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Maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) is a term utilized in mammals to describe pathways in which the conceptus alters the endometrial environment to prevent regression of corpora lutea to ensure continued production of progesterone (P4) required for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. For nearly 40 years after publication of the endocrine/exocrine theory, conceptus estrogen (E2) was considered the primary maternal recognition signal in the pig. Conceptus production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was also considered to be a major factor in preventing luteolysis. An addition to E2 and PGE2, pig conceptuses produce interleukin 1B2 (IL1B2) and interferons (IFN) delta (IFND) and gamma (IFNG). The present review provides brief history of the discovery of E2, PGs and IFNS which led to research investigating the role of these conceptus secreted factors in establishing and maintaining pregnancy in the pig. The recent utilization of gene editing technology allowed a more direct approach to investigate the in vivo roles of IL1B2, E2, PGE2, AND IFNG for establishment of pregnancy. These studies revealed unknown functions for IFNG and ILB2 in addition to PGE2 and E2. Thus, pregnancy recognition signal is via a servomechanism in requiring sequential effects of P4, E2, IL1B2, PGE2 and IFNG. Results indicate that the original established dogma for the role of conceptus E2 and PGs in MRP is a far too simplified model that involves the interplay of numerous mechanisms for inhibiting luteolysis, inducing critical elongation of the conceptuses and resolution of inflammation in pigs.

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The aim was to compare the UF proteomics of pregnant and non-pregnant buffalo during early pregnancy. Forty-four females were submitted to hormonal estrus synchronization and randomly divided into two groups: pregnant (n = 30) and non-pregnant (n = 14). The pregnant group was artificially inseminated and divided into a further two groups: P12 (n = 15) and P18 (n = 15). Conceptus and uterine fluid samples were collected during slaughter at, respectively, 12 and 18 days after insemination. Of all the inseminated females, only eight animals in each group were pregnant, which reduced the sample of the groups to P12 (n = 8) and P18 (n = 8). The non-pregnant group was also re-divided into two groups at the end of synchronization: NP12 (n = 7) and NP18 (n = 7). The UF samples were processed for proteomic analysis. The results were submitted to multivariate and univariate analysis. A total of 1068 proteins were found in the uterine fluid in both groups. Our results describe proteins involved in the conceptus elongation and maternal recognition of pregnancy, and their action was associated with cell growth, endometrial remodeling, and modulation of immune and antioxidant protection, mechanisms necessary for embryonic maintenance in the uterine environment. SIGNIFICANCE: Uterine fluid is a substance synthesized and secreted by the endometrium that plays essential roles during pregnancy in ruminants, contributing significantly to embryonic development. Understanding the functions that the proteins present in the UF perform during early pregnancy, a period marked by embryonic implantation, and maternal recognition of pregnancy is of fundamental importance to understanding the mechanisms necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy. The present study characterized and compared the UF proteome at the beginning of pregnancy in pregnant and non-pregnant buffaloes to correlate the functions of the proteins and the stage of development of the conceptus and unravel their processes in maternal recognition of pregnancy. The proteins found were involved in cell growth and endometrial remodeling, in addition to acting in the immunological protection of the conceptus and performing antioxidant actions necessary for establishing a pregnancy.

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We have reported that selenium (Se) provided to grazing beef cattle in an inorganic (ISe) form versus a 1:1 mixture (MIX) of inorganic and organic (OSe) forms affects cholesterol biosynthesis in the corpus luteum (CL), the abundance of interferon tau (IFNτ) and progesterone (P4)-induced mRNAs in the caruncular (CAR) tissue of the endometrium, and conceptus length at maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP). In this study, beef heifers were supplemented with a vitamin-mineral mix containing 35 ppm Se as ISe or MIX to achieve a Se-adequate status. Inseminated heifers were killed at MRP (d 17, n = 6 per treatment) for tissue collection. In CAR samples from MIX versus ISe heifers, qPCR revealed that mRNA encoding the thyroid regulating DIO2 and DIO3 was decreased (p < 0.05) and a complete transcriptomic analysis revealed effects on the interferon JAK-STAT1/2 pathway, including decreased expression of mRNAs encoding the classical interferon stimulated genes IFIT1, IFIT2, IFIT3, IRF1, IRF9, ISG15, OAS2, and RSAD2 (p < 0.05). Treatment also affected the abundance of mRNAs contributing to the immunotolerant environment (p < 0.05). In combination, these findings suggest more advanced preparation of the CAR and developing conceptus for implantation and to evade immune rejection by the maternal system in MIX- vs. ISe-treated heifers.

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The present experiment aimed at determining whether the timing of the maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) was specific to individual mares by determining when luteostasis, a failure to return to oestrus, reliably occurred in individuals following embryo reduction. Singleton (n = 150) and synchronous twin pregnancies (n = 9) were reduced in 10 individuals (5-29 reductions/mare) at pre-determined time points within days 10 (n = 20), 11 (n = 65), 12 (n = 47), 13 (n = 12) or 14 (n = 15) of pregnancy. Prior to embryo reduction, the vesicle diameter was measured in 71% (106/150) of the singleton pregnancies. The interovulatory interval (IOI) was recorded on 78 occasions in seven of the mares in either non-pregnant cycles (n = 37) or those in which luteolysis followed embryo reduction (n = 41). The earliest time post-ovulation at which the embryo reduction resulted in luteostasis in an individual was 252 h (mid-Day 10). Consistency in luteostasis following embryo reduction showed individual variation between mares (272-344 h). Binary logistic regression analysis showed an individual mare effect (p < 0.001) and an effect of the interval post-ovulation at which embryo reduction was undertaken (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant effect of vesicle diameter at the time of embryo reduction (p = 0.099), nor a singleton or twin pregnancy (p = 0.993), on the dependent of luteolysis or luteostasis. The median IOI between individual mares varied significantly (p < 0.05) but was not correlated to the timing of MRP. The timing of MRP varied between the mares but was repeatable in each individual. The factors and mechanisms underlying the individuality in the timing of MRP were not determined and warrant further study.

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Mother-young bonding is a type of early learning where the female and their newborn recognize each other through a series of neurobiological mechanisms and neurotransmitters that establish a behavioral preference for filial individuals. This process is essential to promote their welfare by providing maternal care, particularly in altricial species, animals that require extended parental care due to their limited neurodevelopment at birth. Olfactory, auditory, tactile, and visual stimuli trigger the neural integration of multimodal sensory and conditioned affective associations in mammals. This review aims to discuss the neurobiological aspects of bonding processes in altricial mammals, with a focus on the brain structures and neurotransmitters involved and how these influence the signaling during the first days of the life of newborns.

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Endometrial receptivity is one of the main factors underlying a successful pregnancy, with reports substantiating the fact that suboptimal endometrial receptivity accounts for two-thirds of early implantation event failures. The association between circRNAs and endometrial receptivity in the goat remains unclear. This study aims to identify potential circRNAs and regulatory mechanisms related to goat endometrial receptivity. Therefore, the endometrial samples on day 16 of pregnancy and day 16 of the estrous cycle were analyzed using high-throughput RNA-seq and bioinformatics. The results show that 4666 circRNAs were identified, including 7 downregulated and 11 upregulated differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs). Back-splicing and RNase R resistance verified the identified circRNAs. We predicted the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory mechanism and potential target genes of DE-circRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of these predicted target genes suggest that DE-circRNAs were significantly involved in establishing endometrial receptivity. Furthermore, Sanger sequencing, qPCR, correlation analysis and Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) show that circ_MYRF derived from the host gene myelin regulatory factor (MYRF) might regulate the expression of interferon stimulating gene 15 (ISG15), thereby promoting the formation of endometrial receptivity. These novel findings may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating endometrial receptivity and promoting the maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP).

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BACKGROUND: The microRNAs (miRs) secreted by the trophectoderm (TE) cells have recently been implicated in the conceptus-endometrial cross talk during implantation and placentation. These miRs modulate various cellular processes during conception and throughout the pregnancy by regulating the gene expression in the foetal and maternal tissues. OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to elucidate the function of TE secreted miRNAs in the maternal-foetal cross-talk during implantation/placentation in buffalo. METHODS: The in vitro produced blastocysts were cultured on a cumulus feeder layer for 21 days. The relative expression profiles of a selected panel of miRs was generated using the spent media collected on Days 0, 7, 12, 16, and 21. A custom-designed mirVana™ miRNA mimic was used to transfect the endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) in order to determine the role of miRNA exhibiting highest expression on Days 21 and 21. RESULTS: The expression of miR-1246 (p < 0.001) and let-7b (p < 0.01) was found to be significantly higher on Day 21 of TE culture in comparison to the control (Day 0). This elevated expression indicated the involvement of these miRs in the maternal-foetal cross-talk. Interestingly, after the transfection of EECs with miRNA mimic for miR-1246 (a novel molecule vis-à-vis implantation), the expression of beta-catenin and mucin1 in these cells was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated vis-à-vis the control, that is, the IFN-τ primed EECs (before transfection). CONCLUSIONS: The TE secreted miR-1246 appeared to lower the expression of the endometrial receptivity genes (mucin1 and beta-catenin) which apparently assists the endometrium in preparing for placentation.

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Camelids have many unique reproductive features that considerably differ from those of other domestic species. Females are induced ovulators with subsequent development of a corpus luteum (CL) with a short lifespan. Plasma progesterone concentration starts to increase on day 4, peaks on day 8-9 and, in non-pregnant animals, basal concentration is reached around day 10-11 post-induction of ovulation. Luteolytic pulses of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α ) are firstly detected on day 7 or 8 (approximately on day 5-6 after ovulation), with maximal luteolytic peaks observed between days 9 and 11 post-mating, in coincidence with a high endometrial expression of cyclooxygenase 2, a limiting enzyme in prostaglandins synthesis. Unlike other species, oxytocin seems not to be involved in the luteolytic process in these species. The CL is the main source of progesterone secretion, and its function is required to support pregnancy. Despite constant research efforts, aspects of reproduction and maternal recognition of pregnancy in camelids remain not fully understood. A transient decrease and subsequent recovery in plasma progesterone concentration are observed after day 9 post-mating in pregnant animals in association with a pulsatile release of PGF2α and a transitory decrease in CL vascularization. Thus, embryo recognition should occur between days 8 and 12 post-mating. In camels, conceptus tissues exhibit aromatizing activity with the capacity to synthesize large amounts of oestradiol. Similarly, llama blastocysts secrete oestradiol-17ß during the preimplantation stage, with a higher production during the elongation period. An increase in the endometrial expression of oestrogen receptor α is also observed on day 12 post-mating. All these evidences suggest that oestrogen could be the signal released by the embryo at the time of its recognition in camelids. Besides, nearly 98% of pregnancies are carried out in the left horn. A decrease in the endometrial expression of mucin 1 and 16 genes has been reported, suggesting that these changes are crucial for successful embryo implantation; however, no differences have been observed between horns. Thus, maternal recognition of pregnancy in camelids is a particularly complex process that must occur in a concise time to allow the rescue of the CL and embryo survival.

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During initial maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP), the equine embryo displays a series of unique events characterized by rapid blastocyst expansion, secretion of a diverse array of molecules, and transuterine migration to interact with the uterine surface. Up to date, the intricate transcriptome and proteome changes of the embryo underlying these events have not been critically studied in horses. Thus, the objective of this study was to perform an integrative transcriptomic (including mRNA, miRNAs, and other small non-coding RNAs) and proteomic analysis of embryos collected from days 10 to 13 of gestation. The results revealed dynamic transcriptome profiles with a total of 1311 differentially expressed genes, including 18 microRNAs (miRNAs). Two main profiles for mRNAs and miRNAs were identified, one with higher expression in embryos ≤5 mm and the second with higher expression in embryos ≥7 mm. At the protein level, similar results were obtained, with 259 differentially abundant proteins between small and large embryos. Overall, the findings demonstrated fine-tuned transcriptomic and proteomic regulations in the developing embryo associated with embryo growth. The identification of specific regulation of mRNAs, proteins, and miRNAs on days 12 and 13 of gestation suggested these molecules as pivotal for embryo development and as involved in MRP, and in establishment of pregnancy in general. In addition, the results revealed new insights into prostaglandin synthesis by the equine embryo, miRNAs and genes potentially involved in modulation of the maternal immune response, regulation of endometrial receptivity and of late implantation in the mare.

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Mother-young bonding is a process by which the young establish social preferences for their mother. It fosters reproductive success and the survival of offspring by providing food, heat, and maternal care. This process promotes the establishment of the mother-young bond through the interaction of olfactory, auditory, tactile, visual, and thermal stimuli. The neural integration of multimodal sensory stimuli and attachment is coordinated into motor responses. The sensory and neurobiological mechanisms involved in filial recognition in precocial and altricial mammals are summarized and analyzed in this review.

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Understanding the molecular cross-talk between the embryo and uterine endometrium is crucial for the improvement of IVF outcomes. The present work was undertaken to investigate the effect of pre-implantation embryo on the expression profile of immune-related genes in uterine epithelial cells (UECs) and PBMCs in buffalo. UECs were isolated from slaughterhouse-derived non-gravid uteri, cultured ex vivo and characterized, and buffalo embryos were produced in vitro from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries. Embryos co-cultured with steroid-treated UECs significantly stimulated (p < 0.05) the relative mRNA abundance of PTGS2, ISG15, OAS1, MX2, IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 in UECs while they significantly suppressed the mRNA expression of NFkßIA, NFkß2, TNFα and IL1B, with no significant change in TGFß1 and IL10 in the co-culture of embryos with UECs. In vitro treatment of PBMCs with conditioned media (CM) derived from embryos as well as UEC−embryo co-culture upregulated the mRNA abundance of ISG15, TGFß1, PTGS2OAS1, MX2 and STAT1 while it downregulated IL17 and TNFα expression. The expression of IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 was elevated in PBMCs cultured in embryo-derived CM, but there was no significant change in PBMCs cultured in UEC−embryo co-culture CM. Thus, it can be concluded that the developing embryo and its secretions modulate the expression of immune responses by inducing an anti-inflammatory action in uterine epithelial cells for acceptance of the semi-allogenic embryo in the uterus to sustain pregnancy in buffalo.

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The mammalian reproduction is a process of controlled cellular growth and development regulated by constant communication between the gametes, the subsequent embryo and the maternal system. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved in these communications to a significant degree from the gamete production and maturation to fertilization, embryo development and implantation. They regulate the cellular physiology and the immune reaction to bring about a favourable environment for a successful pregnancy. Deciphering the mechanisms employed in EV-mediated embryo maternal communication could improve our knowledge in mammalian reproduction and increase the efficiency of animal breeding.

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BACKGROUND: Maternal recognition is the crucial step for establishing pregnancy in cattle. This study aims to identify endometrial genes and biological pathways involved in the maternal recognition of pregnancy. Caruncular endometrial tissues were collected from Day 15-17 of gestation (pregnant), non-pregnant (absence of conceptus), and cyclic (non-bred) heifers. RESULTS: Total RNAs were isolated from the caruncular endometrial tissues of pregnant, non-pregnant, and cyclic heifers, and were subjected to high-throughput RNA-sequencing. The genes with at least two-fold change and Benjamini and Hochberg p-value ≤ 0.05 were considered differentially expressed genes and further confirmed with quantitative real-time PCR. A total of 107 genes (pregnant vs cyclic) and 98 genes (pregnant vs non-pregnant) were differentially expressed in the pregnant endometrium. The most highly up-regulated genes in the pregnant endometrium were MRS2, CST6, FOS, VLDLR, ISG15, IFI6, MX2, C15H11ORF34, EIF3M, PRSS22, MS4A8, and TINAGL1. Interferon signaling, immune response, nutrient transporter, synthesis, and secretion of proteins are crucial pathways during the maternal recognition of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that the presence of conceptus at Day 15-17 of gestation affects the endometrial gene expression related to endometrial remodeling, immune response, nutrients and ion transporters, and relevant signaling pathways in the caruncular region of bovine endometrium during the maternal recognition of pregnancy.

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Widespread regions of the southeast United States have soils, and hence forages, deficient in selenium (Se), necessitating Se supplementation to grazing cattle for optimal immune function, growth, and fertility. We have reported that supplementation with an isomolar 1:1 mix (MIX) of inorganic (ISe) and organic (OSe) forms of Se increases early luteal phase (LP) concentrations of progesterone (P4) above that in cows on ISe or OSe alone. Increased early LP P4 advances embryonic development. Our objective was to determine the effects of the form of Se on the development of the bovine conceptus and the endometrium using targeted real-time PCR (qPCR) on day 17 of gestation, the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP). Angus-cross yearling heifers underwent 45-d Se-depletion then repletion periods, then at least 90 d of supplementation (TRT) with 35 ppm Se per day as either ISe (n = 10) or MIX (n = 10). Heifers were inseminated to a single sire after detected estrus (day 0). On day 17 of gestation, caruncular (CAR) and intercaruncular (ICAR) endometrial samples and the developing conceptus were recovered from pregnant heifers (ISe, n = 6 and MIX, n = 6). qPCR was performed to determine the relative abundance of targeted transcripts in CAR and ICAR samples, with the expression data subjected to one-way ANOVA to determine TRT effects. The effect of TRT on conceptus development was analyzed using a one-tailed Student's t-test. When compared with ISe-treated heifers, MIX heifers had decreased (P < 0.05) abundance of several P4-induced and interferon-stimulated mRNA transcripts, including IFIT3, ISG15, MX1, OAS2, RSAD2, DGAT2, FGF2 in CAR and DKK1 in ICAR samples and tended (P ≤ 0.10) to have decreased mRNA abundance of IRF1, IRF2, FOXL2, and PGR in CAR samples, and HOXA10 and PAQR7 in ICAR samples. In contrast, MIX-supplemented heifers had increased (P < 0.05) mRNA abundance of MSTN in ICAR samples and an increase in conceptus length (ISe: 17.45 ± 3.08 cm vs. MIX: 25.96 ± 3.95 cm; P = 0.05). Notably, myostatin increases glucose secretion into histotroph and contributes to advanced conceptus development. This advancement in conceptus development occurred in the presence of similar concentrations of serum P4 (P = 0.88) and whole blood Se (P = 0.07) at MRP.

In regions with soils deficient in selenium (Se), it is recommended that this trace mineral is supplemented to the diet of forage-grazing cattle. We have previously reported that the form of Se supplemented to cattle affects the function of multiple tissues, including the testis, liver, ovary, and pituitary. The objective of this study was to determine how the form of Se supplemented to heifers to achieve a Se-adequate status affects endometrial function and development of the conceptus at maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP). Heifers were supplemented with the industry standard, an inorganic form of Se (ISe), or a 1:1 mix of organic and inorganic forms (MIX), with the reproductive tract recovered on day 17 of pregnancy. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the relative abundance of targeted mRNA transcripts in caruncular (CAR) and intercaruncular (ICAR) endometrial samples. The form of supplemental Se affected the abundance of multiple progesterone-induced and interferon-stimulated mRNA transcripts in CAR and ICAR samples, as well as the length of the conceptus that was recovered at MRP (day 17). Overall, our results indicate differences in endometrial function and increased development of the conceptus in cattle provided with MIX vs. ISe, suggesting that the MIX form of supplemental Se may increase fertility in cattle grazing soils deficient in this trace mineral.

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Several recent studies have used transcriptomics to investigate luteal changes during the maternal recognition of the pregnancy period in ruminants. Although these studies have contributed to our understanding of luteal function during early pregnancy, few attempts have been made to integrate information across these studies and distinguish key luteal transcripts or functions that are repeatably identified across multiple studies. Therefore, in this study, two independent studies of the luteal transcriptome during early pregnancy were combined and compared. In the first study, corpora lutea (CL) from day 20 of pregnancy were compared with CL collected on day 14 of pregnancy, prior to embryonic signaling. The cattle were nonlactating. In the second study, CL from day 20 of pregnancy were compared with CL collected from day 20 cyclic cattle that had been confirmed as not yet undergoing luteal regression. These were lactating cattle. Three methods were used to compare these two datasets, to identify key luteal regulators. In the first method, all transcripts with Benjamini-Hochberg-adjusted P-value (Q value) < 0.05 in both datasets were considered. This yielded 22 transcripts, including several classical interferon-stimulated genes, as well as regulators of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) and latent TGFB-binding proteins (LTBP)1 and 2. In the second, less conservative method, all transcripts with P < 0.01 and changed in the same direction in both datasets were considered. This yielded an additional 20 transcripts that were not identified in the first analysis, for a total of 42 common transcripts. These transcripts were regulators of functions such as inflammatory balance and matrix remodeling. In the third method, transcripts with Q < 0.10 were subject to pathway analysis, and common pathways were identified. Retinoic acid signaling and classical interferon signaling pathways were identified with this method. Finally, regulation by interferon tau (IFNT) was investigated. Among the 42 transcripts identified, 32 were regulated by IFNT in cultured luteal cells (Q < 0.05). Among those not regulated by IFNT were LTBP1 and 2, which are TGFB-binding proteins. In summary, common transcripts from two studies of the luteal transcriptome during early pregnancy were combined and shared changes were identified. This not only generated a list of potential key luteal regulators, which were mostly IFNT regulated, but also included transcripts not regulated by IFNT, including LTBP1 and 2.

Reproductive efficiency is necessary for the financial and environmental sustainability of cattle production. A critical component of this efficiency is the maintenance of pregnancy. The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient ovarian endocrine gland that produces progesterone­the hormone that maintains pregnancy in all mammals. With each new reproductive cycle, a new CL is formed from the remnant of the ovulatory follicle, and at the end of each cycle, in the absence of a pregnancy, the CL regresses in response to prostaglandin F2α from the uterus. In contrast, in the presence of a pregnancy, the CL is rescued from regression by the embryo, in a process known as maternal recognition of pregnancy. The embryo is known to alter uterine function, but its effect on the CL has remained a mystery until recent years. In this study, we compared two independent studies of global changes in the CL of pregnancy, to identify the most important luteal changes that occur during early pregnancy. We confirmed evidence for embryonic signaling to the CL and generated a list of candidate genes that are the likeliest regulators of changes to luteal function in early pregnancy. This list includes regulators of tissue integrity and inflammation.

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This study investigated the effects of embryo reduction and transfer of Day 11 embryos, with or without subsequent reduction, on luteostasis in the mare. In Experiment 1, reduction of embryos at Days 10 (n = 15), 11 (n = 47), 12 (n = 36), 13 (n = 27), 14 (n = 5) and 16 (n = 2) of pregnancy resulted in luteostasis in 13%, 47%, 78%, 89%, 80% and 100% mares. Mares undergoing > 1 embryo reduction showed consistency in when luteostasis occurred. In Experiment 2, transfer of Day 11 embryos to recipient mares 10 (n = 9), 11 (n = 8), 12 (n = 9) and 13 (n = 8) days post ovulation resulted in luteostasis in 78%, 87.5%, 78% and 37.5% of mares. Only 22%, 37%, 0% and 12%, respectively, of these mares remained pregnant. In the Day 10, 11 and 12 recipients luteostasis occurred on at least one occasion when an embryo was detected at 24 h but not at 48 h post transfer. In the Day 12 recipients luteostasis occurred on three occasions (3/9;33%) when the transferred embryo was not detected at 24 h. In Experiment 3 reduction of a Day 11 embryo 24 h after transfer to a Day 10 (n = 4), 11 (n = 6), 12 (n = 6) or 13 (n = 6) recipient resulted in luteostasis in 100%, 83%, 100%, and 83% of mares. All five Day 11 recipients that had an embryo reduced 12 h post transfer became luteostatic. These results suggest there is plasticity overall, but individual rigidity, in the timing of maternal recognition of pregnancy. Furthermore, an intact embryo need only be present in the uterus for 12 h to cause luteostasis.

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RNA sequencing reads and isobaric tags for a relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-Based Proteomic Data were used to determine the impact of conceptus presence and preovulatory estradiol concentration on function of the d16 uterus in beef cattle. Conceptuses and endometrial biopsies were collected from the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum. Total cellular RNA was extracted from endometrium for RNA sequencing across two lanes of a NovaSeq S2, 2 × 50-bp run. Two independent uterine luminal fluid pools (ULF) were made for each group: highE2/conceptus, highE2/noconceptus, lowE2/conceptus, and lowE2/noconceptus. Peptides were labeled with iTRAQ reagents and analyzed using 2-dimensional liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Transcript abundances were determined using DESeq2 (FDR <0.05, FC>2). Scaffold Q+ was used to quantitate peptide and protein identifications in ULF. Datasets include uterine transcript and protein abundances among highE2/conceptus vs highE2/noconceptus and lowE2/conceptus vs lowE2/noconceptus groups. This information can be useful for further investigating the role of specific transcripts and proteins in the maintenance of early pregnancy in beef cattle. This dataset is related to the article 'Influence of conceptus presence and preovulatory estradiol exposure on uterine gene transcripts and proteins around maternal recognition of pregnancy in beef cattle' by E.J. Northrop-Albrecht, J.J.J. Rich, R.A. Cushman, R. Yao, X. Ge, G.A. Perry. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology.

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The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a single dose of exogenous galectin-1 in improving the pregnancy rate in inseminated cows, comparing the pregnancy rate of the two groups (treatment and control Groups) into 107 contemporary groups (YG) established. An ultrasound exam determined the pregnancy rate performed 25 to 35 days after the fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) of breeding beef cows (n = 3469). The pregnancy rate of cows that received a single dose of eGAL-1 (200 ± 10 µg), with an intrauterine administration (n = 1901), was compared with the pregnancy rate of cows inseminated using a conventional AI protocol (n = 1568), both comparing into the same YG. YGs were created considering the grouping of cows belonging to the same farm, with the same nutritional score and management, inseminated by the same inseminator and semen batch, and using the same estrus synchronization protocol). The statistical method used calculated the probability of obtaining pregnancy within each group. The administration of a single dose of eGAL-1 can increase the probability of obtaining pregnancy in beef cows by up to 8.68% (p < 0.0001), suggesting that a single dose of eGAL-1 during the FTAI procedure was reasonable in the beef cattle AI routine and can improve the pregnancy rate considerably.

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We aimed to characterize early embryo development and changes in corpus luteum (CL) development and progesterone profile in pregnant vs. non-pregnant jennies. Eight jennies were enrolled in the study. In the first two cycles, the jennies were monitored by transrectal ultrasonography and had blood harvested for hormone profile assay. In the third cycle, jennies were bred by a jack of proven fertility. Jennies were then monitored and sampled for up to 30 days of pregnancy. Data were evaluated by random-effects multiple linear regression, and correlations were expressed as Pearson's correlation coefficient. Progesterone concentration rose rapidly from ovulation (D0) until D7, plateaued until D12-14, then precipitously declined between D14 and 15, remaining low until the next ovulation in non-pregnant cycles. In the pregnant jennies, the progesterone concentration rose to maximal concentrations on D7-11, being higher at this stage than in non-pregnant cycles, then declined gradually up to D30. In all cycles, the volume of the CL increased steadily until D6, when it plateaued in pregnant jennies. For non-pregnant jennies, CL volume decreased slowly from D6 to D11 and then had a faster drop. Uterine tone increased following ovulation, becoming turgid around the day of embryo fixation (D15.0 ± 0.9). An embryonic vesicle (EV) was first detected on D9.3 ± 0.5 (2.4 ± 0.5 mm). The EV remained spherical until D18.6 ± 1.4. The embryo proper was first detected ventrally in the vesicle on D20.8 ± 1.1 and the embryonic heartbeat by D22.0 ± 0.9. The allantoic sac was identified at D24.0 ± 0.9, and at D30, the allantoic sac filled the ventral half of the EV. This study provides evidence that higher cumulative concentrations of progesterone are correlated to size of the EV, and there were changes in the luteal dynamics and progesterone profiles in pregnant vs. non-pregnant jennies.

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The uterine environment must provide sufficient endocrine conditions and nutrients for pregnancy maintenance and conceptus survival. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of preovulatory estradiol and conceptus presence on uterine transcripts and uterine luminal fluid (ULF) proteins. Beef cows/heifers were synchronized and artificially inseminated (d 0). Uteri were flushed (d 16); conceptuses and endometrial biopsies were collected. Total cellular RNA was extracted from endometrium for RNA sequencing and RT-PCR validation. There were two independent ULF pools made for each of the following groups: highE2/conceptus, highE2/noconceptus, lowE2/conceptus, and lowE2/noconceptus that were analyzed using the 2D LC-MS/MS based iTRAQ method. There were 64 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 77 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in common among the highE2/conceptus vs highE2/noconceptus and lowE2/conceptus vs lowE2/noconceptus groups. In summary, the interaction between preovulatory estradiol and the conceptus induces the expression of genes, proteins, and pathways necessary for pregnancy.

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