Immunoneutralization of inhibin suppresses reproduction in female mink.
This study determined whether immunoneutralization of inhibin affected gonadotropin secretion, embryo development, and ovarian function in mink. Adult female mink (n = 10) were immunized with bovine inhibin alpha 1-26 gly-tyr (bINH, 100 micrograms) conjugated to human alpha globulins (HAG), or with HAG alone (n = 10, controls), mixed with Freund's complete adjuvant. A series of five boosters containing bINH or HAG were then administered during a 2-yr period. Titers of bINH antibodies and serum concentrations of gonadotropins were determined for each breeding season in 1990 and 1991. Each year after whelping, we determined gestation length; sex, number, and weight of live and dead kits per litter at birth; and number and weight of kits per litter 3 wk after whelping. Results were pooled for statistical analysis. Bovine INH antibody titers (percent 125I-bINH bound to serum diluted 1:8000) were 53 +/- 3% vs. 2 +/- 0.6%, and serum concentrations of FSH were higher (p < 0.05) in bINH-immunized mink compared with controls (144 +/- 23 vs. 67 +/- 12 ng/ml). However, number (3.8 +/- 0.2 vs. 5 +/- 0.4) and weight (8 +/- 0.3 vs. 9.7 +/- 0.4 g) of kits per litter at birth and number of kits per litter alive 3 wk after birth (2.9 +/- 0.5 vs. 4.7 +/- 0.4) were lower (p < 0.05) in bINH-immunized mothers compared with controls. During the nonbreeding season in 1991, a single injection of hCG (100 IU) was administered to bINH-immunized and control mink; 24 h later blood was sampled, and organ weights were determined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ireland
J J
JJ
Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1225.
Martin
T L
TL
Ireland
J L
JL
Aulerich
R J
RJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007114:Immunization; D007265:Inhibins / Q000502:physiology*; D008098:Litter Size; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008907:Mink; D009929:Organ Size; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology
D006062:Gonadotropins; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone