Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Lemley, Caleb O

Committee Member

Smith, Trent

Committee Member

Burnett, Derris D

Committee Member

Odhimabo, John F

Date of Degree

12-8-2023

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Agricultural Science

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences

Abstract

Seminal plasma is commonly known to serve as a transport medium for sperm as it moves through the female reproductive tract for fertilization, however, more recent evidence demonstrates seminal plasma induces an expansive inflammatory response in the uterus. Murine models have found this inflammatory response is important for clearing pathogens and poor-quality sperm, eliciting the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, and embryokines that aid in embryo attachment and growth, placental angiogenesis, and blunting maternal immunity to the embryo. However, there is minimal research on the impacts of seminal plasma uterine priming in bovine, and more specifically embryo growth, uterine blood flow, offspring growth and metabolism, and production efficiency. There is significant evidence that malnutrition and environmental stress during gestation alters uterine blood flow resulting in poor placental efficiency and poor fetal growth and development which persists postnatally. Animal production is vital in providing high-quality protein for human consumption but recent challenges of public misconception, consumer preferences, high input costs, and environmental impacts threaten the security of these production systems. Growth efficiency is imperative for improving economic and environmental sustainability, and in turn ensuring the longevity of animal production systems. Knowing the impact of seminal plasma on the uterus, and its potential role in placental efficiency and subsequent offspring growth and metabolic function, and the negative impacts these can have on economic and environmental sustainability drive the need to better understand seminal plasma uterine priming in bovine.

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