Beltman, Marijke EileenMarijke EileenBeltmanMullen, M. P.M. P.MullenElia, G.G.EliaHilliard, M.M.HilliardDiskin, M. G.M. G.DiskinEvans, A. C.A. C.EvansCrowe, MarkMarkCrowe2013-12-042013-12-042013 Elsev2014-01Domestic Animal Endocrinology0739-7240http://hdl.handle.net/10197/5119The objective was to analyze the proteomic composition of uterine flushes collected from beef heifers on day 7 after insemination. Estrus was synchronized in crossbred beef heifers by using a protocol with a controlled intravaginal drug releasing device. Heifers detected in standing estrus (within 24-48 h after removal of controlled intravaginal drug releasing device) were inseminated (estrus = day 0) with frozen-thawed semen from a single ejaculate of a bull with proven fertility. Heifers from which an embryo was recovered (after slaughter on day 7) were classified as either having a viable embryo (morula/blastocyst stage) or a degenerate embryo (arrested at the 2- to 16-cell stage). The overall recovery rate (viable and degenerate combined) was 64%. Global liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry proteomic analysis of the histotroph collected identified 40 high-confidence proteins present on day 7; 26 proteins in the viable group, 10 in the degenerate group, and 4 shared between both groups. Five proteins (platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB subunit γ [PAFAH1B3], tubulin α-1D chain, tubulin β-4A chain, cytochrome C, and dihydropyrimidinase-related protein-2) were unique or more abundant in the histotroph collected from animals with a viable embryo, and 1 protein (S100-A4) was more abundant in the histotroph collected from animals with a degenerate embryo. Of interest, PAFAH1B3, detected only in histotroph from the group yielding viable embryos, belongs to the group of platelet-activating factors that are known to be important for the development of the pre-implantation embryo in other species. To our knowledge this is the first report of PAFAH1B3 in relation to bovine early embryonic development.enThis is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Domestic Animal Endocrinology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Domestic Animal Endocrinology (In press (October 2013)) DOI:10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.10.003HistotrophProteomicsEmbryo developmentJournal Article46January 2014495710.1016/j.domaniend.2013.10.0032013-12-02https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/