title: Postovulatory effect of repeated intravenous administration of ACTH on the contractile activity of the oviduct, ova transport and endocrine status of recently ovulated and unrestrained sows.
abstract: The effect of repeated intravenous administration of ACTH (Synacthen depot) on the contractile activity of the oviduct, ova transport and endocrine status was studied in 11 Swedish crossbred (Landrace x Yorkshire) multiparous sows. In the second estrus after weaning, the ACTH group (Group A, n=6) sows were administered 0.01 mg/kg body weight of ACTH every 6 h commencing 4 to 8 h after ovulation, whereas the control group (Group C, n=5) sows were administered saline solution. Immediately after standing estrus, a Millar pressure transducer was placed about 3 cm into the isthmus via a laparotomy. Blood samples for hormonal analyses and pressure recordings of the oviduct were collected from all sows until slaughter. After slaughter, the genital tract opposite to the side with the transducer was retrieved, and 3 equal isthmic segments and the first third of the uterine horn portion adjacent to the UTJ were flushed separately for ova recovery. Cortisol levels were significantly (P<0.05) elevated after ACTH administration. Progesterone and PGF2alpha metabolite levels were significantly (P<0.05) elevated only after the first ACTH administration. No significant differences (P>0.05) were seen in the mean pressure and frequencies of phasic pressure fluctuations either before or after every ACTH administration between Groups A and C. No significant difference (P>0.05) was seen in the proportion of ova recovered in the different segments between Groups A and C. It can be concluded from the present study that the administration of ACTH (0.01 mg/kg body weight) to sows at 4 to 8 h after ovulation, and after each subsequent ACTH administration, elevates cortisol levels, whereas progesterone and PGF2alpha metabolite levels are elevated only after the first treatment, and that this has no effect on the mean isthmic pressure, the frequency of phasic pressure fluctuations or ova transport.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology in Uppsala.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mwanza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Madej
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kindahl
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lundeheim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Einarsson
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D004972:Estrus Detection; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000662:veterinary; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D014160:Transducers, Pressure / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: C008228:15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F2alpha; D011374:Progesterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D015237:Dinoprost; D006854:Hydrocortisone