Linda Petrucci

Effects of PUFAs on animal reproduction: male and female performances and endocrine mechanisms

Adequate fat diet supplementation shows variable positive effects in farm animal breeding. Omega-3 and n-6 PUFAs are able to modulate several reproductive effectors: the luteolytic PGF2α, the luteotropic PGE2, the nuclear receptor PPARG, and steroids such as E2 and P4. PUFA supplementation favours fertility, onset of estrus, embryo survival, and also parturition by reducing preterm labour risk. These effects are likely mediated by the balance modulation of PGF2α and PGE2 productions, the syntheses of E2 and P4, and the activation of PPARG. As regards to male fertility, the effects of n-3 or n-6 PUFA supplementation at high concentrations in the diet are relatively unknown. PUFAs confer to the spermatozoa plasma membrane the fluidity it needs to achieve fertilization and seem to stimulate the Leydig cell production of testosterone through the regulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, a transport protein that regulates cholesterol transfer within the mitochondria, which is the rate-limiting step in the production of steroid hormones. As regards to female fertility, PUFA supplementation mediates a broad range of actions in reproductive processes involving pregnancy establishment, uterine endocrinology, and preterm birth. The perfectly composed follicular environment shapes oocyte quality and thus female fertility. Since both oocytes and embryos are vulnerable to microenvironment changes, nutritional alterations and FA unavailability can lead to their defects. The aim of the present review is to examine the effects of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs on male and female reproductive performances and the correlated endocrine mechanisms.

Diagnosis of XX/XY Blood Cell Chimerism at a Low Percentage in Horses

&NA; Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) are common in horses and cause economic loss in horse breeding. Thus, it is important to develop methods for unambiguous and fast identification of affected horses shortly after birth, as well as those that may propagate the condition to the next generation. Genetic causes of DSDs are multivarious and still little known, and thus development of diagnostic tests requires accumulating knowledge about individual cases and their etiologies. In particular, it is necessary to perform clinical, ultrasound, surgical, histological, cytogenetic, and genetic analyses with close attention in all the affected individuals. This report describes the case of a XX/XY chimeric horse with reproductive apparatus abnormalities and a very low percentage of XY cell in blood highlighting that to avoid undiagnosed case of cell chimeras, above all when studying DSD cases, it is essential to perform both genetic and cytogenetic analyses possibly on more than one tissue. HighlightsDisorders of sexual development (DSDs) are still a main cause of economic loss in horse breeding.Genetic and cytogenetic analyses on various tissues are essential in horse DSDs.DNA profiling on blood alone is not enough to detect all cases of cell chimerism.

New insights on a NGF-mediated pathway to induce ovulation in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Abstract To investigate the ovulatory mechanisms triggered by raw semen (RS) in rabbits, we examined the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF)—a supposed ovulation-inducing factor (OIF)—and cognate receptors in anterior pituitary, ovary, and cervix as well as plasma NGF and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations. Six does/group were sham-inseminated with sterile saline (PBS), naturally mated (NM), inseminated with RS alone or after lumbar anesthesia (ARS), or treatment with COX inhibitors (CIRS). Immunohistochemistry revealed positive signals for NGF and receptors in all tissues. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of the target transcripts in the same tissues, except NTRK1 in the cervix. Circulating NGF concentrations rose 3- to 6-fold (P < 0.01) 15 min after semen deposition into the genital tract of NM, RS, and ARS rabbits and remained sustained thereafter. Circulating NGF was 4-fold lower (P < 0.01) in CIRS than in RS does indicating that NGF is mainly synthesized by the uterus. A concomitant rise of LH and NGF concentrations was found in 83.3%, 50.0%, and 16.7% of NM, RS, and CIRS does, respectively, but not in ARS (despite high NGF circulating levels). Seminal plasma NGF concentration was 151.9 ± 9.25 µg/mL. The ovulatory responses were 0%, 83.3%, 66.7%, 16.7%, and 0% in PBS, NM, RS, ARS, and CIRS groups, respectively. Present data confirm that, although RS may induce ovulation via endocrine mechanisms through binding to NGF receptors in the ovary, a novel OIF-mediated neural mechanism facilitates ovulation in rabbits. Summary Sentence Raw semen induces ovulation in rabbits via an endocrine- and a nervous-mediated pathway by which NGF, mainly synthesized in the uterus, acts on the ovary and on uterine/cervix afferent neurons projecting LH surge hypothalamic centers, respectively.