Secretion rates and short-term patterns of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, FSH and LH throughout the periovulatory period in the mare

1987 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Alexander ◽  
C. H. G. Irvine
Keyword(s):  
Venous Blood ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Pituitary Hormones ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Reproductive Axis ◽  
Fractional Increase ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Low Amplitude ◽  
Lh Secretion

ABSTRACT We have developed a non-surgical technique for longterm collection of pituitary venous blood which consists of slightly diluted hypophysial portal blood into which pituitary hormones have been secreted. In these experiments jugular and pituitary venous blood samples were collected from five unmedicated, ambulatory mares at 5-min intervals for 2–6 h on 11 occasions during the 6 days surrounding the ovulatory LH peak. Jugular blood only was collected from another five periovulatory mares without pituitary cannulae. The duration of oestrus was similar in mares with and without pituitary cannulae and all mares ovulated, showing that the procedure did not affect the reproductive axis. In all pituitary-cannulated mares the secretion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), FSH and LH occurred almost continuously with broad, concurrent pulses of the three hormones superimposed upon this tonic background. Only 9% of the GnRH pulses appeared to be ineffective in inducing a rise in gonadotrophin levels. When measured in pituitary blood, gonadotrophin pulse frequency varied from 0·45 pulses/h early in the LH surge to 1·87 pulses/h at the time of ovulation. In contrast, mean pulse frequency measured in jugular blood did not exceed 1 pulse/h throughout the periovulatory period in cannulated or non-cannulated mares. The low amplitude of jugular pulses (< 50% fractional increase) may have caused problems in identifying the pulses. In the two mares in which pituitary venous blood was sampled during more than one period before ovulation, GnRH secretion tended to be lower on the day of ovulation (day 0) than earlier in oestrus (ratio day 0:day −1; mare WV = 0·58, mare LS = 0·66), whereas LH secretion rate was higher on the day of ovulation (ratio day 0:day −1; mare WV = 1·54, mare LS = 6·68). These studies show that the painless and non-invasive collection of pituitary venous blood, which is possible only in horses, can provide a useful tool for studying hypothalamic-pituitary interactions under completely physiological conditions. J. Endocr. (1987) 114, 351–362

Secretion rates and short-term patterns of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, FSH and LH in the normal stallion in the breeding season

1988 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. G. Irvine ◽  
S. L. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Interpulse Interval ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
Pulse Interval ◽  
Apparent Difference ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Lh Secretion

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

Relationship between gonadotrophin subunit gene expression, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone receptor content and pituitary and plasma gonadotrophin concentrations during the rebound release of FSH after treatment of ewes with bovine follicular fluid during the luteal phase of the cycle

1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Brooks ◽  
W. J. Crow ◽  
J. R. McNeilly ◽  
A. S. McNeilly
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Gnrh Receptor ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Luteal Regression ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Lh Secretion ◽  
Cessation Of Treatment

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.

Effect of galanin on basal and stimulated secretion of prolactin, gonadotropins, thyrotropin, adrenocorticotropin and cortisol in humans

1995 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Arvat ◽  
Laura Gianotti ◽  
Josefina Ramunni ◽  
Silvia Grottoli ◽  
Pier Carlo Brossa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Hormones ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cortisol Secretion ◽  
Acth Secretion ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Gh Secretion ◽  
Combined Administration ◽  
Lh Secretion ◽  
Serum Gh ◽  
Hypothalamic Level

