Source: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING submitted to
REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN DOMESTIC RUMINANTS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1002158
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
WYO467-11
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
W-2112
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Dec 1, 2013
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2016
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Alexander, BR, M..
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
1000 E UNIVERSITY AVE DEPARTMENT 3434
LARAMIE,WY 82071-2000
Performing Department
Animal Science
Non Technical Summary
Poor reproductive efficiency in domestic ruminants limits profitability and sustainability of animal production systems in the West and throughout the nation. Although cash income from beef sales is clearly greater than that from small ruminants, sheep can often be used as a small and relatively inexpensive model for beef. Furthermore, changes in the sheep market as well as the emerging goat market should lend credence to the importance of small ruminant production and investigation. At the University of Wyoming research focus is on the fetal environment as well as sexual interest of the male. The fetal environment has clear implications for the onset of adult disease, and may limit reproductive success in offspring, as well as influence reproduction for future generations. Studies at the University of Wyoming are designed to determine the influence of maternal under- and over-nutrition during gestation on adult health and reproductive success. In sheep, as in most animals, reproductive success begins with the expressed sexual interest of the male. Approximately 25% of all domestic rams express limited sexual interest, requiring additional flock rams, and limits genetic progress since selected traits may not be passed on due to limited sexual interest. Research at the University of Wyoming is focused on determining the neural-endocrine basis for sexual interest in rams, and why certain rams have limited sexual interest in an estrous female.
Animal Health Component
25%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
30136101020100%
Knowledge Area
301 - Reproductive Performance of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3610 - Sheep, live animal;

Field Of Science
1020 - Physiology;
Goals / Objectives
1. Discover and translate molecular, metabolic, genomic, endocrine, and immunologic mechanisms that influence testicular and ovarian function, reproductive behavior, conception rate, embryo and fetal development, attainment of puberty, and effects of climate/season on reproductive patterns of domestic ruminants.
Project Methods
W-2112 collaborators share a common interest in developing methods to optimize reproduction in domestic ruminants but differ in regards to expertise, laboratory facilities, availability of research animals, and basic or applied approaches to research. This combination of abilities provides unique opportunities to discover and translate scientific information crucial for the development of methods to optimize reproduction in domestic ruminants. Examples of such collaborative efforts follow in a later section.Presented below are studies which are directed by project leaders at the Wyoming station. Uterine-Placental-Fetal Interactions. Interactions between embryonic and uterine factors and events that modulate placental and fetal development will be evaluated. Emphasis will be placed on defining actions of uterine-derived glucocorticoids on uterine and embryonic/placental function, effects of exposure of female fetuses to male hormones during critical states of development, and effects of sibling sex on lifetime productivity of ewes.Impacts of maternal nutrition on placental and fetal development and postnatal growth and production traits will be evaluated. Lentiviral-mediated transgenesis in the developing sheep placenta will be used to investigate specific roles of genes expressed within the placenta. Hatched blastocysts will be infected with a lentiviral construct that either knocks-down the expression of the gene of interest, or enhances it, before transfer into synchronized recipients to establish transgenic pregnancies. This technology demonstrated the requirement of proline-rich 15 (PRR15) for normal conceptus development. Transgenic pregnancies will be evaluated to determine the impact on placental function and fetal development. The function of PRR15 in trophoblast cell differentiation and function will continue to be evaluated.Mechanisms whereby maternal undernutrition and over-nutrition results in decreases in pancreatic β-cell number and insulin secretion by late gestation in their fetuses compared to fetuses of ewes fed to NRC recommendations will continue. Insults, such as nutrient deficiency during pancreas development, disrupts islet organization or β-cell function for life. Regulatory genes (i.e. transcription factors and growth factors) involved in pancreas development and β-cell responsiveness are likely targets to mediate structural, metabolic, or physiological changes to create a lasting effect. Nutrition and Reproduction. The role global nutrition and specific components of the maternal diet exerts on fetal and placental development and offspring endocrine function ovarian development, and attainment at puberty will be examined. Methods to investigate maternal impacts on uterine and umbilical blood flow is ongoing to determine how fetal and placental development may be hindered, or augmented, with differing maternal dietary treatments.Concentrations of progesterone and fertility of ewes born to over-nourished and obese mothers versus those born to the control fed