Effect of Presence of Corpus Luteum at the Beginning of Ovsynch Protocol on Pregnancy Rates in Lactating Dairy Cows

WOS: 000302602000027The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of presence of CL at the beginning of Ovsynch protocol on pregnancy rates in lactating dairy cows. A total of 218 lactating Holstein cows that were at least 45 days postpartum with no reproductive disorders were used in the present study. Cows were divided into two experimental groups according to the presence and absence of corpus luteum (CL) on the first day of transrectal ultrasonography (day 0). Cows having CL (CL (+)) were randomly allocated to two subgroups as CL (+)/A and CL (+)/B. Cows in CL (+)/A group (n = 74) were treated with Ovsynch protocol, while cows in CL (+)/B group (n = 78) were treated with PGF(2 alpha) on the first day of examination and seven days later Ovsynch protocol was started. Cows having no CL (CL (-)) (n = 66) were left untreated on the first day of examination and Ovsynch protocol was started seven days later. Pregnancy rates were found 23%, 25.6% and 40.9% in CL (+)/A, CL (+)/B and CL (-) groups, respectively. The pregnancy rate in CL (-) group was significantly higher than those of CL (+)/A, and CL (+)/B groups (P<0.05). It is suggested that the success of Ovsynch synchronization protocol may be related to starting time of the protocol and to ovarian physiology in cyclic dairy cows.Nigde University Research Project Unit [2008/21]Authors thanks to Nigde University Research Project Unit (Project number: 2008/21) for financial assistance and Kocas Farm, General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TIGEM) for animal material

Basic aspects of implantation

Implantation, a critical step for establishing pregnancy, requires molecular and cellular events resulting in healthy uterine growth and differentiation, blastocyst adhesion, invasion and placental formation. Successful implantation requires a receptive endometrium, a normal and functional embryo at the blastocyst stage and a synchronized dialogue between maternal and embryonic tissues. In addition to the main role of sex steroids, the complexity of embryo implantation and placentation is exemplified by the number of cytokines and growth factors with demonstrated roles in these processes. Disturbances of the normal expression and action of these cytokines result in absolute or partial failure of implantation and abnormal placental formation in mice and humans. Members of the gp 130 cytokine family, interleukin (IL)-11 and leukaemia inhibitory factor, the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, colony-stimulating factors, and the IL-1 and IL-15 systems are all crucial for successful implantation. In addition, chemokines are important both in recruiting specific cohorts of leukocytes to the implantation site, and in trophoblast trafficking and differentiation. This review provides discussion on embryonic and uterine factors that are involved in the process of implantation in autocrine, paracrine and/or juxtacrine manners at hormonal, cellular, and molecular levels

Genistein Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Stimulates Apoptosis in Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells

Background/Aims: Isoflavone genistein is a plant-derived compound structurally similar to estradiol, which behaves weakly estrogenic or anti-estrogenic in a cell- and concentration-dependent manner. Genistein has been hypothesized to have beneficial effects on vascular diseases, although the mechanism has been unclear. Here, we investigated whether genistein may play a role in atherogenesis by regulating human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) survival. Methods: HCAECs obtained from 48- to 53-year-old women (n = 3) were used and immunocytochemistry, cell proliferation assay and apoptosis assay were carried on HCAECs treated by genistein. Results: Immunocytochemistry confirmed that HCAECs in culture express predominantly ESR2. Cell proliferation assay revealed that following 72 h of genistein treatment, HCAEC proliferation decreased in a concentration-dependent (10(-10) to 10(-6) m) manner compared to control (p < 0.01). The anti-proliferative effect of genistein is inhibited by estradiol. Genistein (10(-8) M) also induced a time-dependent increase in the number of apoptotic HCAECs after 24-, 48- and 72-hour treatments as detected by TUNEL and morphological analyses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that genistein acts as an anti-proliferative agent on HCAECs. The anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effects of genistein on vascular cells underlie the proposed anti-atherogenic and cardioprotective role of genistein. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Base

Genistein Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Stimulates Apoptosis in Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells

Background/Aims: Isoflavone genistein is a plant-derived compound structurally similar to estradiol, which behaves weakly estrogenic or anti-estrogenic in a cell- and concentration-dependent manner. Genistein has been hypothesized to have beneficial effects on vascular diseases, although the mechanism has been unclear. Here, we investigated whether genistein may play a role in atherogenesis by regulating human coronary artery endothelial cell (HCAEC) survival. Methods: HCAECs obtained from 48- to 53-year-old women (n = 3) were used and immunocytochemistry, cell proliferation assay and apoptosis assay were carried on HCAECs treated by genistein. Results: Immunocytochemistry confirmed that HCAECs in culture express predominantly ESR2. Cell proliferation assay revealed that following 72 h of genistein treatment, HCAEC proliferation decreased in a concentration-dependent (10(-10) to 10(-6) m) manner compared to control (p < 0.01). The anti-proliferative effect of genistein is inhibited by estradiol. Genistein (10(-8) M) also induced a time-dependent increase in the number of apoptotic HCAECs after 24-, 48- and 72-hour treatments as detected by TUNEL and morphological analyses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that genistein acts as an anti-proliferative agent on HCAECs. The anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effects of genistein on vascular cells underlie the proposed anti-atherogenic and cardioprotective role of genistein. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Base

Effects of levamisole on pregnancy in ewes

The effects of levamisole, as an anthelmintic or immunomodulator, on pregnancy were investigated in ewes. Immunomodulatory and anthelmintic doses of levamisole and physiologic saline were injected on days 0 (oestrus), 7, 14, and 21 in group I (immunomodulatory dose; n=7), group II (anthelmintic dose; n=6), and group III (control; n=6), respectively. The first service pregnancy rate, tended to be lower (P<0.06) in group I (28.6%) compared to that of groups II (83.3%) and III (83.3%). Plasma progesterone (P-4) concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group II compared to that of group III on day 3, and there was a treatment x day interaction (P<0.05). No effect of levamisole treatments on plasma P-4 concentrations was detected once pregnancy was established. There was a numeric decline in plasma cholesterol concentrations in group II, compared to group I or III on day 3. In conclusion, levamisole as an immunomodulator is detrimental for the establishment of pregnancy, possibly by stimulating general and intrauterine immunity

Intrapericardial teratoma in a newborn: a case report

Oto O, Guzeloglu M, Kir M, Metin K, Cakmakci H, Albayrak G, Koc A. Intrapericardial teratoma in a newborn: a case report. Mirk J Pediatr 2012; 54: 71-73

Unfolded protein response prevents blastocyst formation during preimplantation embryo development in vitro

Objective: To study the effect of increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as a major nongenomic mechanism for arrested blastocyst development