title: Effects of ovariectomy and genotype on bioactive FSH in plasma and pituitary of Booroola ewes.
abstract: Blood samples were collected for 13 days before and 20 days after ovariectomy from carrier (BB) and non-carrier (+ +) ewes of the Booroola FecB gene (n = 12 per genotype), at known stages of the oestrous cycle, after which the pituitary glands from these ewes were recovered. Pituitary glands were also collected from cyclic ewes (about day 12; n = 5 per genotype) to compare the effects of ovariectomy on pituitary gonadotrophins. Plasma samples and pituitary extracts were assayed for bioactive (B) FSH, immunoreactive (I) FSH and I-LH. Overall, BB ewes had significantly (P < 0.05) higher plasma I-FSH concentrations than did + + ewes before ovariectomy; the mean value was higher on 16 of the 17 days of the oestrous cycle (P < 0.01). For B-FSH, there were no overall genotypic differences, although the mean for the BB ewes was significantly higher on 13 of the 17 days of the oestrous cycle (P < 0.05), and significantly (P < 0.05) higher between days 13 and 16. No genotypic differences were noted for the plasma bioactive:immunoreactive (B:I) ratio for FSH before ovariectomy. After ovariectomy, there were significant (P < 0.001) increases in plasma for B-FSH, I-FSH and I-LH and a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the B:I ratio for FSH, irrespective of genotype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: McNatty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005838:Genotype; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone