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.
1012778
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
WYO-580-17
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
W-3112
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Apr 19, 2017
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2021
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
Wyoming station participants strive to understand the specific implications of maternal obesity on offspring health, growth efficiency, glucose-insulin dynamics and reproductive function. Results from these studies will shed light on the specific physiological mechanisms involved, as well as lead us to management practices optimizing offspring health and production efficiency. These studies will potentially provide strong evidence that the optimization of maternal nutrition and the associated uterine environment contributes to the birth of healthy, growth-efficient offspring, which is vital to livestock production efficiency. Further, multigenerational epigenetic effects will be determined.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 will determine if 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 will be investigated to determine if these olfactory signals are 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.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3013610102085%
3013310102015%
Knowledge Area
301 - Reproductive Performance of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3610 - Sheep, live animal; 3310 - Beef cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1020 - Physiology;
Goals / Objectives
Discover mechanisms within five years that have potential to translate into applicable biotechnologies to improve reproductive efficiency in domestic ruminants. d. Increase knowledge of mechanisms that allow for the establishment of pregnancy. Further understanding the interface of the reproductive and immune systems will allow for the development of technologies that target the immune system decreasing the incidence of early embryonic/fetal loss. e. Increase the understanding of communication and nutrient flow between the embryo/fetus and the dam. This understanding would improve fetal health outcomes and adult wellbeing, and would be important for the optimization of livestock production goals.
Project Methods
Behavior and Stress (Objectives a, b). Research efforts in effects of temperament and stress responsiveness on reproduction and performance of cattle will be continued. How stress during gestation influences the epigenome will be determined. The evaluation of calves sired by prenatally stressed bulls, and calves from prenatally stressed cows, will determine if these DNA methylation changes are present in the second generation.Studies will determine physiological mechanism(s) by which the biostimulatory effect of the male influences metabolic profiles of hormones to accelerate the reproductive neuroendocrine-endocrine cascade culminating in the resumption of ovulatory cycles in anovulatory females. A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) library will be established for ewes and will be useful to determine metabolic and hormonal profiles in different reproductive states. The neuro-endocrine control of ram reproductive behavior will be continued. Differences in neuropathways which cascade from sexual interest to mating will be identified. Scientists from Montana, Texas and Wyoming will collaborate on these projects.Fetal Development (Objective e). The uterine environment influences adult health and wellbeing of the offspring. Nutrient availability during gestation is central to the production of healthy offspring and is delivered by the placental vasculature. Thus, studies to determine how neuroendocrine mechanisms influence placental blood flow in late pregnancy are planned. It is well known that stress has adverse effects on fetal outcomes and these effects may have transgenerational influence through the epigenome.Studies to determine the mechanisms by which poor maternal nutrition during gestation affects offspring growth and health will be continued. Experiments will primarily focus on changes in muscle, fat, bone, and organs involved in metabolism (pancreas, liver, heart). Altering specific gene expression within the placenta, using lentiviral-mediated transgenesis will help determine the impact of diminished placental lactogen expression throughout gestation elucidating its role in fetal growth.

Progress 04/19/17 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Our primary stakeholder is the scientific community. From that community it is our expectation that livestock producers will benefit. Application of basic advances requires time and involvement of extension educators. It is the aim of the W4112 project to effectively transfer gain of knowledge to this audience through scientific publications and presentations to scientific, extension, and producer audiences. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided opportunities to collaborate with other scientists to further research progress. Scientists associated with the project collectively possess expertise required to discover basic physiological mechanisms and translate such new knowledge to the management of domestic ruminants. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The primary output from W3112 members is peer-reviewed scientific works including abstracts, publications, and presentations that represent unique contributions of new knowledge to the field of reproductive biology. These results fill critical gaps in our knowledge regarding the reproductive physiology of ruminant animals and facilitate the development and implementation of management strategies to optimize animal reproduction. Research findings were presented to a national audience of scientists at the 2017 ASAS-SSR Triennial Reproductive Symposium with 3 individuals from W3112, including B. M. Alexander Univ. of Wy, presenting research and one member serving as co-chair of the symposium. All of these individuals had proceedings papers published in Journal of Animal Science. A symposium on sheep reproduction targeted to extension specialists/ educators and producers will be presented prior to the termination of the projectto facilitate the transfer of knowledge gained from research conducted by W3112 scientists to producers. This symposium would also provide an opportunity for producers to influence research priorities of the W4112 investigators. A symposium titled "Factors affecting reproductive performance in ruminants" will be presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science. This symposium will combine presentations by 13 members of the W3112 group. Beef Websites at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and at the USDA ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, Mile City, MT will be used as a platform to post project results including reports, podcasts, and monthly newsletters. A similar website targeted to sheep producers will be developed and placed on the University of Wyoming, Agriculture Research Station website prior to the termination of the project (2026). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Dopamine synthesis and release in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brainstem is credited for pleasurable aspects of certain behaviors such as mating activity and is central to the reinforcement and repeated expression of those behaviors. Following exposure to a putative sexual stimulus, inactive rams had fewer dopamine-synthesizing neurons in the VTA than sexually active rams. Lack of sexual interest in low sexually performing rams may be partially a result of decreased dopamine synthesis in the VTA leading to a less pleasurable experience and attenuated reinforcement of sexual behavior. Expression of ewe behavior does not improve the reproductive success of low sexually-active rams. Significant strides in understanding implications of maternal obesity on offspring health, growth efficiency, glucose-insulin dynamics and reproductive function have been made. Results from studies have led to management practices that optimize offspring health and production efficiency. These studies provide evidence that optimization of maternal nutrition and the associated uterine environment contributes to the birth of healthy, growth-efficient offspring, which is vital to livestock production efficiency in the present and future generations.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Larson-Meyer D. E., J. Schueler, E. Kyle; A.M. Hart; K. Austin, B. Alexander. 2020. Appetite-regulating hormones in human milk: a plausible biological factor for obesity risk reduction? Journal of Human Lactation. Available online. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334420954160
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Agster, K. M., R. L. Ziegler, K. J. Austin, J. E. Blake, J. E. Rowell, A. S. Cupp, M. P. Shipka, and B. M. Alexander. 2021. Treatment of Reindeer Bulls with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate does not influence neural activity in the Ventral Tegmental Area. Western Section American Society of Animal Science. Ft. Collins, CO.


Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period is primarily academics and extension specialists that have been reached through scientific publications and presentations. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One graduate student, Kristina Boss, MS was trained during this period. She successfully defended her thesis summer of 2020. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Western Section Animal Science presentation and proceedings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Factors that drive the expression of male reproductive behavior will continue in the new year. The role the TRPM8 receptor in novel signaling of testosterone will be the focus of research understanding the transient rise in testosterone in sexually active males.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The interaction of aflatoxin (AFB1) and the transient receptor melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel was determined. This channel is a putative testosterone receptor and may influence reproductive behavior and fertility. Expression of TRPM8 in SKOV cells increased in response to AFB1. Although it is not certain if this effect is constrained to these transformed cells, the possibility remains that changes in the expression of TRPM8 may contribute to the negative reproductive consequences of AFB1 exposure in humans and livestock species.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sutton, C. M. B. M. Alexander. 2019. Ewes express greater proceptive behavior toward high-sexually active rams. Applied Animal Behavior. 216:15-18. Available online. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159118303976?via%3Dihub
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Alexander, B. M. 2020. Reproductive BehaviorThe basis of reproductive success. Invited oral presentation. Randel Symposium. Southern Section American Society of Animal Science. Chattanooga, TN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Boss, K. S., K. J. Austin, B. M. Alexander. 2020. Aflatoxin B1 influences expression of TRPM8 in SKOV, Ovarian Epithelial Cancer cells. American Society of Animal Science. Virtual Meeting.


Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The W3112 project strives to ultimately benefit animal producers in the Western region and beyond through publication of scientific manuscripts, presentations to regional and national audiences, and outreach through the university extension programs. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students (MS and PhD) have been trained in Wyoming partially as a result of this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have primarily been disseminated by scientific publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period projects and research will be continued. There are opportunities for further dissemination of results.

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. Expression of the TRPM8 channel does not appear to differ by expression of sexual behavior, but may influence the reward pathway through connections with the lateral hypothalamus. Although menthol is recognized as an aphrodisiac, treating rams with a known agonist of the TRPM8 channel (menthol) did not stimulate mating behavior suggesting oral administration of menthol does not influence sexual interest or activity. Expression of the TRPM8 channel in reproductive tissue did differ by presence of gonadal steroid hormones. With robust expression noted in granulosa cells, and noting a treatment effect with aflatoxins, an effect on steroid production and/or ovulation may be suggested. Influence of the TRPM8 channel in the expression of reproductive behavior and its role in reproductive tissue is continuing to be investigated.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Abreu FM; Coutinho da Silva MA; Cruppe LH; Mussard ML; Bridges GA; Harstine BR; Smith GW; Geary TW; Day ML. Role of progesterone concentrations during early follicular development in beef cattle: I. Characteristics of LH secretion and oocyte quality. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 196:59-68.2018.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Abreu FM; Geary TW; Coutinho da Silva MA; Cruppe LH; Mussard ML; Madsen CA; Martins T; Bridges GA; Harstine BR; Day ML. Role of progesterone concentrations during early follicular development in beef cattle: II. Ovulatory follicle growth and pregnancy rates. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 196:69-76.2018.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Fensterseifer, S. R., K. J. Austin, S. P. Ford and B. M. Alexander. 2018. Effects of maternal obesity on maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of adiponectin and expression of adiponectin and its receptors in cotyledonary and adipose tissues at mid- and late-gestation in sheep. Animal Reproduction Science. 197:231-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.08.033
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Harstine BR; Cruppe LH; Abreu FM; Rodrigues AD; Premanandan C; DeJarnette JM; Day ML. Impact of a timed-release FSH treatment from 2 to 6 months of age in bulls I: Endocrine and testicular development of beef bulls. Theriogenology 105:142 - 149. 2018.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Smith, AM, CL Pankey, JF Odhiambo, AB Ghnenis, PW Nathanielsz, SP Ford. 2018. Reduced maternal nutrition during early- to mid-gestation elevates newborn lamb plasma cortisol concentrations and eliminates the neonatal leptin surge. J An Sci 96(7):2640-2645. doi: 10.1093/jas/sky215.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sutton, C. M. B. M. Alexander. 2019. Ewes express greater proceptive behavior toward high-sexually active rams. Applied Animal Behavior. Available online. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159118303976?via%3Dihub
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Boss, K. S., C. M. Sutton, K. J. Austin, K. M. Cammack, R. R. Cockrum, B. M. Alexander.. 2019. The effect of aflatoxin B1 treatment on expression of TRPM8 in mouse ovary and testes. WSASAS, Boise, ID and RMRSS, Ft. Collins, CO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sutton, C. M., K. J. Austin, B. M. Alexander. 2019. The effect of menthol on sexual behavior in rams WSASAS, Boise, ID.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sutton, C. M., K. J. Austin, B. M. Alexander. 2019. Expression of TRPM8 mRNA in the prostate of rams and wethers. WSASAS, Boise, ID and RMRSS, Ft. Collins, CO. WSASAS, Boise, ID and RMRSS, Ft. Collins, CO.


Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Information obtained from the proposed research studies will be disseminated to academic and industry leaders by publication in peer-reviewed journals, industry journals, popular press, and other, more widely read technical bulletins. The effective audience is greatly enhanced as information from the W3112 is provided to Extension Specialists who then provide information to producers and industry personnel in their region and state. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Brenda Alexander attended the W3112 meeting in Tyler, TX. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated in published journal articles and meeting presentations (WSASAS, SSR). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research at the University of Wyoming is continuing to increase the reproductive efficiency of domestic livestock with an emphasis on male reproductive behavior.

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. Expression of the TRPM8 channel does not appear to differ by expression of sexual behavior, but may influence the reward pathway through connections with the lateral hypothalamus. It is intriguing that expression was robust in the central amygdala--an area of the brain important for alerting and/or integration of sensory signals. Reindeer bulls are notoriously dangerous to handlers during the rut, and progesterone agonists have been used anecdotally to moderate behavior. Influence of these agonists on sensory processing has not been determined. Based on preliminary results, it appears reindeer bucks are processing sensory cues similarly at the POA of the hypothalamus. A treatment by time interaction indicates greater fos signaling in the central amygdala of treated bulls during the rut. This may suggest treated bulls remain fearful during the rut and are therefore less dangerous to handlers.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Alexander, B. M. 2018. Male reproductive behavior: sensory signaling in the brain of low-performing domestic rams. Journal of Animal Science. 96:3003-3008. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky117
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Demirkhanyan, Lusine, Vivek Krishnan, Swapna Asuthkar, Brenda Alexander, Zahir Hussain, Padmamalini Baskaran, Yelena Nersesyan, Evgeny Pavlov, Baskaran Thyagarajan, and Eleonora Zakharian. 2018.TRPM8 Regulates Sexual Desire and Satiety. Biophysical journal. 114:643A. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2017.11.3469
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: S. R. Fensterseifer, K. J. Austin, S. P. Ford and B. M. Alexander. 2018. Effects of maternal obesity on maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of adiponectin and expression of adiponectin and its receptors in cotyledonary and adipose tissues at mid- and late-gestation in sheep. Animal Reproduction Science. 197:231-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.08.033
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sutton, C. S. and B. M. Alexander. 2018. Ewes express increased proceptive behavior toward high-sexually active rams. Applied Animal Behavior. In review.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sutton, C. M., R. L. Ziegler, K. J. Austin, B. M. Alexander. 2018. Evidence of TRPM8 receptor in the brain of rams. Proc. West Sec. Anim. Sci. 69.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Kramer, A.C., A.J. Mirto, K.J. Austin, B.M. Alexander. 2017. Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Ventral Tegmental Area of Rams with High or Low Libidoa role for Dopamine. Animal Reproduction Science. 187:152-158. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432017304761
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mirto, A.J., K.J. Austin, V.A. Uthlaut, C.E. Roselli, B.M. Alexander, 2017. Fos Expression in the Olfactory Pathway of High- and Low-Sexually Performing Rams Exposed to Urine from Estrous or Ovariectomized Ewes. Applied Animal Behavior. 186:22-28. Available online. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2015.09.001. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159115002427
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ghnenis, A. B., J. F. Odhiambo, R. J. McCormick, P. W. Nathanielsz, and S. P. Ford. 2017. Maternal Obesity in the ewe increases cardiac ventricular expression of glucocorticoid receptors, pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis in Adult Male Offspring. PLoS ONE 12(12): e0189977. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189977 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0189977
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Harstine, B.R., Cruppe, L.H., Abreu, F.M., Utt, M.D., Cipriano, R.S., Lemes, A., Premanandan, C., DeJarnette, J.M., Day, M.L., 2017. Impact of a timed-release follicle-stimulating hormone treatment from one to three months of age on endocrine and testicular development of prepubertal bulls. Journal of Animal Science 95, 1669-1679. https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/95/4/1669/4702172
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Nurmamat, T., J. F. Odhiambo, D. R. Shasa, A. M. Smith, P. W. Nathanielsz, S. P. Ford. 2017. Maternal obesity programs reduced pituitary leptin signaling and altered GH/IGF1 axis function leading to increased adiposity in adult sheep offspring. PLoS ONE 12(8): e0181795. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181795. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0181795
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Smith, A. M., C. L. Pankey, J. F. Odhiambo, A. B. Ghnenis, P. W. Nathanielsz, and S. P. Ford. 2018. Reduced maternal nutrition during early- to mid-gestation elevates newborn lamb plasma cortisol concentrations and eliminates the neonatal leptin surge. J. Animal Sci. 96(7):2640-2645. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky215
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Yang, S., Gerow, K.G., Huber, H.F., Considine, M.M., Li, C., Mattern, V., Comuzzie, A.G., Ford, S.P., Nathanielsz, P.W. 2017. A decline in female baboon hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity anticipates aging. Aging (Albany NY) 9, 1375-1385. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5472738/


Progress 04/19/17 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The research conducted for this project will be utilized by other scientists and extension educators. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided training opportunities through scientist participation in the W3112 meeting in Fargo, ND. Further, this project provided opportunities for undergraduate training and tissue collection in a collaboration with University of Alaska and University of Nebraska, Lincoln. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Peer-review journal articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research to meet the objectives is ongoing. We are making significant strides in understanding how the maternal environment influences fetal outcomes and how sensory information is signalled in the male brain and how that influences the expression of sexual behavior. In the next reporting period we will have data to understand how progesterone influences sensory signalling in male reindeer.

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 influence of the TRPM8 receptor in the expression of sexual interest and behavior is currently being evaluated. Two experiments were performed to further understanding and impacts of a novel, extended - release FSH treatment (FSH-HA) designed to hasten sexual maturation and enhance sperm production in bulls. Primary outcomes were increased numbers of Sertoli cells and advancement of puberty. Findings of this research suggests that the FSH-HA treatment positively affects the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis of bulls by stimulating the feedback loop involving activin A and FSH production through enhancement of numbers of Sertoli cells. Impacts of reduction of age at puberty and/or increased sperm production are twofold. Advancements in either of these objectives represents monetary benefits to both AI companies and cattle producers. Successful implementation of these technologies means AI companies will have more saleable product from a bull at an earlier time, and producers may be less limited in the product they wish to use. A second and possibly more valuable benefit results from the genetic advancements the industry may experience by increasing use of young, genomically-superior bulls.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ghnenis, A. B., J. F. Odhiambo, R. J. McCormick, P. W. Nathanielsz, and S. P. Ford. 2017. Maternal Obesity in the ewe increases cardiac ventricular expression of glucocorticoid receptors, pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis in Adult Male Offspring. Plos ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189977
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Harstine, B.R., Cruppe, L.H., Abreu, F.M., Utt, M.D., Cipriano, R.S., Lemes, A., Premanandan, C., DeJarnette, J.M., Day, M.L., 2017. Impact of a timed-release follicle-stimulating hormone treatment from one to three months of age on endocrine and testicular development of prepubertal bulls. Journal of Animal Science 95, 1669-1679.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 4. Kramer, A.C., A.J. Mirto, K.J. Austin, C.E. Roselli, B.M. Alexander. 2017. Tyrosine Hydroxylase in the Ventral Tegmental Area of Rams with High or Low Libidoa role for Dopamine. Animal Reproduction Science 187:152-158. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432017304761
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Nurmamat, T., J. F. Odhiambo, D. R. Shasa, A. M. Smith, P. W. Nathanielsz, S. P. Ford. 2017. Maternal obesity programs reduced pituitary leptin signaling and altered GH/IGF1 axis function leading to increased adiposity in adult sheep offspring. Plos ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181795
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Yang, S., Gerow, K.G., Huber, H.F., Considine, M.M., Li, C., Mattern, V., Comuzzie, A.G., Ford, S.P., Nathanielsz, P.W., 2017. A decline in female baboon hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis activity anticipates aging. Aging (Albany NY) 9, 1375-1385.