. Xenobiotic effects in the ovary: temporary versus permanent infertility. Drug Metabolism and Toxicology (Expert Opinion). 10(4):511-23. Conference papers and Abstracts: Rhoads, M.L. 2014. Implementing strategies to reduce heat stress in dairy herds. Proc. Reprod Action Cattle Symp. 4-8. Mouttham, L.L., Fortune, J.E., Comizzoli, P. 2014. Short- and long-term effects of cryoprotectant exposure and vitrification on follicular health and primordial follicle activation in vitro. Biology of Reproduction, Supplement, Proc. of the 47th annual meeting of the Soc. for the Study of Reproduction. Yang, MY, Cheong, S.H., Fortune, J.E. 2014. Bisphenol A inhibits estradiol production and alters abundance of mRNA for key steroidogenic enzymes and estrogen receptor in granulosa cells from bovine preovulatory follicles. Biology of Reproduction, Supplement, Proc. of the 47th annual meeting of the Soc. for the Study of Reproduction. Allen, J.J., Fortune, J.E. 2014. Formation and activation of follicles in fetal bovine ovarian cortex in vitro are inhibited by increasing endogenous estradiol and progesterone. Biology of Reproduction, Supplement, Proc. of the 47th annual meeting of the Soc. for the Study of Reproduction. Giordano, J.O. Estrus Detection Programs and Economics of Monitoring Systems. Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council Annual Meeting. Salt Lake city, Utah. November 12-13th, 2014. Wijma R., Stangaferro, M.L., Branen, J.R., Sasser, R.G., Giordano, J.O. 2014. Altered Ovarian Dynamics in Lactating Dairy Cows Undergoing Embryonic Mortality. Abstract in Press. J. Dairy Sci. Volume 97, E-Supplement 1. Giordano J.O., Watters, R.D., Wijma, R., Stangaferro, M.L. 2014. Reproductive Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows after Resynchronization with Ovsynch or a Program Aimed to Maximize Artificial Insemination in Estrus and Fertility of Timed Artificial Inseminations based on Ovarian Structures. J. Dairy Sci. Volume 97, E-Supplement 1. Giordano, J.O. Reproductive Management: Practical Strategies and Research Update. Northern New York Dairy Institute. Watertown, Lowville, and Chazy, New York. December 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2014. Giordano, J.O. Ohio Dairy Health and Management Certificate Program: Dairy Cattle Reproduction with Emphasis on Transition Cow Management in Confinement Systems. 1. Activity Monitors: Managing 1st and 2nd and Subsequent AI Services. College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. August 7th, 2014. Giordano, J.O. Reproductive Physiology Update. Summer Dairy Institute. College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University. Ithaca, New York. June 24th, 2014. Giordano, J.O. Dairy Health Management Certificate Program. 1. Reproductive Management I: Practical Strategies and Research Update, 2. Pregnancy Losses and Non-Pregnancy Diagnosis, 3. Reproductive Management II: Integrating Activity Monitoring into Reproductive Management Programs. Ontario College of Veterinary Medicine, Guelph Ontario. June 3rd to June 5th, 2014. Giordano, J.O. Dairy Day at Miner Institute. Evaluating Reproductive Management Strategies and their Profitability. Chazy, NY. December 3rd, 2013. Keating, A.F. 2014. Impact of insulin on ovarian function. J. Anim. Sci. Vol 92. E-Suppl. 2: 46. Sholar, J.F., Colpoys, J.D., Gabler, N.K., Keating, A.F., Millman, S.T., Siegford, J.M., Johnson, A.K. 2014. Gilt approachability to a human when selected for feed efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. Vol 92. E-Suppl. 2: 114. Colpoys, J.D., Abell, C.E., Gabler, N.K., Keating, A.F., Millman, S.T., Siegford, J.M., Johnson, A.K. 2014. Gilt behavioral responsiveness to a novel object when selected for feed efficiency. Johnson, J.S., Abuajamieh, M., Sanz Fernandez, M.V., Seibert, J.T., Stoakes, S.K., Keating, A.F., Ross, J.W., Selsby, J.T., Rhoads, R.P., Baumgard, L.H. 2014. The impact of in utero heat stress and nutrient restriction on progeny body composition. J. Anim. Sci. Vol 92. E-Suppl. 2: 583. Baumgard, L.H., Ross, J.W., Gabler, N.K., Lonergan, S.M., Keating, A.F., Selsby, J.T., Rhoads, R.P. 2014. Metabolic and health consequences of heat stress: Knowledge gaps and opportunities. J. Anim. Sci. Vol 92. E-Suppl. 2: 31. Nteeba, J., Ganesan, S., Keating, A.F. 2014. Progressive obesity alters the expression of ovarian NF-?B and steroidogenic pathway members in mice. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Grand Rapids, MI. Madden, J.A., Keating, A.F. 2014. Phosphoramide mustard-induced autophagy in the neonatal rat ovary. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Grand Rapids, MI. Ganesan, S., Nteeba, J., Keating, A.F. 2014. Impact of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exposure and obesity on ovarian connexin gap junction proteins in mice. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Grand Rapids, MI. Madden, J.A., Keating, A.F. 2014. Phosphoramide mustard-induced changes in glucose metabolism in the neonatal rat ovary. Society of Toxicology annual meeting. Ganesan, S., Keating, A.F. 2014. Phosphoramide mustard-induced DNA adduct formation and DNA damage repair response induction in rat ovarian granulosa cells. Society of Toxicology annual meeting. Nteeba, J., Keating, A.F. 2014. Temporal impact of obesity on expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in ovarian xenobiotic biotransformation. Society of Toxicology annual meeting. Maalouf, S., Liu, W-S., Albert, I., Pate, J. 2014. MicroRNA of the corpus luteum during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Society for the Study of Reproduction. Abstract 552. Steinberger L, Pate, J.L. 2014. Isolation and characterization of macrophages in the bovine corpus luteum. Amer J Reprod Immunol 71 (Suppl. 1):81 Branham, K., Waugh, S., Pate, J.L. 2014. In vitro differentiation of bovine macrophages. Amer J Reprod Immunol 71 (Suppl. 1):37. Oh, J., Walusimbi, S., Giallongo, F., Weeks, H., Frederick, T., Hristov, A.N., Pate, J.L., Elias, R.J., Tao, L., Wall, E. H. 2014. Effect of dietary supplementation of Capsicum extract on immune responses, blood cell counts, blood chemistry, and oxidative stress markers in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 97(E-Suppl. 1):103. Townson, D.H., Diaz, F.J., Ocon-Grove, O., Johnson, A.L. 2014. A practical in vitro approach for the investigation of bovine granulosa cells from small follicles. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Grand Rapids, MI. Sun, T. Diaz, F.J. 2014. The Effect of Oocytes and EGF on Hippo Signaling Pathway in Cumulus Cells During Ovulatory Transition in Mice. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Grand Rapids, MI. Zhao, Y., Ning, G., Diaz, F.J., Ocon-Grove, O.M., Liu, W.S. 2014. PRAMEY Is a Novel Male Germ Cell-Specific Protein Involved in Acrosome Biogenesis and the Block to Polyspermy during Fertilization in Cattle. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Grand Rapids, MI. McCracken, V.L.*, Wood, A.Y., Zezeski, A.L., Wiegert, J.G., Lugar, D.W., Scheffler, J.M., El-Kadi, S.W., Ealy, A.D., Rhoads, M.L. 2014. Porcine pre-pubertal reproductive tract development is altered by consumption of high fructose but not high fat diets. Biol. Reprod. Matthews, J.C., Bridges, P.J. 2014. NutriPhysioGenomics: What do they tell us about adaptation of cattle to nutritional, physiological and health challenges? Proceedings of the 2014 Joint International Symposium on the Nutrition of Herbivores/International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology. Coticchia, C., Miseirvitch, J., Cummings, C., Davis, J.S., Tsang, P.C.W., Moses, M.A. (2014). Regulation of cysteine rich 61-connective tissue growth factor-nephroblastoma overexpressed (CCN1) in granulosa cells. 47th Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction in Grand Rapids, MI. Fernandes, N., Jaskiewicz, N.M., Chu, F., Townson, D.H. (2014) Determining the functional role of keratin filament in apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway using LTQ Orbitrap MS/MS analysis. Journal for the American Society for Mass Spectrometry Annual Conference, 25(1): 142., Boston, MA. Xie, F., Timme, K., Rifer, J.L., Wood, J.R. (2014) Diet-induced obesity increases of Pou5f1 and Dppa3 in growing and mature oocytes are due to increased STAT3 signaling. 11th Annual Gilbert Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction, Kansas City, KS. Romereim, S., Summers, A.F., Pohlmeier, W.E., McFee, R., Spuri-Gomes, R., Kurz, S.G., Cushman, R.A., Davis, J.S., Wood, J.R., Cupp, A.S. (2014) Differential regulation of cell cycle and immune response networks in bovine granulosa cells with excess intrafollicular androstenedione. 11th Annual Gilbert Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction, Kansas City, KS. Carvalho, P.D., Lobos, N.E., Toledo, M.Z., Trevisol, E., Santos, V.G., Barletta, R.V., Baez, G.M., Garcia-Guerra, A., Guenther, J.N., Souza, A.H., Luchini, D., Fricke, P.M., Shaver, R.D., Wiltbank, M.C. 2014. Changes in plasma methionine concentrations after administration of two different doses of rumen protected methionine. Abstract # 1539. Lobos, N. E., Broderick, G. A., Carvalho, P. D., Luchini, D. N., Shaver, R. D., Souza, A. H., Wiltbank, M. C. 2014. Amino acid analysis in dairy cow plasma by chloroformate derivatization and gas chromatography. Abstract # 1546. Carvalho, P.D., Sousa, A.H., Amundson, M.C., Hackbart, K.S., Dresch, A.R., Vieira, L.M., Guenther, J.N., Grummer, R.R., Shaver, R.D., Fricke, P.M., Wiltbank, M.C. 2014. Relationship between fertility and postpartum changes in body condition and body weight in lactating dairy cows. Abstract # 337. Souza, A.H., Carvalho, P.D., Drake, C.M., Shaver, R.D.,Wiltbank, M.C. 2014. Ration composition in Wisconsin dairy herds: Factors affecting fertility. Abstract # 1851. ADSAP. Carvalho, D., Fuenzalida, M. J., Ricci, A., Luchterhand, M., Mulcahy, J.M., Barletta, R.V., Baez, G.M., Santos, V.G., Amundson, M.C., Guenther, J.N., Sousa, A.H., Wiltbank, M.C., Fricke, P.M. 2014. Modifications to Ovsynch improve fertility during resynchronization: Evaluation of presynchronization with GnRH 6 days before Ovsynch and addition of a second PGF treatment. Abstract # 524. Wiltbank, M.C., Hansen, P.J., Santos, J.E.P. 2014. How knowledge of bovine reproductive physiology and development of reproductive technologies will help to feed a growing world population. Abstract # 72. Baez, G.M., Barletta, R.V., Ricci, A., Trevisol, E., Garcia-Guerra, A., Carvalho, P.D., Guenther, J.N., Cardoso, B.O., Toledo, M.Z., Wiltbank, M.C. 2014. Treatment with GnRH 5d after Breeding Preferentially Produces an Accessory CL Contralateral to the Pregnancy and this CL Generally Regresses Prior to Day 75 of Pregnancy in Lactating Dairy Cows. Abstract # 206. Baez, G.M., Barletta, R.V., Cardoso, B.O., Trevisol, E., Wiltbank, M.C. 2014. Uterine size matters for fertility in lactating dairy cows. Abstract # A079. Selected as Second-Place Abstract in Practical Reproduction. Souza, A.H. ,Narciso, C.D., Batista, E.O.S., Carvalho, P.D., Wiltbank, M.C. 2014. Effect of uterine environment on embryo production and fertility in cows. Abstract # 159. Wiltbank, M.C., Garcia-Guerra, A., Carvalho, P.D., Hackbart, K.S., Bender, R.W., Souza, A.H., Toledo, M.Z., Baez, G.M., Surjus, R.S., Sartori, R. 2014. Effects of energy and protein nutrition in the dam on embryonic development. Abstract # 168. Wiltbank, M.C., Baez, G.M., Vasconcelos, J.L.M., Pereira, M., Souza, A.H., Sartori, R., Pursley, J.R. 2014. The physiology and impact on fertility of the period of proestrus in lactating dairy cows. Abstract # 225. Theses/Dissertations: Bowdridge, E.C. 2014. The role of adenosine monophosphate activated kinase in luteal progesterone production. Doctoral dissertation, West Virginia University. 95 pages. Graham, M.R. 2014. Effects of lipopolysaccharide induced inflammatory response on early embryo survival in ewes. M.S. Thesis, West Virginia University. 84 pages. Akers, K.A. 2014. Changes in body condition from prepartum to postpartum on health and reproduction in dairy cattle. M.S. Thesis, West Virginia University In addition to Hatch Multistate Funds, these studies were supported by: Global Food Security Consortium and the Iowa Pork Producers Association to AFK. United States Department of Agriculture (NRICGP, #2008-35203-05989) to JEF. National Institute of Health research grant HD074831 to FJD. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2012-67015-30212 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to JLP. C. Lee Rumberger and Family Chair in Agricultural Science funds to JLP. National Pork Board, Virginia Horse Industry Board and John Lee Pratt Animal Nutrition Program to MLR.

Impact Statements

Developing understanding of how resting follicles are activated to grow and the regulating signals involved has practical importance for improving fertility in cattle.
Understanding how changes to central metabolism (obesity, heat stress, androgen excess) as well as how an altered ovarian environment (zinc effects) impacts reproductive performance will produce biological-based strategies to improve reproduction.
Characterization of microRNA contribution to gene expression regulation adds to biological understanding of reproductive physiology.
Mechanistic studies of corpus luteum biology and factors that impact luteal function will provide applied knowledge to improve bovine fertility
Continued improvement of assisted reproduction strategies will contribute to U.S agriculture.
Determination of the importance of a growth hormone receptor AluI (-/-) polymorphism to bovine fertility is novel and has potential to improve cattle selection for enhanced fertility.
Studies on the interplay between the reproductive tract and the immune system will define mechanisms of importance during establishment and maintenance of pregnancy.

Date of Annual Report: 07/05/2016

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/16/2016 - 05/18/2016
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2015 - 09/30/2016

Participants

Bridges, Phillip (pbrid2@email.uky.edu) Univ Kentucky
Butler, Ron (wrb2@cornell.edu) Cornell University
Dailey, Robert (rdailey@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ
Ealy, Alan (ealy@vt.edu) Virginia Tech Univ
Flores, Jorge (jflores@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ
Fissore, Rafael (rfissore@vasci.umass.edu) Univ Massachusetts Amherst
Fortune, Joanne (jf11@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ
Giordano, Julio (jog25@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ
Inskeep, Keith (einskeep@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ
Keating, Aileen (akeating@iastate.edu) Iowa St Univ
Memili, Erdogan (em149@ads.msstate.edu) Mississippi St Univ
Ott, Troy (tlo12@psu.edu) Penn St Univ
Pate, Joy (jlp36@psu.edu) Penn St Univ
Rhoads, Shelly (rhoadsm@vt.edu) Virginia Tech Univ
Quirk, Susan (smq1@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ
Townson, Dave (dave.townson@unh.edu) Univ New Hampshire
Tsang, Paul (paul.tsang@unh.edu) Univ New Hampshire
Wiltbank, Milo (wiltbank@wisc.edu) Univ Wisconsin
Wood, Jennifer (jwood5@unl.edu) Univ Nebraska
Yao, Jianbo (jianbo.yao@mail.wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ
Administrator: Thompson, Gary (gat10@psu.edu) Penn St Univ

Brief Summary of Minutes

Please see the attached meeting minutes.

Minutes Attachment:

NE1227 2016 meeting minutes.docx

Accomplishments

Publications

Peer-reviewed journal articles published in 2015 reporting research from this project Bowdridge, EC, Goravanahally, MP, Inskeep, EK, Flores, JA. 2015. Activation of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase is an additional mechanism that participates in mediating inhibitory actions of prostaglandin F2alpha in mature, but not developing, bovine corpora lutea. Biol. Reprod. 93:1-7. Deacon, ML, Knights, M, Inskeep, EK. 2015. Effects of photoperiodic manipulation on growth rate and ability to breed fall-born ewe lambs in spring. Sheep and Goat Res, J. 30:30-35. Nteeba, J, Sanz-Fernandez, MV, Rhoads, RP, Baumgard, LH, Ross, JW, Keating, AF. 2015. Heat stress alters ovarian insulin mediated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and steroidogenic signaling in gilt ovaries. Biol. Reprod; 92:148. Johnson, JS, Abuajamieh, M, Sanz Fernandez, MV, Seibert, JT, Stoakes, SK, Keating, AF, Ross, JW, Selsby, JT, Rhoads, RP, Baumgard, LH. 2015. The impact of in utero heat stress and nutrient restriction on progeny body composition. Journal of Thermal Biology; 53; 143-150. Johnson, JS, Abuajamieh, M, Sanz Fernandez, MV, Seibert, JT, Stoakes, SK, Nteeba, J, Keating, AF, Rhoads, RP, Baumgard, LH. 2015 Thermal stress alters postabsorptive metabolism during pre- and postnatal development. In: Climate Change Impact on Livestock: Adaptation and Mitigation. Eds. V. Sejian, J.Gaughan, L. Baumgard, and C. Prasad. Springer Publishing. Hale, BJ, Keating, AF, Yang, CX, Ross, JW. 2015 Small RNAs: Their possible roles in reproductive failure. In: The Male Role in Pregnancy Loss and Embryo Implantation Failure. Ed. Richard Bronson. Springer Publishing. Ross, JW, Hale, BJ, Gabler, NK, Rhoads, RP, Keating, AF, Baumgard, LH. 2015. Physiological consequences of heat stress in pigs. Animal Production Science 55;1381-1390. Ganesan, S, Nteeba, J, Keating, AF. 2015. Impact of obesity on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced altered ovarian connexin gap junction proteins in female mice. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 282(1):1-8. Ganesan, S, Keating, AF. 2015. Phosphoramide mustard exposure induces DNA adduct formation and the DNA damage repair response in rat ovarian granulosa cells. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 282(3):252-258. Mouttham, LL, Fortune, JE, Comizzoli, P. 2015. Damage to fetal bovine ovarian tissue caused by cryoprotectant exposure and vitrification is mitigated during tissue culture. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 32:1239-1250. Yang, MY, Fortune, JE. 2015. Changes in the transcriptome of bovine ovarian cortex during follicle activation in vitro. Physiological Genomics 47:600-611. Giordano JO., Watters, RD, Wijma, R, Stangaferro, ML. 2015. Reproductive Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows after Resynchronization with Ovsynch or a Program Aimed to Maximize Artificial Insemination in Estrus and Fertility of Timed Artificial Inseminations based on Ovarian Structures. J. Dairy Sci. 98:2488-501. Cerny, KL, Garrett, E, Walton, AJ, Anderson, LH, Bridges, PJ. 2015. A transcriptomal analysis of bovine oviductal epithelial cells during the follicular phase versus the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 13:84. Cushman RA, Tait Jr. RG, McNeel AK, Forbes ED, Amundson OL, Lents CA, Lindholm-Perry AK, Perry GA, Wood JR, Cupp AS, Smith TPL, Freetly HC, Bennett GL (2015) A polymorphism in myostatin influences puberty but not fertility in beef heifers, whereas µ-calpain affects first calf birth weight. J Anim Sci 93(1)117-126. Morrow M, Ottobre J, Ottobre A, Neville P, St-Pierre N, Dreschel N, Pate JL. 2015. Breed-dependent differences in the onset of fear-related avoidance behavior in puppies. J. Vet. Behavior <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2015.03.002">http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2015.03.002</a> Oh J, Giallongo F, Frederick T, Pate J, Walusimbi S, Elias RJ, Wall EH, Bravo D, Hristov AN. 2015. Effects of dietary Capsicum oleoresin on productivity and immune responses in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 98:6327-6339 Sun T, Pepling M, Diaz FJ. 2015. Lats1 deletion causes an increase in germ cell apoptosis and follicular cysts in mouse ovaries. Biol. Reprod. 93(1)22, 1-11. Xie, M., McCoski, SR., Johnson, SE, Rhoads, ML, Ealy, AD. 2015. Combinatorial effects of epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 2 and insulin-like growth factor 1 on trophoblast cell proliferation and embryogenesis in cattle. Reprod. Fertil. Devel. E-pub 8/25/2015. Brown, BM, Stallings, JW, Clay, JS, Rhoads, ML. 2015. Periconceptional heat stress of Holstein dams is associated with differences in daughter milk production and composition during multiple lactations. PLoS One. 10(10): e0133574. McCracken, VL, Xie, G, Deaver, SE, Baumgard, LH, Rhoads, RP, Rhoads, ML. 2015. Hepatic progesterone-metabolizing enzymes cytochrome P450 2C and 3A in lactating cows during thermoneutral and heat stress conditions. J. Dairy Sci. 98(5):3152-3157. Deaver, SE, Felix, AM, Rhoads, ML. 2015. Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cattle after intrauterine administration of a prostaglandin F2α receptor antagonist four days after insemination. Theriogenology. 83(4):560-566. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.10.019. Baez GM, Barletta RV, Guenther JG, Gaska JM, Wiltbank MC. 2015. Effect of uterine size on fertility of lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology. 2015;84:1016-24. Luo W, Salih SM, Bormann CL, Wiltbank MC. 2015. Induction of chemokines and prostaglandin synthesis pathways in luteinized human granulosa cells: potential role of luteotropin withdrawal and prostaglandin F2alpha in regression of the human corpus luteum. Reprod Biol. 15(4):247-56. Carvalho PD, Fuenzalida MJ, Ricci A, Souza AH, Barletta RV, Wiltbank MC, et al. 2015. Modifications to Ovsynch improve fertility during resynchronization: Evaluation of presynchronization with gonadotropin-releasing hormone 6 d before initiation of Ovsynch and addition of a second prostaglandin F-2 alpha treatment. J Dairy Sci. 98(12):8741-52. Carvalho PD, Wiltbank MC, Fricke PM. 2015. Manipulation of progesterone to increase ovulatory response to the first GnRH treatment of an Ovsynch protocol in lactating dairy cows receiving first timed artificial insemination. J Dairy Sci. 98(12):8800-13. Monteiro PL, Jr., Nascimento AB, Pontes GC, Fernandes GO, Melo LF, Wiltbank MC, et al. 2015. Progesterone supplementation after ovulation: Effects on corpus luteum function and on fertility of dairy cows subjected to AI or ET. Theriogenology. 84(7):1215-24. Monteiro PLJ, Borsato M, Silva FLM, Prata AB, Wiltbank MC, Sartori R. 2015. Increasing estradiol benzoate, pretreatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and impediments for successful estradiol-based fixed-time artificial insemination protocols in dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci. 98(6):3826-39. Pereira MHC, Wiltbank MC, Barbosa LFSP, Costa WM, Carvalho MAP, Vasconcelos JLM. 2015. Effect of adding a gonadotropin-releasing-hormone treatment at the beginning and a second prostaglandin F-2 alpha treatment at the end of an estradiol-based protocol for timed artificial insemination in lactating dairy cows during cool or hot seasons of the year. J Dairy Sci. 2015;98(2):947-59. Pontes GCS, Monteiro PLJ, Prata AB, Guardieiro MM, Pinto DAM, Fernandes GO, et al. 2015. Effect of injectable vitamin E on incidence of retained fetal membranes and reproductive performance of dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2015;98(4):2437-49. Souza AH, Carvalho PD, Rozner AE, Vieira LM, Hackbart KS, Bender RW, et al. 2015. Relationship between circulating anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and superovulatory response of high-producing dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 98(1):169-78. Wiltbank MC, Baez GM, Cochrane F, Barletta RV, Trayford CR, Joseph RT. 2015. Effect of a second treatment with prostaglandin F-2 alpha during the Ovsynch protocol on luteolysis and pregnancy in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2015;98(12):8644-54.   Conference papers and abstracts/presentations Hand, JM, Zhang K, Wang L, Smith GW and Yao J. Discovery of a novel oocyte-specific KRAB-containing zinc finger protein required for early embryogenesis in cattle. 48th Annual Meeting Society for the Study of Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA. June 18-22, 2015. Bowdridge, E.C., Inskeep, E.K., Flores, J.A. The role of adenosine monophosphate activated kinase in luteal progesterone production. 48th Annual Meeting Society for the Study of Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA. June 18-22, 2015. Yang, M.Y. and J.E. Fortune, 2015. Expression of activin A and activin receptors in bovine fetal ovaries and potential interactions between estradiol and activin A: activin A stimulates bovine follicle formation and activation in vitro. Biology of Reproduction, Supplement, Proc. of the 48th annual meeting of the Soc. for the Study of Reproduction, Abstract #656. Characterization of ovarian function in nonpregnant previously inseminated lactating dairy cows. 2015. R. Wijma, M.L. Stangaferro, and J.O. Giordano. J. Dairy Sci. Volume 98, E-Supplement 1. Improved fertility of cows failing to respond to resynchronization of ovulation through presynchronization of ovulation or progesterone supplementation. 