Infantile ovariectomy potentiates the stimulatory effect of oestrogen/progesterone on LH secretion in the rat

1985 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wilkinson ◽  
R. Bhanot

ABSTRACT Ovariectomy of prepubertal rats (9 days of age) eliminates the ability of the opiate peptide FK 33-824 to inhibit LH secretion when tested 19 days later. We have investigated whether this removal of opiate inhibition would modify the LH/FSH response to stimulation with oestradiol benzoate/progesterone priming. Ovariectomy of rats during infancy (9 days after birth) amplifies the stimulatory effects of these steroids on LH/FSH secretion when tested 19 days later. This amplification was not seen in rats ovariectomized before (day 24) or after puberty (day 43) and tested 19 days later. The pituitary content of LH/FSH does not appear to contribute to this phenomenon, though increased responsiveness to injected gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is clearly involved; ovariectomy at day 9 is considerably more effective than ovariectomy at day 24 of life in enhancing the response to GnRH. We conclude that infantile ovariectomy either removes, or prevents the development of, a hypothalamic inhibitory mechanism which normally modulates the responsiveness of the pituitary to stimulation with GnRH. J. Endocr. (1985) 106, 133–139

1988 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Dobson ◽  
S. A. Essawy ◽  
M. G. S. Alam

ABSTRACT Stress is known to result in lowered female reproductive efficiency. The objective of this study was to examine how increased pituitary-adrenal activity may influence gonadotrophin release in anoestrous ewes. Various doses (0·06–1·0 mg) of a synthetic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH(1–24)) preparation were injected into ewes 30 min or 3 h before an i.v. injection of 500 ng gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The LH response to GnRH given 30 min after ACTH(1–24) was similar to that after GnRH alone, whereas the response 3 h after ACTH(1–24) was significantly lower, irrespective of the dose of ACTH(1–24). At 30 min and 3 h after ACTH(1–24) the concentrations of cortisol exceeded 50 nmol/l compared with baseline values of < 10 nmol/l. The effect of ACTH(1–24) on oestradiol-induced LH release was also examined. Those ewes receiving 0·8 mg ACTH(1–24) depot and 50 μg oestradiol benzoate simultaneously had a preovulatory-type increase in LH 14–20 h later, similar to when oestradiol benzoate was given alone. None of the ewes receiving an additional 0·8 mg ACTH(1–24) depot 10 h after oestradiol benzoate had increases in LH concentration. The cortisol concentrations in all ewes receiving either one or two injections of ACTH(1–24) were > 35 nmol/l at 10 h after the oestradiol injection. However, concentrations of progesterone increased from 0·9 ± 0·3 (s.e.m.) nmol/l at the time of the second ACTH(1–24) injection to 2·1 ±0·3 nmol/l after 2 h. In summary, it would appear that the suppressive effect of ACTH(1–24) on LH secretion induced by GnRH or oestradiol in the anoestrous ewe is not dependent on increased plasma concentrations of cortisol. J. Endocr. (1988) 118, 193–197


1988 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Wright ◽  
I. J. Clarke

ABSTRACT The nature of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulus of the pituitary necessary for the oestrogen-induced plasma LH surge was studied in ovariectomized ewes. The sheep were treated with oestradiol benzoate (50 μg i.m.) at 0 h, and the hypothalamic contribution to the LH surge was blocked by pentobarbitone anaesthesia over the time during which the surge was expected (11–31 h). Pituitary responsiveness to exogenous GnRH (100 ng) administered i.v. in a pulsatile mode (once per hour or once per 20 min) over the period 15–30 h was assessed from plasma concentrations of LH. Neither of the GnRH treatments induced patterns of LH secretion similar to those seen in conscious ovariectomized ewes given oestrogen only. Plasma LH secretion in response to hourly GnRH pulses was less (P<0·01) than that associated with oestrogen-induced plasma LH surges in conscious control ewes. With pulses of GnRH administered every 20 min the amount of LH released was greater (P<0·05) than that in oestrogen-treated conscious control ewes. In contrast to the single surge induced by oestradiol in conscious ewes, GnRH pulses given every 20 min elicited phasic patterns of LH secretion consisting of two or three distinct surges. The failure of GnRH treatment to elicit an LH surge similar to an oestrogen-induced surge could reflect inappropriate GnRH treatment regimens, and/or inadequate priming of the pituitary with GnRH after induction of anaesthesia but before GnRH treatment. J. Endocr. (1988) 116, 143–148


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 468 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Ferreira ◽  
H. Ayres ◽  
L. U. Gimenes ◽  
F. P. Torres ◽  
F. A. Lima ◽  
...  

The effects of addition of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to a progesterone plus oestradiol-based protocol and timing of insemination in Holstein cows treated for timed AI (TAI) were evaluated. Cows (n = 481) received a progesterone device and 2 mg oestradiol benzoate. After 8 days, the device was removed and 25 mg dinoprost was administered. Cows were allocated to one of three (Study 1; n = 57) or four (Study 2; n = 424) groups, accordingly to ovulation inducer alone (Study 1; oestradiol cypionate (EC), GnRH or both) or ovulation inducer (EC alone or combined with GnRH) and timing of insemination (48 or 54 h after device removal; Study 2). In Study 1, the diameter of the ovulatory follicle was greater for GnRH than EC. Oestrus and ovulation rates were similar regardless of ovulatory stimuli. However, time to ovulation was delayed when GnRH only was used. In Study 2, cows treated with GnRH or not had similar pregnancy per AI (P/AI) 30 days (41.5% vs 37.3%; P = 0.28) and 60 days (35.9% vs 33.0%; P = 0.61) after TAI. TAI 48 and 54 h after device removal resulted similar P/AI at 30 days (40.3% vs 38.5%; P = 0.63) and 60 days (33.8% vs 35.1%; P = 0.72). Thus, adding GnRH at TAI does not improve pregnancy rates in dairy cows receiving EC. The flexibility of time to insemination enables TAI of a large number of cows using the same protocol and splitting the time of AI.


1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Brooks ◽  
W. J. Crow ◽  
J. R. McNeilly ◽  
A. S. McNeilly

ABSTRACT The modulation of FSH secretion at the beginning and middle of the follicular phase of the cycle represents the key event in the growth and selection of the preovulatory follicle. However, the mechanisms that operate within the pituitary gland to control the increased release of FSH and its subsequent inhibition in vivo remain unclear. Treatment of ewes with bovine follicular fluid (bFF) during the luteal phase has been previously shown to suppress the plasma concentrations of FSH and, following cessation of treatment on day 11, a rebound release of FSH occurs on days 12 and 13. When luteal regression is induced on day 12, this hypersecretion of FSH results in an increase in follicle growth and ovulation rate. To investigate the mechanisms involved in the control of FSH secretion, ewes were treated with twice daily s.c. injections of 5 ml bFF on days 3–11 of the oestrous cycle and luteal regression was induced on day 12 with prostaglandin (PG). The treated ewes and their controls were then killed on day 11 (luteal), or 16 or 32h after PG and their pituitaries removed and halved. One half was analysed for gonadotrophin and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor content. Total pituitary RNA was extracted from the other half and subjected to Northern analysis using probes for FSH-β, LH-β and common α subunit. Frequent blood samples were taken and assayed for gonadotrophins. FSH secretion was significantly (P<0.01) reduced during bFF treatment throughout the luteal phase and then significantly (P<0.01) increased after cessation of treatment, with maximum secretion being reached 18– 22h after PG, and then declining towards control values by 32h after PG. A similar pattern of LH secretion was seen after bFF treatment. Pituitary FSH content was significantly (P<0.05) reduced by bFF treatment at all stages of the cycle. No difference in the pituitary LH content was seen. The increase in GnRH receptor content after PG in the controls was delayed in the treated animals. Analysis of pituitary mRNA levels revealed that bFF treatment significantly (P<0.01) reduced FSH-β mRNA levels in the luteal phase. Increased levels of FSH-β, LH-β and α subunit mRNA were seen 16h after PG in the bFF-treated animals, at the time when FSH and LH secretion from the pituitary was near maximum. These results suggest that the rebound release of FSH after treatment with bFF (as a source of inhibin) is related to a rapid increase in FSH-β mRNA, supporting the concept that the rate of FSH release is directly related to the rate of synthesis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Ciechanowska ◽  
Magdalena Łapot ◽  
Tadeusz Malewski ◽  
Krystyna Mateusiak ◽  
Tomasz Misztal ◽  
...  

