Oestrus, time of ovulation, ovulation rate and conception rate in progestagen-treated ewes given Gn-RH, Gn-TH analogues and gonadotrophins.
The influence of Gn-RH, hCG and a PMSG-hCG mixture (PG600) on the time of ovulation, ovulation rate and on the occurrence of oestrus in ewes treated with progestagen-impregnated sponges for 12 days examined. The effects of Gn-RH analogues on plasma LH, oestrus, ovulation and conception rate were also investigated. Six separate experiments were carried out. When 50 micrograms Gn-RH were given 24 h after sponge removal ovulation occurred in 44--46% of ewes within 24 h and in all ewes by 34 h. Gn-RH was a more potent ovulation synchronizer than hCG. Both hCG and PG600 reduced the incidence of overt oestrus. Gn-RH also had this effect in ewes treated during February and May but not in August and September. Gn-RH analogues given 2 days before sponge removal significantly increased ovulation rate. The display of oestrus was not affected in ewes treated 2 days before sponge removal but was suppressed in 43-69% of ewes treated with an analogue at the time of sponge removal. Ovulation occurred in 50-62% of ewes within 30-35 h of injection of Gn-RH analogues, regardless of the time of their administration. The release of LH in response to one analogue was not influenced by the presence of the progestagen-impregnated sponge in the vagina. When given a Gn-RH analogue 2 days before sponge removal or at the time of sponge removal 63 and 62% of mated ewes became pregnant compared with 70% of control ewes.
D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine; D006728:Hormones; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone