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Induction of puberty in gilts 3. Ovulation, plasma oestradiol and progesterone in gilts injected with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin and human chorionic gonadotrophin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

A. M. Paterson
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science and Production, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
G. B. Martin
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science and Production, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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Abstract

Nineteen prepubertal gilts were injected with a combination of 400 international units pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin and 200 international units human chorionic gonadotrophin. Blood was sampled throughout the ensuing oestrous cycle and assayed for progesterone and oestradiol-17β.

Eighteen gilts had vulval development consistent with oestrus within 5 days and had ovulated by day 12. Oestradiol levels in the plasma were elevated between days 2 and 6, and progesterone concentration increased between days 6 and 10 due to the establishment of functional corpora lutea. Progesterone concentration in the luteal phase was related to ovulation rate (r = 0·72, P<0·001).

Three types of cyclic activity followed the luteal phase and a characteristic hormone profile was established for each. Five gilts exhibited a second ovulation accompanied by signs of oestrus. They had a second peak of oestradiol around days 24 to 26 and a subsequent rise in progesterone concentration. Four gilts displayed vulval development at this time but did not ovulate. A peak of oestradiol was detected. The remaining gilts did not display oestrus, nor did they ovulate. Oestradiol and progesterone concentrations remained basal in these gilts. The ovaries of prepubertal gilts treated with this combination of gonadotrophins produce normal patterns and levels of oestradiol and progesterone. Cyclic activity is not always maintained, probably due to differences in the maturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1981

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