HEALTHYFOETUS · Unravelling the effect of divergent concentrations of progesterone in early pregnancy on foetal development in the cow
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-09-01 → 2023-08-31
- EU contribution
- €196,591
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Unravelling the effect of divergent concentrations of progesterone in early pregnancy on foetal development in the cow
In ruminants, combined efforts of researchers and producers have led to genetic advances, increasing beef and milk yield. However, improving reproductive efficiency is still an area to fulfil. While livestock production is critical to ensure food security and sustainable development at a global level, the environmental impact is a consequence of concern. Higher herd fertility decreases the production of greenhouse emissions per unit of food production. Therefore, improving reproductive efficiency through a deeper understanding of the underlying physiological and molecular regulation of pregnancy leading to the development of healthy offspring will significantly contribute to social and economic sustainability in agriculture and food production, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Pregnancy in mammals is a highly complex process driven in early pregnancy mainly by the concentrations of the progesterone hormone ([P4]), which regulate the dialogue between the embryo/foetus and the maternal environment. Previous studies have shown that in cattle, divergent [P4] early in pregnancy is related to differences in conceptus length and survival. However, the consequences of suboptimal [P4] for later foetal development were largely unknown. The overall objective of the HEALTHYFOETUS project was to determine the effect of high [P4] early in early pregnancy in the development of the maternal-foetal-placental unit in the cow. Our results demonstrated that embryos exposed to a uterus primed with higher [P4] underwent enhanced development reflected in higher weight and size at the beginning of the foetal period (42 days of gestation). Furthermore, we investigated those foetuses to test the hypothesis that the observed variations in foetal growth also impacted the molecular profile of organs differentiated by that early period, such as the liver, gonads, and heart. Finally, we identified biomarkers in the maternal blood to accurately predict foetal weight at this gestational stage. In conclusion, the execution of this project shed light on the biological underpinnings of maternal–fetal development in ruminants and allowed us to better comprehend the complex action of P4 in the uterus during the first days of the oestrous cycle and how it can still affect the developing foetus at 42 days of gestation.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Uterine receptivity and the dialogue between the embryo and the mother in early pregnancy is mainly driven by the concentrations of the steroid hormone progesterone (P4). Work from the host laboratory has shown that divergent P4 concentrations early in pregnancy strongly influence embryo growth and survival in cattle but are not always associated with improved pregnancy rates. Importantly, the consequences of suboptimal P4 for later foetal development are largely unknown. This project proposes four Research work packages (WP) to interrogate the effect of P4 concentration early in pregnancy on the development of the maternal-placental-foetal unit in the cow. The first three WP are built around two groups of cows, manipulated to have high or low P4 during the first days of pregnancy, and a third untreated group, as control. In WP1, foetal growth will be followed through ultrasound scanning until four months of pregnancy (~40% of gestation), when the foetus and associated membranes will be recovered for WP2 and 3. Development of the placenta and amniotic fluid composition will be assessed through transcriptomics and metabolomics, respectively, in WP2. Foetal maturity will be determined in WP3, through organ measurements and histology, and transcriptomic analysis of the hypothalamus (a pivotal organ for development). In WP4, endogenous P4 in dairy cattle across pregnancy will be correlated with calf birth weight. In addition, WP5, 6 and 7 will deal with Management, Training, and Dissemination, respectively. Modelling of metabolomic and transcriptomic data will increase knowledge of the functional and molecular regulation of bovine pregnancy and foetal physiology. Furthermore, this novel information could lead to new therapeutics to optimise the development of a healthy offspring. This truly multidisciplinary project will be accomplished thanks to the facilities in the host institution, the vast experience of the supervisor, and the complementary expertise of the Fellow.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN · DublinCoordinatorIreland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union