Research Project: Applying Developmental Programming to Improve Production Efficiency in Beef Cattle

Location: Reproduction Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Can we developmentally program the epigenome to improve traits relevant to production in cattle? - (Abstract Only)

Maternal periconceptual nutrition, early pregnancy, and developmental outcomes in beef cattle - (Review Article)
Caton, J.S., Crouse, M.S., McLean, K.J., Dahlen, C.R., Ward, A.K., Cushman, R.A., Grazul-Bilska, A.T., Neville, B.W., Borowicz, P.P., Reynolds, L.P. 2020. Maternal periconceptual nutrition, early pregnancy, and developmental outcomes in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science. 98(12):1-16. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa358.

Antral follicular count has limited impact in the selection of more fertile beef heifers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cunha, F., Cushman, R.A., Santa Cruz, R., de Nava, G., Vinoles, C. 2020. Antral follicular count has limited impact in the selection of more fertile beef heifers. Livestock Science. 241:104230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104230.

Effect of stair-step nutritional programming on ovarian development in replacement beef heifers - (Proceedings)
Rosasco, S.L., Melchior, E.A., Cox, S.H., Dunlap, R.L., Hernandez Gifford, J.A., Scholljegerdes, E.J., Cushman, R.A., Summers, A.F. 2020. Effect of stair-step nutritional programming on ovarian development in replacement beef heifers. Translational Animal Science. 4(Supplement 1):S32-S36. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaa092.

Comparison of microRNA between ejaculated and epididymal semen - (Abstract Only)

Relationship among GnRH-R mRNA abundance and GnRH-I, GnRH-II, and intrafollicular steroid hormone concentrations in granulosa cells of bovine antral follicles at specific stages of follicular development - (Abstract Only)

Influence of age of dam on daughter reproductive performance and follicle numbers in beef heifers - (Abstract Only)
Cushman, R., Spuri-Gomes, R., Tenley, S., Rosasco, S., Rich, J., Northrop, E., Miles, J., Lindholm-Perry, A., Keel, B., Perry, G., Summers, A., Cupp, A. 2020. Influence of age of dam on daughter reproductive performance and follicle numbers in beef heifers [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 98(Supplement 3):115. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa054.195.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A isoforms modulate follicle development in peripubertal heifers independent of diet through diverse signal transduction pathways - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Abedal-Majed, M.A., Kurz, S.G., Springman, S.A., McNeel, A.K., Freetly, H.C., Largen, V., Magamage, M., Sargent, K.M., Wood, J.R., Cushman, R.A., Cupp, A.S. 2020. Vascular endothelial growth factor A isoforms modulate follicle development in peripubertal heifers independent of diet through diverse signal transduction pathways. Biology of Reproduction. 102(3):680-692. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioz211.

Role of preovulatory concentrations of estradiol on timing of conception and regulation of the uterine environment in beef cattle - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Perry, G.A., Cushman, R.A., Perry, B.L., Schiefelbein, A.K., Northrop, E.J., Rich, J.J., Perkins, S.D. 2019. Role of preovulatory concentrations of estradiol on timing of conception and regulation of the uterine environment in beef cattle. Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine. 66(1):12-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/19396368.2019.1695979.

Changing views on the role of the uterus in post-partum reproductive function in beef cows - (Review Article)
Cushman, R.A. 2019. Changing views on the role of the uterus in post-partum reproductive function in beef cows. Journal of Animal Science. 97(10):4021-4022. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz287.

Brangus cows have ovarian reserve parameters more like Brahman than Angus cows - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cushman, R.A., Soares, E.M., Yake, H.K., Patterson, A.L., Rosasco, S.L., Beard, J.K., Northrop, E.J., Rich, J.J., Miles, J.R., Chase, C.C., Gonda, M.G., Perry, G.A., McNeel, A.K., Summers, A.F. 2019. Brangus cows have ovarian reserve parameters more like Brahman than Angus cows. Animal Reproduction Science. 209:106170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106170.

Abundance of transcript for bovine interferon tau is decreased in blastocysts produced from ovaries with increased numbers of antral follicles - (Abstract Only)
Cushman, R.A., Northrop, E.J., Rich, J.J., Perry, G.A., Miles, J.R., Chase, Jr., C.C. 2019. Abundance of transcript for bovine interferon tau is decreased in blastocysts produced from ovaries with increased numbers of antral follicles [abstract]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Abstract Program p. 308. Available: https://community.ssr.org/news-events/past-meetings/annual-meeting575

Differences in relative abundance of GnRH-I and GnRH-II in granulosa cells of bovine antral follicles at specific stages of follicular development - (Abstract Only)
Rich, J.J., Northrop, E.J., Epperson, K.M., Menegatti Zoca, S., Perkins, S.D., Daly, R.F., Cushman, R.A., Perry, G.A. 2019. Differences in relative abundance of GnRH-I and GnRH-II in granulosa cells of bovine antral follicles at specific stages of follicular development [abstract]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Abstract Program, p. 95-96. Available: https://community.ssr.org/news-events/past-meetings/annual-meeting575

The influence of preovulatory estradiol on trophectoderm and uterine gene transcript abundance around maternal recognition of pregnancy in beef cattle - (Abstract Only)
Northrop, E.J., Rich, J.J., Cushman, R.A., Miles, J.R., Lindholm-Perry, A.K., Keel, B.N., Yao, R., Ge, X., Perry, G.A. 2019. The influence of preovulatory estradiol on trophectoderm and uterine gene transcript abundance around maternal recognition of pregnancy in beef cattle [abstract]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Abstract Program, p. 317. Available: https://community.ssr.org/news-events/past-meetings/annual-meeting575

Moderate nutrient restriction of beef heifers alters expression of genes associated with tissue metabolism, accretion, and function in fetal liver, muscle, and cerebrum by day 50 of gestation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Crouse, M.S., Caton, J.S., Cushman, R.A., McLean, K.J., Dahlen, C.R., Borowicz, P.P., Reynolds, L.P., Ward, A.K. 2019. Moderate nutrient restriction of beef heifers alters expression of genes associated with tissue metabolism, accretion, and function in fetal liver, muscle, and cerebrum by day 50 of gestation. Translational Animal Science. 3(2):855-866. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txz026.

Developmental programming of fertility in livestock - (Book / Chapter)
Cushman, R.A., Perry, G.A. 2019. Developmental programming of fertility in livestock. Veterinary Clinics of North America. 35(2):321-330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2019.02.003.

Maternal age influences the number of primordial follicles in the ovaries of yearling Angus heifers - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tenley, S.C., Spuri Gomes, R., Rosasco, S.L., Northrop, E.J., Rich, J.J., McNeel, A.K., Summers, A.F., Miles, J.R., Chase, Jr., C.C., Lents, C.A., Perry, G.A., Wood, J.R., Cupp, A.S., Cushman, R.A. 2019. Maternal age influences the number of primordial follicles in the ovaries of yearling Angus heifers. Animal Reproduction Science. 200:105-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.12.004.

Influence of daily temperature fluctuations on estrus activity determined by an electronic estrus detection system and conception to artificial insemination in cross-bred beef heifers - (Abstract Only)
Cushman, R.A., Chase, C.C., Rich, J.J., Northrop, E.J., Thallman, R.M., Snelling, W.M., Kuehn, L.A., Brown-Brandl, T.M., Perry, G.A. 2019. Influence of daily temperature fluctuations on estrus activity determined by an electronic estrus detection system and conception to artificial insemination in cross-bred beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science. 97(Supplement 2):125-126. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz122.223.

Influence of preovulatory estradiol on uterine luminal fluid proteomics around maternal recognition of pregnancy in beef cattle - (Abstract Only)
Northrop, E., Rich, J., Cushman, R., Ge, X., Perry, G. 2018. Influence of preovulatory estradiol on uterine luminal fluid proteomics around maternal recognition of pregnancy in beef cattle [abstract]. Animal Reproduction. 15(Supplement 1):1065.

Antral follicular count is a tool that may allow the selection of more precocious Bradford heifers at weaning - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Santa Cruz, R., Cushman, R.A., Vinoles, C. 2018. Antral follicular count is a tool that may allow the selection of more precocious Bradford heifers at weaning. Theriogenology. 119:35-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.06.010.

Maternal nutrition alters concentrations of nutrients in fetal fluids and expression of genes impacting production efficiencies in bovine fetal liver, muscle, and cerebrum during the first 50 days of gestation - (Abstract Only)
Crouse, M.S., Caton, J.S., Cushman, R.A., Greseth, N.P., McLean, K.L., Reynolds, L.P., Dahlen, C.R., Borowicz, P.P., Ward, A.K. 2018. Maternal nutrition alters concentrations of nutrients in fetal fluids and expression of genes impacting production efficiencies in bovine fetal liver, muscle, and cerebrum during the first 50 days of gestation [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 96(Suppl. S3):350-351. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky404.770.

Maternal age influences folliculogenesis and gene networks in the ovaries of beef heifers - (Abstract Only)
Cushman, R.A., Tenley, S.C., Spuri Gomes, R., Rosasco, S.L., Northrop, E.J., Rich, J.J., McNeel, A.K., Summers, A.F., Miles, J.R., Chase, C.C., Lents, C.A., Perry, G.A., Wood, J.R., Cupp, A.S. 2018. Maternal age influences folliculogenesis and gene networks in the ovaries of beef heifers [abstract]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Abstract Program p. 137-138. Available: https://www.ssr.org/sites/ssr.org/files/2018_annual_meeting_abstracts_updated.pdf.

Ovarian cortex from high A4 cows secrete excess steroid hormones contributing to arrested follicle development, increased oxidative stress and fibrosis which can be rescued by angiogenic VEGFA165 - (Abstract Only)
Springman, S.A., Abedal-Majed, M.A., Hart, M.L., Largen, V., Magamage, M.P., Kurz, S.G., Sargent, K.M., Bergman, J., McFee, R.M., Cushman, R.A., Davis, J.S., Wood, J.R., Cupp, A.S. 2018. Ovarian cortex from high A4 cows secrete excess steroid hormones contributing to arrested follicle development, increased oxidative stress and fibrosis which can be rescued by angiogenic VEGFA165 [abstract]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Abstract Program p. 308-309. Available: https://www.ssr.org/sites/ssr.org/files/2018_annual_meeting_abstracts_updated.pdf

Attainment and maintenance of pubertal cyclicity may predict high A4 cows with reduced fertility - (Abstract Only)
Nafziger, S., Abedal-Majed, M.A., Tenley, S., Summers, A., Hart, M., Bergman, J., Kurz, S.G., Wood, J., Cushman, R., Cupp, A.S. 2018. Attainment and maintenance of pubertal cyclicity may predict high A4 cows with reduced fertility [abstract]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Abstract Program p. 221. Available: https://www.ssr.org/sites/ssr.org/files/2018_annual_meeting_abstracts_updated.pdf.

Microarray analysis predicts differentially expressed genes in theca cells from cows with high intrafollicular androstenedione are regulated by ESR1 and VEGFA signaling and increased mRNA stability - (Abstract Only)
Bochantin, K.A., Summers, A.F., Pohlmeier, W.E., Sargent, K.M., Kurz, S.G., Romereim, S.M., Daudu, O., Mcfee, R.M., Cushman, R.A., Davis, J.S., Cupp, A.S., Wood, J.R. 2018. Microarray analysis predicts differentially expressed genes in theca cells from cows with high intrafollicular androstenedione are regulated by ESR1 and VEGFA signaling and increased mRNA stability [abstract]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Abstract Program p. 327-328. Available: https://www.ssr.org/sites/ssr.org/files/2018_annual_meeting_abstracts_updated.pdf

Altered blood plasma and follicular fluid lipid profiles predict alterations in cell signaling, metabolism, and immune function in cows with androgen excess - (Abstract Only)
Neilson, M.A., Spuri Gomes, R., Romereim, S.M., Summers, A.F., Abedal-Majed, M.A., Tenley, S.C., Kurz, S.G., Bergman, J.W., Cushman, R.A., Davis, J.S., Wood, J.R., Cupp, A.S. 2018. Altered blood plasma and follicular fluid lipid profiles predict alterations in cell signaling, metabolism, and immune function in cows with androgen excess [abstract]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Abstract Program p. 323-324. Available: https://www.ssr.org/sites/ssr.org/files/2018_annual_meeting_abstracts_updated.pdf

Cyclicity phenotype and ovarian cortex androgen secretion in androgen excess cows are predictive of plasma steroid and lipids, liver enzymes and follicular fluid cytokines - (Abstract Only)
Hart, M.L., Abedal-Majed, M.A., Spuri-Gomes, R., Snider, A.P., Kurz, S.G., Bergman, J.W., McFee, R.M., Casey, C.A., Lemley, C.O., Cushman, R.A., Davis, J.S., Wood, J.R., Cupp, A.S. 2018. Cyclicity phenotype and ovarian cortex androgen secretion in androgen excess cows are predictive of plasma steroid and lipids, liver enzymes and follicular fluid cytokines [abstract]. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Abstract Program p. 381-382. Available: https://www.ssr.org/sites/ssr.org/files/2018_annual_meeting_abstracts_updated.pdf

Effects of preovulatory estradiol on uterine environment and conceptus survival from fertilization to maternal recognition of pregnancy - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Northrop, E.J., Rich, J.J., Cushman, R.A., McNeel, A.K., Soares, E.M., Brooks, K., Spencer, T.E., Perry, G.A. 2018. Effects of preovulatory estradiol on uterine environment and conceptus survival from fertilization to maternal recognition of pregnancy. Biology of Reproduction. 99(3):629-638. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioy086.

Influence of estrus expression in a fixed-time AI protocol on reproductive performance - (Abstract Only)
Perry, G.A., Cushman, R.A., Northrop, E.J., Rich, J.J.J., Perkins, S.D. 2018. Influence of estrus expression in a fixed-time AI protocol on reproductive performance [abstract]. Animal Reproduction. 15(Supplement 1):1141.

Invited review: Learning from the future--A vision for dairy farms and cows in 2067 - (Review Article)
Britt, J.H., Cushman, R.A., Dechow, C.D., Dobson, H., Humblot, P., Hutjens, M.F., Jones, G.A., Ruegg, P.S., Sheldon, I.M., Stevenson, J.S. 2018. Invited review: Learning from the future--A vision for dairy farms and cows in 2067. Journal of Dairy Science. 101(5):3722-3741. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-14025.

Current understanding of factors influencing antral follicle count and applications to reproductive management in cattle - (Abstract Only)
Cushman, R.A., Perry, G.A., Britt, J.H. 2018. Current understanding of factors influencing antral follicle count and applications to reproductive management in cattle [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 96(Supplement 2):21-22.

Regulation of preovulatory estradiol and its impacts throughout the bovine estrous cycle - (Abstract Only)
Northrop, E.J., Rich, J.J., Cushman, R.A., Perry, G.A. 2018. Regulation of preovulatory estradiol and its impacts throughout the bovine estrous cycle [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 96(Supplement 2):22-23.

Treatment for bovine pathogenic diseases during the first year of life does not alter antral follicle counts in Angus heifers at a year of age - (Abstract Only)
Cushman, R.A., Kuehn, L.A. 2018. Treatment for bovine pathogenic diseases during the first year of life does not alter antral follicle counts in Angus heifers at a year of age [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 96(Supplement 2):204.