title: Effects of chronic treatment with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist on peripheral concentrations of FSH and LH, and ovarian function in heifers.
abstract: The effect of chronic treatment with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on ovarian function in cattle was investigated by injecting heifers i.m. twice a day with saline, 5 micrograms GnRHa (Buserelin) or 10 micrograms GnRHa (n = 7) for 21 days. Blood samples were taken twice a day during the treatment period, and then three times a day for 7 days and once daily for a further 4 days. Frequent samples were also collected on day 1, day 10 and day 21 of treatment. The ovaries of all heifers were examined daily using real-time ultrasonography throughout the experimental period. No significant differences in the response were observed between two doses of GnRHa. The first GnRHa injection produced a large LH and FSH surge and this acute response was still present by day 21 of treatment, but both the magnitude and duration of response were significantly attenuated (P < 0.01). After an initial increase, LH returned to the basal concentration, which was maintained until the termination of treatment, when concentrations increased significantly, with a preovulatory surge occurring approximately 6 days later. Peripheral FSH concentrations during the oestrous cycle in control animals displayed a pattern of three waves, each of which closely preceded a wave of follicular development. Concentrations of FSH in GnRHa-treated heifers showed a normal pattern for the first wave after the start of treatment. During the next wave, concentrations increased and remained at the peak values until about 4 days after the end of treatment. An additional ovulation was induced in 11 of 14 GnRHa-treated heifers within 2-3 days of the start of treatment, and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in serum progesterone concentrations was detected 2 days later. All GnRHa-treated heifers then showed a normal follicular wave, with the development and regression of a dominant follicle. The dominant follicles from the next wave grew to only 7-9 mm in diameter and remained at this size until the end of treatment, when they resumed growth, ovulated approximately 7 days later and formed corpora lutea. We conclude that chronic treatment of heifers with GnRHa for 3 weeks suppresses pulsatile secretion of LH and blocks the development of dominant follicles beyond 9 mm in diameter, preventing the preovulatory LH surge and ovulation. However, GnRHa did not suppress the secretion of FSH within the 3 week treatment period. The maintenance of the dominant follicles for an extended period should provide an ideal model to study the control of follicular atresia in cattle in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Midlothian, UK.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Bramley
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002064:Buserelin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002064:Buserelin