Objective:To investigate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci(MRS)which is a potencial risk factor of transmission between animals and humans in different types of horses(harness racing-horses,breedin...Objective:To investigate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci(MRS)which is a potencial risk factor of transmission between animals and humans in different types of horses(harness racing-horses,breeding mares and riding-horses)and to compare the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates.Methods:A total of 191 healthy horses,housed at different locations of the Campania Region(Italy),were included in the study.Nasal swab samples were collected from each nostril of the horses.The mecA gene was detected by a nested PCR technique.Antibiotic susceptibility was tested for each isolate.Results:MRS was isolated from nasal samples of 68/191(35.6%;95%CI:28.9%-42.9%)healthy horses.All isolates were coagulase-negative with the exception of two coagulase-positive MRS strains,identified as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.2/83(2.4%;95%,CI:0.4%-9.2%).Interestingly,both coagulase-positive MRS isolates were from harness racing-horses.These horses also presented a significantly higher positivity for MRS(53.3%;95%CI:40.1%-66.1%)than the breeding mares and riding-horses groups.Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed difference between isolates due to different origins except for an almost common high resistance to aminopenicillins,such as ampicillin and amoxicillin.Conclusions:It can be concluded that harness racing-horses may act as a significant reservoir of MRS as compared to breeding mares and riding-horses.展开更多
The Moscoviense basin is an atypical lunar impact basin with concentric rings of positive and negative gravity anomalies.This basin can provide insights into the inhomogeneous thermal activities across the farside of ...The Moscoviense basin is an atypical lunar impact basin with concentric rings of positive and negative gravity anomalies.This basin can provide insights into the inhomogeneous thermal activities across the farside of the Moon.Based on an updated spherical harmonic thin elastic-shell loading model,we used localized admittance analyses to estimate the elastic thickness as well as other associated selenophysical parameters for the Moscoviense basin.The high precision gravity and topography data employed in our estimation were collected by the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory and the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter missions.Our results indicate that the crust-mantle interface is mainly compensated by the prefilling depth rather than the observed surface topography.The results constrained within two standard deviations yielded a small load ratio(~0.168),a best-fit crustal thickness of 36.2 km,and an optimized crustal density of 3159.5 kg m-3.Such large density approaches the density of olivine-rich mantle materials,implying that the excavation of the Mare Moscoviense occurred during a basin-forming impact.The inversed elastic thickness at Mare Moscoviense was around 18 km,lower than the previous results(~60 km)found over Mare basins on the lunar nearside.These results indicate that extreme thermal activity existed during the Moscoviense basin-forming period such as reheating mechanisms from a double-impact process and mare volcanism.展开更多
Infectious endometritis is one of the main causes of subfertility/infertility in the mare. In this report, we present the first case of endometritis in mare associated with a strain of Enterococcus casseliflavus, an u...Infectious endometritis is one of the main causes of subfertility/infertility in the mare. In this report, we present the first case of endometritis in mare associated with a strain of Enterococcus casseliflavus, an unusual gram-positive bacterium which can also be a zoonotic agent. Furthermore, the isolated strain showed a worrying multidrug-resistant profile. The accurate finding of a successful antimicrobial treatment and consequently,the pregnancy diagnosis indicate the importance to isolate, identify and define the antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria associated with endometritis.展开更多
Two new lunar mare soil simulants,NAO-2 and NAO-3,have been created in National Astronomical Observatories(NAO),Chinese Academy of Sciences.These two simulants were produced from low-titanium basalt and high-titanium ...Two new lunar mare soil simulants,NAO-2 and NAO-3,have been created in National Astronomical Observatories(NAO),Chinese Academy of Sciences.These two simulants were produced from low-titanium basalt and high-titanium basalt respectively.The chemical composition,mineralogy, particle size distribution,density,angle of internal friction,and cohesion of both simulants have been analyzed,indicating that some characteristics of NAO-2 and NAO-3 are similar to those of Apollo 14 and Apollo 11 landing site soils.NAO-2 and NAO-3 will be of great benefit to the scientific and engineering research on lunar soil.展开更多
The lunar mare potassium(K)-,rare-earth elements(REEs)-and phosphorous(P)-rich(KREEP-rich) region is a unique late-stage product of magma crystallization,in which ilmenite and incompatible elements have high grades,th...The lunar mare potassium(K)-,rare-earth elements(REEs)-and phosphorous(P)-rich(KREEP-rich) region is a unique late-stage product of magma crystallization,in which ilmenite and incompatible elements have high grades,thus forming a giant natural reservoir.The extraction and purification of the high-value metal resources in the KREEP-rich region not only meet the construction needs of the lunar base but also solve the problem of resource scarcity on Earth.In this study,photovoltaic elemental silicon(Si) was used as a collector to extract ilmenite resources,REEs,and nuclear energy elements from basalt in the lunar mare KREEP-rich region at 1873 K.Based on experimentation,the metals titanium(Ti)and iron(Fe) in the lunar mare ilmenite are found to be enriched and solidified in the form of Si-based alloys.The contents of valuable incompatible elements in the KREEP-rich area are also found to be enriched and contained in the incompatible trace elements(ITEs) phase of the alloy.Among them,REEs(e.g.,cerium(Ce) and thulium(Tm)) and nuclear elements(e.g.,thorium(Th) and uranium(U)) are found to account for 82.61 wt% of the ITEs phase.This process provides a simple and feasible scheme for the insitu resource utilization(ISRU) of the lunar surface and is suitable for the extraction and enrichment of lunar metal resources.展开更多
Objective:To enhance effectiveness of reproduction management in Arabian mares,factorsinfluencing the time of foaling were investigated in this study.Methods:Data were collectedat the National Haras of Tiaret in Alger...Objective:To enhance effectiveness of reproduction management in Arabian mares,factorsinfluencing the time of foaling were investigated in this study.Methods:Data were collectedat the National Haras of Tiaret in Algeria from 2003 to 2010.The foaling time of 255 Arabian purebred mares,aged from 3 to 20 years were used for this study.Results:A total of 78.07%of foalinghappens between 7 pm and 6 am.Conclusions:The influence of the month of foaling and the sexof the foal,on the time of foaling was statically significant.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the changes occur in the vagina, cervix and endometrium during the pre- ovulatory period in Arabian mares by using endoscope as a diagnostic tool as well as the availability of taking an endoscop...Objective:To evaluate the changes occur in the vagina, cervix and endometrium during the pre- ovulatory period in Arabian mares by using endoscope as a diagnostic tool as well as the availability of taking an endoscopic biopsy during this stage.Methods:Ten cyclic and healthy arabian mares were subjected to ultrasound scanning of their ovaries to estimate the diameter of the preovulatory follicles, collection of blood samples for estimating the hormonal levels (Estradiol-17β and progestrone) for confirming the estrous phase, endoscopic monitoring their vagina, cervix and endometrium, the availability of taking biopsical samples and histological examination of the obtained samples.Results:The obtained data revealed that, the mean diameter of the preovulatory follicles was (3.95±0.34) cm, the plasma estradiol and progestrone levels were (85.98±5.26) pg/mL and (0.73±0.23) ng/mL, respectively, endoscopic monitoring the vagina, cervix and endometrium revealed hyperemic vaginal mucous membrane, soft and opened cervical ostium with abundant estrous mucous and folding, hyperemic and edematous appearance of the endometrium, respectively and the histological features of the biopsical endometrial samples revealed that, The lamina propria-sub mucosa was packed with simple or branched tubular glands lined with simple columnar epithelium showing oval or rounded dark nuclei with different degrees of secretory activities of the glands.Conclusions: The endoscope proved to be a reliable tool for confirming the estrous phase in mares and monitoring the gross features of the vagina, the cervix and the endometrium, in addition to the availability of taking biopsical smears.展开更多