There is no information in the literature regarding the effect of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on genes encoding gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and the GnRH receptor (GnRHR) in the hypothalamus or on GnRHR gene expression in the pituitary gland in vivo. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate, in follicular phase ewes, the effects of prolonged, intermittent infusion of small doses of CRH or its antagonist (α-helical CRH 9-41; CRH-A) into the third cerebral ventricle on GnRH mRNA and GnRHR mRNA levels in the hypothalamo–pituitary unit and on LH secretion. Stimulation or inhibition of CRH receptors significantly decreased or increased GnRH gene expression in the hypothalamus, respectively, and led to different responses in GnRHR gene expression in discrete hypothalamic areas. For example, CRH increased GnRHR gene expression in the preoptic area, but decreased it in the hypothalamus/stalk median eminence and in the anterior pituitary gland. In addition, CRH decreased LH secretion. Blockade of CRH receptors had the opposite effect on GnRHR gene expression. The results suggest that activation of CRH receptors in the hypothalamus of follicular phase ewes can modulate the biosynthesis and release of GnRH through complex changes in the expression of GnRH and GnRHR genes in the hypothalamo–anterior pituitary unit.


1995 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
John AM Mattheij ◽  
Hans JM Swarts

Mattheij JAM, Swarts HJM. Induction of luteinized unruptured follicles in the rat after injection of luteinizing hormone early in pro-oestrus. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;132:91–6. ISSN 0804–4643 The cause of formation of luteinized unruptured follicles (LUF) is unknown. Formation of LUF was studied after injection of a varying small dose of luteinizing hormone (LH) with or without subsequent injection of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH); in addition, the effect of suppression of prolactin on LUF formation was studied. Luteinization without ovulation occurred in virtually all graafian follicles, if 0.5–1.0 μg of LH was injected some hours before the presumed endogenous LH surge (suppressed by Nembutal); with increasing doses of LH progressively increasing numbers of ovulations were observed. If in early pro-oestrus 1 μg of GnRH was given 4 h after 1 μg of LH, formation of LUF was partly prevented; if the interval between LH and GnRH was 8 h or more, the great majority of graafian follicles developed into LUF. If early in pro-oestrus 1 μg of LH was given and 8 h later 0.1 μg of a potent GnRH analogue, about 50% of the follicles became LUF; in similarly treated rats, suppression of prolactin by ergocryptine reduced but did not prevent LUF formation. The data support the idea that deficient LH secretion in the period before ovulation may be involved in the formation of LUF. John AM Mattheij, Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Haarweg 10, 6709 PJ Wageningen, The Netherlands


1986 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Marshall ◽  
F. Bint Akhtar ◽  
G. F. Weinbauer ◽  
E. Nieschlag

ABSTRACT If the suppressive effects of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists on gonadotrophin secretion are mediated through GnRH-receptor occupancy alone, it should be possible to restore serum gonadotrophin levels by displacing the antagonist with exogenous GnRH. To test this hypothesis, eight adult crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis), weight 4·7–7·6 kg, were subjected to the following treatment regimens. A GnRH-stimulation test was performed before and 4, 12 and 24 h after a single s.c. injection of the GnRH antagonist (N-Ac-d-p-Cl-Phe1,2,d-Trp3,d-Arg6,d-Ala10)-GnRH (ORG 30276). The stimulation tests were performed with 0·5, 5·0 or 50 μg GnRH given as a single i.v. bolus. Blood was taken before and 15, 30 and 60 min after each bolus for analysis of bioactive LH and testosterone. The GnRH-challenging doses were given as follows: 0·5 μg GnRH was injected at 0 and 4 h, followed by 5·0 μg after 12 h and 50 μg after 24 h. One week later, 5·0 μg GnRH were given at 0 and 4 h, followed by 50 μg after 12 h and 0·5 μg after 24 h. Finally, after another week, the GnRH challenges began with 50 μg at 0 and 4 h, followed by 0·5 μg at 12 h and 5·0 μg at 24 h. This design permitted comparison of the LH and testosterone responses with respect to the dose of GnRH and the time after administration of GnRH antagonist. The areas under the response curves were measured and statistical evaluation was carried out by means of non-parametric two-way analysis of variance followed by the multiple comparisons of Wilcoxon and Wilcox. Four hours after the antagonist was injected, the LH and testosterone responses to all three doses of GnRH were suppressed. At the lowest dose of GnRH (0·5 μg) the responses remained reduced even after 24 h, whereas the higher doses of GnRH elicited an LH and testosterone response at 12 and 24 h which was not significantly different from that at 0 h. These data demonstrate that the suppression of LH secretion by a GnRH antagonist in vivo can be overcome by exogenously administered GnRH in a dose- and time-dependent manner, thus strongly supporting the contention that GnRH antagonists prevent gonadotrophin secretion by GnRH-receptor occupancy. J. Endocr. (1986) 110, 145–150


