title: The effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin on ovarian function in heifers: follicular populations and peripheral hormones.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the possible effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (BST) on ovarian folliculogenesis and ovulation rate. Twelve Hereford x Friesian heifers received daily injections of either 25 mg BST (6 heifers) or vehicle (6 heifers) for a period of two estrous cycles until slaughter. Blood samples were collected three times a week for measurements of peripheral growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), FSH, LH, estradiol, and progesterone. Serial blood samples were also taken every 10 min for 8 h on Days 12 and 19 of the second estrous cycle to monitor GH, IGF-I, FSH, and LH profiles. At the end of treatment (Day 7 of the third estrous cycle), the heifers were killed and their ovaries were collected. Ovulation rate was determined by counting the number of fresh corpora lutea (CL). All antral follicles greater than or equal to 2 mm in diameter were dissected to assess antral follicle populations. Granulosa and thecal cells from the three largest follicles and CL from each heifer were collected for FSH and LH binding measurements. All heifers had a single ovulation. The treated heifers had significantly more antral follicles (60.2 +/- 6.7) than did the animals in the control group (33.2 +/- 3.2) (p less than 0.001). When follicles were grouped according to diameter, the mean numbers of follicles greater than 10 mm, 5-10 mm, and 2-5 mm in diameter were 0.8 +/- 0.2, 6.8 +/- 1.4, and 52.5 +/- 6.5 for the treated group, and 0.8 +/- 0.2, 6.5 +/- 1.0, and 25.8 +/- 2.7 for controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Research, Edinburgh Research Station, Roslin Midlothian, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bramley
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010507:Periodicity; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone