Elevated blood urea nitrogen alters the transcriptome of equine embryos.
Abstract: High blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in cows and ewes has a negative effect on embryo development; however, no comparable studies have been published in mares. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of high BUN on blastocoele fluid, systemic progesterone and Day 14 equine embryos. When a follicle with a mean (±s.e.m.) diameter of 25±3mm was detected, mares were administered urea (0.4g kg-1) with sweet feed and molasses (n=9) or sweet feed and molasses alone (control; n=10). Blood samples were collected every other day. Mares were subjected to AI and the day ovulation was detected was designated as Day 0. Embryos were collected on Day 14 (urea-treated, n=5 embryos; control, n=7 embryos). There was an increase in systemic BUN in the urea-treated group compared with control (P<0.05), with no difference in progesterone concentrations. There were no differences between the two groups in embryo recovery or embryo size. Urea concentrations in the blastocoele fluid tended to be higher in the urea-treated mares, with a strong correlation with plasma BUN. However, there was no difference in the osmolality or pH of the blastocoele fluid between the two groups. Differentially expressed genes in Day 14 embryos from urea-treated mares analysed by RNA sequencing were involved in neurological development, urea transport, vascular remodelling and adhesion. In conclusion, oral urea treatment in mares increased BUN and induced transcriptome changes in Day 14 equine embryos of genes important in normal embryo development.
Publication Date: 2020-10-28 PubMed ID: 33108747DOI: 10.1071/RD20088Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research studies the impact of high blood urea nitrogen on the development of equine embryos. The researchers found that elevated blood urea nitrogen levels changed the gene expressions responsible for crucial aspects of early embryo progress.
Objective and Methodology of the Study
- The purpose of this research was to analyze the effects of high Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) on equine embryos. While the negative relationship between BUN and embryo development has already been established in cows and ewes, no similar research was available for mares.
- The researchers administered urea to mares when they detected a follicle of a certain size. This was done in conjunction with sweet feed and molasses. A control group would only receive the sweet feed and molasses, without the urea.
- The researchers used Artificial Insemination (AI) on the mares and classified the day of ovulation detection as Day 0. On Day 14, embryos were collected for further examination.
Key Findings
- The researchers discovered an increase in systemic BUN in the urea-treated group as compared to the control group.
- However, this did not affect progesterone concentrations, embryo recovery, or embryo size.
- The urea levels in the blastocoele fluid seemed to have increased in urea-treated mares, correlating with the level of plasma BUN.
- No changes were found between the two groups in terms of the osmolality or pH levels of the blastocoele fluid.
- Day 14 embryos from urea-treated mares experienced noticeable changes in the expression of genes involved in neurological development, urea transport, vascular remodelling, and adhesion.
Conclusion
- Negatively affecting the gene expression relevant to normal embryo development, increased BUN as a result of oral urea treatment in mares induced transcriptome changes in Day 14 equine embryos.
Cite This Article
APA
Boakari YL, El-Sheikh Ali H, Dini P, Loux S, Fernandes CB, Scoggin K, Esteller-Vico A, Lawrence L, Ball B.
(2020).
Elevated blood urea nitrogen alters the transcriptome of equine embryos.
Reprod Fertil Dev, 32(16), 1239-1249.
https://doi.org/10.1071/RD20088 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1010 Wire Road, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Theriogenology Department, University of Mansoura, 25 El Gomhouria Street, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 33, Merelbeke, B-9820, Belgium.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Department of Animal Reproduction, Rua da Reitoria, 374, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270, Brazil.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Corresponding author. Email: b.a.ball@uky.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Urea Nitrogen
- Embryonic Development / drug effects
- Female
- Horses
- Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
- Ovulation Induction / veterinary
- Pregnancy
- Progesterone / blood
- Transcriptome / drug effects
- Urea / administration & dosage
Citations
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