Effects of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration on Day 5 after oestrus on corpus luteum characteristics, circulating progesterone and conceptus elongation in cattle

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 472 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Rizos ◽  
S. Scully ◽  
A. K. Kelly ◽  
A. D. Ealy ◽  
R. Moros ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that elevated concentrations of progesterone (P4) resulting from the induction of an accessory corpus luteum (CL) by human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration on Day 5 after oestrus would lead to advanced conceptus elongation on Day 14 following embryo transfer on Day 7. The oestrous cycles of cross-bred beef heifers were synchronised and animals were randomly assigned to receive either of two treatments: (1) intramuscular injection of 3000 IU hCG on Day 5 after oestrus (n = 14); or (2) intramuscular injection of saline on Day 5 after oestrus (n = 13). Ovaries were scanned daily by transrectal ultrasonography to assess CL development. Serum concentrations of P4 were determined from daily blood samples collected from the jugular vein. In vitro-produced bovine blastocysts were transferred to synchronised recipients on Day 7 after oestrus (n = 15 blastocysts per recipient). Heifers were killed on Day 14 after oestrus and the uterus was flushed to recover the embryos. Injection of hCG on Day 5 induced ovulation of the dominant follicle in all treated heifers and increased the total area of luteal tissue on the ovary, which was associated with a significant increase (P < 0.001) in serum concentrations of P4 from Day 7 to Day 14. Positive associations were detected between circulating P4 with CL area (within-day correlations ranging from r = 0.45 to r = 0.67) and total area of luteal tissue (within-day correlations ranging from r = 0.65 to r = 0.86) Administration of hCG did not affect the proportion of Day 14 conceptuses recovered. However, compared with the control group, hCG-treated heifers had increased conceptus length (3.91 ± 1.23 vs 5.57 ± 1.02 mm, respectively; P = 0.06), width (1.00 ± 0.06 vs 1.45 ± 0.05 mm, respectively; P = 0.002) and area (5.71 ± 0.97 vs 8.31 ± 0.83, respectively; P = 0.02). Although numerically greater, mean interferon-τ (IFNT) production in vitro did not differ significantly (P = 0.54) between embryos recovered from hCG-treated and control heifers. In contrast, there was a strong positive correlation between individual embryo length (r = 0.76; P < 0.001) and individual embryo area (r = 0.72; P < 0.001) and IFNT production. In conclusion, administration of hCG on Day 5 after oestrus resulted in the formation of an accessory CL and hypertrophy of the original CL, the result of which was an increase in P4 concentrations from Day 7 onwards. These elevated P4 concentrations were associated with an increased conceptus area. Furthermore, conceptus size was highly correlated with IFNT secretion in vitro.

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Hunter

ABSTRACT Human luteal tissue recovered from varying stages of the luteal phase was minced and incubated for 3 h and the effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), prolactin and hCG + prolactin on progesterone and oestradiol production measured. While hCG generally enhanced both progesterone and oestradiol synthesis, prolactin alone at either 20 or 200 μg/l had no significant effect on steroidogenesis. When prolactin was added along with hCG in four of six corpora lutea, however, progesterone production significantly increased and in three of six corpora lutea oestradiol production was increased above that induced by hCG alone. It is concluded that prolactin may play some role in the control of steroidogenesis by the human corpus luteum. J. Endocr. (1984) 103, 107–110


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Maillo ◽  
P. Duffy ◽  
L. O'Hara ◽  
C. de Frutos ◽  
A. K. Kelly ◽  
...  

This study examined the effect of a single administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) on Day 1 to 4 after oestrus on corpus luteum (CL) development and circulating progesterone (P4). Oestrus-synchronized heifers (n = 43) were administered a single intramuscular injection of saline on Day 1 (control) or 3000 IU hCG on Day 1, 2, 3 or 4 after oestrus. Administration of hCG on Day 1 had no effect on CL area, on Day 2 increased CL area from Day 6 to 12 (P < 0.05), on Day 3 increased CL area from Day 9 to 11, while on Day 4 increased CL size on Days 9 and 10 (P < 0.05). Administration of hCG on Day 4 induced the formation of an accessory CL in 89% of heifers, resulting in a significant increase in total luteal tissue area on the ovaries compared with all other groups. Consistent with the effects on the CL, hCG on Day 1 did not affect P4 concentrations, on Day 2 significantly increased P4 compared with the control from Day 6 to 11 (P < 0.05), on Day 3 resulted in a non-significant increase in P4 while hCG on Day 4 increased P4 from Day 8 to 13 compared with the control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, administration of hCG as early as Day 2 after oestrus results in increased P4 in circulation from Day 6, which should have beneficial downstream effects in terms of uterine receptivity and conceptus elongation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. O'Hara ◽  
N. Forde ◽  
P. Duffy ◽  
F. Randi ◽  
A. K. Kelly ◽  
...  

The aim was to examine the effect of a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) on Day 3 after oestrus on corpus luteum (CL) development, circulating progesterone and conceptus development in cross-bred beef heifers. In Experiment 1, heifers received: (1) saline, or a single i.m. injection of eCG on Day 3 at (2) 250 IU (3) 500 IU (4) 750 IU or (5) 1000 IU. Administration of eCG resulted in increased luteal tissue area and progesterone and oestradiol concentrations compared with controls. In Experiment 2, heifers received (1) a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID Delta) from Day 3 to 5 or (2) a PRID Delta from Day 3 to 5 plus a single injection of 750 IU eCG on Day 3. In vitro-produced blastocysts (n = 10 per recipient) were transferred on Day 7 and heifers were slaughtered on Day 14 to assess conceptus development. Administration of eCG reduced the number of short cycles (6.3% vs 31.3%) and increased mean luteal tissue weight (P = 0.02). Insertion of a PRID Delta on Day 3 resulted in an elevation (P < 0.05) in serum progesterone until removal on Day 5. Administration of eCG at the time of PRID Delta insertion resulted in higher progesterone levels (P < 0.05) from Day 10 onwards. Conceptus dimensions were not affected. In conclusion, a single injection of eCG on Day 3 increased CL size and progesterone concentrations and, when given in conjunction with a progesterone-releasing device, appeared to reduce the number of short cycles, presumably due to its luteotrophic nature. The implications of the elevated oestradiol concentrations for embryo quality require further study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
K. Hazano ◽  
S. Haneda ◽  
M. Matsui

In cattle, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is administered at Day 5 post-ovulation to improve fertility. This treatment can induce ovulation of the first-wave dominant follicle (W1DF), from which an accessory corpus luteum (CL) is generated. In addition, hCG has the effect of promoting CL development. It is possible that the locational relationship between the original and accessary CLs influences the effect of hCG on CL development, because the locational relationship of the CLs affects intraovarian blood flow. The present study aimed to clarify whether the locational relationship between the original and accessory CLs influences the effect of hCG on their development. Cross-bred beef heifers (Holstein×Japanese Black, n=56) were used for the present study. The oestrus cycle was synchronized using oestradiol benzoate (EB) and a controlled internal drug release (CIDR)-based program. Briefly, an administration of EB (2mg) with 9-day CIDR insertion was followed by administration of prostaglandin F2a analogue (PGF2a) on the day of CIDR removal, EB (1mg) 1 day after a PGF2a injection, and GnRH 12h after the second EB injection. At Day 5 post-ovulation, the locational relationship between the original CL and the W1DF was confirmed using transrectal ultrasonography (USG), and two groups were defined: ipsilateral group (IG; n=30), in which the CL and the W1DF are in the same ovary, and contralateral group (CG; n=26), in which the CL and the W1DF are in separate ovaries. Moreover, IG and CG were respectively subdivided into two groups, with or without hCG (1500IU) treatment (IG/hCG, n=15; IG without hCG, n=15, and CG/hCG, n=14; CG without hCG, n=12). The diameter and luteal tissue area (i.e. minus the cavity area) of the original CL and the accessory CL were examined at Days 5, 7, and 14, using USG. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the diameter and luteal tissue area between IG/hCG and IG without hCG, and between CG/hCG and CG without hCG. In CG, the diameter (P&lt;0.01) and luteal tissue area of the original CL (P&lt;0.001) at Day 7 was increased by receiving hCG, while it did not change in IG. The diameter and luteal tissue area of the original CL at Day 14 were not affected by the administration of hCG in either CG or IG. Moreover, for the accessory CL, no difference of the diameter and luteal tissue area was observed between CG and IG. The present study showed that hCG treatment at Day 5 post-ovulation stimulate the growth of the original CL at Day 7, when the original CL and accessory CL are on contralateral sides. Our results suggest that the effect of administration of the hCG at Day 5 post-ovulation on the original CL development depends on the locational relationship between the original and accessory CL (IG or CG). The function of the CL affects the intrauterine environment for embryonic development. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effect of the hCG injection at Day 5 on the function of CL (i.e. plasma P4 concentration) in IG and CG, respectively.


1977 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
AKIRA SUZUKI ◽  
TAKAHIDE MORI ◽  
TOSHIO NISHIMURA

Rabbits were injected with human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), and slices of developing corpora lutea taken from the ovaries 15, 18, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after injection were incubated with [1-14C]sodium acetate at 37 °C for 3 h. The incorporation of labelled acetate into ten steroids, including progestagens, androgens and oestrogens, was analysed. In the initial step of corpus luteal formation, the specific incorporation (incorporation of [1-14C]acetate/100 mg tissue) increased sharply. The major steroidal products were progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one. Between 18 and 48 h, the increase in specific incorporation was more gradual than in the initial step. Although the pattern was also dominated by progestagens, a temporary increase in the incorporation of acetate into androgens and oestrogens was observed. In the final step, a sharp rise in the total incorporation (incorporation of [1-14C]acetate/corpus luteum) was found, whereas the specific incorporation increased only slightly. The principal steroids produced were progesterone, pregnenolone and 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one. Incorporation into C19 steroids declined markedly and that into C18 steroids could not be detected. This profile of steroidogenesis 96 h after injection of HCG was similar to that of the corpus luteum in pregnancy. Thus marked quantitative and qualitative changes have been demonstrated during the period of formation of corpora lutea in the rabbit.


1989 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Th. J. Uilenbroek ◽  
P. J. A. Woutersen ◽  
P. D. M. van der Vaart

ABSTRACT Corpora lutea could be identified under the dissection microscope up to 7 days after formation. They were isolated during the oestrous cycle and pseudopregnancy and the progesterone and 20α-OH-progesterone contents were compared with serum values of these steroids. The pattern of progesterone in serum resembled that found in the corpora lutea. However, the pattern of 20α-OH-progesterone concentrations in serum and corpora lutea were different. While 20α-OH-progesterone concentrations in the corpora lutea showed large variations during the cycle, changes in serum concentrations of 20α-OH-progesterone were relatively small. Measurement of hormone concentrations in isolated corpora lutea is therefore a sensitive method for studying corpus luteum activity. To study whether corpora lutea derived after ovulation of immature follicles showed deficient luteal activity, rats at dioestrus (2 days before pro-oestrus) were induced to ovulate by the injection of 10 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and subsequent luteal activity was studied by measuring hormone concentrations in the corpora lutea on day 5 of pseudopregnancy. Concentrations of progesterone, but not of 20α-OH-progesterone, in corpora lutea derived from follicles induced to ovulate at dioestrusday 1 were significantly lower than those in corpora lutea derived from follicles induced to ovulate at prooestrus. This difference was observed not only when pseudopregnancy was induced by cervical stimulation but also when it was induced by implantation of a pituitary gland under the kidney capsule. However, in the latter case, corpora lutea already present on the day of hCG injection also became activated. The present experiments demonstrate that by measuring hormone concentrations in isolated corpora lutea changes in luteal activity can be studied effectively. Moreover, it appears that corpora lutea derived from immature follicles contained less progesterone than those derived from fully mature follicles. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 120, 325–330


1994 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Einspanier ◽  
J K Hodges

Abstract The application of an in vitro microdialysis system (MDS) for studies on the gonadotrophic control of luteal progesterone secretion in the marmoset monkey is described. Luteal tissue collected from a total of six animals (9 ± 1 days after ovulation) was perfused with Ringer solution (without and with lipoprotein, 0·6 μg/ml). The tissue was exposed to repeated applications of human LH (hLH) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) (1, 10 and 100 IU/ml) each of 60 min duration. Perfusate was collected in 15-min fractions and assayed for progesterone content. Results showed that addition of lipoproteins to the Ringer solution had a marked effect on progesterone secretion in terms of maintaining stable baseline levels and improving reproducibility of gonadotrophin-induced responses. Progesterone secretion was significantly stimulated by both gonadotrophins at each dose tested. Maximal elevations were obtained with 10 IU/ml and there were no apparent differences in responses to hLH and hCG in terms of either magnitude or duration. This study indicates that MDS provides a useful in vitro approach for studying the gonadotrophic control of the corpus luteum in non-human primates. The results did not demonstrate disparate actions of hLH and hCG in their ability to stimulate luteal progesterone secretion. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 141, 403–409


1979 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. MIYAKE ◽  
T. AONO ◽  
T. KINUGASA ◽  
O. TANIZAWA ◽  
K. KURACHI

The suppressive effects of short- and long-loop negative feedback on serum levels of LH were assessed after administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and conjugated oestrogens. Fourteen ovariectomized women were injected intravenously with 5 mg conjugated oestrogens, eight of these patients were also given an intramuscular injection of 10 000 i.u. HCG 8 h later, while the other six patients were given a control injection of 0·9% saline. The serum levels of LH decreased by similar amounts in both groups of women. Thirteen other ovariectomized women were initially injected with 10 000 i.u. HCG, i.m., seven of these patients were also given an i.v. injection of 5 mg conjugated oestrogens 8 h later, while the remaining six patients received a control injection of 0·9% saline. The results showed that conjugated oestrogens could further suppress the serum level of LH which had been reduced by prior HCG treatment. In six ovariectomized women who received i.m. saline injections at the start of the experiment and 8 h later, the serum levels of LH did not change significantly. It is concluded that the suppression of the serum concentrations of LH by long-loop negative feedback after administration of 5 mg conjugated oestrogens is greater than that by short-loop negative feedback after treatment with 10 000 i.u. HCG.


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