Session: Physiology and Endocrinology II

245 - Prenatal Transportation Stress Does Not Impact Ovarian Follicle Count in Brahman Offspring

Friday, July 16, 2021

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM EST

Location: Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC), M109 & 110

Presenting Author(s)

Lacey Quail, M.S.

Graduate Student
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

PDF Slides and Audio

Author(s)

RR

Ron D. Randel, Ph.D.

Professor
Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Overton
Overton, Texas
TW

Thomas H. Welsh, Jr.

Professor
Texas A&M University; Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station
College Station, Texas
Rd

Rui d’Orey Branco

Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Overton, Texas
DN

Don A. Neuendorff, M.S.

Research Associate
Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Overton
Overton, Texas
RC

Robert A. Cushman, n/a

Research Physiologist
USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
Clay Center, Nebraska
HY

Hannah Yake

University of Tennessee
Clay Center, Nebraska
GP

George A. Perry

Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Overton
Overton, Texas

Calves from transported dams had greater concentrations of plasma cortisol when restrained and cleared plasma cortisol at a slower rate than calves from non-transported dams. Considering this hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis effect, investigation of other parameters influencing reproduction is warranted in offspring exposed to prenatal transportation stress. The purpose was to determine impact of prenatal transportation stress on offspring ovarian follicle count. Brahman cows were transported for 2 h on d 60, 80, 120, and 140 (± 5 d) of gestation. Offspring from transported (Stressed, n = 19) or non-transported (Control, n = 15) dams were slaughtered at 5 yr (Replication 1, n = 14) or ovariectomized at 8 yr (Replication 2, n = 20). A cross-section of ovary was collected, serially sectioned, and stained. Numbers of total, primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles were determined per section. Total ovarian follicle count for each stage was calculated using ovary dimensions. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to analyze ovarian follicle count with treatment, replicate, and the interaction as fixed effects. Total ovarian follicle count decreased with age (P < 0.01; R1 = 383,663, R2 = 154,560); however, there was no difference in total ovarian follicle count between offspring due to treatment (P = 0.17; S = 221,813, C = 316,409). Similarly, there was no difference in primordial (P = 0.22; S = 127,300, C = 188,304), primary (P = 0.28; S = 58,610, C = 77,237), or antral (P = 0.48; S = 23,202, C = 28,695) follicle count between offspring due to treatment. Fewer secondary follicles were observed in Stressed offspring compared to Control offspring (P = 0.03). These results suggest that the ovarian follicular reserve, AFC, and potential fertility of cows may not be impacted by exposure to prenatal transportation stress. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.