Giorgia Podico

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Author Statistics

Papers

Citation

H-Index

i-10 index

Research Trends

Author Order

Document Type

Co-Authors

Igor F. Canisso

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

Robyn E. Ellerbrock

University of Georgia

F.S. Lima

University of California, Davis

Lorenzo Segabinazzi

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Kianna M. Spencer

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Humberto B. Magalhaes

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Stefan Bauersachs

University of Zurich

Ilaria Colombo

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

H. Bollwein

University of Zurich

Alba Rudolf Vegas

University of Zurich

Cooperative Institutions

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois System

Illinois College

Urbana University

University of Florida

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

University of Veterinary Medicine

University of Georgia

Cornell University

University of California, Davis

Author Statistics

Papers

Citation

H-Index

i-10 index

Research Field

Successful induction of lactation, foal grafting and maintenance of pregnancy in a nonparturient Thoroughbred mare

Equine Veterinary Education (2021)

Giorgia Podico Alessandro Migliorisi Pamela A. Wilkins Igor F. Canisso

Abstract An 8‐year‐old mare was presented for induction of lactation and adoption of a 30‐day‐old twin filly. In each of the two seasons prior to presentation, the mare had delivered a foal that died shortly after birth. The mare had been bred by live cover ˜25 days prior to presentation to the Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, but no pregnancy diagnosis was yet performed. Upon arrival at the hospital, pregnancy diagnosis confirmed a viable singleton gestational vesicle. Lactation was induced with dopamine D2 agonists. Immediately before grafting, the mare was started on altrenogest to provide exogenous hormonal support for the pregnancy. After two consecutive days of PGF 2α administration on Day 30 of gestation, the mare began to accept the foal, but by the next day, the mare had insufficient milk production and began to show signs of foal rejection. The mare was treated with acepromazine for sedation and stimulation of lactation, with concurrent analgesic support provided by flunixin meglumine and butorphanol. One ovulation was confirmed on Day 40, and a second ovulation was confirmed on Day 45 of gestation. On Day 47 of gestation, 11 days after adoption, serum progesterone concentration was 13.2 ng/mL. As this value was above the minimum level (≥4 ng/mL) deemed necessary to maintain pregnancy in the mare, altrenogest administration was tapered and ultimately discontinued on Day 50 of gestation. The pair remained at the hospital for treatment of leucopenia in the filly. On Day 61 of gestation, 25 days after adoption, continued maintenance of pregnancy was confirmed in the mare, full lactation had been achieved, and strong bonding between mare and foal was apparent. The pair was discharged from the hospital to the care of the owner.

Foal

Butorphanol

10.1111/eve.13448

Cite

Citations (2)

Semen parameters and embryo recovery of cooled stallion semen extended with sodium caseinate-cholesterol (Botugold) and phosphocaseinate (INRA96) based extenders

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (2020)

Guilherme Novello Giorgia Podico Lorenzo Segabinazzi Igor F. Canisso

Semen cryopreservation

Semen extender

Capacitation

Membrane integrity

10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103043

Cite

Citations (0)

Dynamic regulation of the transcriptome and proteome of the equine embryo during maternal recognition of pregnancy

FASEB BioAdvances (2022)

Alba Rudolf Vegas Giorgia Podico Igor F. Canisso H. Bollwein Thomas Fröhlich

During initial maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP), the equine embryo displays a series of unique events characterized by rapid blastocyst expansion, secretion of a diverse array of molecules, and transuterine migration to interact with the uterine surface. Up to date, the intricate transcriptome and proteome changes of the embryo underlying these events have not been critically studied in horses. Thus, the objective of this study was to perform an integrative transcriptomic (including mRNA, miRNAs, and other small non-coding RNAs) and proteomic analysis of embryos collected from days 10 to 13 of gestation. The results revealed dynamic transcriptome profiles with a total of 1311 differentially expressed genes, including 18 microRNAs (miRNAs). Two main profiles for mRNAs and miRNAs were identified, one with higher expression in embryos ≤5 mm and the second with higher expression in embryos ≥7 mm. At the protein level, similar results were obtained, with 259 differentially abundant proteins between small and large embryos. Overall, the findings demonstrated fine-tuned transcriptomic and proteomic regulations in the developing embryo associated with embryo growth. The identification of specific regulation of mRNAs, proteins, and miRNAs on days 12 and 13 of gestation suggested these molecules as pivotal for embryo development and as involved in MRP, and in establishment of pregnancy in general. In addition, the results revealed new insights into prostaglandin synthesis by the equine embryo, miRNAs and genes potentially involved in modulation of the maternal immune response, regulation of endometrial receptivity and of late implantation in the mare.

Proteome

10.1096/fba.2022-00063

Cite

Citations (5)

Factors influencing early capacitation responses in equine spermatozoa

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (2016)

Heiko Henning Giorgia Podico B.M. Gadella Tom A. E. Stout

Capacitation

10.1016/j.jevs.2016.06.017

Cite

Citations (0)

A novel Streptococcus species causing clinical mastitis in a pregnant donkey

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation (2021)

Giorgia Podico Sarah M. Gray Leyi Wang Igor F. Canisso

An 8-y-old jenny was presented because of anorexia and mild depression. The jenny had weaned her colt 10 d before the admission. Upon arrival at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the heart rate was elevated, and the right udder was painful and swollen on palpation. Milk stripping of the affected side revealed purulent content; the contralateral udder had normal-appearing milk. Cytology of mammary gland secretions from the affected side revealed a large number of hypersegmented reactive neutrophils with phagocytized bacteria. Complete blood count, serum chemistry, and fibrinogen were within normal limits. A diagnosis of clinical mastitis was made, and the jenny was started on a 5-d course of broad-spectrum antibiotics, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, hydrotherapy, and milk stripping. Clinical signs reduced over time, and the cure was attained by 96 h post-admission. Aerobic culture and subsequent MALDI-TOF MS analysis identified a bacterium of the Streptococcus genus but not the species. Whole-genome analysis was performed, and 16S rDNA sequencing and analysis determined that our isolate 20-37394 clustered with 2 other Streptococcus strains (27284-01 and 28462). Single-nucleotide variations and phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that Streptococcus 20-37394 had 96.8% and 94.9% identities to Streptococcus strains 27284-01 and 28462, respectively; therefore, the bacteria isolated in our case was deemed as a new Streptococcus species.

Udder

Microbiological culture

10.1177/10406387211027306

Cite

Citations (5)

Cryopreservation of cooled-transported donkey epididymal sperm

Animal Reproduction Science (2020)

Yamilka Lago-Alvarez Giorgia Podico Lorenzo Segabinazzi Igor F. Canisso

10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106452

Cite

Citations (0)

Diagnosis and management of spermiostasis in a Shetland stallion

Equine Veterinary Education (2023)

Abigail R. Frink Giorgia Podico Igor F. Canisso

Summary Spermiostasis (or sperm accumulation) is an ejaculatory dysfunction of common occurrence in referral reproductive practice with stallions. The accumulation of sperm in the epididymides, ducti deferens, and ampullae results in ejaculates with a high concentration of degenerated sperm. It is estimated that 5% of light‐breed stallions present this condition; however, the incidence is unknown in ponies as this condition has not been reported in these breeds. The present report describes the diagnosis and management of spermiostasis in a 16‐year‐old Shetland stallion presented for semen collection, evaluation, and cooling test. Semen collection resulted in 73 billion total sperm with necrozoospermia and 67% detached heads. Ten serial semen collections gradually improved sperm motility and morphology. There was no evidence of ampullary plugs in the semen filter throughout the collections. An additional semen collection was procured 48 h after collection 10 for a cooling test. Sodium caseinate cholesterol‐loaded cyclodextrin extender resulted in superior sperm motility compared to the native phosphocaseinate extender up to 48 h post‐cooling in two semen containers. Sixty days after the initial visit, the stallion returned for a semen freezing test. The ejaculate was normozoospermic, and the owner reported that the stallion had satisfactory fertility for live cover after discharge from the hospital. The thermal longevity test of the frozen‐thawed resulted in excellent motility after 120 min of storage at 37°C. In conclusion, herein, we described, apparently for the first time, the occurrence of spermiostasis in a pony stallion. We foresee that other practitioners managing similar clinical cases could have comparable outcomes.

Semen collection

Pony

Semen Analysis

10.1111/eve.13774

Cite

Citations (0)

Donkey Epididymal Transport for Semen Cooling and Freezing

Animals (2020)

Yamilka Lago-Alvarez Giorgia Podico Lorenzo Segabinazzi L.L. Cunha L. P. Barbosa

The objectives of this study were to assess the cooling and freezing of donkey epididymal semen harvested immediately after castration (Experiment 1, n = 4) or after the shipment (24 or 48 h) of epididymides attached to testicles (Experiment 2, n = 14) or dissected apart (Experiment 3, n = 36). In each experiment, semen was frozen immediately (Non-Centrif) in an egg yolk-based semen extender (EY) or after processing through cushion-centrifugation (Centrif) while extended in a skim milk-based extender (SC). In all three experiments, cooled, pre-freeze, and post-thaw epididymal semen was assessed for total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), and high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP). Data were analyzed with R using mixed models and Tukey’s test as posthoc. Results showed that the cooling of epididymal semen up to 24 h after harvesting did not affect motility parameters or plasma membrane integrity; furthermore, in Experiment 3, the post-thaw evaluation of both Centrif and Non-Centrif achieved similar TM and PM. Collectively, the post-thaw results revealed low motility parameters across groups; while, the PMI and HMMP did not reflect this trend, and the values remained high, suggesting that there was a lack of epididymal sperm activation with either centrifugation or extenders. In summary, freshly harvested and cooled-shipped and cooled semen had satisfactory semen parameters. Future studies need to address donkey epididymal semen fertility in mares and jennies.

Semen extender

Semen cryopreservation

Membrane integrity

Semen Analysis

10.3390/ani10122209

Cite

Citations (10)

Spatiotemporal endometrial transcriptome analysis revealed the luminal epithelium as key player during initial maternal recognition of pregnancy in the mare

Scientific Reports (2021)

Alba Rudolf Vegas Giorgia Podico Igor F. Canisso H. Bollwein C. Almiñana

Abstract During the period of maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) in the mare, the embryo needs to signal its presence to the endometrium to prevent regression of the corpus luteum and prepare for establishment of pregnancy. This is achieved by mechanical stimuli and release of various signaling molecules by the equine embryo while migrating through the uterus. We hypothesized that embryo’s signals induce changes in the endometrial gene expression in a highly cell type-specific manner. A spatiotemporal transcriptomics approach was applied combining laser capture microdissection and low-input-RNA sequencing of luminal and glandular epithelium (LE, GE), and stroma of biopsy samples collected from days 10–13 of pregnancy and the estrous cycle. Two comparisons were performed, samples derived from pregnancies with conceptuses ≥ 8 mm in diameter (comparison 1) and conceptuses ≤ 8 mm (comparison 2) versus samples from cyclic controls. The majority of gene expression changes was identified in LE and much lower numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GE and stroma. While 1253 DEGs were found for LE in comparison 1, only 248 were found in comparison 2. Data mining mainly focused on DEGs in LE and revealed regulation of genes related to prostaglandin transport, metabolism, and signaling, as well as transcription factor families that could be involved in MRP. In comparison to other mammalian species, differences in regulation of genes involved in epithelial barrier formation and conceptus attachment and implantation reflected the unique features of equine reproduction at the time of MRP at the molecular level.

Conceptus

Laser capture microdissection

Decidualization

10.1038/s41598-021-01785-3

Cite

Citations (9)

Fluoroquinolone exposure in utero did not affect articular cartilage of resulting foals

Equine Veterinary Journal (2020)

Robyn E. Ellerbrock Igor F. Canisso Ryan J. Larsen Katherine S. Garrett Matthew C. Stewart

Recent studies have shown that fluoroquinolones, specifically, enrofloxacin and its active metabolite (ciprofloxacin), cross the equine placenta without causing gross or histological lesions in the first and third trimester fetuses or resulting foal. However, it is possible that in utero exposure to fluoroquinolones may cause subtle lesions not detectable by standard means; thus, a more in-depth assessment of potential toxicity is warranted.To use quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI), biomechanical testing, and chondrocyte gene expression to evaluate the limbs of foals exposed to enrofloxacin during the third trimester of pregnancy.In vivo and control terminal experiment.Healthy mares at 280 days gestation were assigned into three groups: untreated (n = 5), recommended therapeutic (7.5 mg/kg enrofloxacin, PO, SID, n = 6) or supratherapeutic (15 mg/kg, PO, SID, n = 6) doses for 14 days. Mares carried and delivered to term and nursed their foals for ~30 days. Two additional healthy foals born from untreated mares were treated post-natally with enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg PO, SID, for 5 days). By 30 days, foal stifles, hocks, elbows, and shoulders were radiographed, foals were subjected to euthanasia, and foal limbs were analysed by quantitative MRI, structural MRI, biomechanical testing and chondrocyte gene expression.Osteochondral lesions were detected with both radiography and structural MRI in foals from both enrofloxacin-treated and untreated mares. Severe cartilage erosions, synovitis and joint capsular thickening were identified in foals treated with enrofloxacin post-natally. Median cartilage T2 relaxation times differed between joints but did not differ between treatment groups.A small sample size was assessed and there was no long-term follow-up.While further research is needed to address long-term foal outcomes, no differences were seen in advanced imaging, biomechanical testing or gene expression by 30 days of age, suggesting that enrofloxacin may be a safe and useful antibiotic for select bacterial infections in pregnant mares.

Foal

Beagle

10.1111/evj.13295

Cite

Citations (6)