Patrick Burns

Post Doctoral, University of Kentucky, 1998.
Area of Study: Molecular and Cellular Reproductive Biology

PhD, Clemson University, 1994.
Area of Study: Animal Reproductive Physiology

MS, Clemson University, 1992.
Area of Study: Animal Reproductive Physiology

BS, West Virginia University, 1989.
Area of Study: Animal Science

Professor Tenured, University of Northern Colorado Biological Sciences (2024 – Present)

My current research focuses on prostaglandin metabolism in reproductive tissues of mammals. Specifically, I am investigating the use of long-chain omega 3-fatty acids as a way to reduce prostaglandin secretion in uterine and luteal tissues and improve reproductive efficiency.

Influence of fish oil on corpus luteum function

Early pregnancy failures continue to be a major problem in the beef and dairy industries resulting in millions of dollars lost in meat and milk production. The most significant window of pregnancy loss occurs around day 14 – 18 after mating when slow developing embryos fail to prevent onset of the next estrous cycle. Immature embryos are unable to robustly communicate their presence, and thus prostaglandin F2a escapes the pregnant uterus and destroys the corpus luteum (luteolysis) and its essential progesterone support to the nascent pregnancy. Data suggests supplementing dietary omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil extends the pregnancy recognition window by de-sensitizing the corpus luteum to uterine prostaglandin F2a, but the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. A mature corpus luteum exposed to prostaglandin F2a experiences a rapid (within 1 hour) reduction in blood flow and diminished progesterone production due to downregulation of critical progesterone synthesis genes. It is hypothesized that dietary omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil will prevent prostaglandin F2a-induced reductions in luteal blood flow and progesterone production. The objectives of the current study will be to deliver a natural dose of prostaglandin F2a to cattle synchronized to day 14-18 of the estrous cycle and determine whether dietary omega-3 fatty acids preserve luteal: 1) blood flow, 2) progesterone production, and 3) abundance of key progesterone synthesis proteins. It is anticipated that dietary omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil will reduce sensitivity of the corpus luteum to a natural prostaglandin F2a challenge, preserving luteal blood flow and sustaining progesterone secretion. Outcomes from these studies would suggest that the reproductive efficiency of cattle operations could be improved through development of novel, cost-effective omega-3 fatty acid supplementation strategies that reduce luteal prostaglandin F2a sensitivity and maintain progesterone support for the embryo during the critical window that a pregnancy is trying to establish.

• ML Merrill, RP Ansotegui, PD Burns, MD MacNeil, and TW Geary (in press) Effects of flunixin meglumine and transportation on pregnancy establishment in beef cows. Journal of Animal Science.
• KJ Whitman, TE Engle, PD Burns, KL Dorton, JK Ahola, RM Enns, and TL Stanton (2007) Effects of copper and zinc source on performance, carcass characteristics, and lipid metabolism in finishing steers. The Professional Animal Scientist 23:36.
• Ahola, JK, DS Baker, PD Burns, JC Whittier, and TE Engle. Effects of copper, zinc, and manganese source on mineral status, reproduction, immunity, and calf performance in young beef females over a two-year period. The Professional Animal Scientist (2005) 21:305-317.
• Ahola, JK, TE Engle, and PD Burns. Effect of copper status, supplementation, and source on pituitary responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone in ovariectomized beef cows. Journal of Animal Science (2005) 83:1812-1823.
• Ahola, JK, LR Sharpe, KL Dorton, PD Burns, TL Stanton, and TE Engle. Effects of lifetime copper, zinc, and manganese supplementation and source on performance, mineral status, immunity, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. The Professional Animal Scientist (2005) 21:297-304.
• Wamsley, NE, PD Burns, TE Engle, and RM Enns. Fish meal supplementation alters uterine prostaglandin F2 synthesis in beef heifers with low luteal-phase progesterone. Journal of Animal Science (2005) 83:1832-1838.
• Walker, RS, PD Burns, JC Whittier, GE Sides, and DD Zalesky. Evaluation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and insemination time using the CO-synch protocol in beef cows. The Professional Animal Scientist (2005) 21:190-194.
• Walker, RS, PD Burns, TE Engle, GS Sides, and DD Zalesky. Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin administration on artificial insemination pregnancy rates in beef heifers. The Professional Animal Scientist (2005): In Press.
• Ahola, JK, DS Baker, PD Burns, RG Mortimer, RM Enns, JC Whittier, and TE Engle. Effect of trace mineral supplementation and source on reproductive performance, immune response, and calf performance in grazing beef cattle over a two-year period. Journal of Animal Science (2004) 82:2375-2383.
• Meola MG, T Grandin, and PD Burns. Hair whorl patterns on the bovine forehead may be related to breeding soundness measures. Theriogenology (2004) 62:450-457.
• Burns PD, TE Engle, MA Harris, RM Enns, and JC Whittier. Effect of fish meal supplementation on plasma and endometrial fatty acid composition in non-lactating beef cows. Journal of Animal Science (2003) 81:2840-2846.
• Mendes, JOB Jr., PD Burns, JF De La Torre-Sanchez, and GE Seidel, Jr. Effect of heparin on cleavage rates and embryo production with four bovine sperm preparation protocols. Theriogenology (2003) 60:331-340.
• Burns PD, TR Bonnette, TE Engle, and JC Whittier. Case Study: effects of fishmeal supplementation on fertility and plasma-fatty acid profiles in primiparous, lactating beef cows. The Professional Animal Scientist (2002) 18:373-379.
• Burns PD, JOB Mendes Jr., RS Yemm, CM Clay, SE Nelson, SH Hayes, and WJ Silvia. Cellular mechanisms by which oxytocin mediates ovine endometrial prostaglandin F2 synthesis: role of Gi proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Biology of Reproduction (2001) 65:1150-1155.
• Burns PD, GA Graf, SH Hayes, and WJ Silvia. Effect of oxytocin on expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 mRNA and protein in ovine endometrial tissue in vivo. Domestic Animal Endocrinology (2000) 19:237-246.