mother will be tested. Impacts of early maternal undernutrition in the cow on maternal hormone concentrations and offspring birth weights of young (3 and 4 year old cows) versus mature (6 and 7 year old cows) pasture fed beef cows will be evaluated. The F1 calves will be followed through weaning to evaluate hormone concentrations, weaning weight and post weaning performance.Ghrelin was implicated in the metabolic regulation of energy balance. The reproductive significance of Ghrelin will be investigated by examining molecular, metabolic and endocrine mechanisms influencing conception rates and embryonic survival in dairy cattle.Projects will be conducted to determine how the diet of a pregnant cow impacts her future fertility and performance of her calf. Effects of various feedstuffs on reproductive processes such as attainment of puberty and postpartum fertility will be monitored. In addition, effects of selection for residual feed intake on reproductive performance of the cow herd will be tested by comparing efficient and inefficient lines of Brahman cows mated to produce efficient and inefficient Herford x Brahman females for lifetime evaluation of productivity. Behavior. The functional relevance of the sexually-dimorphic nuclei of the preoptic area of the hypothalamus will be contrasted in rams that differ in reproductive mating behaviors. In addition, responses of sexually active and sexually inactive rams to ewe vaginal/urine odors will be evaluated. Collaboration Between Stations. Project members meet annually to present results of completed studies, review the progress of on-going work, discuss industry issues and plan and coordinate the initiation of new studies for the upcoming year(s). We have created a network of collaborating scientists focused on improving the fertility of domestic ruminants in the West. The founding members of the W-112 Regional Research Project established a tradition of cooperation that the current members strive to continue. Indeed, in this era of instant and direct communication, cooperation and collaboration has never been greater or more significant. The extent of collaboration between stations is extensive and may best be described by providing examples of collaborative projects.

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The experiments in this project are designed to enhance reproductive efficiency in the ruminant animal and are ultimately targeted to the animal producer. However, basic knowledge is important to understand basic underlying processes which increase knowledge and is important for other scientists. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Scientific publications have been generated and published. More importantly, reports have been disseminated through regional and national conferences where the audience is diverse including extension educators who work directly with animal producers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?A conference in collaboration with Biology of Reproduction and American Society of Animal Science is scheduled for June 2017. During this conference talks will be centered on reproductive efficiency in the ruminant animal--Alexander, B. M. has been invited to speak at this conference.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have made significant strides in understanding the specific implications of maternal obesity on offspring health, growth efficiency, glucose-insulin dynamics and reproductive function. Results from these studies shed light on the specific physiological mechanisms involved, as well as lead us to management practices to optimize offspring health and production efficiency. These studies provide strong evidence that the optimization of maternal nutrition and the associated uterine environment will contribute to the birth of healthy, growth-efficient offspring, which is vital to livestock production efficiency. Further, recent data demonstrate that the negative metabolic effects of maternal obesity are observed in their children and grandchildren. Expression of sexual behavior is essential for successful reproduction especially in domestic species in which assisted reproductive technologies are precluded due to anatomical limitations.Approximately 20% of rams express limited sexual interest potentially slowing genetic progress for the flock.These studies have determined low sexually performing rams have an intact and functional olfactory system that appears to equally identify and respond to sexually evocative odors. Differences in activity at the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and preoptic area of the hypothalamus suggest these olfactory signals are not being translated to a sexually explicit signal. Deficits in the reward pathway in sexually inactive rams may limit reinforcement of sexual activity and ultimately limit sexual interest. The time spent waiting for the attainment of puberty is one of the greatest barriers to increased reproductive performance in cattle. In bulls, we demonstrated that a high-energy diet from 8 to 33 weeks of age causes noteworthy changes such as increased testicular growth and increased LH and testosterone secretion. However, in this experiment, these physiological changes failed to translate into hastened puberty or increased sperm production. However, these data warrant additional studies to understand how to best utilize prepubertal diets in cattle, as well as to understand other ways to impact the attainment of puberty.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Moreira EM, Pires AV, Nepmuceno DD, Ferraz Junior MVC, Neto JAF, Biehl MV, Goncalves JRS, Silva RG, Santos MH, Gouvea VN, Day ML. 2015. Effect of prepartum dam supplementation and creep-feeding on age at puberty in Nellore heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):87.