2015. J. O. Giordano, M. J. Thomas, G. Catucuamba, M. D. Curler, M. L. Stangaferro, and R. Wijma. J. Dairy Sci. Volume 98, E-Supplement 1. ElMetwally M., and Giordano J.O. 2015. Prediction of corpus luteum function with B-mode and Power Doppler sonography during the Ovsynch protocol in lactating dairy cows. 48th Annual Conference of Physiology and Pathology of Reproduction. Zurich, Switzerland. Kim, K.S., Kim, E.S., Seibert, J.T., Kim, K.S., Ross, J.W., Baumgard, L.H., Keating, A.F., Rothschild, M.F. 2015 Genome-wide association analyses of biological responses to heat stress in pigs. Plant and Animal Genome XXIII Conference. San Diego, CA, January 10-14. Hale, B., Hager, C., Baumgard, L.H., Keating, A.F., Ross, J.W. 2015 Heat Stress Induces Autophagy in Pig Ovaries during Follicular Development. 47th Annual Meeting Society for the Study of Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico. June 18-22. Keating, A.F., 2015. Mechanisms of Phosphoramide Mustard-Induced Ovotoxicity. 47th Annual Meeting Society for the Study of Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico. June 18-22. Al-Shaibi, A.A., Schulz, L.C., Pollock, K.E., and Keating, A.F. 2015. Investigating influence of gestational hyperleptinemia on ovarian microsomal epoxide hydrolase 1. 47th Annual Meeting Society for the Study of Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico. June 18-22. Thomas, P.Q., Majeed, A., Ganesan, S., Keating, A.F. 2015. Multidrug resistance associated protein involvement in phosphoramide mustard-induced ovotoxicity. 47th Annual Meeting Society for the Study of Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico. June 18-22. Colpoys, J.D., Abell, C.E., Gabler, N.K., Keating, A.F., Millman, S.T., Siegford, J.M., Johnson, A.K. 2015. Barrow behavioral reactivity to a human or novel object when fed low versus high energy diets. American Society of Animal Science annual meeting. Cheng, L., Nteeba, J., Keating, A.F., Cui, J.Y. 2015. Impact of Obesity on the Expression of Xenobiotic Metabolism Genes in the Mouse Liver. Society of Toxicology annual meeting. Keating, A.F. 2015. Impact of phosphoramide mustard exposure on ovarian drug transporter expression. Society of Toxicology annual meeting. P.J. Bridges, K.L. Cerny, M. Rhoads, L.H. Anderson, W.R. Burris and J.C. Matthews. 2015. Form of selenium in free-choice mineral mixes affects ovarian production of progesterone but not estradiol in cycling beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 93 (E-Suppl. 3):88. K.L. Cerny and P.J. Bridges. 2015. Intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide induces differential expression of mRNA encoding inflammatory mediators in the oviducts of mice. Journal of Animal Science 93 (E-Suppl. 3):421. K.L. Cerny, E. Garrett, L. Anderson and P.J. Bridges. 2015. Steroid-dependent regulation of bovine oviductal epithelial cells: a transcriptomal analysis. ASAS 2015 Southern Section Meeting. Abstract #44. Bridges, P.J. Invited speaker in the Department of Biological Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University. Title: Effect of form of dietary selenium on gonadal steroidogenesis in cattle.  10/30/2015.  Moore Science Building, Eastern Kentucky University. Bridges, P.J. Invited speaker for ABT 201 at the University Kentucky. Title: Effect of form of dietary selenium on gonadal function in cattle. 12/03/2015.  University of Kentucky. Spuri-Gomes R, Tenley SC, Kurz SG, Wood JR, and Cupp AS (2015) Cows with intrafollicular androgen excess have lower sex hormone binding globulin and appear to be chronic or sporadic anovulatory. Society for the Study of Reproduction 48th Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico Romereim SM, Summers AF, Pohlmeier WE, McFee RM, Spuri-Gomes R, Kurz SG, McNeel AK, Cushman RA, Davis JS, Wood JR, and Cupp AS (2015) Granulosa cell cycle regulation and steroidogenesis in a high androstenedione follicular microenvironment. Society for the Study of Reproduction 48th Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico Abedal-Majed MA, Magamage M, Vinton R, Cushman RA, McNeel AK, Freetly HC, Wood JR, and Cupp AS (2015) Vascular endothelial growth factor A 165 (VEGFA165), angiogenic isoform, promotes while VEGFA165b antagonizes VEGFA165 stimulated follicular progression in bovine ovarian cortical pieces cultured from pre-pubertal heifers. Society for the Study of Reproduction 48th Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico Xie F, Anderson CL, Timme K, Fernando SC, and Wood JR (2015) Increased Firmicutes in the cecum of obese female mice is correlated with increased Pou5f1 and Dppa3 mRNAs in growing oocytes which may be mediated by increased Toll-like receptor 4 signaling in the ovary. Society for the Study of Reproduction 48th Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico Wood JR, Xie F, Anderson CL, Timme KR, and Fernando SC (2015) The female obese phenotype: increased ovarian inflammation and changes in the gut microbiome regulate the transcription of maternal effect gene mRNAs. Gordon Research Conference: Fertilization and Activation of Development, Holderness, NH Xie F and Wood JR (2015) Localization and Absolute Quantification of Dppa3 and Pou5f1 mRNAs coupled to DPPA3 and POU5F1 Protein Expression Profiles in Individual GV and MII Oocytes. 12th Annual Gilbert Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction, Kansas City, KS Romereim S, Wood JR, Hou X, Talbott H, Davis JS, and Cupp AS (2015) A Comparison of Ovarian Follicular and Luteal Cell Gene Expression Profiles Provides Insight into Cellular Identities and Functions. 12th Annual Gilbert Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction, Kansas City, KS Tenley S, Spuri-Gomes R, Abedal-Majed MA, Bergman J, Kurz SG, Wood JR, Cushman R, and Cupp AS (2015) A Portion of Heifers Attaining “Early Puberty” do not Display Estrus, Ovulated and Have Reduced Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Concentrations. 12th Annual Gilbert Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction, Kansas City, KS Kamat MM, Vasudevan S, Pate Jl, Ott TL. 2015. Induction of tolerogenic mediators in uterine immune cells during early pregnancy in dairy heifers. Amer J Reprod Immunol 73 (Suppl. 1):40 Branham KL, Ott TL, Pate JL. 2015. Role of bovine luteal cell-derived exosomes on immune cells. Amer J Reprod Immunol 73 (Suppl. 1):37 Diaz FJ. 2015. Programming the oocyte with zinc. 2015.   Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sun T and Diaz FJ. 2015. The hippo pathway plays a role in Oocyte maturation and differentiation of the cumulus-oocyte complex during ovulation. Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Bradley, J.S., MacGhee, M.E., McCoski, S.R., Reeg, A.M., Ealy, A.D. and Johnson, S.E. (2015). Plane of nutrition affects muscle fiber hypertrophy and satellite cell activity in neonatal bull calves. ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Orlando FL. Holloway, C.T.L., Geiger, A.J., Malkus, J., Ealy, A.D., Cockrum, R.R. and Akers, R.M. (2015). Exogenous estradiol decreases relative endometrial gene expression for ERα and ERβ in pre-pubertal dairy heifers. ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Orlando FL. Jacobs, R.D., Ealy, A.D., Pennington, P.M., Pukazhenthi, B., Warren, L.K., Hess, T.M., Johnson, A.K., Wagner, A.L., and Splan, R.K. (2015). Effect of dietary omega-3 supplementation on equine endometrial and embryonic gene expression. Equine Science Symposium, St. Pete Beach, FL. Jacobs, R.D., Ealy, A.D., Pennington, P.M., Pukazhenthi, B., Warren, L.K., Hess, T.M., Johnson, A.K., Wagner, A.L., and Splan, R.K. (2015). Dietary Omega-3 supplementation alters gene expression in equine endometrial and embryonic tissues. ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Orlando FL. Kelley, D.E., Mortensen, C.J., Galvao, K.N., Risco, C.A. and Ealy, A.D. (2015) Uterine and Corpus Luteal Vascular Dynamics on Day 34 of Pregnancy Do Not Differ between Dairy Cattle which Abort or Carry Pregnancy to Term. Annual Therio Conference, San Antonio, TX. Lu, Y., Bradley, J.S., McCoski, S.R., Geiger, A.J., Akers, R.M., Ealy, A.D., and Johnson, S.E. (2015). Muscle fiber hypertrophy is association with increased expression of key transcriptional and epigenome regulatory genes. ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Orlando FL. Lu, Y., Bradley, J.S., McCoski, S.R., Gonzalez, J.M., Akers, R.M., Ealy, A.D., and Johnson, S.E. (2015). Caloric restriction reduces protein accretion in skeletal muscle by attenuating IGF1 signaling in young calves. ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Orlando FL. MacGhee, M.E., McCoski, S.R., Geiger, A.J., Horton, E.A., Akers, R.M., and Ealy, A.D. (2015). The Role of Early Postnatal Nutrition and Estrogen Administration in Uterine Gland Development in Holstein Dairy Calves. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Conference, Jan Juan, Puerto Rico. MacGhee, M.E., McCoski, S.R., Hughes, C.H.K, Johnson, S.E., and Ealy, A.D. (2015). Plane of nutrition affects Holstein bull calf growth, bone mineral density and organ size. ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Orlando FL. MacGhee, M.E., McCoski, S.R., Geiger, A.J., Akers, R.M., Johnson, S.E. and Ealy, A.D. (2016). Early Postnatal Nutrition and Estrogen Administration Impacts Uterine Gland Gene Expression in Dairy Calves. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. McCoski, S.R. and Ealy, A.D. (2015). Epidermal Growth Factor Promotes Interferon-tau Expression in Bovine Trophectoderm. ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Orlando FL. McCoski, S. R., Poole, R., Vailes, M.T. and Ealy, A.D. (2016). Maternal Obesity Alters Gene Expression During Peri-Implantation Ovine Conceptus Development Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Conference, San Diego, CA. McCoski, S.R., Xie, M., and Ealy, A.D. (2015). Production of Bovine Primitive Endoderm Outgrowths and Cell Lines for the Study of Early Embryogenesis. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Conference, Jan Juan, Puerto Rico. Al Naib*, A., A.Y. Wood, H.L.M. Tucker, C.M. Parsons, V.L. McCracken, A.L. Zezeski, S.E. Deaver, B.M. Brown, R.M. Akers and M.L. Rhoads. (2015). Effects of Tamoxifen on pre-pubertal heifer reproductive tissues: Potential for disruption of tract development through alteration of related signaling pathways. J. Dairy Sci. 98(suppl 2):545. Bridges, P.J.*, K.L. Cerny, M. Rhoads, L.H. Anderson, W.R. Burris and J.C. Matthews. (2015). Form of selenium in free-choice mineral mixes affects ovarian production of progesterone but not estradiol in cycling beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 93(suppl s3):88. Wiegert, J.G.*, R.H. Preisser, M.C. Lucy, T.J. Safranski, R.P. Rhoads, J.W. Ross, L.H. Baumgard, M.J. Estienne and M.L. Rhoads. (2015). Effects of in utero heat stress on subsequent lactational performance of gilts and transgenerational effects on offspring. J. Anim. Sci. 93(suppl 2):166. Safranski, T.*, M.C. Lucy, J.N. Rhoades, M. Estienne, J.G. Wiegert, M. Rhoads, R.P. Rhoads, L.H. Baumgard and J.W. Ross. (2015). Reproductive performance of gilts having developed in heat stressed dams. J. Anim. Sci. 93(suppl 2):85. Wiltbank, M.C. Cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling corpus luteum function and progesterone concentrations in primates and ruminants. University of Florida; Invited seminar speaker for Reproductive Biology Program; n = 25 scientist/trainees in attendance. Feb 2, 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. Amino Acids and Reproductive Efficiency in Lactating Dairy Cows. ADSA Discover Conference on Amino Acid Requirements of Dairy Cattle, ~180 Scientists. May 27, 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. Physiological and Practical Effects of Progesterone on Reproduction in Dairy Cattle. July 12, 2015. ~200 scientists in attendance. Wiltbank, M.C. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms controlling Corpus Luteum Function and progesterone Concentrations in Cattle. Invited Presentation. ~200 scientists in attendance. July 12, 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. Potential Benefits of Nutrition on Reproductive Performance of High-Efficiency Dairy Cows. ~250 scientists in attendance. July 13, 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. Amino Acid University – 2 presentations, mostly for graduate students and some scientists. 1) Amino Acid Transporters and Regulation of Amino Acid Transport. 2) Amino Acids and Reproductive Efficiency.   Extension reports: Giordano, J.O. 2015. Management Strategies to Optimize Reproductive Performance of Dairy Herds. Dia Internacional de Ganado Lechero. September 11th, 2015. Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico. Wijma, R., M. L. Stangaferro, and J. O. Giordano. 2015. Impact of Pregnancy Loss on Ovarian Function and Reproductive Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows. 11th International Reproduction Symposium. August 13-15th, 2013. Cordoba, Argentina. Giordano J.O. Management Strategies to Optimize Reproductive Performance of Dairy Herds. Western Canadian Dairy Seminar. Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. March 10-13th, 2015. Giordano J.O. Use of Technologies in Reproductive Management: Economics of Automated Activity Monitoring Systems for Detection of Estrus. Western Dairy Management Conference. Reno, Nevada. March 3-5th, 2015. Cupp, AS, S Romereim, AF Summers, WE Pohlmeier, RM McFee, R Spuri-Gomes, SG Kurz, AK McNeel, RA Cushman, JS Davis, JR Wood. Granulosa cell exposure to excess androgens inhibits their ability to proliferate in the cow which may cause or perpetuate androgen excess. Beef Report 2015. Spuri-Gomes, R, SC Tenley, MA Abedal-Majed, SG Kurz, J Bergman, JR Wood, AS Cupp. Cows with Excess Androgen are Anovulatory and have Differing Patterns of Progesterone Secretion.  Beef Report 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. Blanca Workshop. Analysis and presentation of reproduction with Victor Cabrera. January 13-14, 2015. ~50 scientists/nutritionists/veterinarians in attendance. Wiltbank, M.C. Nutrition and Reproductive Efficiency: Transition period management, energy status, and amino acid supplementation alter reproduction in lactating dairy cows. Florida Nutrition Conference, ~180 scientists, nutritionists, and veterinarians in attendance. Feb 3, 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. The Tangled Web of Physiology, Management, Genetics, and Nutrition that underlies Reproductive Efficiency in Dairy Cattle. Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference, ~160 nutritionists, producers, and veterinarians in attendance. Feb 6, 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. Dairy Reproduction and Nutrition Workshop and Discussion. Feb 6, 2015. ~100 in attendance. Wiltbank, M.C. Three (3) BRED Conferences with Richard Pursley (1.5 to 2 day courses for veterinarians). One included superovulation and all included physiology and management of reproduction in lactating dairy cattle. (April 9-10; April 17, 18; Sept 30-Oct 1, 2015) 25-35 veterinarians in attendance at each meeting. Wiltbank, M.C. The Building Blocks for Reproductive Efficiency in Lactating Dairy Cattle. Kemin Technical Conference, Paris France. April 23, 2015. ~120 in attendance. Wiltbank, M.C. Impact of rumen-protected amino acids on reproductive efficiency in lactating dairy cows. ADSA Adisseo Technical Conference. July 16, 2015. ~20 scientists in attendance. Wiltbank, M.C.AABP Advanced Embryo Transfer Course. I do the morning session on Superovulation. I do a 2-hour afternoon session on Embryo Transfer Recipients. ~35 veterinarians (AABP course that is always fully booked; Reuben Mapletoft and I have done this course for 6 years). Presentation of data and discussion on the topic. Wiltbank, M.C. Reproduction in Dairy Cattle. Presentation and PM Workshop for ~100 veterinarians from Turkey, Iran, Libya etc. in Cyprus, Oct 7-9, 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. Blanca Conference on Reproduction in Dairy Cattle. I did this jointly with Paul Fricke and Victor Cabrera. October 12, 13, 2015. ~60 veterinarians/producers/scientists Wiltbank, M.C. Presentation on Reproduction and Nutrition to 10 veterinarians/nutritionists from Germany. Oct 16, 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. Update on Reproductive Management Methods. 4 hour update on reproductive management protocols. ~20 CRI International Representatives. Nov 18, 2015. Wiltbank, M.C. New Developments in Ovulation Synchronization. VitaPlus Confererence. ~400 producers/nutritionists in attendance. Dec 10, 2015.   Theses/Dissertations: Allen, J.J. 2015. Development of fetal bovine ovaries: regulation of steroid production, role of endogenous steroids, and mechanisms of steroid action. Cornell University. Cerny, K.L. 2015. Steroid-dependent regulation of the oviduct: A cross-species transcriptomal analysis. PhD dissertation. University of Kentucky. MacGhee, M.E. 2015. The Role of Nutrition and Estrogen on Holstein Calf Development and Adenogenesis. MS Thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. McCracken, V. 2015. The effects of dietary fructose and fat on the reproductive parameters of prepubertal and pregnant gilts. MS Thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. McFee, RM. 2015. Role of VEGFA in Bovine Follicular Development; Evaluation of the Role of Laboratories in Physiology Classes. PhD Dissertation. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Wiegert, J. 2015. Effects of gestational heat stress on the lactational performance of gilts and the growth performance and carcass characteristics of their offspring. MS Thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.   Active collaboration within the group Inskeep and Pate - PG receptor and immune-electron microscopy Bridges and Rhoads – progesterone assays Bridges and Keating – LPS treated mice Giordano and Ott – pregnancy maintenance         Giordano & Wiltbank – AI improvement strategies Ealy and Ott - pre-implantation conceptus growth   In addition to Hatch Multistate Funds, these studies were supported by: Iowa Pork Producers Association (AK) Global Food Security Consortium (AK) Cornell Center for Vertebrate Genomics seed grant (SQ) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2012-67015-30212 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (JP) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2016-67015-24897 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (MR) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2015-67015-23369 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (AE) National Pork Board (MR, AE) Commonwealth Health Research Board (AE) Virginia Agricultural Council Research Funding (MR, AE)

