title: The effect of active immunization against inhibin on gonadotropin secretions and follicular dynamics during the estrous cycle in cows.
abstract: The hypothesis of the present study is that active immunization of cows against inhibin would neutralize endogenous inhibin, increase circulating levels of follicle stimulating hormone, and subsequently affect follicular dynamics and the ovulation rate during the estrous cycle. Thirteen cows were immunized against inhibin alpha-subunit and, 6 cows were immunized with a placebo. Both groups were given 4 booster immunizations 7, 14, 21, and 34 weeks after the primary injection. Ovaries were examined daily after the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th booster immunizations by transrectal ultrasonography for 25 days. After the 4th booster immunization, blood samples were collected daily for one complete estrous cycle to measure FSH and LH. The results showed that the immunized cows generated antibodies against inhibin, and that they had higher FSH levels compared with the controls. The number of follicular waves during the estrous cycle was higher in the immunized cows (3 or 4 waves) than in the controls (2 or 3 waves). Moreover, the immunized cows had a greater number of follicles during the estrous cycle compared with the control cows. The maximum number of follicles was 14.8 +/- 1.7 vs 5.4 +/- 0.2 in inhibin-immunized and control cows, respectively, during the first follicular wave and 13.9 +/- 1.9 vs 5.6 +/- 0.7, respectively, during the ovulatory wave. Multiple ovulations were increased in the immunized cows. However, the ovulation rate varied greatly in the immunized animals. In conclusion, immunization against inhibin increased FSH secretions during the estrous cycle in the cows. Moreover, the immunized cows had a greater number of follicular waves during the estrous cycle and a greater number of follicles, and this could be used as a potential source of oocytes for use in IVF/embryo transfer programs.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mohamed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Medan
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takedom
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aoyagi
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Konishi
authors.forename: Shigeto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yazawa
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taya
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000276:immunology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D006062:Gonadotropins; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone