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Journal of Animal Science Jan 2023This study reports genetic parameters for yearling and adult wool and growth traits, and ewe reproductive performance. Data were sourced from an Uruguayan Merino flock...
This study reports genetic parameters for yearling and adult wool and growth traits, and ewe reproductive performance. Data were sourced from an Uruguayan Merino flock involved in a long-term selection program focused on reduced fiber diameter (FD), and increased clean fleece weight (CFW) and live weight (LW). Pedigree and performance data from approximately 5,700 mixed-sex yearling lambs and 2,000 mixed-age ewes born between 1999 and 2019 were analyzed. The number of records ranged from 1,267 to 5,738 for yearling traits, and from 1,931 to 7,079 for ewe productive and reproductive performance. Data on yearling and adult wool traits, LW and body condition score (BCS), yearling eye muscle area (Y_EMA), and fat thickness (Y_FAT), and several reproduction traits were analyzed. The genetic relationships between FD and reproduction traits were not different from zero. Moderate unfavorable genetic correlations were found between adult CFW and ewe lifetime reproduction traits (-0.34 ± 0.08 and -0.33 ± 0.09 for the total number of lambs weaned and total lamb LW at weaning, respectively). There were moderate to strong positive genetic correlations between yearling LW and all reproduction traits other than ewe-rearing ability (-0.08 ± 0.11) and pregnancy rate (0.18 ± 0.08). The genetic correlations between Y_EMA and reproduction traits were positive and ranged from 0.15 to 0.49. Moderate unfavorable genetic correlations were observed between yearling FD and Y_FAT and between adult FD and BCS at mating (0.31 ± 0.12 and 0.23 ± 0.07, respectively). The genetic correlations between adult fleece weight and ewe BCS at different stages of the cycle were negative, but generally not different from zero. This study shows that selection for reduced FD is unlikely to have any effect on reproduction traits. Selection for increased yearling LW and Y_EMA will improve ewe reproductive performance. On the other hand, selection for increased adult CFW will reduce ewe reproductive performance, whereas selection for reduced FD will negatively impact body fat levels. Although unfavorable genetic relationships between wool traits and both FAT and ewe reproductive performance existed, simultaneous improvements in the traits would occur using appropriately designed indexes.
Topics: Pregnancy; Sheep; Animals; Female; Wool; Reproduction; Phenotype; Sheep, Domestic; Adipose Tissue; Weight Gain
PubMed: 36881993
DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad071 -
Canadian Journal of Physiology and... Apr 2019Nucleoporins are a specialized subset of nuclear proteins that comprise the nuclear pore complex and regulate nucleocytoplasmic transport. Recent demonstrations of roles... (Review)
Review
Nucleoporins are a specialized subset of nuclear proteins that comprise the nuclear pore complex and regulate nucleocytoplasmic transport. Recent demonstrations of roles for individual nucleoporins in multiple paradigms of differentiation via mechanisms independent of nuclear trafficking represent conceptual advances in understanding the contributions of nucleoporins to cellular development. Among these, a functional role for nucleoporins in reproductive fitness and gametogenesis has been identified, supported by robust models and clinical studies that leverage the power of next generation sequencing technology to identify reproductive-disease-associated mutations in specific nucleoporins. Proper nucleoporin function manifests in different ways during oogenesis and spermatogenesis. However, nonhuman models of gametogenesis may not recapitulate human mechanisms, which may confound translational interpretation and relevance. To circumvent these limitations, identification of reproductive pathologies in patients, combined with next generation sequencing approaches and advanced in silico tools, offers a powerful approach to investigate the potential function of nucleoporins in human reproduction. Ultimately, elucidating the role of nucleoporins in reproductive biology will provide opportunities for predictive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies to address reproductive disorders.
Topics: Animals; Growth and Development; Humans; Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins; Oogenesis; Reproduction; Spermatogenesis; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 30388388
DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2018-0436 -
ACS Chemical Neuroscience May 2012Marijuana is a preparation of the flower, as well as the leaves and seeds, of the plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes... (Review)
Review
Marijuana is a preparation of the flower, as well as the leaves and seeds, of the plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years due to its psychoactive effects including euphoria, sedation, and analgesia. Although it has been suspected for decades that marijuana has adverse effects on female fertility, the underlying molecular mechanism was not clear. The discovery of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids has advanced studies if cannabinoid signaling. Since then, numerous studies have been published on cannabinoid signaling in female reproductive events, including preimplantation embryo development, oviductal embryo transport, embryo implantation, placentation, and parturition. This review focuses on various aspects of endocannabinoid signaling in female fertility.
Topics: Animals; Embryo Implantation; Embryonic Development; Endocannabinoids; Female; Fertilization; Humans; Pregnancy; Reproduction; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 22860202
DOI: 10.1021/cn300014e -
Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... Sep 2015The objective of this review was to discuss whether endocrine disruption is a clinical concern in domestic animal reproduction. To that end, we firstly summarize the... (Review)
Review
The objective of this review was to discuss whether endocrine disruption is a clinical concern in domestic animal reproduction. To that end, we firstly summarize the phenomenon of endocrine disruption, giving examples of the agents of concern and their effects on the mammalian reproductive system. Then there is a brief overview of the literature on endocrine disruptors and domestic animal reproduction. Finally, the clinical implications of endocrine disruptors on the reproductive system of farm animals as well as in dogs and cats are discussed. It is concluded that the evidence for clinical cases of endocrine disruption by chemical pollutants is weak, whereas for phytooestrogens, it is well established. However, there is concern that particular dogs and cats may be exposed to man-made endocrine disruptors.
Topics: Agriculture; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Cats; Dogs; Endocrine Disruptors; Environmental Exposure; Female; Male; Phytoestrogens; Pregnancy; Reproduction
PubMed: 26382024
DOI: 10.1111/rda.12563 -
Comptes Rendus Biologies 2010Aphids are among the few organisms capable of reproducing either sexually or asexually. This plasticity in reproductive mode is viewed as an adaptive response to cope... (Review)
Review
Aphids are among the few organisms capable of reproducing either sexually or asexually. This plasticity in reproductive mode is viewed as an adaptive response to cope with seasonal changes. Clonal reproduction occurs during the growing season allowing rapid population increase, while sexual reproduction occurs during late summer and leads to frost-resistant eggs that can survive winter conditions. This shift between these two extreme reproductive modes is achieved by using the same genotype, i.e. within the same genetic clone, and is triggered by photoperiodic changes perceived by the aphid brain or visual system. Advances have been made recently to depict genetic programs that relate to the regulation of reproductive modes in aphids. These studies have benefited from the rapid development of genomic and post-genomic resources obtained through the International Aphid Genomics Consortium. Here, we underline the importance of several candidate genes in the switch from clonal to sexual reproduction in aphids and whose roles await full validation. Besides reproductive mode variation expressed at the genotypic level, aphid species also frequently encompass lineages which have lost the sexual phase and hence the alternating clonal and sexual reproductive phases of the life cycle. This coexistence of sex and asexual reproduction within the same species raises questions on its evolutionary and ecological significance. We summarize the knowledge accumulated to date on the maintenance of sex as well as on the origin and evolution of asexuality in aphids. By combining functional genomics, genetic and ecological approaches on reproductive plasticity and polymorphism, we hope to obtain an integrative view of the evolutionary forces shaping aphid reproductive strategies, from gene to population and species levels.
Topics: Animals; Aphids; Biological Evolution; Genetic Variation; Photoperiod; Reproduction; Reproduction, Asexual; Seasons; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 20541160
DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2010.03.003 -
Fertility and Sterility Jun 2017Outcomes in assisted reproduction have seen marked improvement. With increased ability in the embryology laboratory to use extended embryo culture which in turn enables... (Review)
Review
Outcomes in assisted reproduction have seen marked improvement. With increased ability in the embryology laboratory to use extended embryo culture which in turn enables other selective techniques, such as trophectoderm biopsy and comprehensive chromosome screening, the chance of success per embryo transfer is increased. However, even the selection of a euploid blastocyst, which selects out many embryonic factors, does not yield successful implantation and ultimately delivery in all cases. Among the factors that affect implantation failure of apparently reproductively competent embryos, the immune system has been perhaps both the most plausible and the most debated. There are data on T-helper cells, in particular the T1-T2 balance, peripheral and uterine natural killer cells, and autoantibodies, all of which have been shown to have variable effects on implantation. Many investigators have developed and used a wide range of immune tests and treatments aimed at manipulating the milieu to favor implantation. Although it is certain that the immune system plays a role in implantation, our understanding of the physiology, let alone the pathophysiology, remains incomplete. It is imperative that we gain more clear evidence of causes and test and implement treatment paradigms. In the meantime, immune testing or empirical treatment with the use of immune modulators must be approached with caution.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Aneuploidy; Embryo Implantation; Female; HLA-C Antigens; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; Infertility, Female; Killer Cells, Natural; Placentation; Pregnancy; Receptors, KIR; Uterus
PubMed: 28501368
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.04.019 -
Current Opinion in Plant Biology Feb 2017A common denominator of sexual reproduction in many eukaryotic species is the exposure of an egg to excess sperm to maximize the chances of reproductive success. To... (Review)
Review
A common denominator of sexual reproduction in many eukaryotic species is the exposure of an egg to excess sperm to maximize the chances of reproductive success. To avoid potential harmful or deleterious consequences of supernumerary sperm fusion to a single female gamete (polyspermy), many eukaryotes, including plants, have evolved barriers preventing polyspermy. Typically, these checkpoints are implemented at different stages in the reproduction process. The virtual absence of unambiguous reports of naturally occurring egg cell polyspermy in flowering plants is likely reflecting the success of this multiphasic strategy and highlights the difficulty to trace this presumably rare event. We here focus on potential polyspermy avoidance mechanisms in plants and discuss them in light of analogous processes in animals.
