title: Endocrine profiles of somatic nuclear transfer-derived pregnancies in dairy cattle.
abstract: In cattle, several hormones and proteins are necessary for maintenance of a normal pregnancy that will result in a viable calf. Deviation from the normal cascade or expected profile of reproductive hormones and proteins may be associated with impairment of somatic nuclear transfer-derived pregnancies and the high rate of fetal loss. The objectives of this study were to characterize maternal plasma concentrations of pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), progesterone (P4), estrone sulphate (E(1)S), and estradiol (E2) during the last two-thirds of pregnancy (cloned calves), and to determine associations with gestational abnormalities. Cows with cloned fetuses, produced by either commercial (N = 16) or zona-free (N = 4) cloning techniques, were compared with pregnant animals derived from traditional embryo transfer (N = 6) or AI (N = 6), at various stages of gestation (Days 80, 120, 150, 180, 210, and 240; Day 0 = estrus). Fetal well-being was monitored with ultrasonography throughout gestation. At Day 80, progesterone concentration was lower (P < 0.0001) in nuclear transfer (NT) recipients than in control groups. Mean estrone sulphate concentrations did not vary significantly between NT and control groups. At Day 150, pregnancy-specific protein B concentrations were elevated (P < 0.002) in NT cows. Estradiol concentration was higher in NT recipients than control cows throughout the study period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kohan-Ghadr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fecteau
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood*; D019976:Cloning, Organism / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D004970:Estrone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D053652:Nuclear Transfer Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011268:Pregnancy-Specific beta 1-Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D011268:Pregnancy-Specific beta 1-Glycoproteins; D004970:Estrone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; C017296:estrone sulfate