Milk fatty acids as indicators of delayed commencement of luteal activity in dairy cows in early lactation.

Excessive mobilization of adipose reserves due to severe negative energy balance in early lactation may be detrimental to dairy cow fertility at individual and herd level. Reproductive efficiency is one of the main factors influencing herd profitability and a strategy for early detection and management of cows with delayed resumption of cyclicity will result higher conception rate, decreased proportion of cows with extended lactation, fewer inseminations per conception and lower culling rates due to reproductive disorders. Using two groups of dairy cows (Holstein n = 37, Swedish Red breed [SRB] n = 49), we investigated potential differences between cows with different commencement of luteal activity (CLA) and the feasibility of using milk fatty acids (MFAs) as predictors of delayed CLA. Milk samples for progesterone analysis were collected twice weekly during the first six weeks in milk. The concentrations of the MFAs C14:0, C16:0, C18:0 and C18:1 cis-9 in milk (g/100 g milk) and in milk fat (g/100 g fat) were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and individual MFA profiles were calculated by weeks in milk. Commencement of luteal activity was defined as the first day with milk progesterone concentrations >3 ng/ml at two successive measurements. The study population was categorized as early (n = 42) or late (n = 44) CLA, using the median value of 21 DIM as the cut-off. Analysis of the data revealed that CLA was correlated with the proportion of some specific MFAs, where cows with delayed CLA had lower IGF-1 (92.9 ± 7.9 vs. 114.1 ± 7.9 ng/ml; p = .05) and C14:0 levels (10.4 ± 0.2 vs. 11.5 ± 0.2 g/100 fat; p < .01) and higher C18:0 (9.6 ± 0.2 vs. 8.9 ± 0.6 g/100 fat; p < .01) and C18:1 cis-9 levels (24.9 ± 0.4 vs. 23.5 ± 0.4 g/100 fat; p < .05). Delayed CLA (mean 34 days) was predictable for approximately 80% of cows based on C18:0 or C18:1 cis-9 concentrations in week 2 postpartum. Overall, MFAs (C18:0 and C18:1 cis-9) as biomarkers were better indicators than beta-hydroxybutyrate or non-esterified fatty acids in early detection of cows with delayed or normal CLA. The MFA concentrations in milk samples from cows in early lactation can thus be used as a non-invasive method to identify cows at risk of delayed CLA, acting as potential biomarkers for future reproductive performance.

Competitive CatSper Activators of Progesterone from Rhynchosia volubilis.

The root Rhynchosia volubilis was widely used for contraception in folk medicine, although its molecular mechanism on antifertility has not yet been revealed. In human sperm, it was reported that the cation channel of sperm, an indispensable cation channel for the fertilization process, could be regulated by various steroid-like compounds in plants. Interestingly, these nonphysiological ligands would also disturb the activation of the cation channel of sperm induced by progesterone. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether the compounds in R. volubilis affect the physiological regulation of the cation channel of sperm. The bioguided isolation of the whole herb of R. volubilis has resulted in the novel discovery of five new prenylated isoflavonoids, rhynchones A - E (1:  - 5: ), a new natural product, 5'-O-methylphaseolinisoflavan (6: ) (1H and 13C NMR data, Supporting Information), together with twelve known compounds (7:  - 18: ). Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses and drawing a comparison with literature data, while their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism calculations. The experiments of intracellular Ca2+ signals and patch clamping recordings showed that rhynchone A (1: ) significantly reduced cation channel of sperm activation by competing with progesterone. In conclusion, our findings indicat that rhynchone A might act as a contraceptive compound by impairing the activation of the cation channel of sperm and thus prevent fertilization.

Effect of turmeric on adiponectin, sexual function and sexual hormones in stressed mice.

Sexual function is essential for species survival. Melanocortin, progesterone, and estrogen can improve sexual function and they are modulated by adiponectin hormone which can be increased by Turmeric. In various studies shows Turmeric ability that is easily accessible to increase serum adiponectin levels. Therefore, the researchers decided to conduct a study to determine the effect of turmeric on serum adiponectin levels, sexual behavior, and profile of steroid hormones in stressed mice. Thirty female mice, six in each group (1. control group, 2. mice that received stress, 3. stress mice received 100 mg/kg turmeric (extract daily) for 4 weeks, 4. stress mice received turmeric (extract daily) for 4 weeks and also received adiponectin antagonist, and 5. stress groups received adiponectin antagonist), were used in the current study. The mice first underwent blood sampling. Then all mice were subjected to stress testing before the intervention except one group, which considered as a control group. The intervention in this study was done as a 100 mg/kg turmeric extract that was gavaged daily for each mouse. After the intervention, all mice were tested for sexual behavior, and then blood samples were taken to check serum levels of adiponectin, estradiol, progesterone and prolactin. So, the results showed before the intervention there were no significant difference among 5 group in levels of adiponectin (p = 0.145), estradiol (p = 0.148), progesterone (p = 0.166) and prolactin (p = 0.206) but after intervention there were significant difference between 5 group in levels of adiponectin, estradiol and progesterone (p < 0.001). Also there was significant difference among 5 groups in sexual behavior (p < 0.001). Therefore, consumption of turmeric, which increases serum adiponectin in the stressed mice, can improve sexual function and estradiol hormones profiling.

Reproducibility of saliva progesterone measured by immunoassay compared to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

Immunoassay overestimates progesterone in blood, but no studies have tested whether this occurs in saliva. We measured progesterone in saliva using immunoassay and mass spectrometry. We tested the immunoassay for cross reactivity with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17α-OHP). Progesterone was significantly higher in immunoassay compared to mass spectrometry. Immunoassay progesterone levels increased in when incremental levels of 17α-OHP standard was added. This effect was not observed with the addition of DHEA-S. Research using salivary progesterone immunoassay techniques should be wary, particularly with individuals taking steroid supplementation or with high levels of progesterone metabolites.

[Effects of 17ß-E2 on growth and gonad development of overwintering Whitmania pigra].

The present study was conducted to explores the effects of short-term addition of 17ß-E2 on the growth,gonad development and internal quality of overwintering Whitmania pigra. Before overwintering,0. 0,1. 0,10. 0,25. 0,50. 0,100. 0 µg·L~(-1) of 17ß-E2 were added to the aquaculture water for 6 weeks and then hibernated for 60 days. The changes of growth performance,gonad index,morphological structure of spermary( ovary),endogenous steroid hormones level and internal quality were measured. The results showed that the body weight,weight gain rate,specific growth rate,female gonad index,oocyte development and endogenous estrogen level of the leech increased first and then decreased with the increase of the concentration of exogenous 17ß-E2,which were higher than those of the control group. The body weight,weight gain rate and specific growth rate of the leech at the concentration of 25 µg·L~(-1)17ß-E2 were significantly higher than those of the other groups( P<0. 05),oocyte development and endogenous estrogen levels were significantly higher than those of other groups at the concentration of 50 µg·L~(-1)( P<0. 05). When the concentration of exogenous 17ß-E2 was higher than 50 µg·L~(-1),the levels of male gonad index,spermatocyte development,endogenous androgen and progesterone were significantly inhibited( P< 0. 05). There was no significant difference in endogenous corticosteroid levels among the groups. In conclusion,short-term addition of exogenous 17ß-E2 of 10-25 µg·L~(-1) could promote the growth of overwintering leeches,oocyte development and antithrombin activity without inhibiting the development of male gonads.

Lateral flow aptasensor for progesterone: Competitive target recognition and displacement of short complementary sequences.

There is a pressing need for simple and accurate analytical tools to assess the level of EDCs in environmental samples. In this work, a simple and highly sensitive competitive lateral flow assay (LFA) was developed for progesterone (P4). Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were functionalized with a previously isolated 60-mer aptamer for P4 and further hybridized with 8-mer complementary sequence modified with biotin. In the absence of P4, AuNP-duplexed aptamer conjugates are capture by a test line made with streptavidin. Conformational change within aptamer sequence upon target recognition causes the release of the biotinylated complementary sequence and disappearance of the colored test line. By optimizing the hybridization location of the 8-mer biotinylated sequences, the sensitivity of sensor was improved by 20-folds to achieve 5 nM detection level of P4 in buffer and spiked tap water samples. The simply fabricated sensor demonstrated a dynamic range in the lower nanomolar range and excellent selectivity against potential interfering molecules including the closely similar 17ß-estradiol (E2). The sensor can be used as a fast screening tool to assess the level of P4 in water. Implementing the developed assay avoids applying laborious extraction procedures and lengthily analysis by conventional chromatography based instruments.

Amount of Progesterone Consumed Based on Varying Fat Concentrations, Dietary Recommendations, and Estimated Safe Levels in Commercial Cow Origin Liquid Dairy Products.

Federal guidelines recommend that food with hormone content fall below 1% of endogenous production in the subset of the population with the lowest daily production. The majority of dairy products are obtained from pregnant cows, which increase the level of hormones present. The purpose of this article was to perform theoretical evaluation of the quantity of progesterone in cow's milk based on fat percentages and to assess whether this was within the recommended range. Daily recommended dairy product intake from various countries worldwide was researched. This was compared to the concentration of progesterone previously identified in varying fat contents of cow origin milk to assess the amount of progesterone (mg/day) that would be consumed if the guidelines were followed. The maximum daily progesterone consumption suggested will be met by ingestion of 2.7 L, 1.42 L, 1.13 L, 940 mL, 810 mL, 650 mL of 0% (skim), 1%, 2%, 3.25%, 10% (cream), and 35% (whipping cream) fat liquid cow origin dairy product, respectively. Therefore, ingestion of the highest amount of recommended daily dairy intake fell below 1% of the daily endogenous quantity produced, except in the unlikely case of consumption of 650 mL of 35% fat. Studies demonstrating an effect of cow's liquid dairy product intake may need to be revisited, since levels of progesterone consumption remain within the recommended levels. However, it should be considered that ingestion of cow's milk might have a potential effect on the hormonal profile in patients; however, this seems unlikely.

Pubertal development of estradiol-induced hypothalamic progesterone synthesis.

In females, a hallmark of puberty is the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge that triggers ovulation. Puberty initiates estrogen positive feedback onto hypothalamic circuits, which underlie the stimulation of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. In reproductively mature female rodents, both estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) signaling are necessary to stimulate the surge release of GnRH and LH. Estradiol membrane-initiated signaling facilitates progesterone (neuroP) synthesis in hypothalamic astrocytes, which act on E2-induced progesterone receptors (PGR) to stimulate kisspeptin release, thereby activating GnRH release. How the brain changes during puberty to allow estrogen positive feedback remains unknown. In the current study, we hypothesized that a critical step in estrogen positive feedback was the ability for estradiol-induced neuroP synthesis. To test this idea, hypothalamic neuroP levels were measured in groups of prepubertal, pubertal and young adult female Long Evans rats. Steroids were measured with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Hypothalamic neuroP increases from pre-puberty to young adulthood in both gonad-intact females and ovariectomized rats treated with E2. The pubertal development of hypothalamic E2-facilitated progesterone synthesis appears to be one of the neural switches facilitating reproductive maturation.

Effects of dry period length on metabolic status, fertility, udder health, and colostrum production in 2 cow breeds.

