Effects of the mycotoxin metabolite de-epoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1) on embryo development and sperm motility in cattle.

Contamination of animal feed with Fusarium spp results in accumulation of mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol. In animals, deoxynivalenol is metabolized to de-epoxy deoxynivalenol (DOM-1), which is generally considered to be a non-toxic metabolite; however, recent studies demonstrated that DOM-1 can reduce steroid production and induce apoptosis in the bovine ovary. The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of DOM-1 on applied aspects of reproductive function in cattle, specifically sperm function and embryo development in vitro and follicle growth and superovulatory responses in vivo. The effect of naturally contaminated feed on superovulatory responses was assessed; a dose of 6 ppm deoxynivalenol increased blood DOM-1 concentrations to 20 ng/ml, but this did not alter the number of viable embryos recovered on day 7. However, intrafollicular injection of DOM-1 (100 ng/ml) directly into the growing dominant follicle resulted in cessation of follicular growth over the subsequent 3 days. Treatment with DOM-1 reduced motility of bull spermatozoa over a 10-h period in vitro. Addition of DOM-1 to oocytes in vitro during IVM did not alter rates of cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation, but treatment during IVF reduced the rate of blastocyst formation. These data illustrate that DOM-1 is more biologically active than previously thought and negatively impacted reproductive outcomes in cattle.

Interleukins' expression profile changes in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles during the postpartum period in dairy cows.

The postpartum period in dairy cows is associated with a state of temporary negative energy balance and could induce functional changes into ovarian granulosa cells (GC) resulting in significant impact on the ovarian function and fertility. Yet, the regulation of interleukin receptors (ILRs) in GC as well as ILs expression profile during the postpartum period have not been fully investigated. We hypothesized that the postpartum period is associated with changes in ILs expression profile that could affect follicular development and ovulation rate. First, we aimed to investigate the expression and regulation of different IL and IL receptors in GC at different stages of follicular development and then analyse the changes in target ILs expression profile induced during the postpartum period. In the first objective, normal cycling cows were selected and GC were collected from small follicles (SF), dominant follicles at day 5 of the estrous cycle (DF), and ovulatory follicles, 24 h following hCG injection (OF). In the second objective, dairy cows between 50 and 70 days postpartum were randomly selected, and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations were measured in blood samples in order to assign cows to the BHB+ group (>1.4 mmol/L) or BHB- group (<1.2 mmol/L). GC were collected from preovulatory follicles by transvaginal aspiration. Total RNA was extracted from GC of all groups for analysis of target ILs and ILRs expression. Steady-state mRNA levels of IL4R was strongest in the DF, while IL15R expression was greatest in the OF, and IL21R showed increased steady-state mRNA levels in the corpus luteum as compared to the different groups of follicles. Overall, expression of IL1A, IL1B, IL8, IL15, IL23 and TNFα was stronger in OF as compared to DF, while IL4 and IL10 expression was stronger in SF than in DF. Similarly, expression of IL1A, IL1B, IL8, IL15, IL23, and TNFα were significantly stronger in GC of BHB+ cows than in the control, while IL4 expression was significantly reduced in BHB+ as compared to control cows. We have established an IL expression profile, which suggest a correlation with BHB levels during the postpartum period. Additionally, we have demonstrated a differential regulation of target ILRs in GC at different stages of follicular development. Overall, these data provide a better understanding of the changes that could affect follicular development and ovulation during the postpartum period and lay the ground for further investigations.

Serum biochemical parameters and embryo production during superovulatory treatment in dairy cattle.

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the number of transferable embryos (TE) and various blood chemistry parameters as a reflection of the metabolic state of cows after superovulatory treatment. Forty-nine Holstein cows were subjected to superovulatory treatment for commercial embryo production. At the time of embryo harvest, individual blood samples were taken from cows for biochemical analysis. All embryos including dead ones as well as non-fertilized oocytes were counted in uterine lavage. Feed samples collected daily for a period of two weeks before embryo harvest, were analyzed for mycotoxins: vomitoxin, zearalenone and T-2 toxin. On average, cows produced 9.45+/-5.60 embryos and oocytes of which 5.27+/-4.20 were TE, 0.37+/-0.80 were dead embryos and 3.82+/-3.78 were non-fertilized oocytes. Higher concentrations of Mg and K were associated with a higher production of TE (p=0.005 and p=0.043, respectively) and higher activity of creatinine kinase was associated with a lower production of TE (p=0.011).

Effect of superovulation on uterine and serum biochemical parameters and its potential association with transferable embryos in Holstein dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of superovulation (SOV) on serum and uterine biochemical parameters, uterine bacteriology and cytology and number of transferable embryos (TE). Dairy cows were placed on a Presynch/CIDR Synch protocol. The SOV group was superovulated, induced in estrus, and inseminated, whereas the control group was induced in estrus and inseminated without SOV. Uterine bacteriology and cytology and uterine and serum biochemical parameters were measured at day 7 of the estrous cycle to start the SOV protocol, as well as on the day of embryo recovery (DER). The SOV group produced 7.5 ± 6.7 oocytes/embryos, of which 3.4 ± 4.7 were TE. Serum urea and E2 and uterine Glu, CK, LDH, TP, P4 and PGFM in the control group and serum P4 and PGFM and uterine LDH and PGFM in the SOV group were significantly higher (p < 0.01) at DER than day 7. At DER, uterine urea, LDH, PGFM and TP and serum urea, LDH, PGFM, and P4 concentrations were higher (p < 0.01) in the SOV group than the control. There was no significant variation in uterine bacteriology or cytology. Overall, these results infer that SOV affects both serum profile and uterine secretions, and that these changes may influence the number of TE.

Effect of synchronization of follicle-wave emergence with estradiol and progesterone and superstimulation with follicle-stimulating hormone on milk estrogen concentrations in dairy cattle.

Very little is known about the effects of hormonal synchronization of follicle waves and superovulation on the estrogen content of a cow's milk. The objective of this study was to determine the effect in dairy cows of synchronization with estradiol-17ß (E2) and progesterone (P4) on milk E2 concentrations and to compare these levels with those achieved during superstimulation for 4 d with porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The milk E2 concentrations were raised significantly above pretreatment levels (P < 0.05) for 2 d after synchronization, the mean peak being 40.2 ± 18.5 (standard error) pg/mL and the pretreatment mean 1.5 ± 0.5 pg/mL. The mean peak E2 concentration during ovarian stimulation was 4.4 ± 0.7 pg/mL. The mean E2 concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) after synchronization than during superstimulation for the 1st milking after synchronization but not subsequent milkings. The milk estrone concentrations were above pretreatment levels for 1 d after synchronization and were not different from those observed during superstimulation.

Il y a peu d'information sur l'effet de la synchronisation hormonale de la vague folliculaire et de la surovulation sur la quantité d'oestrogène dans le lait de la vache. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer l'effet de la synchronisation avec le 17ß-estradiol (E2) et la progestérone (P4) sur les concentrations de E2 dans le lait et de les comparer avec celles mesurées après stimulation avec la hormone folliculostimulante (FSH). Des vaches laitières ont été synchronisées avec E2 et P4 et surstimulées pendant 4 jours avec la FSH porcine. Le protocole de synchronisation a augmenté significativement (P < 0,05) les concentrations E2 dans le lait par rapport aux niveaux du prétraitement pendant les 2 jours suivant la synchronisation (concentrations maximales de 40,2 ± 18,5 pg/mL contre 1,5 ± 0,5 pg/mL prétraitement). Ces concentrations étaient significativement plus élevées (P < 0,05) que celles observées pendant la surstimulation (4,4 ± 0,7 pg/mL) pour la 1ère traite après la synchronisation. Les concentrations de l'estrone dans le lait étaient plus élevées que celles du prétraitement pour 1 jour après synchronisation, et elles n'étaient pas différentes des niveaux observés pendant la surstimulation.(Traduit par les auteurs).