Bovine model of reproductive aging: response to ovarian synchronization and superstimulation.
The responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis to steroid treatments for ovarian synchronization and the ovarian superstimulatory response to exogenous FSH was compared in 13-14 year old cows and their 1-4 year old young daughters. We tested the hypotheses that aging in cattle is associated with: (1) decreased follicular wave synchrony after estradiol and progesterone treatment; (2) delayed LH surge and ovulation in response to exogenous preovulatory estradiol treatment; (3) reduced superstimulatory response to exogenous FSH. Higher plasma FSH concentrations (P<0.01), and a tendency (P=0.07) for fewer 4-5 mm follicles at wave emergence were observed in old cows (n=10) than in young cows (n=9). The suppressive effect of estradiol/progesterone treatment on FSH was similar between old and young cows. Although the preovulatory LH surge in response to estradiol treatment was delayed in old than young cows (P=0.01), detected ovulation times were not different. No difference in ovarian superstimulatory response was detected between age groups, but old cows (n=8) tended (P=0.10) to have fewer large follicles (>or=9 mm) 12 h after last FSH treatment than in young cows (n=7). We concluded that pituitary and ovarian responsiveness to estradiol/progesterone synchronization treatment was similar between old and young cows, but aging was associated with a delayed preovulatory LH surge subsequent to estradiol treatment. Old cows tended to have fewer large follicles after superstimulatory treatment than young cows.
Malhi
Pritpal S
PS
Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada S7N 5B4.
Adams
Gregg P
GP
Pierson
Roger A
RA
Singh
Jaswant
J
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D004973:Estrus Synchronization / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D023421:Models, Animal; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone