Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T07:05:03.476Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effects of high levels of body condition and food intake on plasma follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and progesterone profiles around mating in Greyface ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

S. M. Rhind ,
I. D. Leslie ,
R. G. Gunn  and
J. M. Doney
S. M. Rhind
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PY
I. D. Leslie
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PY
R. G. Gunn
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PY
J. M. Doney
Affiliation:
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PY
Get access

Abstract

Two groups of 19 Border Leicester cf × Scottish Blackface 9 ewes were fed so that ewes of one group were in a very high level of body condition at mating (mean score 3·35) and had a high level of intake. Ewes of the second group were in moderately high condition (mean score 2·74) and were given a live-weight maintenance ration. Ewes in the high group had a higher ovulation rate than those of the moderate group (3·36 v. 2·33) but a lower number of embryos per ewe mated (1·16 v. 1·42). Mean follicle stimulating hormone profiles were similar for ewes of the two groups during the luteal and follicular phases of the cycle before mating and during the subsequent oestrus. Mean prolactin concentrations were higher in ewes of the high group during the follicular phase and oestrus but not during the luteal phase. Mean luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were higher in ewes of the high group during the follicular phase and oestrus but not during the luteal phase. Mean LH concentrations were similar for the two groups at all times but the frequency of LH pulses was higher in the high group during the follicular phase.

Ewes that were not pregnant at slaughter had abnormal progesterone profiles following mating, abnormal pre-ovulatory LH surges or failed to show oestrus. These abnormalities were not related to gonadotrophin profiles prior to oestrus.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 43 , Issue 1 , August 1986 , pp. 101 - 107
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Baird, D. T. and McNeilly, A. S. 1981. Gonadotrophic control of follicular development and function during the oestrus cycle of the ewe. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, Supplement 30, pp. 119–133.Google ScholarPubMed
Baird, D. T., Swanston, I. A. and McNeilly, A. S. 1981. Relationship between LH, FSH and prolactin concentration and the secretion of androgens and estrogens by the preovulatory follicle in the ewe. Biology of Reproduction 24: 1013–1025.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Channing, C. P. and Evans, V. W. 1982. Stimulatory effect of ovine prolactin upon cultured porcine granulosa cell secretion of inhibitory activity of oocyte maturation. Endocrinology 111: 1746–1748.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McNatty, K. P., Gibb, M., Dobson, C. and Thurley, D. C. 1981. Evidence that changes in luteinizing hormone secretion regulate the growth of the preovulatory follicle in the ewe. Journal of Endocrinology 90: 375–389.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McNeilly, A. S. 1980. Prolactin and the control of gonadotrophin secretion in the female. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 58: 537–549.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McNeilly, A. S. and Andrews, P. 1974. Purification and characterisation of caprine prolactin. Journal of Endocrinology 60: 359–367.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McNeilly, J. R., McNeilly, A. S., Walton, J. S. and Cunningham, F. J. 1976. Development and application of a heterologous radioimmunoassay for ovine follicle stimulating hormone. Journal of Endocrinology 70: 69–79.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Martensz, N. D., Baird, D. T., Scaramuzzi, R. J. and VAN LOOK, P. F. A. 1976. Androstenedione and the control of luteinizing hormone in the ewe during anoestrus. Journal of Endocrinology 69: 227–237.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Martensz, N. D., Scaramuzzi, R. J. and van Look, P. F. A. 1979. Plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone during anoestrus in ewes actively immunized against oestradiol- 17)3, oestrone or testosterone. Journal of Endocrinology 81: 261–269.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parr, R. A., Cumming, I. A. and Clarke, I. J. 1982. Effects of maternal nutrition and plasma progesterone concentrations on survival and growth of the sheep embryo in early gestation. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 98: 39–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rhind, S. M., Gunn, R. G. and Doney, J. M. 1983. A note on reproductive performance and plasma progesterone level during early pregnancy of Scottish Blackface and Cheviot ewes in relation to body condition and level of nutrition prior to mating. Animal Production 37: 455–458.Google Scholar
Rhind, S. M., Gunn, R. G., Doney, J. M. and Leslie, I. D. 1984. A note on the reproductive performance of Greyface ewes in moderately fat and very fat condition at mating. Animal Production 38: 305–307.Google Scholar
Rhind, S. M., Leslie, I. D., Gunn, R. G. and Doney, J. M. 1985. Plasma FSH, LH, prolactin and progesterone profiles of Cheviot ewes with different levels of intake before and after mating, and associated effects on reproductive performance. Animal Reproduction Science 8: 301–313.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rhind, S. M. and McNeilly, A. S. 1986. Effects of body condition on ovulation rate and associated plasma levels of LH, FSH and prolactin in the ewe. Animal Reproduction Science 10: 105–115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Russel, A. J. F., Doney, J. M. and Gunn, R. G. 1969. Subjective assessment of body fat in live sheep. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 72: 451–454.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scaramuzzi, R. J., Martensz, N. D. and VAN LOOK, P. F. A. 1980. Ovarian morphology and the concentration of steroids, and of gonadotrophins during the breeding season in ewes actively immunized against oestradiol-17β or oestrone. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 59: 303–310.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wilmut, I. and Sales, D. I. 1981. Effect of an asynchronous environment on embryonic development in sheep. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 61: 179–184.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed