Dietary folic acid, uterine function and early embryonic development in sows

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 427-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Matte ◽  
C. Farmer ◽  
C. L. Girard ◽  
J.-P. Laforest

The present study was designed to determine the role of folic acid on uterine environment and embryonic development during early gestation in the pig. Thirty-two, third parity, crossbred sows received a diet supplemented with 0 or 15 mg kg−1 of folic acid. The treatments started 2 wk before expected estrus and lasted until slaughter on either day 12 or 15 after mating. One uterine horn was used to collect conceptuses and uterine "flushings" for hormonal and metabolite determinations; conceptuses from the other horn were enzymatically dispersed and placed in cell culture with and without dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The decrease in serum folates was attenuated (P ≤ 0.06) and the total and saturated folate binding capacities in early gestation were increased (P < 0.01) in sows receiving additional dietary folic acid. The volume of uterine flushings recovered was greater (P ≤ 0.02) on day 15 than on day 12, as was its content of protein (P ≤ 0.06). In sows receiving the dietary supplement of folic acid, total uterine prostaglandin (PG)E2 was three times higher on day 12 and two times higher on day 15 (P < 0.04) than for sows fed the experimental diet without supplement; although numerically substantial (60% higher), the effect was not significant for PGF2α (P ≥ 0.16). Conceptus homogenates contained more folic acid (P ≤ 0.02) and DNA (P ≤ 0.0001) on day 15 than on day 12. Their total protein content, in sows slaughtered on day 12 of gestation, tended (P ≤ 0.07) to be higher in supplemented than in unsupplemented animals. The synthesis of estradiol-17β by the conceptus cells, used as an index of embryonic maturity, tended (P ≤ 0.07) to be lower for treated than untreated sows, especially in conceptus cell culture without DHEA. Therefore, the improvement in embryonic survival attributed to dietary supplements of folic acid might be linked to changes on the secretion of uterine prostaglandins and possibly on embryonic development. Key words: Folic acid, uterus, embryo, sow

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Duquette ◽  
J. J. Matte ◽  
C. FarMer ◽  
C. L. Girard ◽  
J. -P. Laforest

The present study was carried out to determine the effects of pre- and (or) post-mating dietary supplements of folic acid on uterine secretions and secretory activity on day 12 of gestation. Crossbred gilts were assigned randomly to three treatments: SS) a dietary supplement of 15 mg of folic acid kg−1 of diet from the estrus before mating (approximately day –21) until day 12 of gestation (n = 9), 0S) the same folic acid supplement from mating (day 0) to day 12 of gestation (n = 10), and 00) no supplement of folic acid (n = 10). At slaughter (day 12 of gestation), one uterine horn was flushed with 20 mL of PBS to collect embryos and uterine flushings, while samples of uterine tissue were collected from the other horn. Supplementary folic acid (0S and SS) increased total folates in uterine flushings (P ≤ 0.05) as well as concentrations of folates in the endometrium (P ≤ 0.0004) and in the whole uterine tissue (endometrium + myometrium: P ≤ 0.0001). Total amounts of prostaglandin (PG)E2 and PGF2α in uterine flushings were not affected (P ≥ 0.8) by any treatment but estradiol-17β was numerically 40% lower (P ≥ 0.12) in uterine flushings of 0S and SS sows. Samples of endometrium (15–17 mg) were cultured for 2 to 7 h. Concentrations of PGE2 and PGF2α in the culture medium increased with the duration of incubation (P ≤ 0.0001) but there was no treatment effect (P ≥ 0.4). The inconsistency between the folic acid response seen in the present study and in previous results using multiparous sows suggests that the impact of this vitamin on sow reproduction might be linked to the parity (and/or prolificacy) of the animal. Key words: Folic acid, uterine tissue, secretion, prostaglandins, gilts


2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (S 2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Funke ◽  
J Hübener ◽  
H Wolburg ◽  
T Schmidt ◽  
H Toresson ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abeer K. Shaalan ◽  
Tathyane H. N. Teshima ◽  
Abigail S. Tucker ◽  
Gordon B. Proctor

AbstractLittle is known about the key molecules that regulate cell division during organogenesis. Here we determine the role of the cell cycle promoter aurora kinase B (AURKB) during development, using embryonic salivary glands (E-SGs) as a model. AURKB is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates key events in mitosis, which makes it an attractive target for tailored anticancer therapy. Many reports have elaborated on the role of AURKB in neoplasia and cancer; however, no previous study has shown its role during organ development. Our previous experiments have highlighted the essential requirement for AURKB during adult exocrine regeneration. To investigate if AURKB is similarly required for progression during embryonic development, we pharmacologically inhibited AURKB in developing submandibular glands (SMGs) at embryonic day (E)13.5 and E16.5, using the highly potent and selective drug Barasertib. Inhibition of AURKB interfered with the expansion of the embryonic buds. Interestingly, this effect on SMG development was also seen when the mature explants (E16.5) were incubated for 24 h with another cell cycle inhibitor Aphidicolin. Barasertib prompted apoptosis, DNA damage and senescence, the markers of which (cleaved caspase 3, γH2AX, SA-βgal and p21, respectively), were predominantly seen in the developing buds. In addition to a reduction in cell cycling and proliferation of the epithelial cells in response to AURKB inhibition, Barasertib treatment led to an excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that resulted in downregulation of the acinar differentiation marker Mist1. Importantly, inhibition of ROS was able to rescue this loss of identity, with Mist1 expression maintained despite loss of AURKB. Together, these data identify AURKB as a key molecule in supporting embryonic development and differentiation, while inhibiting senescence-inducing signals during organogenesis.


1992 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-143
Author(s):  
Maria Carrara ◽  
Lorenzo Cima ◽  
Roberto Cerini ◽  
Maurizio Dalle Carbonare

A method has been developed whereby cosmetic products which are not soluble in water or in alcohol can be brought into contact with cell cultures by being placed in a cell culture insert, which is then placed in the cell culture well. Preliminary experiments were carried out with L929 cells, and cytotoxicity was evaluated by measuring neutral red uptake and the total protein content of treated cultured cells. Encouraging results were obtained in comparisons of three cosmetic emulsions and of one emulsion containing a range of concentrations of two preservatives, Kathon CG and Bronopol.


1959 ◽  
Vol 234 (3) ◽  
pp. 625-627
Author(s):  
Ranjan Mehta ◽  
David A. Vaughan ◽  
Shreepad R. Wagle ◽  
Kendall D. Barbee ◽  
S.P. Mistry ◽  
...  

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