National Institute of Agricultural Research of Uruguay

Background In horses, the mechanisms behind ovarian follicle growth and oocyte maturation remain largely unknown. In other species, oocyte-secreted factors growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) have been related to the acquisition of developmental competence and to interaction with granulosa cells for the regulation of follicle development. This study assessed the expression and localization of GDF9 in the equine ovary, and its possible relationship with granulosa cell function. Results Using custom-made antibodies, GDF9 protein was localized in oocytes from the primary follicle stage onwards. Together with BMP15, its intrafollicular concentration was higher in small antral follicles compared to larger ones (P < 0.05). Negative correlations were observed between intrafollicular BMP15 concentration and estradiol sulfate (E2S) (r = -0.36, P = 0.048), as well as between BMP15 and E2S/P4 ratio (r = -0.37, P = 0.046). In vivo, equine granulosa cells showed increasing mRNA expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis (STAR and HSD3B2) and cell proliferation (KI67) with increasing follicle size, while expression of GDF9 and of apoptosis-related genes (BCL2 and CASP3) were not affected by follicle size. Simultaneous stimulation of granulosa cells in vitro with IGF1 and cortisol significantly increased HSD3B2 and CYP19A1 transcriptional levels, as well as E2 concentration in culture media, while IGF1-induced P4 secretion was suppressed in the presence of cortisol. Blocking the stimulatory effect of IGF1 on E2, E2S and P4 by H89 was associated with increased GDF9 mRNA levels and reduced STAR, PCNA, KI67 and BCL2 mRNA expression. Significant negative correlations of GDF9 with STAR and PCNA mRNA, respectively, were seen in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions Together, our results show GDF9 localization and expression in the equine ovary and a temporal relationship with steroidogenesis and cell proliferation within the surrounding granulosa cells. Moreover, results of the in vitro study suggest a supporting role of cortisol during follicle maturation. Our study sheds light on possible mechanisms for the regulation of ovarian function in horses using GDF9.

Foot diseases in small ruminants cause locomotor disorders, leading to significant economic, productive, and health concerns in sheep and goat farming worldwide. The diagnosis and classification of lesions caused by footpad dermatitis are complex and based only on clinical observations in the field. In this context, this study assessed the histopathological and radiographic characteristics of lesions caused by pododermatitis in sheep to improve and deepen the classification of lesions and optimize diagnosis and prognosis. In this study 1.701 lame sheep were included and were distributed across 21 farms in southern Brazil. Lesions were categorized into three severity grades based on clinical, histological and radiographic observations. As a result of these findings, the lesions were categorized into 3 grades described as: mild interdigital dermatitis (grade 1), necrosis with bone involvement (grade 2) and severe tissue loss with osteolysis (grade 3). Radiographic evaluation revealed bone changes ranging from mild inflammation to osteomyelitis and pathological fractures in advanced grades. Histologically, in most severe cases, progressive inflammation, thrombosis and necrosis were observed. The results suggest that regardless of the origin of pododermatitis, whether related to environmental factors and/or agents such as Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum, the lesions are progressive and severe. This adapted classification system can help field technicians and producers to effectively diagnose and treat these lesions depending on the grade, limiting their progression and consequently reducing economic losses. This integrated approach can improve animal welfare and productivity in South American herds, where these diseases are a significant concern.

The global rise in afforestation highlights the need for improved forestry practices, underscoring the demand for enhanced management strategies and research. Integrated intercropping systems offer sustainable solutions, promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health. This research explored the long-term effects of weed control and row spacing on eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis) and pinus (Pinus taeda), intercropped with switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), within a Uruguayan setting. Using spatiotemporal mixed models, we aimed to improve experimental accuracy and understand the dynamics between stand growth and agroforestry management. Significant impacts of spacing and weed control were found on both wood volume per hectare and individual volume. Optimal results per hectare were achieved with a 7-m row spacing for both species at the hectare level, while a 12-m spacing was more favorable for individual tree sizes. Low and medium weed control affected per tree and hectare wood volume productivity. Significant differences in switchgrass productivity were found between high and low weed control in pinus. The use of spatiotemporal structures has resulted in a better fit for the models in all cases, and it is noteworthy to consider the heterogeneous variances over the years. This study underscores the value of spatiotemporal analysis in agroforestry experimentation, integrating heterogeneous structures with temporal dynamics. These insights advance agroforestry by optimizing productivity and sustainability, offering adaptable strategies for regions sharing similar environmental profiles.

Genome editing success in crop species is largely dependent on the availability of highly efficient plant transformation protocols. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was the first dicotyledonous crop to be successfully mutagenized using CRISPR-Cas9. Despite many efforts, no standardized, simple protocol is available for non-model tomato genotypes. With the increasing availability of gene editing tools, the transformation of elite tomato breeding lines has gained importance because mutant variants can be easily incorporated into breeding programs. This chapter describes a protocol for transforming and gene editing in elite tomato breeding lines, reaching 3.6% transformation efficiency.

Despite its sociocultural and economic importance, dairy farming in Uruguay has not experienced a significant increase in cattle stocks in recent decades, partly due to low reproductive efficiency and a high risk of calf mortality. Neospora caninum is one of the primary abortive pathogens in dairy cattle; however, the economic losses caused by neosporosis in Uruguay remain uncalculated. This study aimed to assess the direct annual economic losses for the primary dairy sector (dairy farmers) due to abortions resulting from bovine neosporosis in the Uruguayan herd. An adjusted bioeconomic model was used to estimate the economic losses from early (second gestational trimester) or late (third gestational trimester) abortions, considering the Present Value (PV) of future production loss due to these abortions after deducting production costs (lost profits). The average economic loss per abortion due to neosporosis was US$868 (range 605–1,162) if the aborting cow remained in the herd without any additional abortions throughout its productive life and US$ 1,866 (range 782–2,825) if the cow was culled after the abortion. Individual losses varied based on the gestational stage and the age of the aborting cow, with the worst-case scenario being a late abortion in first-pregnancy heifers. The annual number of abortions due to neosporosis was estimated by considering the stock of cows and heifers of reproductive age at risk of abortion (pregnant) and the national seroprevalence of N. caninum in dairy herds, accounting for 90% vertical transmission and 10% horizontal transmission, with aborting seropositive dams representing 15 and 35%, respectively. The economic losses for the national herd were calculated by multiplying individual losses by the number of abortions across various simulated scenarios (second or third gestational trimester), adjusted according to sub-scenarios (with and without culling of the aborted cow). The estimated economic losses for the primary sector due to abortions occurring in 2018 totaled nearly US$ 12 million, which is attributed to the loss of offspring, delayed lactation, reduced productive life (fewer days in milk production/days of life), and early culling. These estimated losses reflect only the primary sector, excluding the secondary (industrial) and tertiary (services) sectors. In physical terms, abortions associated with neosporosis caused a total loss of 62 million L of milk, which is 3.3% of the volume industrialized annually in the country. The estimated losses did not account for profits lost by dairy farmers from beef production (i.e., breeding, fattening, and sale for slaughter of male calves from dairy breeds lost due to neosporosis) nor any indirect losses (for example, the loss of genetic merit, stunted growth of the national dairy stock, etc.). The characteristics of Uruguay’s grazing dairy production system require a tailored approach to estimating the economic impact of bovine diseases. This information can be used by farmers, veterinarians, and policymakers to evaluate the cost–benefit of implementing control and prevention strategies for bovine neosporosis at both the farm and national levels.