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 857 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Schneider ◽  
K.-P. Brüssow

The present study aimed to explore the influence of a preovulatory administered depot gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (GnRHa; Decapeptyl®Depot) on the endocrine parameters and pregnancy outcome of gilts (n = 6). A GnRHa-supported preovulatory luteinising hormone (LH) surge was detected in all treated gilts. LH pulses were abolished completely by depot GnRHa on Day 7 and partly on Day 21 of pregnancy. In this treatment group (n = 6) four gilts were pregnant at slaughter on Day 28. In the control group receiving Gonavet®, a non-formulated GnRHa (n = 6), all pigs showed LH pulses and were pregnant at slaughter on Day 28 of gestation. Mean progesterone concentrations were elevated in controls during the early luteal phase and were similar for both groups during the implantation period. Mean concentration of unoccupied progesterone receptor was significantly higher in uterine myometrium than in endometrium, but without treatment effects. Peripheral estrone sulfate concentrations showed a similar increase in all pregnant gilts on Days 17 and 18, and remained elevated. In summary, treatment with a depot GnRHa for synchronisation of ovulation alters pulsatile LH secretion during early pregnancy in pigs. In general, this alteration seems not to exert an injurious influence on luteal function and, therefore, on embryo and early fetal development.


1988 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. G. Irvine ◽  
S. L. Alexander

ABSTRACT Pituitary venous blood was collected by a painless non-surgical cannulation method from five ambulatory stallions at 5-min intervals for 5–6 h during the breeding season. In four adult stallions, statistical analysis showed that pulses of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and LH were coincident (P <0·01), as were pulses of FSH and LH (P <0·05). Furthermore, the patterns of changes in concentration of FSH and LH were highly correlated in each of the four stallions. However, seemingly ineffective pulses of GnRH were also observed, with 28% of GnRH pulses failing to induce a significant gonadotrophin pulse. In the four adult stallions the amplitude of pituitary venous gonadotrophin pulses varied markedly but no correlation with GnRH pulse amplitude was observed. Peak secretion of FSH, but not LH, during pulses was correlated with the length of the interpulse interval. Consequently, the ratio of FSH to LH during peaks was least (P <0·02) when the interpulse interval was 30 min or less. Thus, differential FSH and LH secretion was achieved within a constant steroid milieu. Two stallions had regular contact with oestrous mares, and in these horses the secretion of GnRH and gonadotrophins occurred almost continuously with rapid, rhythmic pulses superimposed upon a tonic background. Mean (± s.d.) interval between GnRH pulses was 31·4 ± 9·8 min and 27·7 ± 10·1 min. This secretory pattern was not observed in the two stallions which had infrequent contact with oestrous mares, although the small numbers precluded statistical testing of this apparent difference. No GnRH pulses were observed in one of these stallions, while in the other mean (± s.d.) GnRH pulse interval was 45·0 ± 48·7 min, the large variance being partly due to rapid pulses during a period in which the stallion teased mares. The fifth stallion was pubertal, and GnRH and LH secretion occurred in 15 and 0% of samples respectively, while low levels of FSH secretion were observed in 37% of samples and jugular testosterone levels were immeasurably low. We conclude that there is a statistically significant synchrony between pulses of GnRH, LH and FSH in the pituitary venous blood of stallions. Furthermore, decreasing intervals between gonadotrophin pulses result in a significant reduction in secretion of FSH but not LH. J. Endocr. (1988) 117, 197–206


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