Shortening the dry period improves postpartum energy balance, which has potential positive effects on metabolic health. This concept has been mainly studied in Holstein cows. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a short dry period of 4 wk, compared with a standard dry period of 8 wk, on the metabolic status, progesterone profiles, health, and colostrum quality of dairy cows of 2 breeds, Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH), not treated with antibiotics at dry off. The IgG uptake in calves was also studied to reflect the colostrum quality when shortening the dry period. Cows of both SH and SR were blocked by breed and parity and then randomly allocated to a short dry period of 4 wk (4W, n = 43) or a conventional dry period of 8 wk (8W, n = 34). Blood samples were collected wk -8, -4, -2, -1 and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 relative to calving. Prepartum, cows with a 4-wk dry period had higher concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and lower concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin than 8W cows. Postpartum, plasma concentration of nonesterified fatty acids was lower, whereas plasma insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 tended to be higher for 4W cows than for 8W cows. Plasma concentration of ß-hydroxybutyrate did not differ between dry period lengths. Swedish Holstein cows with a 4W dry period responded with a lower concentration of insulin prepartum than SR and SH on an 8W dry period. The dry period length had no effect on the proportion of disturbed progesterone profiles; disturbed progesterone profiles occurred in 30% of the 4W cows and 47% of the 8W cows. In this trial, only 48.8% of the SR cows had a normal progesterone profile, which differed from the SH where 76.5% had a normal profile. Fertility-related diseases (endometritis, pyometra, anestrus, ovarian cyst) did not differ between the 2 dry period groups: 21% in the 8W group versus 12% in the 4W group, whereas mastitis tended to be more common: 26% of the 4W cows versus 9% of the 8W cows. A short dry period resulted in less colostrum but with a higher content of protein and somatic cell count. Calves were fed colostrum from their dam, and the IgG and total protein in plasma did not differ between calves to mothers with different a dry period length. Shortening the dry period could improve metabolic status in cows of both SH and SR breed postpartum, without compromising the colostrum quality. Health and progesterone profiles were not affected by the dry period length for SH or SR in this study.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Reduces Psychological Stress in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis have relatively high levels of stress and psychological dysfunction. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a psychological intervention that comprises acceptance and mindfulness procedures, along with commitment and behavior change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility and reduce stress. We performed a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of ACT on stress in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). METHODS: A total of 122 patients with quiescent or stable, mildly active IBD were randomly assigned to an 8-week ACT program or treatment as usual (control group). Clinical, demographic, disease activity, and psychological data and blood and feces were collected at baseline and at 8 weeks and 3 months after the intervention (week 20). Scalp hair was collected at baseline and week 20 for measurement of steroid concentrations. The primary endpoint was change in stress symptoms, assessed with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Secondary endpoints included changes in perceived stress, anxiety, depression, quality-of-life domains, disease activity, and cortisol concentration in hair. RESULTS: Overall, 79 participants were included in the complete case intention-to-treat analysis. There were 39% and 45% reductions in stress in the treatment group from baseline to 8 and 20 weeks, respectively, compared with 8% and 11% in the control group (group × time interaction, P = .001). ACT was associated with reduced perceived stress (P = .036) and depression (P = .010), but not anxiety (P = .388), compared with control individuals. In the intention-to-treat analysis, changes in all 4 quality-of-life domains over time were similar in the ACT and control groups. In the per-protocol analysis, the overall well-being quality-of-life domain improved in the ACT group compared with the control group (P = .009). Subjective and objective disease activity measurements were similar between groups over the study period (all P values >.05). Hair cortisol concentrations correlated with stress (rs = 0.205, P = .050) and anxiety (rs = 0.208, P = .046) at baseline but did not change significantly in the ACT group over the study period compared with the control group (P = .831). CONCLUSION: In a randomized controlled trial of patients with IBD, an 8-week ACT therapy course improved stress and other indices of psychological health.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02350920.

High affinity truncated DNA aptamers for the development of fluorescence based progesterone biosensors.

Aptamers have shown a number of potential applications in sensing and therapeutic due to the high affinity and specificity towards their target molecules. Not all the nucleotides in the full length aptamers are involved in the binding with their targets. The non-binding domain of the aptamer may affect the binding affinity of the aptamer-target complex. Mapping the aptamer binding region could increase the affinity and the specificity. In this paper, we designed aptamer-based fluorescence sensors from a truncated progesterone (P4) aptamer. Then, fluorescein and quencher labelled aptamer complementary oligonucleotide sequences were hybridized to the truncated aptamer at different sites to form duplex structures. We used fluorescence-quencher pair displacement assay upon progesterone binding for the determination of P4. One of the truncated sequences has shown high binding affinity with 16 fold increase in the dissociation constant, Kd (2.1 nM) compared to the original aptamer. The aptasensor was highly selective for P4 against similar compounds such as 17-ß estradiol, bisphenol-A and vitamin D. The sensor has been applied for the detection of P4 in spiked tap water and in urine samples showing good recovery. This new developed aptamer-based fluorescence biosensor can be applied in food, pharmaceutical, and clinical industries.

Luteal function during the estrous cycle in arginine-treated ewes fed different planes of nutrition.

Functions of corpus luteum (CL) are influenced by numerous factors including hormones, growth and angiogenic factors, nutritional plane and dietary supplements such as arginine (Arg), a semi-essential amino acid and precursor for proteins, polyamines and nitric oxide (NO). The aim of this study was to determine if Arg supplementation to ewes fed different planes of nutrition influences: (1) progesterone (P4) concentrations in serum and luteal tissue, (2) luteal vascularity, cell proliferation, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and receptor (R) soluble guanylate cyclase ß protein and mRNA expression and (3) luteal mRNA expression for selected angiogenic factors during the estrous cycle. Ewes (n = 111) were categorized by weight and randomly assigned to one of three nutritional planes: maintenance control (C), overfed (2× C) and underfed (0.6× C) beginning 60 days prior to onset of estrus. After estrus synchronization, ewes from each nutritional plane were assigned randomly to one of two treatments: Arg or saline. Serum and CL were collected at the early, mid and late luteal phases. The results demonstrated that: (1) nutritional plane affected ovulation rates, luteal vascularity, cell proliferation and NOS3, GUCY1B3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGFR2 mRNA expression, (2) Arg affected luteal vascularity, cell proliferation and NOS3, GUCY1B3, VEGF and VEGFR2 mRNA expression and (3) luteal vascularity, cell proliferation and the VEGF and NO systems depend on the stage of the estrous cycle. These data indicate that plane of nutrition and/or Arg supplementation can alter vascularization and expression of selected angiogenic factors in luteal tissue during the estrous cycle in sheep.

Go and NoGo: modulation of electrophysiological correlates by female sex steroid hormones.

RATIONALE: The behavioral and electrophysiological responses in a Go/NoGo task are objective measures of executive functioning that may be impaired in clinical conditions. Prior to the wider application of Go/NoGo tasks in clinics, it is tempting to evaluate factors causing modulation of the responses. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of female sex steroids on Go/NoGo task-related ERPs in healthy females. METHODS: Thirty-four young healthy females performed an equiprobable (50/50) auditory Go/NoGo task. Amplitudes and latencies of N2 and P3 peaks from Fz, Cz, and Pz electrodes were evaluated. 17ß-estradiol and progesterone levels in saliva samples were measured. Electrophysiological measures were correlated to 17ß-estradiol and progesterone concentrations. RESULTS: The diverse pattern of modulation of P3 latencies was shown: higher levels of 17ß-estradiol contributed to Go-P3 latency prolongation, and higher levels of progesterone contributed to NoGo-P3 latency shortening. Higher levels of 17ß-estradiol were associated with more negative frontal N2 amplitude in both conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between electrophysiological correlates of executive functioning to individual hormonal levels points to a broader range of variation sources in healthy subjects which might mask or pronounce between-group differences in clinical studies.

Form of supplemental selenium fed to cycling cows affects systemic concentrations of progesterone but not those of estradiol.

In areas where soils are deficient in selenium (Se), dietary supplementation of this trace mineral directly to cattle is recommended. Selenium status affects fertility, and the form of Se supplemented to cows affects tissue-specific gene expression profiles. The objective of this study was to determine whether the form of Se consumed by cows would affect follicular growth and the production of steroids. Thirty-three Angus-cross cows that had ad libitum access of a mineral mix containing 35 ppm of Se in free-choice vitamin-mineral mixes as either inorganic (ISe), organic (OSe), or a 50/50 mix of ISe and OSe (MIX) for 180 days were used. After 170 days of supplementation, all cows were injected with 25-mg PGF2α to induce regression of the CL and then monitored for behavioral estrus (Day 0). From Day 4 to Day 8 after estrus, follicular growth was determined by transrectal ultrasonography. On Day 6, cows were injected with PGF2α (20 then 15 mg, 8-12 hours apart) to induce regression of the developing CL and differentiation of the dominant follicle of the first follicular wave into a preovulatory follicle. On Day 8, 36 hours after PGF2α (20 mg), the contents of the preovulatory follicle were aspirated by ultrasound-guided follicular puncture. Blood collected on Days 6 and 8 and follicular fluid collected on Day 8 was analyzed for concentrations of progesterone and estradiol. Form of Se supplemented to cows affected (P = 0.04) the systemic concentration of progesterone on Day 6, but not on Day 8. Form of Se did not affect the systemic concentration of estradiol on Day 6 or Day 8. Form of Se tended to affect (P = 0.07) the concentration of progesterone, but not that of estradiol, in the follicular fluid. Form of Se did not affect diameter of the dominant ovarian follicle on Days 4 to 6, but tended to affect (P = 0.08) the diameter of the preovulatory follicle on Day 8. Our results suggest that form of Se fed to cows affects the production of progesterone but not that of estradiol. Further investigation of organic Se-induced increases in progesterone and potentially the effects of increased progesterone on the establishment of pregnancy, especially in cows of lower fertility, is warranted.

Short communication: Concentrations of the mammalian lignan enterolactone in preovulatory follicles and the correlation with intrafollicular estradiol in dairy cows fed extruded flaxseed.

Flaxseed is a rich source of lignans that can be metabolized to the mammalian lignan enterolactone (EL), which may elicit weak estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of feeding an extruded flaxseed supplement to dairy cows on concentrations of EL in plasma and preovulatory follicles and the association with intrafollicular estradiol (E2). Twenty-four multiparous 256-d-pregnant Israeli Holstein cows were fed either a standard diet both pre- and postpartum (control; n=12) or provided with an extruded flaxseed supplement (n=12), at 7.9 and 9.2% of dry matter, pre- and postpartum, respectively. Follicular fluid (FF) aspirations were conducted at 84±16 d in lactation as follows: 7 to 8 d following behavioral estrus, cows were injected with prostaglandin F2α and 48h later follicles >7mm were aspirated. Follicles were regarded as preovulatory when the E2-to-progesterone ratio was >1. Plasma EL concentrations were not different between treatment groups; however, concentrations of EL in FF of preovulatory follicles were 1.7 times higher in extruded flaxseed-supplemented cows than in control. Across-treatment analysis revealed a positive correlation between concentrations of EL in plasma and in FF. In addition, intrafollicular EL concentrations were positively correlated with E2 concentrations (r=0.50), and with the intrafollicular E2-to-progesterone ratio. In conclusion, supplementing dairy cows with extruded flaxseed increased EL concentrations in preovulatory follicles. Intrafollicular EL was correlated with E2 concentrations; therefore, the possible effects of EL from flaxseed on follicular steroidogenesis should be considered.

Sex hormones predict the sensory strength and vividness of mental imagery.

Mystery surrounds the cause of large individual differences in mental imagery vividness and strength, and how these might map onto mental disorders. Here, we report the concentration of sex hormones predicts the strength and vividness of visual mental imagery. We employed an objective measure of imagery utilizing binocular rivalry and a subjective questionnaire to assess imagery. The strength and vividness of imagery was greater for females in the mid luteal phase than both females in the late follicular phase and males. Further, imagery strength and vividness were significantly correlated with salivary progesterone concentration. For the same participants, performance on visual and verbal working memory tasks was not predicted by progesterone concentration. These results suggest sex hormones might influence visual imagery, but not general working memory. As hormone concentration changes over time, this implies a partial dynamic basis for individual differences in visual mental imagery, any dependent cognition and mental disorders.

Progesterone and mental imagery interactively predict emotional memories.

Different lines of research suggest that the consolidation of emotional memories is influenced by (a) endogenous levels of sex hormones, and (b) individual differences in the capacity to use vivid mental imagery. No studies to date have investigated how these factors may interact to influence declarative emotional memories. This study examined the interacting influence of progesterone and mental imagery strength on emotional memory consolidation. Twenty-four men, 20 women from the low progesterone (follicular) menstrual phase, and 20 women from the high progesterone (mid-luteal) phase of the cycle were assessed using an objective performance-based measure of mental imagery strength, and then shown a series of aversive and neutral images. Half of the images were accompanied by instructions to process sensory features, and the remaining half to process the conceptual characteristics of the images. Two days later, all participants returned for a surprise free recall memory test. The interaction of progesterone and mental imagery strength significantly predicted recall of visually processed, but not verbally processed, negative images. These data suggest that mental imagery strength may be one mechanism underlying the documented association between endogenous progesterone and enhanced emotional memory performance in the literature.

The effects of conjugated linoleic acid isomers cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 on in vitro bovine embryo production and cryopreservation.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers can affect the lipid profile and signaling of cells and thereby alter their function. A total of 5,700 bovine oocytes were used in a structured series of experiments to test the effects of CLA cis-9,trans-11 and CLA trans-10,cis-12 in vitro. In experiment 1, high doses of each CLA isomer during in vitro maturation (IVM) were compared with high or low doses during the entire in vitro culture (IVC) of parthenogenetic embryos. High doses of the CLA isomers ranged from 50 to 200 µM and low doses were 15 and 25 µM. In experiment 2, the low doses of each CLA isomer were tested during IVM/IVC on embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Experiment 3 compared the effects of 15 µM doses of each CLA isomer during IVM or IVC of IVF embryos. In experiment 4, post-rewarming survival rates and blastomere counts were assessed for embryos supplemented with each CLA isomer during IVM or for 36 h before vitrification. In experiment 1, when either CLA isomer was provided only during IVM, we observed no effects on overall rates of maturation, cleavage, or blastocysts (92.2 ± 1.6%, 78.3 ± 4.1%, and 28.9 ± 5.1%, respectively). However, high doses of each CLA isomer, but not low doses, during the entire embryo culture period decreased blastocyst rates (5-20%) in a dose-dependent manner. Cleavage rates improved with 15 or 50 µM CLA trans-10,cis-12. Progesterone concentrations in maturation media were significantly increased by high doses of each CLA isomer compared with control, but low doses of CLA isomers had no effect. In experiment 2 with IVF embryos, low doses of each CLA isomer did not alter cleavage rates (average 84.9 ± 1.9%) and only 25 µM CLA trans-10,cis-12 during IVC reduced blastocyst rates below those of controls (25.5 ± 2.1 vs. 38.2 ± 2.3%). The lipid content of embryos was increased and relative expression of the BIRC5 (baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5) gene was depressed by CLA trans-10,cis-12. In experiment 3, low doses (15µM) of each CLA isomer during IVC significantly reduced blastocyst rates (20.6 ± 2.4% and 27.7 ± 1.2% vs. 34.18 ± 1.2% for CLA trans-10,cis-12 and CLA cis-9,trans-11 compared with control, respectively) with less effect of each CLA during IVM. In experiment 4, adding 100 µM CLA cis-9,trans-11 during the final 36 h of culture resulted in a high survival rate after rewarming and culture, and the higher embryo blastomere count was comparable to that of control embryos not undergoing vitrification. In conclusion, supplementation with either CLA isomer did not improve embryo production, but inclusion of CLA cis-9,trans-11 before vitrification improved the quality of bovine IVF embryos after rewarming and culture.

Evaluation of apoptosis in long-term culture of vitrified mouse whole ovaries.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the development of follicles and incidence of apoptosis in vitrified neonatal mouse ovaries cultured in vitro in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The vitrified and non-vitrified ovaries of 1-week-old mouse were cultured in the presence or absence of LIF for 7 days. At the beginning and at the end of culture period in each ovary of all groups of study the mean area and the development of ovarian follicles were analyzed; moreover, the incidence of apoptosis was assessed by transmission electron microscopy, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method, DNA laddering and caspase-3/7 activity technique. The hormonal assay was done on the conditioned media collected during culture period. The proportion of preantral follicles and the levels of hormones increased in all cultured groups and it was significantly higher in LIF treated groups than in their control (P<0.001). The ultrastructural characteristics of cell death, DNA fragmentation and TUNEL positive signals were prominent in vitrified cultured ovaries. The level of caspase-3/7 activity was higher in vitrified cultured ovaries. LIF supplementation during 7 days of culture appeared to significantly preserve cells function and increase the follicular development of both vitrified and non-vitrified ovaries.

The effect of strategic supplementation with trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid on the milk production, estrous cycle characteristics, and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cattle.

The objective was to determine the effects of a protected (lipid-encapsulated) conjugated linoleic acid (LE-CLA) supplement on milk production, estrous cycle characteristics, and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows on a pasture-based diet. Spring calving dairy cows (n=409) on a single pasture-based commercial dairy farm were used in a completely randomized block design. Cows were assigned to 1 of 2 dietary supplements [LE-CLA (n=203) or no supplement (control, n=206)]. The LE-CLA cows received 51 g/d of a lipid supplement containing 5 g of both trans-10,cis-12 and cis-9,trans-11 CLA from 0 to 60 d in milk. Milk samples were collected 3 times weekly, and each sample was analyzed for progesterone to determine the interval to first ovulation and estrous cycle characteristics. Milk yield and concentrations of fat, protein, and lactose were measured every 2 wk. Cows were inseminated following visual observation of estrus. The breeding season commenced on April 8, 2009 and continued for 16 wk. Transrectal ultrasonography was carried out at 30 to 36 d and 60 to 66 d post-AI to diagnose pregnancy. The LE-CLA treatment resulted in a decrease in milk fat concentration (36.9±0.06 g/kg vs. 30.7±0.06 g/kg for control and LE-CLA, respectively) and yield (0.91±0.02 kg/d vs. 0.84±0.02 kg/d for control and LE-CLA, respectively); however, milk yield was increased by LE-CLA supplementation (24.7±0.7 kg/d vs. 27.2±0.7 kg/d for control and LE-CLA, respectively), resulting in no overall difference in milk energy output. No effect of LE-CLA was observed on any estrous cycle characteristics or measures of reproductive performance. These results support that in pasture-based systems of dairy production, where energy intake limits milk production, energy spared by CLA-induced milk fat depression is partitioned toward increasing milk yield rather than toward body reserves.