Impact Statements

Studies on the interplay between the reproductive tract and the immune system will define mechanisms of importance during establishment and maintenance of pregnancy.

Date of Annual Report: 05/17/2017

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/14/2017 - 05/17/2017
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2016 - 09/30/2017

Participants

Bridges, Phillip (pbrid2@email.uky.edu) Univ Kentucky
Butler, Ron (wrb2@cornell.edu) Cornell University
Cheong, Soon Hon (cheong@cornell.edu) Cornell University
Dailey, Robert (rdailey@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ
Francisco Diaz (fjd10@psu.edu) Penn State Univ
Ealy, Alan (ealy@vt.edu) Virginia Tech Univ
Fissore, Rafael (rfissore@vasci.umass.edu) Univ Massachusetts Amherst
Fortune, Joanne (jf11@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ
Giordano, Julio (jog25@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ
Inskeep, Keith (einskeep@wvu.edu) West Virginia Univ
Keating, Aileen (akeating@iastate.edu) Iowa St Univ
Memili, Erdogan (em149@ads.msstate.edu) Mississippi St Univ
Ott, Troy (tlo12@psu.edu) Penn St Univ
Pate, Joy (jlp36@psu.edu) Penn St Univ
Rhoads, Shelly (rhoadsm@vt.edu) Virginia Tech Univ
Selvaraj, Vimal (vs88@cornell.edu) Cornell University
Quirk, Susan (smq1@cornell.edu) Cornell Univ
Townson, Dave (dave.townson@uvm.edu) Univ Vermont
Tsang, Paul (paul.tsang@unh.edu) Univ New Hampshire
Wiltbank, Milo (wiltbank@wisc.edu) Univ Wisconsin
Wood, Jennifer (jwood5@unl.edu) Univ Nebraska
Administrator: Thompson, Gary (gat10@psu.edu) Penn St Univ
CREES Rep: Turzillo, Adele (aturzillo@nifa.usda.gov)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

NE-1227 Minutes 2017.pdf

Accomplishments

Objective 1: Identify intracellular signaling pathways and gene expression regulatory mechanisms within the ovary, embryo, or female reproductive tract that promote oocyte growth and maturation, fertilization, early embryonic development, and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. MicroRNA play a key regulatory role in luteal rescue during early pregnancy, and likely target proteins involved in exptracellular matrix events. The phenotype of macrophages within the CL changes with luteal status. Later stages of luteal regression and luteal rescue during early pregnancy are associated with macrophage protein expression that supports antiinflammatory and tissue remodeling events. Acute zinc depletion promotes progesterone accumulation in media from cumulus cells or CL tissue cultured in vitro. Conceptus secretory proteins alter lympocyte numbers and functions to promote tolerance at the fetal-maternal interface during early pregnancy in dairy heifers. miRNAs regulate E2/P4 biosynthesis and follicle formation by targeting mRNAs involved in steroidogenesis and steroid bovine fetal ovaries. Identification of the impact that thermal stress has on ovarian signaling is resulting in a mechanistic map being developed, upon which strategies to ameliorate seasonal infertility can be based. Molecular signaling protein alterations from lipopolysaccharide or thermal stress treated gilts have been identified. Determined influence of a physiological stressor, obesity, on the ovarian capacity to respond to a toxic environmental stress. Identified molecular proteins within the oocyte that contribute to viability of the oocyte. Determined that the increase in early luteal phase concentrations of progesterone attained by providing supplemental selenium in a 1:1 blend of organic and inorganic forms may advance development of the uterine endometrium, facilitating early embryonic growth and the establishment of a viable pregnancy. Determined that CCN1 expression in KGN and HGrC1 granulosa cells is regulated by PGF2α, involving the protein kinase C pathway. Further, the diversity of PKC isoforms (conventional, novel and atypical) in cells may, in part, explain the differential effects of Calphostin C and the Pseudo Substrate on CCN1 expression in KGN cells. Early plane of nutrition impacts the progression of uterine gland development in heifers, and that this outcome may be mediated by changes in the expression of several local controllers of gland development. Prepubertal exposure to the SERM tamoxifen alters the morphology of the bovine reproductive tract as well as signaling pathways associated with tract development. Maternal obesity modifies a subset of important mediators of embryonic and extraembryonic development in ovine and porcine conceptuses. Maternal obesity modifies uterine gene expression during early pregnancy. Established that uterine factors act cooperatively to promote embryonic and placental events in ruminants. New regulators of interferon-tau expression identified. Interleukin-6 improves development of the inner cell mass (ICM) in bovine embryos. Described the relationship between periconceptional heat stress and subsequent productivity of both primiparous and multiparous Holstein dairy cows. Determined that early weaning of beef heifers can have long-term effects on physiology. Some of these changes have implications for lifetime productivity. Obese female mice exhibit evidence of ovarian inflammation which in turn alters the transcription of oocyte mRNAs. The increased inflammation, and in particular increased Tnfa expression, was correlated with increases in the family of gut microbes, Lachnospiraceae. Induction of oxidative stress using hydrogen peroxide decreased the degradation of Pou5f1 and Dppa3 transcripts during oocyte maturation and resulted in increased expression of the POU5F1 and DPPA3 proteins in 1- and 2-cell embryos, respectively. Identified obesity-dependent changes in the protein expression of RNA binding proteins that recognize AU-rich sequences in the 3’UTR of mRNAs. Changes in these proteins will have a significant impact on the stability of oocyte mRNAs. Short-term, acute treatment of primary follicles with TNFa increased phosphorylation of NFkB p65 but not STAT3 in the oocyte. Objective 2: Identify intercellular interactions between somatic cells of the ovary, somatic cells and germ cells, or somatic cells and the embryo that promote follicular growth, oocyte maturation, early embryonic development, and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The presence of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) AluI(-) allele in Holstein cows is associated with increased serum IGF-I concentrations and a shorter calving to conception interval during lactation ie. higher fertility. Determined that a reproductive management strategy designed to increase insemination of cows in estrus after NPD resulted in similar reproductive performance (time to pregnancy) than a typical resynchronization of ovulation protocol used in dairy farms. Characterized ovarian connexin proteins 37 and 43 to understand communication between somatic cells and the female gamete. Validated a cell fate mapping approach that has allowed us to determine the identity and fate of cells within the mesenchymal tissue surrounding growing follicles that are direct targets of hedgehog (HH) signaling and that contribute to the formation of the theca cell layer. Determined that uterine size has an effect on fertility in lactating dairy cows with cows with a larger uterus having lower fertility. Determined that expression of estrus was associated with increased fertility and reduced pregnancy loss in fixed time AI programs. Determined that Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle differ in their ability to produce viable offspring following nutrient restriction during early pregnancy. Found that there is a second period of CL regression that results in loss of pregnancy and is maintained by a local mechanism (as evidenced by contralateral CL regression in pregnant animals). Maintaining progesterone during this period (Day 30-60 of pregnancy) can maintain pregnancies indicating the inappropriate CL regression may be responsible for some pregnancy loss in this time period. Found that Trio carriers have increased ovulation rate, independent of AMH or antral follicle count due to increased SMAD6 leading to decreased granulosa cell proliferation and a reduced follicle growth rate with follicle deviation happening at the same time but at a reduced follicle size. Determined that the lack of Ca2+ oscillations is not the not the main reason of ICSI failure in the bovine. Determined that bovine sperm heads are highly resistant sperm head decondensation. Sperm epigenome (chromatin dynamics) as well as functional genome (macromolecules) are associated with bull fertility. In collaboration with Andrea S. Cupp, we have identified cows with evidence of chronic and sporadic anovulation which likely contributes to the subfertility of these cows. The primary abnormality is the presence of excess androgens in follicular fluid, decreased circulating Sex Hormone Binding Globulin concentrations, and altered circulating NEFAs. Hypothesized that animals that appear to enter puberty at a young age and then become acyclic are more likely to fall into the high intrafollicular A4 group as cows. Showed that ovarian cortex from cows classified as High A4 secrete more A4 into the culture medium. Furthermore, treatment of cortex explants with VEGFA increases follicle progression independent of classification based on intrafollicular A4 concentrations. Plans for next reporting period: Investigate differences in uterine immune cell function between heifers and mature, lactating dairy cows. Studies to characterize expression of oocyte-specific lncRNAs during early embryogenesis and identify ZNFO target genes will be carried out. The work on prostaglandin F receptors in bovine corpora lutea will be continued and if translocation is shown to occur from Day 4 to Day 10, further studies during maternal recognition of pregnancy may be initiated. Further studies of interference with early pregnancy in the sheep model of bovine mastitis and analyses of changes in white blood cell types in postpartum, lactating dairy cows in contrast to heifers will be carried out. Examine the effects of INT and PAG on uterine immune cell function. Continue efforts to commercialize viral and early pregnancy diagnostics for cattle. Examine effects of omega-3 FA on immune function in transition dairy cows. TNFα SNP genotyping will be completed on the DNA sample set collected from 470 dairy cows as an ongoing collaborative project. Complete the GHR, IGF-I and TNFα genotyping of additional 110 dairy cows for comparison and analysis of phenotypic data for DMI, energy balance, insulin, IGF-I and fertility during early lactation. Compare plasma IGF-I levels during lactation in cows with GHR and IGF-I SNP’s. Investigate different treatments to improve sperm head decondensation following sperm head injection in bovine oocytes. Examine the outcome of changing the concentration of certain ions in the extracellular media to stimulate oscillations, better egg activation and initiation of embryo development following ICSI in the bovine. Continue work on PI3K and microRNA regulation of chemical metabolism. Investigating impacts of central metabolism alterations on reproductive function. Investigate the impact of glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, on ovarian signaling and the potential for glyphosate to be considered an ovotoxicant. Determine the regulation of CCN1 expression in bovine granulosa cells by estradiol, gonadotropins and PGF2α. Determine the regulation of CCN1 expression in KGN and HGrC1 cells by growth factors. Determine the signaling pathways (e.g. MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt) associated with the regulation of CCN1 expression in KGN and HGrC1 cells. We will increase the number of replicates for Gli1-CreERT2 – tdTomato mice treated with TM at different ages and stages of ovarian development (prior to formation of follicles in addition to labeling follicles in the process of growth) as well as replicates for Gli1LacZ mice. Investigate molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms regulating embryo and fetal development. Complete studies to determine the impact of heat stress on follicular fluid composition and oocyte competency in dairy cattle. Continue studies to determine if Bos indicus mitochondrial transfer can be used to improve thermal resistance of Bos taurus oocytes and embryos. Complete studies to describe changes in conceptus and uterine transcriptomes in obese ewes. Continue studies to examine the impact of fescue endophyte toxicity on follicle development, oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. Continue studies to understand how embryonic lineage commitment events are controlled in bovine embryos, and specifically with fate decisions for primitive endoderm formation. Decipher the roles of interleukin-6 and its downstream signaling factor, STAT3 in controlling the development, maintenance and proliferation of inner cell mass cells and epiblast cells in bovine embryos. Initiate studies to better understand how conceptus elongation, trophoblast cell proliferation, and germinal disk development are controlled during early pregnancy in cattle. Continue studies examining how bovine subspecies genotype and nutritional status impact fetal outcomes. Implement granulosa cell study which examines the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in granulosa cells of small follicles (3-5mm) as potential mechanism of resistance to immune-mediated apoptosis and follicular atresia. Determine the effect of supplementation of rumen-protected methionine on reproduction. Determine the changes in gene expression in the CL during normal pregnancy or in cows that have not been inseminated. Determine the timing of regression of an accessory CL in pregnant lactating cows and heifers. Determine the physiology of anovulation in lactating dairy cows. Continue to work on the high ovulation rate genotype of beef cattle with Dr. Brian Kirkpatrick. Carriers of this allele have an average ovulation rate of 4, whereas non-carrier halfsiblings have an ovulation rate of ~1. Determine the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis on Day 21 using various methods in ET recipients.

