Identifying the optimal course delivery platform in an undergraduate animal behavior research course.

There is a critical need to evaluate pedagogical delivery platforms best suited for undergraduates in the information age. Our goal was to identify the optimum course delivery platform for a basic research course based on student performance and critical thinking scores. Students were expected to plan, conduct, and report on an animal behavior research project of their own design. The course was taught in three different formats: traditional, online, and flipped, over 2 yr by the same instructor at both the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. Student assessments included weekly quizzes, assignments, a written report, a poster presentation, and attendance. We conducted pre- and postassessments using the Cornell Critical Thinking Test (CCTT). Students' grades differed depending on format delivery and were also different between University of Florida and Santa Fe College students. For students at the University of Florida, quiz grades and poster grades did not differ (P < 0.50) between formats. However, assignment grades (P = 0.04) and report grades (P < 0.001) differed by format and were higher in the flipped and online-only version of the course, compared with traditional. For students at the Santa Fe College, quiz grades (P = 0.71) did not differ, but assignment (P < 0.001), report (P = 0.003), and poster (P < 0.001) grades were higher in the flipped and traditional format of the course. Within the flipped format at the University of Florida, student CCTT scores increased (P < 0.001) between pre- and posttest, whereas the scores within the other formats did not differ. When we compared the magnitude of change between pre- and posttest scores across formats, students at the University of Florida in the flipped format tended (P = 0.060) to have a greater gain than students in the online format. For students at Santa Fe College, there was no difference between pre- and posttest CCTT scores for any format, and the magnitude of change in scores did not differ between formats. Overall, our results suggest that teaching format influences student grades and critical thinking scores. Different effects were seen in different student populations; however, positive effects of the flipped format on student grades were seen at both institutions. In conclusion, flipped format courses may improve learning and critical thinking in an early research-based course.

Using Doppler ultrasonography on day 34 of pregnancy to predict pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cattle.

The objective of this experiment was to determine whether uterine or ovarian vascular dynamics could be used to identify cows at risk for pregnancy loss. Our hypothesis was that cows that subsequently lose their pregnancy will have decreased corpus luteal (CL) perfusion, or an increased resistance index (RI; reduced blood flow), or both, at d 34 of pregnancy. Day 34 was chosen because it is a common time for dairy cattle to be checked for pregnancy. This experiment was performed in 2 replicates from November 2011 to April 2012 (n = 69) and from November 2012 to April 2013 (n = 53). Cows were bred via timed artificial insemination using Ovsynch-56 and checked for pregnancy on d 32 after artificial insemination. At d 34, cows confirmed pregnant were examined via transrectal Doppler ultrasonography. Blood samples collected via coccygeal vein were used to measure circulating plasma progesterone concentrations. Diameter of the corpus luteum and crown-rump length were measured. Color power Doppler ultrasonography was used to determine vascular perfusion to the CL, and RI was measured for the uterine arteries just after branching from the umbilical artery. Records were later examined to identify pregnancy status of cows after reconfirmation. Abortion rate did not differ between replicates (11.6% in replicate 1, 9.4% in replicate 2). Mean crown-rump length of embryos that were carried to term was greater on d 34 than that in cows that aborted (14.23 ± 0.27 vs. 13.21 ± 0.53 mm). Circulating progesterone concentration at d 34 was greater for cows that carried pregnancies to term than for those that aborted (9.1 ± 0.7 vs. 7.5 ± 1.0 ng/mL). The final logistic regression model consisted of crown-rump length, progesterone concentration, and RI of the uterine artery contralateral to pregnancy. Decreased crown-rump length and progesterone concentration tended to be associated with increased odds ratio for pregnancy loss, whereas CL perfusion and uterine blood flow were not associated with increased odds ratio of pregnancy loss. In conclusion, examining CL perfusion and RI of the uterine arteries on d 34 of pregnancy does not offer a method to identify lactating Dairy cattle at risk for pregnancy loss after d 34.

The WNT signaling antagonist Dickkopf-1 directs lineage commitment and promotes survival of the preimplantation embryo.

Successful embryonic development is dependent on factors secreted by the reproductive tract. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), an antagonist of the wingless-related mouse mammary tumor virus (WNT) signaling pathway, is one endometrial secretory protein potentially involved in maternal-embryo communication. The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of DKK1 in embryo cell fate decisions and competence to establish pregnancy. Using in vitro-produced bovine embryos, we demonstrate that exposure of embryos to DKK1 during the period of morula to blastocyst transition (between d 5 and 8 of development) promotes the first 2 cell fate decisions leading to increased differentiation of cells toward the trophectoderm and hypoblast lineages compared with that for control embryos treated with vehicle. Moreover, treatment of embryos with DKK1 or colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2; an endometrial cytokine known to improve embryo development and pregnancy establishment) between d 5 and 7 of development improves embryo survival after transfer to recipients. Pregnancy success at d 32 of gestation was 27% for cows receiving control embryos treated with vehicle, 41% for cows receiving embryos treated with DKK1, and 39% for cows receiving embryos treated with CSF2. These novel findings represent the first evidence of a role for maternally derived WNT regulators during this period and could lead to improvements in assisted reproductive technologies.

Influence of L-arginine supplementation on reproductive blood flow and embryo recovery rates in mares.

Supplementation with L-arginine can increase uterine arterial blood flow and vascular perfusion of the preovulatory follicle in mares. Increased vascular perfusion of the preovulatory follicle has been correlated with successful pregnancy in mares. The objective of this study was to determine if supplemental L-arginine would increase ovarian arterial blood flow, vascular perfusion of the preovulatory follicle, and embryo recovery rates in mares. Mares were blocked by age and breed and assigned at random within block to L-arginine supplementation or control groups. Mares were fed L-arginine beginning 17 days before and through the duration of the study. Transrectal Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure ovarian arterial blood flow and vascular perfusion of the preovulatory follicle daily when it reached 35 mm and subsequent CL on Days 2, 4, and 6. Mares, on achieving a follicle of 35 mm or more were bred via artificial insemination and an embryo collection was attempted 7 days after ovulation. Treatment did not affect interovulatory interval (arginine-treated, 18.1 ± 2.6 days; control, 20.7 ± 2.3 days) or embryo recovery rate (arginine-treated, 54%; control, 48%). Mares treated with l-arginine had a larger follicle for the 10 days preceding ovulation than control mares (30.4 ± 1.2 and 26.3 ± 1.3 mm, respectively; P < 0.05) and vascular perfusion of the dominant follicle tended (P = 0.10) to be greater for the 4 days before ovulation. No differences were observed between groups in diameter or vascular perfusion of the CL. Resistance indices, normalized to ovulation, were not significantly different between groups during the follicular or luteal phase. Oral l-arginine supplementation increased the size and tended to increase perfusion of the follicle 1, but had no effect on luteal perfusion or embryo recovery rates in mares.

Oral L-arginine supplementation impacts several reproductive parameters during the postpartum period in mares.

L-arginine is an amino acid which can alter pituitary function and increase blood flow to the reproductive tract. The objective was to determine the effect of supplementing 100g of L-arginine on plasma arginine concentrations, follicular dynamics and ovarian and uterine artery blood flow during the estrus that occurs subsequent to foaling. In Experiment 1, mares were fed 100g L-arginine for 1 day during the last 3 weeks of pregnancy and plasma samples taken for every hour for the first 4h and every other hour until 12h.L-arginine supplementation elevated plasma arginine concentrations from 1 to 8h post feeding; arginine peaked at 6h (arginine: 515±33µmol/L; control: 80±33µmol/L). In Experiment 2, mares received either 100g L-arginine or control diets beginning 21 d before the expected foaling date and continued for 30 d postpartum. The reproductive tract was evaluated by transrectal Doppler ultrasonography from Day 1 postpartum through Day 30. There were no differences in ovarian follicular dynamics, ovarian or uterine resistance indices between groups. Vascular perfusion of the F1 follicular wall was greater in L-arginine supplemented mares (37.3±2.6%) than controls (25.4±2.7%; P<0.05). L-arginine supplemented mares had a smaller uterine body and horns and accumulated less uterine fluid than controls (P<0.05). The combination of reducing uterine fluid accumulation, while not altering follicular development, raises the possible use of L-arginine supplementation as a breeding management tool during the postpartum period to increase reproductive success.