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Odhiambo, J.F., Ghnenis, A.B., Guida, S.M., Bell, C.J., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal Obesity (MO) in the Sheep Induces Differential Expression and Methylation of Genes Regulating Lipid Metabolism in Day 135 Fetal Liver. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Pankey, C., Odhiambo, J.F., Smith, A.M., Ghnenis, A.B., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Multigenerational impact of maternal overnutrition/obesity throughout pregnancy in sheep on metabolic syndrome in granddaughters. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Serafim, T.L., Cunha-Oliveira, Deus, C.M., Oliveira, P.J., Yang, S., Tuerxun, A., Odhiambo, J., Ghnenis, A.B., Smith, A.M., Li, J., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal obesity (MO) in sheep decreases fetal hepatic mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. Proceedings Society for Reproductive Investigation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Abstract # 0-132).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Smith, A.M., Ghnenis, A.B., Odhiambo, J.F., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal obesity induces increased placental conversion of maternal cortisol to cortisone followed by increased conversion of this cortisone to cortisol by the fetal liver and perirenal fat. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Wang, Q., Hu, N., Zhu, C., Ford, S.P., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ren, J., Guo, W. 2016. Impact of maternal obesity and overnutrition on fetal cardiac function in sheep. Proceedings Society for Reproductive Investigation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Abstract # F-153).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Zhu, C., Odhiambo, F., Ghnenis, A.B., Ford, S.P., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ren, J., Guo, W. 2016. Maternal obesity (OB) increases the stiffer, shorter titin isoform in the maternal and fetal heart. Proceedings Society for Reproductive Investigation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Abstract # T-147).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Burton, D. J., P. A. Ludden, R. H. Stobart, B.M. Alexander. 2015. Fifty years of the Wyoming Ram Test: How sheep have changed. Journal of Animal Science. J Anim Sci. Mar;93(3):1327-31.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Day, M.L. State of the art of GnRH-based timed AI in beef cattle. 2015. Anim. Reprod. 12:473-478.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ford, S.P., Odhiambo, J.F. 2016. Maternal obesity and implications for fetal programming. In: V.B. Patel, V.R. Preedy and R. Rajendram (eds). Diet, Nutrition, and Fetal Programming from the Womb to Adulthood. Springer Publishing Company, New York. (In Press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Harstine B.R., Maquivar M., Helser L.A., Utt M.D., Premanandan C., DeJarnette J.M., Day M.L. 2015. Effects of dietary energy on sexual maturation and sperm production in Holstein bulls. J. Anim. Sci. 93:2759 - 2766.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Long, N.M., Rule, D.C., Tuersunjiang N., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2015. Maternal obesity in sheep increases fatty acid synthesis, upregulates nutrient transporters, and increases adiposity in adult male offspring after a feeding challenge. PLoS One. 10 (4): DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0122152 April 15, 2015
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mirto, A.J., K.J. Austin, V.A. Uthlaut, C.E. Roselli, B.M. Alexander, 2015. Fos Expression in the Olfactory Pathway of High- and Low-Sexually Performing Rams Exposed to Urine from Estrous or Ovariectomized Ewes. Applied Animal Behvior. Available on line. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159115002427
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Shasa, D.R., Odhiambo, J.F., Long, N.M., Tuersunjiang, N., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2015. Multigenerational impact of maternal overnutrition/obesity in the sheep on the neonatal leptin surge in granddaughters. Int. J. Obes. (Lond.). 39 (4):695-701.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Zhu, C., Yin, Y.Z., Ren, J., McCormick, R.J., Ford, S.P., Guo, W. 2015. RBM20 is an essential factor for thyroid hormone-regulated titin isoform transition. J. Molec. Cell Biol. 7 (1):88-90.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. L. Day and G. A. Bridges. 2015. Recent advances in the use of the 5-day Cosynch program in beef cattle. Proceedings of the 11th IRAC International Symposium on Animal Reproduction. 129  142.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. L. Day. 2015. Nutritional effects on beef heifer development, puberty and subsequent reproduction. 2015. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium. 69-77.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: B. R. Harstine and M. L Day. 2015. Nutritional and hormonal manipulation of puberty in bulls. Proceedings of the 11th IRAC International Symposium on Animal Reproduction. 2015. 257 - 282.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: J. L. Wyatt, K. J. Austin, K. C. Otto, B. M. Alexander. 2015. Ram reproductive behavior and serum Testosterone of white faced rams during the early and mid-breeding season and out of season. Proc. West Sec. Anim. Sci. 66.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Biehl MV, Pires AV, Ferraz Junior MVC, Gon�alves JRS, Nascimento AB, Santos MH, Gouvea VN, Miszura AA, Cruppe LH, Day ML. 2015. Efficacy of PGF2? doses to induce luteolysis on day 5, 7, or 9 of estrus cycle in nonlactating Nellore cows. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):90.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Day ML. Industryuniversity partnerships in research and gradu�ate student training. 2015. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):259.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Fensterseifer, S. R., K. J. Austin, S. P. Ford and B. M. Alexander. 2015. Effects of maternal obesity on plasma concentration of adiponectin and expression of its receptors in cotyledonary tissue at mid- and late gestation in sheep. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium, Ft. Collins, CO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ferraz Junior MVC, Nepomuceno DD, Biehl MV, Pires AV, Santos MH, Silva RG, Gouvea1 VN, Gon�alves JRS, Andrade TS, Day ML 2015. Effect of prepartum dam supplementation, creep-feed�ing and post-weaning diet on age at puberty in Nellore heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):87.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ghnenis, A.B., Odhiambo, J.F., Smith, A.M., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal obesity (MO) in sheep programs liver secretion of cortisol and upregulates glucocorticoid receptors and pro-inflammatory mediators in the hearts of adult male offspring. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Guida, S.M., Ghnenis, A.B., Odhiambo, J.F., Bell, C.J., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal overnutrition/obesity (MO) increases fetal liver mRNA and protein expression of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Alpha (ACC?) in association with altered ACACA gene methylation on day 135 of gestation in Sheep. Proceedings Society for Reproductive Investigation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Abstract # S-026).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Harstine BR, Martins RAC, Rodrigues ADP, Cruppe LH, Utt MD, Peters LD, Vasconcelos JLM, DeJarnette M, Day ML. 2015. Variation in timed-AI pregnancy rates in beef sires. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):543.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kramer, Avery C., Kathleen J. Austin, Brenda M. Alexander. 2015. Dopamine Synthesis in the Ventral Tegmental Area in Rams with High or Low Libido. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Pacific Grove, CA and Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium, Ft. Collins, CO.


Progress 12/01/13 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project is ultimately animal producers. However, our more immediate audience is extension educators and other scientists. Greater knowledge is built through communication with other scientists, and extension educators are positioned to deliver knowledge directly to the producer. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided opportunities for graduate training in individual laboratories. In addition, research generated through this project have been aided by graduate student training. The opportunity to meet and collaborate with colleagues fundamentally increases understanding, and provides opportunities for professional development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been published in scientific journals which are available to the public. However, clearly most producers do not read scientific literature. We are dependent on extension educators to read and dissiminate our results. Further we have had one beef reproduction symposium at the Western Section American Society of Animal Science. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have made significant strides in understanding the specific implications of maternal obesity on offspring health, growth efficiency, glucose-insulin dynamics and reproductive function. Results from these studies shed light on the specific physiological mechanisms involved, as well as lead us to management practices to optimize offspring health and production efficiency. These studies provide strong evidence that the optimization of maternal nutrition and the associated uterine environment will contribute to the birth of healthy, growth-efficient offspring, which is vital to livestock production efficiency. Further, recent data demonstrate that the negative metabolic effects of maternal obesity are observed in their children and grandchildren. Expression of sexual behavior is essential for successful reproduction especially in domestic species in which assisted reproductive technologies are precluded due to anatomical limitations.Approximately 20% of rams express limited sexual interest potentially slowing genetic progress for the flock.These studies have determined low sexually performing rams have an intact and functional olfactory system that appears to equally identify and respond to sexually evocative odors.Differences in activity at the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and preoptic area of the hypothalamus suggest these olfactory signals are not being translated to a sexually explicit signal.Deficits in the reward pathway in sexually inactive rams may limit reinforcement of sexual activity and ultimately limit sexual interest. 3. The time spent waiting for the attainment of puberty is one of the greatest barriers to increased reproductive performance in cattle. In bulls, we demonstrated that a high-energy diet from 8 to 33 weeks of age causes noteworthy changes such as increased testicular growth and increased LH and testosterone secretion. However, in this experiment, these physiological changes failed to translate into hastened puberty or increased sperm production. However, these data warrant additional studies to understand how to best utilize prepubertal diets in cattle, as well as to understand other ways to impact the attainment of puberty.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Burton, D. J., P. A. Ludden, R. H. Stobart, B.M. Alexander. 2015. Fifty years of the Wyoming Ram Test: How sheep have changed. Journal of Animal Science. J Anim Sci. Mar;93(3):1327-31.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Day, M.L. State of the art of GnRH-based timed AI in beef cattle. 2015. Anim. Reprod. 12:473-478.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ford, S.P., Odhiambo, J.F. 2016. Maternal obesity and implications for fetal programming. In: V.B. Patel, V.R. Preedy and R. Rajendram (eds). Diet, Nutrition, and Fetal Programming from the Womb to Adulthood. Springer Publishing Company, New York. (In Press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Harstine B.R., Maquivar M., Helser L.A., Utt M.D., Premanandan C., DeJarnette J.M., Day M.L. 2015. Effects of dietary energy on sexual maturation and sperm production in Holstein bulls. J. Anim. Sci. 93:2759 - 2766.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Long, N.M., Rule, D.C., Tuersunjiang N., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2015. Maternal obesity in sheep increases fatty acid synthesis, upregulates nutrient transporters, and increases adiposity in adult male offspring after a feeding challenge. PLoS One. 10 (4): DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0122152 April 15, 2015
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mirto, A.J., K.J. Austin, V.A. Uthlaut, C.E. Roselli, B.M. Alexander, 2015. Fos Expression in the Olfactory Pathway of High- and Low-Sexually Performing Rams Exposed to Urine from Estrous or Ovariectomized Ewes. Applied Animal Behvior. Available on line. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159115002427
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Shasa, D.R., Odhiambo, J.F., Long, N.M., Tuersunjiang, N., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2015. Multigenerational impact of maternal overnutrition/obesity in the sheep on the neonatal leptin surge in granddaughters. Int. J. Obes. (Lond.). 39 (4):695-701.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Zhu, C., Yin, Y.Z., Ren, J., McCormick, R.J., Ford, S.P., Guo, W. 2015. RBM20 is an essential factor for thyroid hormone-regulated titin isoform transition. J. Molec. Cell Biol. 7 (1):88-90.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Biehl MV, Pires AV, Ferraz Junior MVC, Gon�alves JRS, Nascimento AB, Santos MH, Gouvea VN, Miszura AA, Cruppe LH, Day ML. 2015. Efficacy of PGF2? doses to induce luteolysis on day 5, 7, or 9 of estrus cycle in nonlactating Nellore cows. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):90.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Day ML. Industryuniversity partnerships in research and gradu�ate student training. 2015. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):259.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Fensterseifer, S. R., K. J. Austin, S. P. Ford and B. M. Alexander. 2015. Effects of maternal obesity on plasma concentration of adiponectin and expression of its receptors in cotyledonary tissue at mid- and late gestation in sheep. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium, Ft. Collins, CO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ferraz Junior MVC, Nepomuceno DD, Biehl MV, Pires AV, Santos MH, Silva RG, Gouvea1 VN, Gon�alves JRS, Andrade TS, Day ML 2015. Effect of prepartum dam supplementation, creep-feed�ing and post-weaning diet on age at puberty in Nellore heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):87.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Ghnenis, A.B., Odhiambo, J.F., Smith, A.M., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal obesity (MO) in sheep programs liver secretion of cortisol and upregulates glucocorticoid receptors and pro-inflammatory mediators in the hearts of adult male offspring. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, San Diego, CA, U.S.A. (In Press).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Guida, S.M., Ghnenis, A.B., Odhiambo, J.F., Bell, C.J., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal overnutrition/obesity (MO) increases fetal liver mRNA and protein expression of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Alpha (ACC?) in association with altered ACACA gene methylation on day 135 of gestation in Sheep. Proceedings Society for Reproductive Investigation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Abstract # S-026).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Harstine BR, Martins RAC, Rodrigues ADP, Cruppe LH, Utt MD, Peters LD, Vasconcelos JLM, DeJarnette M, Day ML. 2015. Variation in timed-AI pregnancy rates in beef sires. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):543.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kramer, Avery C., Kathleen J. Austin, Brenda M. Alexander. 2015. Dopamine Synthesis in the Ventral Tegmental Area in Rams with High or Low Libido. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Pacific Grove, CA and Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium, Ft. Collins, CO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Moreira EM, Pires AV, Nepmuceno DD, Ferraz Junior MVC, Neto JAF, Biehl MV, Goncalves JRS, Silva RG, Santos MH, Gouvea VN, Day ML. 2015. Effect of prepartum dam supplementation and creep-feeding on age at puberty in Nellore heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. s3):87.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Odhiambo, J.F., Ghnenis, A.B., Guida, S.M., Bell, C.J., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal Obesity (MO) in the Sheep Induces Differential Expression and Methylation of Genes Regulating Lipid Metabolism in Day 135 Fetal Liver. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, San Diego, CA, U.S.A. (In Press).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Pankey, C., Odhiambo, J.F., Smith, A.M., Ghnenis, A.B., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Multigenerational impact of maternal overnutrition/obesity throughout pregnancy in sheep on metabolic syndrome in granddaughters. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, San Diego, CA, U.S.A. (In Press).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Serafim, T.L., Cunha-Oliveira, Deus, C.M., Oliveira, P.J., Yang, S., Tuerxun, A., Odhiambo, J., Ghnenis, A.B., Smith, A.M., Li, J., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal obesity (MO) in sheep decreases fetal hepatic mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. Proceedings Society for Reproductive Investigation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Abstract # 0-132).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Smith, A.M., Ghnenis, A.B., Odhiambo, J.F., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ford, S.P. 2016. Maternal obesity induces increased placental conversion of maternal cortisol to cortisone followed by increased conversion of this cortisone to cortisol by the fetal liver and perirenal fat. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, San Diego, CA, U.S.A. (In Press).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Wang, Q., Hu, N., Zhu, C., Ford, S.P., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ren, J., Guo, W. 2016. Impact of maternal obesity and overnutrition on fetal cardiac function in sheep. Proceedings Society for Reproductive Investigation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Abstract # F-153).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wyatt, J. L., K. J. Austin, K. C. Otto, B. M. Alexander. 2015. Ram reproductive behavior and serum Testosterone of white faced rams during the early and mid-breeding season and out of season. Western Section American Society for Animal Science, Ruidoso, NM.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Zhu, C., Odhiambo, F., Ghnenis, A.B., Ford, S.P., Nathanielsz, P.W., Ren, J., Guo, W. 2016. Maternal obesity (OB) increases the stiffer, shorter titin isoform in the maternal and fetal heart. Proceedings Society for Reproductive Investigation, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Abstract # T-147).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. L. Day and G. A. Bridges. 2015. Recent advances in the use of the 5-day Cosynch program in beef cattle. Proceedings of the 11th IRAC International Symposium on Animal Reproduction. 129  142.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M. L. Day. 2015. Nutritional effects on beef heifer development, puberty and subsequent reproduction. 2015. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium. 69-77.
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: S. R. Fensterseifer, B. M. Alexander, K. J. Austin, S. P. Ford. 2016. Effects of maternal obesity on maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of adiponectin and expression of adiponectin and its receptors in cotyledonary and fetal adipose tissue at mid- and late gestation in sheep. Univ. Wyo. Ann. Anim. Sci. Res. Report. (In press).
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: S. P. Ford, J. F. Odhiambo, P. W. Nathanielsz. 2016. Multi-generational Impact of Maternal overnutrition/Obesity in the Sheep on the Neonatal Leptin Surge in Granddaughters. Univ. Wyo. Ann. Anim. Sci. Res. Report. (In press).
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: S. P. Ford, J F. Odhiambo, P. W. Nathanielsz. 2016. Multi-generational Impact of Maternal Overnutrition/Obesity in the Sheep on the Neonatal Leptin Surge in Granddaughters. Univ. Wyo. Ann. Anim. Sci. Res. Report. (In press).
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: A. B. Ghnenis, J. F. Odhiambo, R. J. McCormick, P. W. Nathanielsz, S. P. Ford. 2016. Maternal Obesity (MO) During Ovine Pregnancy Leads to Increased Collagen Content and Cross-Linking in the Myocardium of Adult F1 but not F2 Offspring. Univ. Wyo. Ann. Anim. Sci. Res. Report. (In press).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: B. R. Harstine and M. L Day. 2015. Nutritional and hormonal manipulation of puberty in bulls. Proceedings of the 11th IRAC International Symposium on Animal Reproduction. 2015. 257 - 282.
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: J. F. Odhiambo, P. W Nathanielsz, S. P. Ford. 2016. Late gestation adiposity and increased expression of brown adipose tissue (BAT) linked genes in fetuses of obese sheep are returned to control levels by diet reduction. Univ. Wyo. Ann. Anim. Sci. Res. Report. (In press).
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: J. F. Odhiambo, P W Nathanielsz, S P Ford. 2016. Late gestation adiposity and increased expression of brown adipose tissue (BAT) linked genes in fetuses of obese sheep are returned to control levels by diet reduction. Univ. Wyo. Ann. Anim. Sci. Res. Report. (In press).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: J. L. Wyatt, K. J. Austin, K. C. Otto, B. M. Alexander. 2015. Ram reproductive behavior and serum Testosterone of white faced rams during the early and mid-breeding season and out of season. Proc. West Sec. Anim. Sci. 66.
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: C. Zhu, Z. Yin, W. Guo, J. Ren, R. J. McCormick, S. P. Ford. 2016. Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms of Titin Isoform Transitions in Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle. Univ. Wyo. Ann. Anim. Sci. Res. Report. (In press).
  • Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: C. Zhu, Q. Wang, N. Hu, J. Ren, S. P. Ford, P. W Nathanielsz, and W. Guo. 2016. Impact of Maternal Obesity on Fetal Cardiac Contractile Function in Sheep. Univ. Wyo. Ann. Anim. Sci. Res. Report. (In press).


Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary targeted audience for this project is other scientists interested in reproductive efficiency in domestic livestock. Changes/Problems:Dr. Moss retired in 2015, and will not be a part of the renewal of the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided learning opportunities for 2 academic professionals, 1 post-doctorate, and 5 graduate students. All of these scientists have participated in academic professional meetings. Funding for this travel is not exclusive to this HATCH- multistate project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from these projects were shared at the annual W2112 project meeting in Las Cruces, NM - June 2015. They have also been shared at professional meetings including, National and Western Section American Society of Animal Science, Society for the Study of Reproduction, Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinolgy, and Rocky Mountain Reproduction Sciences Symposium. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?A project renewal for W2112 will be submitted for approval.Efforts to elucidate the effects of maternal obesity and nutrition on fetal outcomes, and how reproductive behavior in the ram is controlled will be continued.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have made significant strides in understanding the specific implications of maternal obesity on offspring health, growth efficiency, glucose-insulin dynamics and reproductive function. Results from these studies shed light on the specific physiological mechanisms involved, as well as lead us to management practices to optimize offspring health and production efficiency. These studies provide strong evidence that the optimization of maternal nutrition and the associated uterine environment will contribute to the birth of healthy, growth-efficient offspring, which is vital to livestock production efficiency. Further, recent data demonstrate that the negative metabolic effects of maternal obesity are observed in their children and grandchildren. Our understanding of the neural mechanisms which influence the expression of sexual behavior was substantially increased this past year. From previous results we have shown that low sexually performing rams equally detect sexual olfactory stimuli, but the processing of that information is diminished from the amygdala to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and preoptic area of the hypothalamus. Sexually inactive rams may have reduced attentiveness to sexual stimuli and/or decreased responsiveness of regions in the brain which regulate reproductive behaviors. Sexual behavior is a motivated behavior with central mechanisms in place to reward that behavior.The reward pathway is dependent of the synthesis of dopamine in the ventral tegmental area of the midbrain with receptors located in the forebrain.This pathway seems to be less active in low sexually preforming rams leading to a less pleasurable experience and attenuated reinforcement of sexual behavior.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mirto, A.J., K.J. Austin, V.A. Uthlaut, C.E. Roselli, B.M. Alexander, 2014. Fos Expression in the Olfactory Pathway of High- and Low-Sexually Performing Rams Exposed to Urine from Estrous or Ovariectomized Ewes. Applied Animal Behvior. In Press.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Shasa, D.R., J.F. Odhiambo, N.M. Long, N. Tuersunjiang, P.W. Nathanielsz, S.P. Ford. 2014. Multigenerational impact of maternal overnutrition/obesity in the sheep on the neonatal leptin surge in granddaughters. Int. J. Obesity (Lond.), 39 (4):695-701.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Long, N.M., D.C. Rule, N. Tuersunjiang, P.W. Nathanielsz, S.P. Ford. 2014. Maternal obesity in sheep increases fatty acid synthesis, upregulates nutrient transporters, and increases adiposity in adult male offspring after a feeding challenge. PLoS One. 10 (4):e0122152.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Chaoqun Zhu, Y. Z Yin, J. Ren, R.J. McCormick, S.P. Ford, W. Guo. 2015. RBM20 is an essential factor for thyroid hormone-regulated titin isoform transition. J. Molec. Cell Biol. 7 (1):88-90.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Ford, S.P., J.F. Odhiambo. M.A. Walton, P.W. Nathanielsz. 2014. Elevating blood cortisol (CORT) concentrations at birth in lambs eliminates the early postnatal leptin surge. Proceedings, Soc. for Reprod. Invest. San Francisco, CA (Abstract # 131).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Walton, M.A., J.F. Odhiambo, P.W. Nathanielsz, S. P. Ford. 2015. Maternal overnutrition/obesity (MO) in the ewe has multigenerational metabolic programming effects on adult granddaughters (F2). Proceedings, Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci., Orlando, FL (In press)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ghnenis, A.B., J.F. Odhiambo, R.J. McCormick, P.W. Nathanielsz, S.P. Ford. 2015. Maternal Obesity (MO) during ovine pregnancy leads to increased collagen content and cross-linking in the myocardium of Adult Fi and F2 offspring. Proceedings, Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Orlando, FL (In press)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Odhiambo, J.F., P.W. Nathanielsz, S.P. Ford. 2015. Metabolomics reveals metabolic adaptations in mid and late gestation sheep fetuses in response to maternal overnutrition/obesity during pregnancy. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico (In press)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kramer, A. C., K. J. Austin, B. M. Alexander. 2015. Dopamine Synthesis in the Ventral Tegmental Area in Rams with High or Low Libido. Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. Pacific Grove, CA (In press).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wyatt, J. L., K. J. Austin, K. C. Otto, B. M. Alexander. 2015. Ram reproductive behavior and serum Testosterone of white faced rams during the early and mid-breeding season and out of season. Proceedings of Western Section American Society for Animal Science. Ruidoso, NM (In press).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Fensterseifer, S. R., K. J. Austin, S. P. Ford and B. M. Alexander. 2015. Effects of maternal obesity on plasma concentration of adiponectin and expression of its receptors in cotyledonary tissue at mid- and late gestation in sheep. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium. Ft. Collins, CO.