Publications

Impact Statements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Improvement Laboratory (AIPL), which collects phenotypic and genotypic data on many traits of dairy cattle from most dairy herds across the United States, has shown a precipitous decline in reproductive efficiency up until the year 2000 using data from the countrywide daughter pregnancy rate (DPR). For example, DPR dropped from 38.8% in 1960 to 24.1% in 2000, a decline of almost 40% in reproductive efficiency during those 4 decades. Surprisingly, this decline has now been reversed thanks to incorporation of a number of technologies into US dairy herds, including innovative reproductive technologies that have been developed through novel agricultural research from U.S. experiment stations. This research was supported by the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the USDA and from Hatch funds from USDA to regional research projects such as the NorthEast regional research project, NE1227, Ovarian Influence on Reproductive Success in Ruminants, and the NorthCentral regional research project, NC1201, Methods to Increase Reproductive Efficiency of Cattle. These regional research projects are composed of scientists from multiple Universities across the United States that meet one time per year to plan collaborative research projects and share new findings aimed at understanding factors involved in reproductive efficiency and developing new techniques to improve reproduction. These novel technologies, along with better genetic selection for reproductive efficiency, drove a dramatic increase in reproductive efficiency in U.S. dairy farms during the last decade. For example, DPR increased from 24.1% in 2000 to 32.5% in 2014, an improvement of almost 35%, completely reversing the negative trend in reproductive efficiency of the previous 4 decades in only 14 years. What drove this dramatic improvement in reproductive efficiency in the U.S. dairy industry? One of the most important advances was the development of greatly improved reproductive management programs. Around 1995, researchers developed a novel methodology called "Ovsynch” or “synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination" that allowed dairy producers to breed all cows by Artificial Insemination (AI) at a time that could be selected by the producer. Previously, producers could only determine the correct time to AI cows by detecting signs of estrus, or heat, which was labor intensive and particularly difficult in high producing dairy cattle. During the next two decades, researchers continued to improve these techniques and the U.S. dairy industry incorporated these techniques into their routine management practices. Thus, researchers supported by NIFA and that were part of regional research projects, such as NE1227, played a central role in discovering the basic knowledge that underlies these novel reproductive management programs and developing the methodology to practically apply this knowledge on dairy farms. Understanding follicular waves, circulating hormones, and the role of ovarian dynamics in fertility in dairy cattle were central to original development and subsequent improvements in these programs.