In the canonical view of lunar evolution,mare basalts are regarded as secondary partial melts of deep-seated lunar mantle formed as cumulates from a lunar magma ocean(LMO)during the early stage of lunar magmatism[1].M...In the canonical view of lunar evolution,mare basalts are regarded as secondary partial melts of deep-seated lunar mantle formed as cumulates from a lunar magma ocean(LMO)during the early stage of lunar magmatism[1].Mare basalts filled mainly near-side lunar basins and occupied approximately 17%of the lunar surface[2].Mare volcanism is a long-lived process(1.0 to 4.4 Ga)that primarily involved the emplacement of lunar basins during the era of large impact basin formation(3.5-3.8 Ga)[1].Some earlier pulses of volcanism(prior to 3.9 Ga)also existed on the moon but covered only a small area(2%)in the form of cryp-tomare basalts[3].Ancient lunar basalts are relatively enriched in Al,K,and rare earth elements(REEs).Representative rocks include high-Al,high-K,K-REE-P-rich rock(KREEP)and some cryp-tomare basalts[1],which were emplaced at the surface during a continuous episode contemporaneous with lunar crust formation[1].Younger patches of mare volcanism(as late as 1.0 Ga)have been recognized via remote sensing techniques[2].However,only the Chang’E 5(CE5)samples provided solid evidence for 2.0 Ga young volcanic activity[4,5].Mare volcanism on the lunar far side,while relatively sparse,follows a similar temporal distribution pat-tern[6].展开更多
Miller Range (MIL) 05035 and LaPaz Icefield (LAP) 02224 are unbrecciated lunar basalt meteorites. In this report, we studied their petrography and mineralogy and made in situ uranogenic Pb/Pb dating of Zr-rich mineral...Miller Range (MIL) 05035 and LaPaz Icefield (LAP) 02224 are unbrecciated lunar basalt meteorites. In this report, we studied their petrography and mineralogy and made in situ uranogenic Pb/Pb dating of Zr-rich minerals. Petrography and mineralogy of these two lunar meteorites are consistent with previous investigations. The zirconolite Pb/Pb age of MIL 05035 is 3851±8 Ma (2σ), in excellent agreement with previous reports. This age suggests that MIL 05035 could be paired with Asuka 881757, a low-Ti mare basalt meteorite. The magmatic event related to MIL 05035 was probably due to the late heavy impact bom- bardment on the moon around 3.9 Ga. One baddeleyite grain in LAP 02224 shows a large variation of Pb/Pb age, from 3109±29 to 3547±21 Ma (2σ), much older than the whole-rock age of the same meteorite (~3.02±0.03 Ga). The other baddeleyite grain in LAP 02224 has an age of 3005±17 Ma (2σ). The result indicates that the minimum crystallization age of LAP 02224 is ~3.55 Ga and the younger ages could reflect late thermal disturbance on U-Pb system.展开更多
Background Ovarian follicular fluid(FF)is a dynamic environment that changes with the seasons,affecting follicle development,ovulation,and oocyte quality.Cells in the follicles release tiny particles called extracellu...Background Ovarian follicular fluid(FF)is a dynamic environment that changes with the seasons,affecting follicle development,ovulation,and oocyte quality.Cells in the follicles release tiny particles called extracellular vesicles(EVs)containing vital regulatory molecules,such as microRNAs(miRNAs).These miRNAs are pivotal in facilitating commu-nication within the follicles through diverse signaling and information transfer forms.EV-coupled miRNA signaling is implicated to be associated with ovarian function,follicle and oocyte growth and response to various environmen-tal insults.Herein,we investigated how seasonal variations directly influence the ovulatory and anovulatory states of ovarian follicles and how are they associated with follicular fluid EV-coupled miRNA dynamics in horses.Results Ultrasonographic monitoring and follicular fluid aspiration of preovulatory follicles in horses during the ano-vulatory(spring:non-breeding)and ovulatory(spring,summer,and fall:breeding)seasons and subsequent EV isola-tion and miRNA profiling identified significant variation in EV-miRNA cargo content.We identified 97 miRNAs with dif-ferential expression among the groups and specific clusters of miRNAs involved in the spring transition(miR-149,-200b,-206,-221,-328,and-615)and peak breeding period(including miR-143,-192,-451,-302b,-100,and let-7c).Bioinformatic analyses showed enrichments in various biological functions,e.g.,transcription factor activity,transcrip-tion and transcription regulation,nucleic acid binding,sequence-specific DNA binding,p53 signaling,and post-trans-lational modifications.Cluster analyses revealed distinct sets of significantly up-and down-regulated miRNAs associ-ated with spring anovulatory(Cluster 1)and summer ovulation–the peak breeding season(Clusters 4 and 6).Conclusions The findings from the current study shed light on the dynamics of FF-EV-coupled miRNAs in relation to equine ovulatory and anovulatory seasons,and their roles in understanding the mechanisms involved in seasonal shifts and ovulation during the breeding season warrant further investigation.展开更多
基金Supported by Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.University of Naples"Federico II".Naples Italy
文摘Objective:To investigate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci(MRS)which is a potencial risk factor of transmission between animals and humans in different types of horses(harness racing-horses,breeding mares and riding-horses)and to compare the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates.Methods:A total of 191 healthy horses,housed at different locations of the Campania Region(Italy),were included in the study.Nasal swab samples were collected from each nostril of the horses.The mecA gene was detected by a nested PCR technique.Antibiotic susceptibility was tested for each isolate.Results:MRS was isolated from nasal samples of 68/191(35.6%;95%CI:28.9%-42.9%)healthy horses.All isolates were coagulase-negative with the exception of two coagulase-positive MRS strains,identified as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.2/83(2.4%;95%,CI:0.4%-9.2%).Interestingly,both coagulase-positive MRS isolates were from harness racing-horses.These horses also presented a significantly higher positivity for MRS(53.3%;95%CI:40.1%-66.1%)than the breeding mares and riding-horses groups.Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed difference between isolates due to different origins except for an almost common high resistance to aminopenicillins,such as ampicillin and amoxicillin.Conclusions:It can be concluded that harness racing-horses may act as a significant reservoir of MRS as compared to breeding mares and riding-horses.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41864001 and U1831132)Guizhou Science and Technology Plan Project(Guizhou Science and Technology platform talents[2018]5769)+5 种基金Open Fund of State Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying,Mapping and Remote Sensing,Wuhan University(Grant No.17P03)Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Environment Change and Resources Use in Beibu Gulf,Ministry of Education(Guangxi Teachers Education University)Guangxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Intelligent Simulation(Guangxi Teachers Education University,No.2015K03)Open Fund of Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Radio Astronomy and Data Processing(KF201813)Open Fund of Lunar and Planetary Science Laboratory,Macao University of Science and Technology(FDCT 119/2017/A3)Hubei Province Foundation innovation group project(2018CFA087)
文摘The Moscoviense basin is an atypical lunar impact basin with concentric rings of positive and negative gravity anomalies.This basin can provide insights into the inhomogeneous thermal activities across the farside of the Moon.Based on an updated spherical harmonic thin elastic-shell loading model,we used localized admittance analyses to estimate the elastic thickness as well as other associated selenophysical parameters for the Moscoviense basin.The high precision gravity and topography data employed in our estimation were collected by the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory and the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter missions.Our results indicate that the crust-mantle interface is mainly compensated by the prefilling depth rather than the observed surface topography.The results constrained within two standard deviations yielded a small load ratio(~0.168),a best-fit crustal thickness of 36.2 km,and an optimized crustal density of 3159.5 kg m-3.Such large density approaches the density of olivine-rich mantle materials,implying that the excavation of the Mare Moscoviense occurred during a basin-forming impact.The inversed elastic thickness at Mare Moscoviense was around 18 km,lower than the previous results(~60 km)found over Mare basins on the lunar nearside.These results indicate that extreme thermal activity existed during the Moscoviense basin-forming period such as reheating mechanisms from a double-impact process and mare volcanism.
文摘Infectious endometritis is one of the main causes of subfertility/infertility in the mare. In this report, we present the first case of endometritis in mare associated with a strain of Enterococcus casseliflavus, an unusual gram-positive bacterium which can also be a zoonotic agent. Furthermore, the isolated strain showed a worrying multidrug-resistant profile. The accurate finding of a successful antimicrobial treatment and consequently,the pregnancy diagnosis indicate the importance to isolate, identify and define the antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria associated with endometritis.
基金supported by The National High Technology Research and Development Program of China(No.2008AA 12A213)The National Key Scientific and Technologic Project
文摘Two new lunar mare soil simulants,NAO-2 and NAO-3,have been created in National Astronomical Observatories(NAO),Chinese Academy of Sciences.These two simulants were produced from low-titanium basalt and high-titanium basalt respectively.The chemical composition,mineralogy, particle size distribution,density,angle of internal friction,and cohesion of both simulants have been analyzed,indicating that some characteristics of NAO-2 and NAO-3 are similar to those of Apollo 14 and Apollo 11 landing site soils.NAO-2 and NAO-3 will be of great benefit to the scientific and engineering research on lunar soil.
基金supported by the Yunnan Outstanding Youth Science Foundation (202101AV070007)the Reserve Talents of Young and Middle-aged Academic and Technical Leaders in Yunnan Province (2018HB009)Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB 41000000)。
文摘The lunar mare potassium(K)-,rare-earth elements(REEs)-and phosphorous(P)-rich(KREEP-rich) region is a unique late-stage product of magma crystallization,in which ilmenite and incompatible elements have high grades,thus forming a giant natural reservoir.The extraction and purification of the high-value metal resources in the KREEP-rich region not only meet the construction needs of the lunar base but also solve the problem of resource scarcity on Earth.In this study,photovoltaic elemental silicon(Si) was used as a collector to extract ilmenite resources,REEs,and nuclear energy elements from basalt in the lunar mare KREEP-rich region at 1873 K.Based on experimentation,the metals titanium(Ti)and iron(Fe) in the lunar mare ilmenite are found to be enriched and solidified in the form of Si-based alloys.The contents of valuable incompatible elements in the KREEP-rich area are also found to be enriched and contained in the incompatible trace elements(ITEs) phase of the alloy.Among them,REEs(e.g.,cerium(Ce) and thulium(Tm)) and nuclear elements(e.g.,thorium(Th) and uranium(U)) are found to account for 82.61 wt% of the ITEs phase.This process provides a simple and feasible scheme for the insitu resource utilization(ISRU) of the lunar surface and is suitable for the extraction and enrichment of lunar metal resources.
基金Supported by project CNEPRU,Institute of Veterinary Sciences,University Ibn-Khaldoun(TIARET)Algeria(Grant No.F001 2010/0016)
文摘Objective:To enhance effectiveness of reproduction management in Arabian mares,factorsinfluencing the time of foaling were investigated in this study.Methods:Data were collectedat the National Haras of Tiaret in Algeria from 2003 to 2010.The foaling time of 255 Arabian purebred mares,aged from 3 to 20 years were used for this study.Results:A total of 78.07%of foalinghappens between 7 pm and 6 am.Conclusions:The influence of the month of foaling and the sexof the foal,on the time of foaling was statically significant.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the changes occur in the vagina, cervix and endometrium during the pre- ovulatory period in Arabian mares by using endoscope as a diagnostic tool as well as the availability of taking an endoscopic biopsy during this stage.Methods:Ten cyclic and healthy arabian mares were subjected to ultrasound scanning of their ovaries to estimate the diameter of the preovulatory follicles, collection of blood samples for estimating the hormonal levels (Estradiol-17β and progestrone) for confirming the estrous phase, endoscopic monitoring their vagina, cervix and endometrium, the availability of taking biopsical samples and histological examination of the obtained samples.Results:The obtained data revealed that, the mean diameter of the preovulatory follicles was (3.95±0.34) cm, the plasma estradiol and progestrone levels were (85.98±5.26) pg/mL and (0.73±0.23) ng/mL, respectively, endoscopic monitoring the vagina, cervix and endometrium revealed hyperemic vaginal mucous membrane, soft and opened cervical ostium with abundant estrous mucous and folding, hyperemic and edematous appearance of the endometrium, respectively and the histological features of the biopsical endometrial samples revealed that, The lamina propria-sub mucosa was packed with simple or branched tubular glands lined with simple columnar epithelium showing oval or rounded dark nuclei with different degrees of secretory activities of the glands.Conclusions: The endoscope proved to be a reliable tool for confirming the estrous phase in mares and monitoring the gross features of the vagina, the cervix and the endometrium, in addition to the availability of taking biopsical smears.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFA0716100)the Science and Technology Development Fund,Macao SAR(002/2024/SKL)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42202260)the Minor Planet Foundation of China.
文摘In the canonical view of lunar evolution,mare basalts are regarded as secondary partial melts of deep-seated lunar mantle formed as cumulates from a lunar magma ocean(LMO)during the early stage of lunar magmatism[1].Mare basalts filled mainly near-side lunar basins and occupied approximately 17%of the lunar surface[2].Mare volcanism is a long-lived process(1.0 to 4.4 Ga)that primarily involved the emplacement of lunar basins during the era of large impact basin formation(3.5-3.8 Ga)[1].Some earlier pulses of volcanism(prior to 3.9 Ga)also existed on the moon but covered only a small area(2%)in the form of cryp-tomare basalts[3].Ancient lunar basalts are relatively enriched in Al,K,and rare earth elements(REEs).Representative rocks include high-Al,high-K,K-REE-P-rich rock(KREEP)and some cryp-tomare basalts[1],which were emplaced at the surface during a continuous episode contemporaneous with lunar crust formation[1].Younger patches of mare volcanism(as late as 1.0 Ga)have been recognized via remote sensing techniques[2].However,only the Chang’E 5(CE5)samples provided solid evidence for 2.0 Ga young volcanic activity[4,5].Mare volcanism on the lunar far side,while relatively sparse,follows a similar temporal distribution pat-tern[6].
基金supported by State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants Nos. 40703015, 40773046)Minor Planet Foundation of China
文摘Miller Range (MIL) 05035 and LaPaz Icefield (LAP) 02224 are unbrecciated lunar basalt meteorites. In this report, we studied their petrography and mineralogy and made in situ uranogenic Pb/Pb dating of Zr-rich minerals. Petrography and mineralogy of these two lunar meteorites are consistent with previous investigations. The zirconolite Pb/Pb age of MIL 05035 is 3851±8 Ma (2σ), in excellent agreement with previous reports. This age suggests that MIL 05035 could be paired with Asuka 881757, a low-Ti mare basalt meteorite. The magmatic event related to MIL 05035 was probably due to the late heavy impact bom- bardment on the moon around 3.9 Ga. One baddeleyite grain in LAP 02224 shows a large variation of Pb/Pb age, from 3109±29 to 3547±21 Ma (2σ), much older than the whole-rock age of the same meteorite (~3.02±0.03 Ga). The other baddeleyite grain in LAP 02224 has an age of 3005±17 Ma (2σ). The result indicates that the minimum crystallization age of LAP 02224 is ~3.55 Ga and the younger ages could reflect late thermal disturbance on U-Pb system.
基金Southern Illinois University,Carbondale,ILMinistry of Higher Education&Scientific Research,Baghdad,Iraq+2 种基金NIFA-USDA Hatch project accession#1016077(Multistate#W4171)USDAARS project 6066-31000-015-00DNIH MS-IDeA network of Biomedical Research Excellence award 5P20GMI03476-19.GMI received a PhD scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education&Scientific Research,Baghdad,Iraq.
文摘Background Ovarian follicular fluid(FF)is a dynamic environment that changes with the seasons,affecting follicle development,ovulation,and oocyte quality.Cells in the follicles release tiny particles called extracellular vesicles(EVs)containing vital regulatory molecules,such as microRNAs(miRNAs).These miRNAs are pivotal in facilitating commu-nication within the follicles through diverse signaling and information transfer forms.EV-coupled miRNA signaling is implicated to be associated with ovarian function,follicle and oocyte growth and response to various environmen-tal insults.Herein,we investigated how seasonal variations directly influence the ovulatory and anovulatory states of ovarian follicles and how are they associated with follicular fluid EV-coupled miRNA dynamics in horses.Results Ultrasonographic monitoring and follicular fluid aspiration of preovulatory follicles in horses during the ano-vulatory(spring:non-breeding)and ovulatory(spring,summer,and fall:breeding)seasons and subsequent EV isola-tion and miRNA profiling identified significant variation in EV-miRNA cargo content.We identified 97 miRNAs with dif-ferential expression among the groups and specific clusters of miRNAs involved in the spring transition(miR-149,-200b,-206,-221,-328,and-615)and peak breeding period(including miR-143,-192,-451,-302b,-100,and let-7c).Bioinformatic analyses showed enrichments in various biological functions,e.g.,transcription factor activity,transcrip-tion and transcription regulation,nucleic acid binding,sequence-specific DNA binding,p53 signaling,and post-trans-lational modifications.Cluster analyses revealed distinct sets of significantly up-and down-regulated miRNAs associ-ated with spring anovulatory(Cluster 1)and summer ovulation–the peak breeding season(Clusters 4 and 6).Conclusions The findings from the current study shed light on the dynamics of FF-EV-coupled miRNAs in relation to equine ovulatory and anovulatory seasons,and their roles in understanding the mechanisms involved in seasonal shifts and ovulation during the breeding season warrant further investigation.