Genetic trends were estimated for production and reproduction traits in an Uruguayan Merino genetic nucleus. Two consecutive periods with different selection objectives were studied. During the first period (1999–2010), the selection objective of this flock focused on reducing fibre diameter (FD), while allowing for a slight loss in clean fleece weight (CFW). From 2011 to 2018, the breeding objective was shifted and then focused on maintaining FD, while increasing both CFW and live weight (LW). Data from approximately 5380 yearling lambs and 2000 ewes born between 1999 and 2018 were analysed. Genetic trends were estimated for yearling and adult FD (Y_FD and A_FD, respectively), yearling and adult CFW (Y_CFW and A_CFW, respectively), yearling LW (Y_LW), 2‐year‐old ewe mating live weight and mating body condition score (2‐yo_LWM and 2‐yo_BCSM, respectively) and the number of lambs weaned per ewe joined (NLWEJ). Estimated breeding values were predicted to calculate genetic trends for the two periods of selection. From 1999 to 2010, yearling lambs showed significant reductions in FD (−0.210 μm/year, corresponding to −1.28% of the mean of the trait for that period). Before 2010, yearling lambs showed reductions of −0.013 kg/year (−0.62%) in CFW, whereas from 2011 to 2018, this trait increased by 0.052 kg/year (1.88%). The annual genetic gain for Y_LW was greater in the second period than in the first period (0.286 vs. 0.091 kg/year). The genetic trends for FD, CFW and LW were affected by period ( p < 0.001), indicating that the change in the selection index applied in the genetic nucleus was effective. Over the entire study period (1999–2018), the total genetic responses for 2‐yo_BCSM and NLWEJ were near zero. These results indicate that the breeding programme utilised in the genetic nucleus improved the traits under selection (FD, CFW and LW) and had a marginal impact on 2‐yo_BCSM and NLWEJ. To also achieve relevant genetic gains in ewe reproductive performance, in the future, reproduction traits should be incorporated into the selection programme for Uruguayan fine‐wool sheep. The results obtained in this study will be used to refine the breeding programmes for Merino sheep in Uruguay.

Since 2011, the Children Statistics Group of the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean Statistical Conference of the Americas has worked to enhance regional capacities for producing statistics on children and adolescents. In 2022, governments in the region acknowledged the need to better utilize administrative data systems to monitor the children's agenda, prompting the creation of a working group to conduct a readiness diagnosis and develop recommendations for the integration of administrative records related to children. This report presents a readiness assessment for linking and developing administrative data related to children and adolescents in the context of the 2030 Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study involved 21 National Statistical Offices (NSOs) across Latin American and Caribbean, highlighting NSOs’ leadership roles as data stewards as well as the challenges that persist in demonstrating the benefits of administrative data, governance, engaging data providers, as well as capacity building. The study identifies four readiness typologies among NSOs and offers 11 recommendations to improve administrative data quality and use. These address demand (scope), governance, data issues, as well as information technology, human resource, and other enablers, and the recommendations include strategies for data platform development, stakeholder engagement, promoting safe data access, building public trust, and strengthening organizational structures.

The observation time and water background can affect the remote sensing estimates of the nitrogen (N) content in rice crops. This makes the use of vegetation indices (VIs) for N status monitoring and topdressing recommendations challenging, as the timing of panicle initiation and the water level in bays usually differ between farms even when managed using the same irrigation technique. This study aimed to investigate the influence of standing water levels (from 0 to 20 cm) and the time of image acquisition on a set of N-sensitive VIs to identify those less affected by these factors. The experiment was conducted using a split-plot experimental design with two side-by-side bays (main plots) where rice was grown ponded for most of the growing season and aerobically (not permanently ponded), each with four fertilization N rates. The SCCCI and SCCCI² were the only indices that did not vary depending on the time of the day when the multispectral images were collected. These indices showed the lowest variation among water layer treatments (5%), while the Clg index showed the highest (20%). All VIs were significantly correlated with N uptake (average R² = 0.73). However, the SCCCI² was the index that showed the lowest variation in N-uptake estimates resulting in equal N-fertilizer recommendations across water level treatments. The consistent performance of SCCCI² across different water levels makes this index of interest for different irrigation strategies, including aerobic management, which is gaining increasing attention to improve the sustainability of the rice industry.

Congenital neoplasms are rare and sporadic in cattle and can cause losses due to abortions and perinatal or neonatal deaths. The etiopathogenesis of congenital tumors in bovine fetuses and neonates is largely unknown, and their diagnosis is often challenging. Here we review the literature on congenital tumors in cattle and report 11 additional cases diagnosed at veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Argentina, Uruguay, the United States, and the United Kingdom, namely 4 congenital lymphomas, 3 mesotheliomas, 2 adenomatoid tumors, 1 lymphangioma, and 1 ovarian sex cord-stromal tumor in bovine fetuses and/or neonatal calves. Lymphomas, mesotheliomas, melanomas, and mast cell tumors were reported most commonly in the literature.

BACKGROUND Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood, Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) causes economic losses in soybean crops by diminishing productivity, impacting grain size, oil content, and germination power. RNA interference (RNAi), a conserved gene regulation process initiated by double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), may be used as a safe technique in integrated pest management strategies. Conjugating dsRNA with cationic polymers, which protect dsRNA from degradation has shown to enhance this response. This study aims to assess the impact of dsRNA administration on the viability of P. guildinii and evaluate dsRNA‐chitosan nanocomplexes as a pest control strategy. RESULTS Ten target genes were selected, dsRNAs were designed and synthesized. In injection assays, significant mortality exceeding 76% was observed, while mortality from ingestion also showed significant differences, reaching 49%. The dsRNA targeting Srp54k gene was selected and a chitosan‐dsRNA nanocomplex was synthesized. These nanocomplexes demonstrated enhanced stability under RNase treatment in vitro, and, in in vivo assays, a cumulative corrected mortality rate of 66% was reported. Consistent with these findings, RT‐qPCR analysis revealed that gene expression levels in treated insects were significantly reduced compared to control at 24, 48, and 72 h post treatment for targeted genes. CONCLUSION In this work, we evaluated the effect of dsRNA administration by injection and ingestion on the viability of P. guildinii and determined its molecular silencing effects. Additionally, we synthesized and characterized chitosan‐dsRNA nanoparticles, which demonstrated improved efficacy in terms of stability. These findings are promising for the development of new integrated management strategies for stink bugs control. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

In 2021, bovine polyomavirus 1 (BoPyV1; Polyomaviridae, Epsilonpolyomavirus bovis) was associated with nephritis in an aborted bovine fetus in Uruguay, with renal lesions resembling those typical of polyomavirus-associated nephropathy of humans. Given that little is known about the epidemiology of BoPyV1 infection in cattle, we screened for BoPyV1 in urine samples collected in 2015–2017 from beef and dairy herds from 12 of the 19 departments in Uruguay. We tested for BoPyV1 by PCR in 156 urine pools and 249 individual urine samples from 42 herds. We detected BoPyV1 in 33 of 42 (79%) farms across 100% of the departments studied, in similar proportions in beef (22 of 30; 73%) and dairy (11 of 12; 92%) herds. At the animal level, BoPyV1 was detected in 80 of 249 (32%) animals; this frequency was significantly higher in dairy (51 of 119; 43%) than beef (29 of 130; 22%) cattle, and in cows (36 of 81; 44%) than heifers (32 of 121; 26%). BoPyV1 strains circulating in Uruguay have a high degree (98.7–100%) of sequence identity at the major capsid protein VP1, which is slightly lower (96.2–99.7%) than for strains from other countries. We conclude that shedding of BoPyV1 in the urine of dairy and beef cattle is prevalent and geographically widespread in Uruguay.

Understanding and predicting soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and the capacity of soil to supply nitrogen (N) to plants agroecosystems has been widely addressed. Many soil properties like texture, moisture, temperature, pH, and cropping practices such as tillage modify SOC and organic N dynamics. This complexity justifies quantifying SOC and N mineralisation in the field. This study aims to determine the evolution of SOC and N mineralisation in greenhouse tomato monoculture over five tomato growing seasons. The amount of SOC mineralised per crop cycle was assessed as the difference between the amount of SOC at the beginning of one crop cycle and the next. SOC mineralisation rate was compared with mineralisation in open-field cropping systems simulated by a model calibrated and validated in Uruguay. An N mass balance was carried out to determine the evolution of N mineralisation and the net soil N mineralisation. Rapid SOC mineralisation under greenhouse systems was evidenced. The total SOC loss during the three years of the experiment was 11.3 Mg ha − 1 (25.6%), overcoming open-field model predictions (6.6 Mg ha − 1 , 14.6%). Annual mineralised soil N (NMn) was higher in 2019, 594 kg ha − 1 , compared to 2021 (398.3 kg ha − 1 ) and was the primary source of N for plant growth. We obtained annual N mineralisation rates between 4.6% and 8.0%, which varied according to the growing season. A higher N mineralisation rate was observed for spring crops with higher temperatures than autumn. SOC and N mineralisation depletion without fertilisation causes a significant reduction in tomato yield. This knowledge will contribute to estimating better soil N supply in greenhouse crops to improve fertilisation plans, not only to improve crop yield but also to minimise environmental burden and fertiliser costs. In addition, soil organic amendments should be planned to maintain SOC content and prevent soil degradation.

Varroa destructor is the main sanitary problem for honey bee populations worldwide. Current synthetic acaricides used to control the mite’s infestations have drawbacks such as negative effects on bee health, residues in hive products, and mite resistance development. As an alternative, the natural compound oxalic acid (OA) has shown acaricidal properties and commercial products are now available on the market. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of OA and glycerin in cellulose strips for V. destructor control, considering factors like dose, method of administration, colony development stage, and initial mite infestation levels. The research also analyzed OA residues and the main honey quality parameters during the nectar flow period. Field experiments conducted in different seasons suggested that the use of OA and glycerin in cellulose strips is an excellent strategy for V. destructor control. Its efficacy depends on the time of the year it is applied, the dose, and the method of administration. In addition, its use does not affect the quality parameters of the honey. Considering the negative impact of V. destructor on honey bee colonies and the urgent need of alternative control strategies to synthetic acaricides, the results obtained in this study demonstrate that this product is a promising tool for controlling V. destructor.

Early detection and monitoring of invasive forest pests are crucial for effective pest management, particularly in preventing large-scale damage, reducing eradication costs, and improving overall control effectiveness. This study investigates the potential of machine learning models and remote sensing at various spatiotemporal scales to assess forest damage caused by the woodwasp Sirex noctilio in pine plantations. A Random Forest (RF) model was applied to analyze Planetscope satellite images of Sirex-affected areas in Neuquén, Argentina. The model’s results were validated through accuracy analysis and the Kappa method to ensure robustness. Our findings demonstrate that the RF model accurately classified Sirex damage levels, with classification accuracy improving progressively over time (overall accuracy of 87% for five severity categories and 98% for two severity categories). This allowed for a clearer distinction between healthy and Sirex-infested trees, as well as a more refined categorization of damage severity. This study highlights the potential of machine learning models to accurately assess tree health and quantify pest damage in plantation forests, offering valuable tools for large-scale pest monitoring.

Context Subfertility has a negative impact on the productivity of beef cow herds; thus, it is relevant to unravel the mechanisms. Aims To study follicular development, body composition, concentrations of progesterone and metabolic hormones and their gene expression in the endometrium during the oestrus cycle. Methods Fertile and subfertile Hereford cows were classified at 25 (n = 84) and 60 (n = 25) months old, as (1) fertile, pregnant at first insemination at 25 months, that became pregnant more than three of five times at 60 months (n = 5), or (2) subfertile, i.e. failed to became pregnant during three inseminations at 25 months, that became pregnant at fewer than two of the five opportunities at 60 months (n = 6). Key results Fertile cows had greater concentrations of insuling-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin and adiponectin (P < 0.05), associated with differences in body composition. Insulin and progesterone concentrations were lower during the mid–late luteal phase (P < 0.05) in fertile than subfertile cows, with no impact on follicle dynamics. At dissection, healthy follicles from fertile cows tended (P < 0.1) to have more granulosa cells and higher concentrations of IGF-1 in the follicular fluid. Fertile cows had a lower (P < 0.05) endometrial IGF-1 mRNA expression, but tended to have increased (P < 0.1) progesterone and adiponectin 2 receptor expression on Day 7 of the oestrus cycle. Conclusions Differences in progesterone and metabolic hormones in plasma and follicular fluid and their endometrial expression are associated with the success of pregnancy in beef cows. Implications Strategies to improve the follicle and endometrial microenvironments are needed to improve the productivity of beef herds.

Grasslands are often mis-defined, mainly due to the legacy of colonial narratives in several regions, which have described them as deforested, unproductive or wastelands. They have been largely ignored in global conservation and protection policies, leading to increased exploitation. Although there is much accumulated evidence on the ecosystem services that grasslands provide, in Uruguay, this ecosystem is still neglected in parts of society and for most sustainability policies. Twenty percent of Uruguayan grasslands have been replaced by other land uses (crops and forestry) in recent decades. Nevertheless, large areas of natural grasslands still remain and their preservation is crucial. The aim of this work was to show the value of Uruguayan grasslands through a brief review of their natural history and their multiple natural assets (i.e., biodiversity, ecosystem services, cultural identity and economic activities). We also outline some of the advances in public policy initiatives, but emphasise that such policies are critically underdeveloped in terms of conservation, threatening the existence of grasslands in Uruguay for future generations.

Eucalyptus globulus Labill. is one of the most important species in the paper industry. Teratosphaeria nubilosa has affected plantations worldwide, infecting young foliage. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) are essential to identify genomic segments associated with susceptibility to this disease. The inclusion of genomic strategies in breeding programs is key to the sustainability of the species. The aim of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with growth and heteroblasty (change from juvenile to adult foliage: ADFO) in a tree breeding population of E. globulus. Tree growth was measured as total height (TH) and diameter at breast height (DBH). All traits were evaluated at 14 and 21 months. A multi-trait threshold linear model was developed following the single-step genomic selection methodology. Genetic correlations (rg) and narrow-sense heritability (h²) for all traits were estimated. Windows of 0.2 Mb were used. Only the windows with an estimated variance greater than 1% were considered. The rg ranged from 0.51 to 0.97. The h² was high for ADFO (0.83–0.84) and lower for HT (0.37) and DBH (0.53). In growth traits, no QTLs were found that explained more than 1% of the variance. However, two genomic regions related to ADFO were identified on chromosomes 3 and 11.

The ability of entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana, to infect insects by penetrating their cuticle is well documented. However, some insects have evolved mechanisms to combat fungal infections. The red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), a major pest causing significant economic losses in stored product environments globally, embeds antifungal compounds within its cuticle as a protective barrier. Previous reports have addressed the contributions of non-cuticular infection routes, noting an increase in mortality in beetles fed with conidia. In this study, we further explore the progression and dynamics of oral exposure in the gut of T. castaneum after feeding with an encapsulated B. bassiana conidia formulation. First, we characterized the formulation surface using atomic force microscopy, observing no significant topological differences between capsules containing and not containing conidia. Confocal microscopy confirmed uniform conidia distribution within the hydrogel matrix. Then, larvae and adult insects fed with the conidia-encapsulated formulation exhibited B. bassiana distributed throughout the alimentary canal, with a higher presence of conidia before the pyloric chamber. More conidia were found in the larval midgut and hindgut compared to adults, but no germinated conidia were observed in the epithelium. These results suggest that the presence of conidia obstructs the gut, impairing the insect’s ability to ingest, process, and absorb nutrients. This disruption may weaken the host, increasing its susceptibility to infections and, ultimately, leading to death. By providing the first direct observation of fungal conidia within the alimentary canal of T. castaneum, this study highlights a novel aspect of fungal–host interaction and opens new avenues for advancing fungal-based pest control strategies by exploiting stage-specific vulnerabilities.