F.C. Gwazdauskas

Effects of once- versus twice-weekly transvaginal follicular aspiration on bovine oocyte recovery and embryo development

Ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration combined with in vitro maturation/in vitro fertilization (IVM/IVF) and culture was used to obtain bovine preimplantation stage embryos. Evaluated were the effects of aspiration frequency on oocyte recovery and embryo development following IVM/IVF. In Experiment 1, transvaginal follicular aspiration was performed once (n=5) or twice (n=5) weekly in multiparous Angus cows with the aid of a transvaginal sector transducer (5-MHz). In Experiment 2, aspiration was performed on Angus cows once weekly (n=6), twice weekly (n=4), or twice weekly after treatment with FSH (15 mg; n=4). Follicles (>2 mm) were punctured using a 55-cm needle (17g), and oocytes were aspirated through the needle and silastic tubing (2 m) by vacuum suction (75 mmHg). The oocytes were examined for morphology and were in vitro matured and fertilized. Following IVF, all ova were co-cultured in vitro for 7 d on Buffalo Rat liver cells. Oocyte recovery rates per aspïration session in Experiment 1 were not different between groups aspirated once or twice weekly (6.8+/-2.0 vs 6.3+/-1.1 oocytes/session; x+/-SEM) or in Experiment 2 between groups aspirated once, twice, or twice plus FSH treatment (7.7+/-1.8 vs 9.5+/-1.1 vs 6.2+/-1.1; P>0.10). In vitro development to the blastocyst stage was not different between the once, twice or twice-weekly aspiration plus FSH treatments or control oocytes obtained from cows at slaughter (23.1 vs 26.1 vs 18.0 vs 27.9%; P>0.10). Oocytes from the twice-weekly and twice-weekly plus FSH aspiration groups generated a higher percentage of Grade-1 quality embryos than the once-weekly group (P<0.05). In commercial bovine oocyte aspiration, more transferable embryos can be generated from twice-weekly aspirations than from once-weekly aspiration.

Effect of Post-Exercise Supplement Consumption on Adaptations to Resistance Training

Objective: Athletes are interested in nutritional manipulations that may enhance lean tissue gains stimulated by resistance training. Some research demonstrates that acute consumption of food containing protein causes superior muscle protein synthesis compared to isoenergetic foods without protein. This benefit has not been verified in longer-term training studies. We compared body composition and muscle function responses to resistance training in males who consumed a carbohydrate or a multi-macronutrient beverage following each training session. Methods: Nineteen, untrained men (18–25 years) consumed either a milk (MILK) or a carbohydrate-electrolyte (CHO) drink immediately following each workout during a 10 week resistance training program. Muscle strength (1RM for seven exercises), body composition (DXA scan), fasted, resting concentrations of serum total and free testosterone, cortisol, IGF-1, and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured prior to and at the end of training. Results: Resistance training caused an increase (44 ± 4%, p < 0.001) in muscular strength for all subjects. The training program reduced percent body fat (8%, p < 0.05, −0.9 ± 0.5 kg) and increased fat-free soft tissue (FFST) mass (2%, 1.2 ± 0.3 kg, p < 0.01). MILK tended to increase body weight and FFST mass (p=0.10 and p=0.13, respectively) compared to CHO. Resting total and free testosterone concentrations decreased from baseline values in all subjects (16.7%, 11%, respectively, p < 0.05). Significant changes in fasting IGF-1, cortisol, and REE across training were not observed for either group. Conclusion: Post-resistance exercise consumption of MILK and CHO caused similar adaptations to resistance training. It is possible that a more prolonged training with supplementation period would expand the trend for greater FFST gains in MILK.

Expression of ovine insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulates alveolar bud development in mammary glands of transgenic mice

To determine whether murine mammary growth is modulated by local insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) production, expression of recombinant IGF-1 was directed to the mammary glands of transgenic mice using an ovine prepro IGF-1 cDNA under control of the mouse mammary tumor virus-long terminal repeat (MMTV-LTR) promoter. Bioactivity of recombinant IGF-1 in transgenic mouse milk extracts was demonstrated by a concentration-dependent increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation in clonal bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T) compared with control mouse milk extracts; moreover, addition of excess recombinant human insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (rhIGFBP-3) abolished the increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation attributed to recombinant IGF-1 in transgenic mouse milk. Recombinant IGF-1 was produced in mammary tissue of virgin and pregnant transgenic mice, and secreted into milk of lactating mice. However, recombinant IGF-1 was not detected in serum from transgenic mice; and ligand blot analysis of serum insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) indicated no differences owing to transgene presence. In peripubertal virgin mice at 49 d of age, the frequency of appearance of mammary alveolar buds was significantly higher in MMTV-IGF-1 than in CD-1 mice, and was unaffected by ovariectomy or estradiol treatment. In conclusion, mammary synthesis of recombinant IGF-1 enhances the rate of development of alveolar buds in mammary glands of virgin transgenic mice.

Gene transfer efficiency during gestation and the influence of co-transfer of non-manipulated embryos on production of transgenic mice

Litter size of DNA microinjected zygotes is lower than for non-manipulated zygotes. The rate of embryonic and fetal survival in early, mid and late gestation was determined to assess whether DNA integration was responsible for embryonic losses. Also, the effect of including non-microinjected embryos with injected embryos on pregnancy rate and transgenic pup production was determined. In Experiment 1, one-cell embryos from immature CD-1 mice were microinjected with a whey acidic protein promoter-human protein C gene construct. One hour after microinjection embryos were transferred to pseudopregnant recipients (45 transfers of 30 embryos each). Fifteen recipients were sacrificed on day 4, 12 and 18 of gestation and the embryos/fetuses analysed for the transgene. The percentage of embryos or fetuses that were positive for the transgene was not significantly different at any day. However, the number of viable embryos at day 4 was significantly greater than fetuses on days 12 or 18. In addition, a high degree of mosaicism was observed in day 18 fetuses and placentae recovered. In Experiment 2, one-cell embryos from CD-1 mice were microinjected and co-transferred with non-manipulated embryos (C57BL/6). Pregnancy rate and the total number of pups born were improved by addition of non-injected embryos. However, the number of transgenic mice produced was similar whether non-injected embryos were included or not. There were 32.2% (15/46) transgenic pups when 0 non-injected embryos were transferred compared with 15.1% (13/86) transgenic pups when 4 or 8 non-injected embryos were added to the transfers. In summary, a high degree of embryonic and fetal mortality occurs among microinjected embryos. Furthermore, since the percentage of transgenesis did not change throughout pregnancy, DNA integration does not appear to account for all of the embryonic losses. other factor(s) related to the microinjection procedure may be involved in the embryonic and fetal failure of microinjected embryos. Addition of non-injected embryos, although it increased pregnancy rate and the number of pups born from microinjected embryos, actually decreased the number of transgenic pups obtained per pregnancy.

Transgenic pigs as bioreactors: a comparison of gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid in recombinant human protein C and factor IX by the mammary gland

The mammary gland of transgenic livestock can be used as a bioreactor for producing complex therapeutic proteins. However, the capacity for making a given post-translational modification upon any given polypeptide is uncertain. For example, the efficiency of gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid in the amino terminal regions of recombinant human protein C (rhPC) and recombinant human Factor IX (rhFIX) is different at similar expression levels. At an expression level of about 200 microg/ml in the milk of transgenic pigs, rhFIX is highly gamma-carboxylated as indicated by pro-coagulant activity and amino acid sequencing. However, only about 20-35% of rhPC has a native, gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-dependent conformation and anti-coagulant activity. Thus, this work provides an example of apparent differences in substrate specificity between two homologous proteins to the endogenous carboxylase of porcine mammary epithelium which leads to varying degrees of post-translational modification.

Milk yield, energy balance, hormone, follicular and oocyte measures in early and mid-lactation Holstein cows

The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of energy status on metabolic and endocrine measures, follicular development, and the quality of oocytes obtained from cows during early and mid-lactation (ML). We selected Holstein cows at calving to be assigned to the early lactation (EL) group (n = 8), while we assigned cows at about day 90 postpartum to the ML group (n = 7). We obtained blood samples twice weekly from 4 weeks before aspiration to the aspiration periods for metabolite and hormone determinations. We performed ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration (TVFA) twice weekly on all cows for a 10-week period. We obtained follicular fluid from the largest follicle > 10 mm in diameter for hormone determinations. We analyzed data by ANOVA, using the general linear model (GLM) procedures. Energy balance was positive (2.43 +/- 0.32 Mcal/kg) for ML cows and negative (-1.55 +/- 0.33 Mcal/kg) for EL cows. Serum progesterone (P4) for ML cows decreased rapidly from the first aspiration session (2.7 +/- 0.1 ng/ml) and reached a nadir at Week 8 (0.33 +/- 0.1 ng/ml), while follicular fluid P4 increased from 0.9 +/- 0.5 to 5.6 +/- 0.05 ng/ml. Serum and follicular fluid P4 remained relatively constant over the entire aspiration period for EL cows. Follicular fluid insulin-like growth factor I (TGF-I) concentrations increased linearly for EL and ML cows, but the increase was more rapid (159 +/- 36 to 200 +/- 36 ng/ml) for ML cows than for EL cows (145 +/- 36 to 164 +/- 36 ng/ml). Serum IGF-I followed the same pattern for ML cows but declined for EL cows. Early lactation cows experienced a rapid decrease in serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA; 0.32 +/- 0.2 to 0.22 +/- 0.2 meq/l), while serum NEFA concentrations were relatively stable (0.19 +/- 0.2 to 0.22 +/- 0.2 meq/l) for ML cows over the aspiration period. The number of follicles obtained from the twice weekly aspiration sessions increased linearly for both EL and ML cows (P < 0.05) over the 10-week period. However, the number of follicles increased from 14.2 +/- 0.5 (Day 119) to 18.1 +/- 0.5 (Day 190) in the ML cows, compared to the changes from 14.9 +/- 0.3 (Day 32) to 15.7 +/- 0.5 (Day 90) for the EL cows. These results indicate that cows are physiologically under more production stress during EL, but increasing follicular fluid and serum IGF-I throughout ML may reflect potential differences in follicle and oocyte measures, compared to cows in EL.

Phenotypic and genotypic stability of multiple lines of transgenic pigs expressing recombinant human protein C

The genotypic and phenotypic stability of four lines of transgenic pigs expressing recombinant human protein C in milk was examined. Two lines were established with a construct consisting of a 2.6 kb mouse WAP promoter and a 9.4 kb human protein C genomic DNA. Two lines were established with another construct consisting of a 4.1 kb mouse WAP promoter and a 9.4 kb human protein C genomic DNA. Genotypic stability was measured by transgene copy number transmission. Outbred offspring having a single transgene integration locus were established from a founder having three independent, multicopy loci. Phenotypic stability over multiple lactations was defined by the combination of recombinant human protein C expression levels and the isoform signature of recombinant human protein C in western blots. Both cDNA and genomic human protein C transgenes gave similar ranges of expression levels of about 100--1800 μg ml−1. Within a given outbred lineage having a single loci for the cDNA transgene, the expression levels ranged between 100--400 μg ml−1. Western blots of reduced recombinant protein C revealed that single chain content was not dependent on expression level and was consistent within each transgenic line, but varied between transgenic lines. This suggests that native swine genetics may play a role in selection of production herds with optimal post-translational proteolytic processing capability. Although swine are not conventional dairy livestock, it is agreed that the short generation times, multiple offspring per litter, stable paternal transmission of the transgene, and milk production capabilities of swine offer distinct advantages over conventional dairy livestock for the establishment of a herd producing a therapeutic recombinant protein

Affinity purification of biologically active and inactive forms of recombinant human protein C produced in porcine mammary gland

Recombinant human protein C (rhPC) secreted in the milk of transgenic pigs was studied. Transgenes having different regulatory elements of the murine milk protein, whey acidic protein, were used with cDNA and genomic human protein C (hPC) DNA sequences to obtain lower and higher expressing animals. The cDNA pigs had a range of expression of about 0.1–0.5 g/l milk. Two different genomic hPC pig lines have expressed 0.3 and 1–2 g/l, respectively. The rhPC was first purified at yields greater than 60 per cent using a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the activation site on the heavy chain of hPC. Subsequent immunopurification with a calcium‐dependent mAb directed to the γ‐carboxyglutamic acid domain of the light chain of hPC was used to fractionate a population having a higher specific anticoagulant activity in vitro. The higher percentages of Ca2+‐dependent conformers isolated from the total rhPC by immunopurification correlated well with higher specific activity and lower expression. A rate limitation in γ‐carboxylation of rhPC was clearly identified for the higher expressing animals. Thus, transgenic animals with high expression levels of complex recombinant proteins produced a lower percentage of biologically active protein.

Recombinant human protein C expression in the milk of transgenic pigs and the effect on endogenous milk immunoglobulin and transferrin levels.

Colostrum and milk are natural vehicles for acquiring passive immunity and are valuable tools for decreasing neonatant mortality from diarrheal disease. The effects of recombinant human protein C (rhPC) expression levels on endogenous immunoglobulin and transferrin content of the milk of different lineages of transgenic pigs were studied. The levels of rhPC in the milk ranged from 40 to 1200 μg/ml. Transgenic pigs with rhPC expression levels less than 500 μg/ml had no significant differences in milk protein composition with respect to nontransgenic pigs. A line of transgenic pigs having rhPC expression levels of 960–1200 μg/ml had two- to three-fold higher IgG, IgM, and secretory IgA concentrations compared to other transgenic and nontransgenic pig groups (P < 0.05), and four- to five-fold higher transferrin levels than nontransgenic pigs (P < 0.05). Changes in milk protein composition were not associated with mastitis or other pathologic disruption of epithelial cell junctions as indicated by normal casein and albumin levels in milk. Since IgG, IgM, secretory IgA, and transferrin are transported into the milk by transcytosis, higher levels of these proteins indicate that transcyctosis in the mammary epithelial cell was likely upregulated in pigs having high rhPC expression levels. This study is the first that shows a statistically significant example that mammary tissue specific expression of a heterologous protein can enhance endogenous phenotypic characteristics of milk.

Influence of time of gene microinjection on development and DNA detection frequency in bovine embryos.

The effect of DNA microinjection at various times afterin vitro insemination on DNA detection and survival rates of bovine embryos was investigated. Oocytes were inseminated 24 h after maturation with frozen/thawed semen prepared with a Percoll separation procedure. At 11, 15 and 19 h after insemination, embryos were centrifuged to visualize pronuclei and microinjected with a murine whey acidic protein-human protein C genomic DNA construct. After culture for 7 days on Buffalo Rat Liver cells, embryos were assessed for stage of development and assayed for the presence of the transgene by polymerase chain reaction. Of zygotes in the 11h after insemination treatment, 16% (25/152) of non-injected and 7% (11/161) of injected embryos developed to the morula or blastocyst stage. Comparable development of non-injected and injected embryos treated at 15h after insemination was 15% (23/158) and 4% (6/159) and treated at 19 h after insemination was 14% (23/162) and 1% (1/165), respectively. Development of injected embryos was greater (p<0.05) when injection was performed at 11 h after insemination compared to 19 h after insemination. Development of non-injected embryos was greater (p<0.01) than that of injected embryos. There was no difference in transgene detection frequency in embryos of all developmental states between treatments (53% at 11; 50% at 15; 48% at 19h after insemination). Injected embryos testing positive for the presence of the transgene exhibited increased development over negative embryos (p<0.01). Greater development efficiencies can be obtained in microinjected bovine embryos when injection is performed early in pronuclear formation.