Topics: Fertilization; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Reproduction
PubMed: 27951463
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2016.11.012 -
Tropical Animal Health and Production May 2023Sheep is an important producing animal in subtropical and arid regions; however, sheep farming practices and welfare standards are still not well established. To move to... (Review)
Review
Sheep is an important producing animal in subtropical and arid regions; however, sheep farming practices and welfare standards are still not well established. To move to either intensive or intensive sheep production, stocking density (animal/area, SD) is a significant factor that influencing the welfare and productivity of animals. However, there are discrepancies in space allowance standards for wool, meat, and dairy sheep at different stages. Thus, this review article sheds light on (1) the geographical distribution of wool, meat-type, and dairy sheep populations; (2) the effects of interaction among space allowances, housing systems, and group size on the social, feeding, and aggressive behaviors and human-sheep contact; (3) the effects of space allowance on wool, growth performance, and milk production of sheep; (4) the relationship between space allowance and reproductive performance; (5) the effects of stocking rate on immunity; and (6) suggestions to mitigate the stress and deleterious influences of SD on the productivity of sheep. In conclusion, the larger space allowance with access to an outdoor yard can improve social and feeding behaviors, meat and milk yield, and wool quality. Moreover, ewes are more sensitive to SD, so they should receive an adequate space allowance at each stage. The changes in behavioral responses of each sheep breed refer to their different requirements. Therefore, there is a need to determine the impact of housing aspects, especially space allowance and enrichment tools on the productive performance and welfare indices of sheep for implementing welfare-economic standards for sheep production.
Topics: Humans; Sheep; Animals; Female; Housing, Animal; Reproduction; Milk; Aggression; Feeding Behavior
PubMed: 37199866
DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03615-2 -
Hormones and Behavior Jul 2022Despite decades of research into the evolutionary drivers of sociality, we know relatively little about the underlying proximate mechanisms. Here we investigate the...
Despite decades of research into the evolutionary drivers of sociality, we know relatively little about the underlying proximate mechanisms. Here we investigate the potential role of prolactin in the highly social naked mole-rat. Naked mole-rats live in large social groups but, only a small number of individuals reproduce. The remaining non-breeders are reproductively suppressed and contribute to burrow maintenance, foraging, and allo-parental care. Prolactin has well-documented links with reproductive timing and parental behaviour, and the discovery that non-breeding naked mole-rats have unusually high prolactin levels has led to the suggestion that prolactin may help maintain naked mole-rat sociality. To test this idea, we investigated whether urinary prolactin was correlated with cooperative behaviour and aggression. We then administered the prolactin-suppressing drug Cabergoline to eight female non-breeders for eight weeks and assessed the physiology and behaviour of the animals relative to controls. Contrary to the mammalian norm, and supporting previous findings for plasma, we found non-breeders had elevated urinary prolactin concentrations that were similar to breeding females. Further, prolactin levels were higher in heavier, socially dominant non-breeders. Urinary prolactin concentrations did not explain variation in working behaviour or patterns of aggression. Furthermore, females receiving Cabergoline did not show any behavioural or hormonal (progesterone) differences, and urinary prolactin did not appear to be suppressed in individuals receiving Cabergoline. While the results add to the relatively limited literature experimentally manipulating prolactin to investigate its role in reproduction and behaviour, they fail to explain why prolactin levels are high in non-breeding naked mole-rats, or how female non-breeding phenotypes are maintained.
Topics: Animals; Cabergoline; Female; Mole Rats; Prolactin; Reproduction; Social Behavior
PubMed: 35597054
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105196 -
Journal of Proteomics Mar 2016Sexual reproduction and the exchange of genetic information are essential biological processes for species across all branches of the tree of life. Over the last four... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Sexual reproduction and the exchange of genetic information are essential biological processes for species across all branches of the tree of life. Over the last four decades, biochemists have continued to identify many of the factors that facilitate reproduction, but the molecular mechanisms that mediate this process continue to elude us. However, a recurring observation in this research has been the rapid evolution of reproductive proteins. In animals, the competing interests of males and females often result in arms race dynamics between pairs of interacting proteins. This phenomenon has been observed in all stages of reproduction, including pheromones, seminal fluid components, and gamete recognition proteins. In this article, we review how the integration of evolutionary theory with biochemical experiments can be used to study interacting reproductive proteins. Examples are included from both model and non-model organisms, and recent studies are highlighted for their use of state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic techniques.
SIGNIFICANCE
Despite decades of research, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate fertilization remain poorly characterized. To date, molecular evolutionary studies on both model and non-model organisms have provided some of the best inferences to elucidating the molecular underpinnings of animal reproduction. This review article details how biochemical and evolutionary experiments have jointly enhanced the field for 40 years, and how recent work using high-throughput genomic and proteomic techniques have shed additional insights into this crucial biological process.
Topics: Animals; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Humans; Male; Proteomics; Reproduction
PubMed: 26074353
DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.06.007