Progress 12/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The data generated in these experiments increases the body of knowledge and are targeted to the sheep producer. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? These reports have been disseminated to other scientist to increase the body of knowledge. Reports targeted to a producer audience have been generated for the University of Wyoming Ag Experiment Station Annual Report and the Department of Animal Science Annual Report. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Research is ongoing on the control of sexual behavior--focus is now in the forebrain where dopamine targets the pleasure pathway. Maternal obesity and how it influences fetal development and adult fertility is continuing. A research project to determine how a male co-twin influences onset of puberty is currently planned in the next reporting period.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Most progress has been made in embryo and fetal development and reproductive behavior. How maternal adiposity influences organ development and adult pathology is ongoing. Further strides have been made to determine howdecreased adiposity during gestation alters development and adult pathology. The control of reproductive behavior continues to be a research focus. Most of the focus has been on rams that lack sexual interest. Differences in brain pathways following sexual stimulus has been determined (submitted for publication). Current research is focused on the brain pleasure pathway. Reduction in brainstem dopamine synthesis may be at least in part responsible for decreased sexual interest.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Zhu M.J., M. Du, S.P. Ford. 2014. Cell Biology Symposium: Impacts of maternal obesity on placental and gut inflammation and health. J Anim. Sci. 92(5):1840-1849.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: D. J. Burton, P. A. Ludden, R. H. Stobart, B.M. Alexander. 2014. Fifty years of the Wyoming Ram Test: How sheep have changed. Journal of Animal Science. Accepted.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mirto, A.J., K.J. Austin, V.A. Uthlaut, C.E. Roselli, B.M. Alexander, 2014. Fos Expression in the Olfactory Pathway of High- and Low-Sexually Performing Rams Exposed to Urine from Estrous or Ovariectomized Ewes. Applied Animal Behvior. In Review
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Weems YS, Ma Y, Ford SP, Nett TM, Vann RC, Lewis AW, Neuendorff DA, Welsh TH Jr, Randel RD, Weems CW.Effects of intraluteal implants of prostaglandin E1 or E2 on angiogenic growth factors in luteal tissue of Angus and Brahman cows. Theriogenology. 2014 Dec;82(9):1224-30
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Nurmamat, T., P.W. Nathanielsz, S.P. Ford. 2014. Maternal Obesity (MO) reduces adult male offspring (OFF) pituitary leptin signaling and upregulates adipose tissue (AT) fatty acid transporters (FAT) resulting in increased adiposity.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Ford, S.P., D.R. Shasa, N.M. Long, T. Nurmamat, J.F. Odhiambo, P.W. Nathanielsz. 2014. Multigenerational metabolic programming of daughters (F1) and granddaughters (F2) in an ovine model of maternal overnutrition/obesity (OB). Proceedings, Soc. Gynecol. Invest. Florence, Italy (Abstract # O-014).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Walton, M.A., J. F. Odhiambo, P. W. Nathanielsz, S. P. Ford. 2014. Maternal overnutrition/obesity (MO) has multigenerational metabolic programming effects on adult grandsons (F2). Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, Grand Forks, MI
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Ford, S.P., Z. Jiang, J.F. Odhiambo, P.W. Nathanielsz. 2014. Correction of maternal obesity (MO) in pregnant sheep by diet reduction increases adipocyte expression of leptin, and up regulates the growth hormone (GH) / insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis to control levels. Proceedings, Soc. for the Study of Reproduction, Grand Forks, MI
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Odhiambo, J.F., P.W. Nathanielsz, S.P. Ford. 2014. Late gestation adiposity and increased expression of brown adipose tissue (BAT) linked genes in fetuses of obese sheep are returned to control levels by diet reduction. Proceedings, Soc. For the Study of Reproduction, Grand Forks, MI
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fritz, William F., Susan E. Becker, Brenda M. Alexander, and Larry S. Katz. 2014. Simulated self-enurination induces flehmen but does not affect serum LH concentrations in male goats. Animal Behavior Society. Princeton, NJ.