Project description:To identify if the patterns of spermatic small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are affected by paternal age and/or impact early embryogenesis, we generated sncRNAs libraries of sperm collected from same bulls at 10, 12, and 16 months of age, using 16 months as control for differential expression and functional analysis. miRNAs present in measurable quantity in oocytes were excluded. Of the remaining miRNAs, ten sperm-borne miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in younger bulls (four in the 10 vs 16 months contrast and six in the 12 vs 16 months contrast). Targets of miRNAs were identified and compared to the transcriptomic database of two-cell embryos, to genes related to two-cell competence, and to the transcriptomic database of blastocysts. Ingenuity pathway analysis of the targets of these miRNAs suggested potential influence on the developmental competence of two-cell embryos and on metabolism and protein synthesis in blastocysts. The results showed that miRNA patterns in sperm are affected by the age of the bull and may mediate the effects of paternal age on early embryonic development.
Project description:In the present study, we analyzed the proteome profile of Simmental bull sperm using LC-MS/MS. We found that the proteomes in sperm varied significantly between age groups, with some proteins found only in the older age group and not in the productive age group (young) and vice versa.
Project description:Embryo development, In vitro fertilization, Bull fertility, Polyspermy, Proteomics Project description: The correlation between sperm traits, fertilization and embryonic development outcomes were investigated by means of functional in vitro assays and mass spectrometry-based proteomics experiments. Spermatozoa from four independent bulls, as well as approx.. 20 cells at 2-cell embryonic stages and full blastocysts (approx. 250 cells) derived from in vitro fertilization of oocytes with spermatozoa from these foru bulls were analyzed by MS-based proteomics.
Project description:Sexual dimorphism in mammals is mostly attributable to sex-related hormonal differences in fetal and adult tissues; however, this may not be the sole determinant. Though genetically-identical for autosomal chromosomes, male and female preimplantation embryos could display sex-specific transcriptional regulation which can only be attributted to the differences in sexual chromosome dosage. We used microarrays to analyze sex-related transcriptional differences at the blastocyst stage. Day 7 bovine in vitro produced bovine blastocysts produced with sorted semen from 3 different bulls. Pooled RNA from 60 blastocysts of one sex and produced with one bull was used per chip. Three replicates of each sex per bull. In total, 18 Bovine GeneChip (Affymetrix) were used (3 replicates X 3 bulls X 2 sexes).
Project description:This study evaluated the effect of enhanced dietary intake during the early life period on the anterior pituitary transcriptome in bull calves. Between 2-12 weeks of age bull calves were offered either a high (HI; n=15) or moderate (MOD; n=15) plane of nutrition, with diets designed to evoke growth rates of 1.0 and 0.5 kg/day, respectively. At 12 wk of age, anterior pituitary tissue samples were harvested from all calves and subsequently subjected to mRNAseq.
Project description:This study evaluated the effect of enhanced dietary intake during the early life period on testes transcriptome in bull calves. Between 2-12 weeks of age bull alves were offered either a high (HI; n=15) or moderate (MOD; n=15) plane of nutrition, with diets designed to evoke growth rates of 1.0 and 0.5 kg/day, respectively. At 12 wk of age, testes parenchyma tissue samples were harvested from all calves and subsequently subjected to mRNAseq. Subsequent bioinformatics analyses revealed differential expression of genes invovled in cellular adhesion and immune function.
Project description:This study evaluated the effect of enhanced dietary intake during the early life period on hypothalamic arcuate nucleus transcriptome in bull calves. Between 2-12 weeks of age bull calves were offered either a high (HI; n=15) or moderate (MOD; n=15) plane of nutrition, with diets designed to evoke growth rates of 1.0 and 0.5 kg/day, respectively. At 12 wk of age, arcuate nucleus tissue samples were harvested from all calves and subsequently subjected to mRNAseq.