The objective of this project was to report the effects of season and age on conception rate amongst Italian Mediterranean Buffalo subjected to an Ovsynch/Resynch (O/R) reproductive management protocol. The study utilized nulliparous (heifers), primiparous buffalo cows (PBC) and multiparous buffalo cows (MBC). The primiparous and multiparous groups were subjected to the synchronization protocol throughout the entire year, but heifers were synchronized and inseminated only during the spring/summer seasons. The conception rate obtained following the OvSynch oestrus synchronization protocol, applied during spring, was 68.4% for heifers, 83.3% for PBC and 67.7% for MBC. The overall total conception rates following the complete O/R protocol were 84.27%, 94.4% and 79%. Conception rates achieved during summer were heifers 52%, PBC 47.2% and MBC 49%, whilst overall conception rates following the full O/R protocol were 72%, 69.8% and 58.2% respectively. In the autumn seasons, PBC conceived 58.9% and MBC 52.1% following initial Ovsynch, which improved to total overall conception rates of 87.5% and 78.7% following the full O/R protocol. Similarly, in the winter season, PBC experienced a conception rate of 47.5% following Ovsynch and 72.5% after a follow‐up Resynch. MBC experienced 60.0% and 74.4% conception following Ovsynch and full O/R, respectively, during winter. Total conception rates during all seasons were quite acceptable following the O/R protocol. There was a significant decrease from spring to summer in conception rate for all parity groups, but heifers were not a severely affected as older buffalo cows. This finding agrees with that of other investigators indicating that heifer fertility is not as negatively impacted by long photoperiod and higher ambient temperature as that of older animals. The O/R protocol as utilized in this study is an effective means of reproductive management for dairy buffalo cows and is effective for improving fertility during out‐of‐season breeding.

The beneficial effect of antioxidant supplementation in maturation culture media of sow oocytes was evaluated by the expression quantification of apoptotic genes and the genes that ensure stability of germ cells during fertilization. The oocytes were cultivated for 44 h in conventional medium (C) or in medium supplemented with 105 µM rosmarinic acid (R) and 0.5 mM ascorbic acid (A) and classified into three quality classes by morphological observation from which the total RNA was isolated. The gene expression of Ptx3 and the apoptotic regulator p53, Bax and BCL-2 were evaluated by quantitative PCR technique. The decreased expression of the Bax gene in the A and R groups, compared to the control, indicates a protective role of antioxidants in the cells. Cell homeostasis was maintained, as reflected in the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in class I COCs (cumulus-oocyte complex) regardless of the experimental group, indicating minimum cellular stress. The expression of p53 genes was higher in all class III COC, but in A1 and R1 the expression was lower than in C1, and a similar Ptx-3 gene decreased significantly in groups A1, A2, A3 and R1 compared with control groups. Antioxidant supplementation showed beneficial effects on all morphological classes of pig COCs.

Congenital abnormalities in animals, including abnormalities of the cleft lip and jaw and hypospadias have been reported in all domesticated species. They are a major concern for breeders due to the increased economic loss they entail. In this article, we described a congenital bilateral cheilognathoschisis (cleft lip and jaw) with campylognathia in association with penile hypospadias and preputial hypoplasia with failure of preputial fusion in a Bos taurus crossbred Piedmontese × Wagyu calf. Clinical examination, computed tomography, and whole genome sequencing were performed to describe and identify a possible cause of the abnormalities. Clinical examination revealed a bilateral cheilognathoschisis of approximately 4 cm in length and 3 cm in width in the widest part, with computer tomography analyses confirming the bilateral absence of the processus nasalis of the incisive bone and the lateral deviation of the processus palatinus towards the left side. Genomic data analyses identified 13 mutations with a high impact on the products of the following overlapped genes: ACVR1, ADGRA2, BHMT2, BMPR1B, CCDC8, CDH1, EGF, F13A1, GSTP1, IRF6, MMP14, MYBPHL, and PHC2 with ADGRA2, EGF, F13A1, GSTP1, and IRF6 having mutations in a homozygous state. The whole genome investigation indicates the involvement of multiple genes in the birth defects observed in this case.

"Mitochondria are the main cellular organelle responsible for energy production, having an essential role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In this study, the gene expression of TFAM (Transcription Factor A Mitochondrial) and SIRT1 (Silent Information Regulator) in sow oocytes cultured in vitro was assessed using the RT-qPCR reaction. The primers were tailored after our own design. The groups were: V1 (matured oocytes, control group), V2 (matured oocytes with hormones), V3 (medium supplemented with Bisphenol A), V4 (medium supplemented with Bisphenol A and hormones). Our findings reveal a reduction in SIRT1 activity following maturation in all experimental groups, while TFAM activity displayed more elevated levels, seemingly independent of the SIRT1 gene expression. The highest values of gene expression for TFAM and SIRT1 were obtained in V2 (supplemented with FSH and LH, - 0.277 and 0.010) and V4 (FSH, LH and bisphenol A - 0.272 and 0.015) without significant differences (p=0.941). Bisphenol A alone generated low values, presumably due to its endocrine disruptor action. We concluded that FSH/LH addition might rescue some of the TFAM expression during bisphenol treatment, but the mechanism might be independent of SIRT1."

The antioxidant coenzyme Q10 can influence the expression of genes involved in apoptosis and energy metabolism of oocytes and quercetin can improve oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. In this study, the gene expression of GATA6 and NANOG in rabbit embryos was assessed using the qRT-PCR reaction. The groups were: group A- control group (no treatment added), group B (hormonal treatment of superovulation, which included the administration of PMSG and hCG), group C (administration of quercitin) and group D (administration of Coenzyme Q10). Our results show that the expression of the two genes was different depending on both the stage of embryonic development and the treatment administered. The highest values of gene expression for GATA6 and NANOG were obtained in groups 2, 4, 7, 8 and 9, corresponding to morula and blastocyst stages. In addition to the fact that NANOG and GATA6 are factors that are involved in early embryonic development, we believe that the administration of extrapituitary gonadotropins and antioxidants contributed to the increase in gene expression.

Reproductive efficiency in cattle is influenced by multiple factors, including pelvic conformation. This study aimed to provide a descriptive analysis of pelvimetry measurements in 152 Simmental cows, focusing on the variation of key pelvic dimensions. Pelvic traits such as croup height, croup length, croup angle, buttock height, buttock width, and ilium width were measured and analyzed. The average values recorded were 143.73 cm for croup height, 54.25 cm for croup length, and 56.68 cm for croup width. Most measurements showed moderate variability, with values generally concentrated around the mean. The findings contribute to a better understanding of external pelvic morphology in Simmental cows and may support selection strategies aimed at improving reproductive performance.