Froylán Andrés Lucero-Magaña

Bio: Froylán Andrés Lucero-Magaña is an academic researcher from Autonomous University of Tamaulipas. The author has contributed to research in topics: Domestic sheep reproduction & Fodder. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 9 publications receiving 58 citations.

The effects of time and dose of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on reproductive efficiency in hair sheep ewes

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dose and application time of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on reproductive performance of hair sheep ewes synchronized with fluorogesterone acetate (FGA) under tropical conditions of Northeastern Mexico. Ninety-nine hair ewes (63 Blackbelly and 36 Pelibuey) were treated with intravaginal sponges during 10 days. After insertion of FGA sponges, ewes were divided into four groups, and PMSG was injected intramuscularly at doses of 100, 200, and 400 IU. Relative to FGA sponge removal, PMSG was administrated at −48 h, −24 h, and at sponge removal. PMSG was not administered to the control group. Control ewes had similar (P > 0.05) lambing rate, fertility, and fecundity than those treated with 100 IU of PMSG, but lower (P 0.05) by administration time of PMSG. Both dose and time of PMSG application did not affect (P > 0.05) pregnancy rate, percentage of single and multiple lambing, and prolificacy. In conclusion, results show that the dose of 400 IU of PMSG administered before sponge withdrawal in an estrus synchronization protocol improved reproductive efficiency of hair sheep ewes.

Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaria L.) substitution for orange pulp on intake, digestibility, and performance of hairsheep lambs

Abstract: Twenty Dorper x Pelibuey male lambs were used to evaluate the effect of substitution of forage with fresh orange pulp (FOP) in diets for fattening lambs on productive behavior, nutrient intake, apparent digestibility coefficient, and feeding costs. Lambs were divided into five groups (n = 4) and then housed in individual pens during 70 d. Treatments consisted of five levels of FOP (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) which substituted buffel grass hay on the base diet (40:60%, forage:concentrate). Additionally, changes in chemical composition of FOP stored in stack during 8 d were evaluated (from the day 1 until day 8). Daily feed intake expressed as kg/day and % live weight, lamb growth rate, feeding cost of each lamb per day and per fattening period, hemicellulose intake, and DM, OM, CP, NDF and hemicellulose digestibility showed a quadratic effect (P 0.05) among storage days. Therefore, replacing around 75% of buffel grass hay with FOP in diets for fattening lambs resulted in the best growth rate and more efficient diet utilization. Fresh orange pulp stored in a stack did not change its chemical composition, and did not affect its utilization as a sheep feedstuff.

Reproductive Behavior and Efficiency in Pelibuey Ewes Treated with FGA-PMSG and Bred by Mounting or Laparoscopic Intrauterine Insemination

Abstract: Quintero-Elisea, J.A., Vazquez-Armijo, J.F., Cienfuegos-Rivas, E.G., Correa-Calderon, A., Avendano-Reyes, L., Macias-Cruz, U., Lucero-Magana, F.A. and Gonzalez-Reyna, A. 2010. Reproductive behavior and efficiency in Pelibuey ewes treated with FGA-PMSG and bred by mounting or laparoscopic intrauterine insemination. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 38: 13–16. To evaluate the effect of 200 IU of PMSG on reproductive behaviour of hair sheep ewes were bred by 1) intrauterine artificial insemination by laparoscopy (IAIL) or 2) natural mount (NM) in Northeast Mexico, and subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol, with fluorogestone acetate sponges for 10 d (40 mg, FGA). Twenty four hours before sponge withdrawal, the ewes were randomly assigned to one of two treatments, T1= 200 IU of PMSG (n= 40) IM or T2= 0 IU of PMSG (n=20). Ewes showing estrus, were divided in two groups, to be served by 1) MN or 2) by IAIL. The PMSG treatment reduced(P<0.0001)hours to estrus (HE) (25.8 h vs 37.7 h). The conception rate (C...

Metabolites in the cervical mucus of dual purpose cows in natural and induced estrus.

Abstract: The objective was to quantify cholesterol, sorbitol, and total protein concentrations in cervical mucus obtained from Swiss x Zebu crossbreed cows (n = 40), in order to associate the same with reproductive capability. Two experimental treatment groups were formed to observe natural (n = 20) and Synchro-Mate B® induced estrus (n = 20). Cervical mucus samples were collected during estrous cycle stages of proestrus, estrus, metaestrus, and diestrus and the cholesterol, sorbitol, and total protein concentrations were quantified by enzymatic reactions and spectrophotometry. All experimental cows underwent artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis by rectal palpation. Additionally, the effects of body condition and the estrous cycle stages on cervical mucus chemical composition were studied. The experimental design was completely randomized. Treatment, body condition, and estrous cycle stage all modified the cervical mucus metabolites concentrations (P<0.01). The cholesterol and total protein concentrations as well as changes therein were different during estrus and diestrus (P<0.01). The cows having cholesterol concentrations less than 20 mg.dl-1 at estrus and higher than 50 mg.dl-1 at diestrus, as well as protein values less than 2.5 g.dl-1 at estrus, and higher than 3 g.dl-1 at diestrus; showed higher gestation percentage (P<0.05). In conclusion, the chemical composition of cervical mucus is a useful tool to detect females of high reproductive capability.

Factores no genéticos que afectan el peso al nacer y destete de terneros Angus

Abstract: To determine the influence of some non-genetic factors on birth (BW) and weaning weight corrected to 205 d (WWA) of Angus calves, 1,999 and 1,574 weights were analyzed. All the animals were grazing and they were vaccinated against enzootic every six months. The data was analyzed using an analysis of variance under least squares methodology and the statistical model included: year of birth (YB = 1991-2007), season of birth (SB = Cold, Dry and Rainy), parity number (PN = 1, 2, 3,… ≥9 calving) and sex (SX = Males and Females) and the interactions YB*SB, YB*PN and YB*SX. All effects and the interactions affected BW and WWA (P<0,01). The means and standard deviation were 36.2 ± 2.6 and 186.8 ± 30.0 kg, respectively. The differences between the best years (2007) and worse year (1991) to BW was 1.1 kg. Cows of 1, 2 and ≥9 calving had calves less heavy. Male calves weighted more than female to birth and weaning. The interactions that involved YB indicate that the direction and magnitude of the effects are not constant within every year. The interaction YB*SB, YB*PN and YB*SX were important on WWA without being possible to define some tendency or magnitude. All the environmental effect studied was important.

Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of mRNAs and microRNAs in Dorset and Small Tail Han sheep to explore the regulation of fecundity.

Abstract: A variety of sheep species with diverse fecundities are kept as livestock and make up the global agricultural economy. A mutation in the FecB gene has been implicated to be essential and additive for ovulation rate. To uncover potential regulators of fecundity, we performed a genome-wide analysis of mRNAs and miRNAs from Dorset sheep (Dorset), Small Tail Han sheep FecB(B)FecB(B) genotype (Han BB) and Small Tail Han sheep FecB(+)FecB(+) genotype (Han ++). Here we present detailed analyses at both the mRNA and miRNA levels to aid in the identification of candidate genes that might regulate fecundity. We found differentially expressed genes between each of the groups, which are involved in various cellular activities, such as metabolic cascades, catalytic function and signal transduction. Moreover, the miRNA profiling identified specific miRNAs unique to each group of sheep, which may play a role in the controlling fecundity differences. By exploring the miRNA-regulated gene expression network in the different sheep species we can create a stronger profile for regulation of fecundity. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR verified the reliability of the RNA-Seq data. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis of intravariety and intervariety in any species in this area. Taken together, this genome-wide analysis of mRNAs and miRNAs in sheep will aid in the ability to identify fecundity regulators between different sheep species.

Genome-wide transcriptome analysis between Small-tail Han sheep and the Surabaya fur sheep using high-throughput RNA sequencing

Abstract: The small-tail Han sheep and the Surabaya fur sheep are two local breeds in north China, which are characterized by high-fecundity and low-prolificacy breed respectively. Significant genetic differences between these two breeds have provided increasing interests in the identification and utilization of major prolificacy genes in these sheep. High prolificacy is a complex trait, and it is difficult to comprehensively identify the candidate genes related to this trait using the single molecular biology technique. To understand the molecular mechanisms of fecundity and provide more information about high prolificacy candidate genes in high- and low-fecundity sheep, we explored the utility of next-generation sequencing technology in this work. A total of 1.8 Gb sequencing reads were obtained and resulted in more than 20 000 contigs that averaged ∼300 bp in length. Ten differentially expressed genes were further verified by quantitative real-time RT-PCR to confirm the reliability of RNA-seq results. Our work will provide a basis for the future research of the sheep reproduction.

Co-expression analysis and identification of fecundity-related long non-coding RNAs in sheep ovaries

Abstract: Small Tail Han sheep, including the FecBBFecBB (Han BB) and FecB+ FecB+ (Han++) genotypes, and Dorset sheep exhibit different fecundities. To identify novel long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with sheep fecundity to better understand their molecular mechanisms, a genome-wide analysis of mRNAs and lncRNAs from Han BB, Han++ and Dorset sheep was performed. After the identification of differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs, 16 significant modules were explored by using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) followed by functional enrichment analysis of the genes and lncRNAs in significant modules. Among these selected modules, the yellow and brown modules were significantly related to sheep fecundity. lncRNAs (e.g., NR0B1, XLOC_041882, and MYH15) in the yellow module were mainly involved in the TGF-β signalling pathway, and NYAP1 and BCORL1 were significantly associated with the oxytocin signalling pathway, which regulates several genes in the coexpression network of the brown module. Overall, we identified several gene modules associated with sheep fecundity, as well as networks consisting of hub genes and lncRNAs that may contribute to sheep prolificacy by regulating the target mRNAs related to the TGF-β and oxytocin signalling pathways. This study provides an alternative strategy for the identification of potential candidate regulatory lncRNAs.

Ovarian proteomic study reveals the possible molecular mechanism for hyperprolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep.

Abstract: Small Tail Han sheep is a widely bred farm animal in China which has attracted lots of attention due to their high prolificacy and year-round estrus. However, the molecular mechanism of its fecundity remains unrevealed. The FecB gene polymorphism has been found to be associated with the ovulation rate and litter size of sheep. In the present study, we constructed an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics analysis to compare the ovarian proteomes of FecB+FecB+ genotype Small Tail Han sheep ewes (Han ++), FecBBFecBB Han ewes (Han BB) and Dorset ewes (Dorset). Hundreds of differentially expressed proteins between each two groups were identified; GO and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the expressions of those proteins involved in ribosome assembly, protein translation and mTOR pathway between Dorset and both Han groups were highly different. Between Han ++ and Han BB groups, higher level of protein expressions were related to mitochondrial oxidation functions such as oxidoreductase activity, cytochrome-c oxidase activity and electron carrier activity. This was identified in Han BB group, which may contribute to the elevated ovulation rate of Han BB ewes. In conclusion, our work provided a prospective understanding of the molecular mechanism for high prolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep.

An Integrated Analysis of miRNAs and Methylated Genes Encoding mRNAs and lncRNAs in Sheep Breeds with Different Fecundity.

Abstract: In our previous study, we investigated the regulatory relationship between lncRNAs, miRNA, and mRNAs in an effort to shed light onto the regulatory mechanisms involved in sheep fecundity. As an extension of this study, here, we aimed to identify potential regulators of sheep fecundity using a genome-wide analysis of miRNAs and the methylated genes encoding mRNAs and lncRNAs in the ovaries of Dorset sheep (low fecundity) and Small Tail Han ewes (high fecundity) with the genotype BB (Han BB) and the genotype ++ (Han ++) by performing RNA-Seq and MeDIP-Seq analyses. Methylated coding-non-coding gene co-expression networks for Han and Dorset sheep were constructed using the methylated genes encoding the differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs identified in this study. In the Han BB vs. Dorset comparison, the lncRNAs TTC26 and MYH15 had the largest degree. Similarly, the lncRNA NYAP1 had the largest degree in the Han ++ vs. Dorset comparison. None of the methylated genes encoding lncRNAs were co-expressed with the methylated genes encoding mRNAs in the Han BB vs. Han ++ comparison. The methylated genes encoding lncRNAs identified here may play a vital regulatory role in sheep breeding. Our results suggest that miRNAs might play a key role in sheep prolificacy by regulating target genes related to thyroid hormone synthesis, and methylated genes encoding lncRNAs associated with tight junctions might contribute to the high breeding rate in Han sheep. These findings may contribute to a deeper understanding of sheep prolificacy.