Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: In dairy cows, post-partum endometritis caused by Gram negative bacteria (e.g. E. coli) adversely affects follicular function and is associated with subfertility. However, there is limited information of the effects of endometritis on the corpus luteum (CL). Recently, we showed that LPS dose-dependently decreased luteal endothelial cell (EC) network formation in vitro. The hypothesis tested was that CL from cows with endometritis would have reduced vascu...

In dairy cows, post-partum uterine inflammation caused by Gram negative bacteria (e.g. E. coli) suppresses follicular function and reduces fertility. LPS is an endotoxin that is present on outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, LPS is detected in follicular fluid (0.04–0.88 μg/ml) of cows with endometritis. This study tested the hypothesis that LPS would decrease the formation of luteal endothelial cell (EC) network and progesterone ...

Introduction: Luteal phase deficiency following assisted reproductive technology (ART) programmes has led to progestogen supplementation. However, there is debate over which route of progestogen administration (intramuscular or vaginal) is most beneficial and whether additional treatment with oestrogen further improves pregnancy rates. Thus, a large-scale meta-analysis was performed to investigate the benefit of these luteal phase support treatments on pregnancy outcome in wom...

Dairy cow fertility has declined over the past 50 years coinciding with increased milk production. Uterine health is an important factor with endometritis prevalent in high-yielding dairy cows. This study assessed the association between uterine disease on reproductive performance in 78 commercial UK dairy herds. Data from 59 118 lactations (n=29 157 cows) was collected from 2000to 2009 and included presence of uterine disease, calving date, and insemination informati...

Previous studies have assessed the effects of melatonin on cultured granulosa cells under 5% CO2 in air, and focused on its antioxidant properties. Effects of melatonin under more physiological oxygen tensions are not known. Here we cultured granulosa cells from antral follicles (4–6 mm diameter) in fibronectin-coated 12-well plates (at 600 000 cell/ml) in TCM199, with melatonin added at one of four concentrations (0, 20, 200, 2000 pg/ml) under either i) low ox...

Heat stress can impair ovarian function and reduce fertility in cattle. It is correlated with oxidative stress and can induce granulosa cell apoptosis and reduce steroid production. Effects of heat stress can be reversed by melatonin, but studies with ovarian cells have only been evaluated under atmospheric oxygen tension. Here we cultured granulosa cells (GCs) from antral follicles in fibronectin-coated 12-well plates in M199 for up to 144h under physiological (5%) oxygen ten...