Arvat E, Gianotti L, Ramunni J, Grottoli S, Brossa PC, Bertagna A, Camanni F, Ghigo E, Effect of galanin on basal and stimulated secretion of prolactin, gonadotropins, thyrotropin, adrenocorticotropin and cortisol in humans. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;133:300–4. ISSN 0804–4643. Galanin enhances both baseline and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)-induced GH secretion both in animals and in man. Although galanin has a clear influence on the secretion of other anterior pituitary hormones in animals, in man it increases prolactin (PRL) slightly but does not affect spontaneous thyrotropin (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion. The aim of our study was to verify the effect of galanin on basal and releasing hormone-stimulated release of gonadotropins, PRL, TSH, ACTH and cortisol secretion. As GH release has been shown to be inhibited by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), we also studied the effect of CRH on galanin-stimulated GH increase. The effect of porcine galanin (15 μg/kg iv infused in 60 min) alone and in combination with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH, 200 μg iv bolus), CRH (100 μg iv bolus) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, 100 μg iv bolus) on GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, cortisol, FSH and LH secretion in seven normal young women (aged 25–30 years) was studied. Galanin infusion caused an increase in serum GH levels (p < 0.02) but failed to modify significantly the spontaneous PRL, LH, FSH, TSH, ACTH and cortisol secretion. The combined administration of TRH, GnRH and CRH caused a significant increase in PRL (p < 0.02), LH (p < 0.02), FSH (p < 0.02), TSH (p < 0.02), ACTH (p < 0.02) and cortisol (p < 0.05), but not in GH levels. Galanin infusion significantly enhanced the PRL response to TRH + GnRH + CRH administration (p < 0.05), while the releasing hormone-stimulated levels of LH, FSH, TSH, ACTH and cortisol were not influenced by galanin. The GH release after the combined administration of GAL, TRH, GnRH and CRH was similar to that observed after galanin alone. In conclusion, the present results support the view that galanin plays a role in the control of GH and PRL secretion in humans. On the other hand, galanin does not seem to have any influence on the secretion of the other pituitary hormones in humans. However, a role for galanin in the modulation of hypophysiotropic neurohormone function at the hypothalamic level cannot be ruled out. Ezio Ghigo, Divisione di Endocrinologia, Ospedale Molinette. Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126 Torino, Italy

Effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone and its antagonist on the gene expression of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH receptor in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland of follicular phase ewes

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Ciechanowska ◽  
Magdalena Łapot ◽  
Tadeusz Malewski ◽  
Krystyna Mateusiak ◽  
Tomasz Misztal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Anterior Pituitary ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Gnrh Receptor ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Lh Secretion ◽  
Crh Receptors

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.

scholarly journals Androgen Suppresses In Vivo and In Vitro LH Pulse Secretion and Neural Kiss1 and Tac2 Gene Expression in Female Mice

Endocrinology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 161 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lourdes A Esparza ◽  
Tomohiro Terasaka ◽  
Mark A Lawson ◽  
Alexander S Kauffman
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Normal Male ◽  
Steroid Abuse ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Reproductive Axis ◽  
Lh Pulsatility ◽  
Lh Secretion

Abstract Androgens can affect the reproductive axis of both sexes. In healthy women, as in men, elevated exogenous androgens decrease gonad function and lower gonadotropin levels; such circumstances occur with anabolic steroid abuse or in transgender men (genetic XX individuals) taking androgen supplements. The neuroendocrine mechanisms by which endogenous or exogenous androgens regulate gonadotropin release, including aspects of pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, remain unknown. Because animal models are valuable for interrogating neural and pituitary mechanisms, we studied effects of androgens in the normal male physiological range on in vivo LH secretion parameters in female mice and in vitro LH secretion patterns from isolated female pituitaries. We also assessed androgen effects on hypothalamic and gonadotrope gene expression in female mice, which may contribute to altered LH secretion profiles. We used a nonaromatizable androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), to isolate effects occurring specifically via androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Compared with control females, DHT-treated females exhibited markedly reduced in vivo LH pulsatility, with decreases in pulse frequency, amplitude, peak, and basal LH levels. Correlating with reduced LH pulsatility, DHT-treated females also exhibited suppressed arcuate nucleus Kiss1 and Tac2 expression. Separate from these neural effects, we determined in vitro that the female pituitary is directly inhibited by AR signaling, resulting in lower basal LH levels and reduced LH secretory responses to gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulses, along with lower gonadotropin gene expression. Thus, in normal adult females, male levels of androgen acting via AR can strongly inhibit the reproductive axis at both the neural and pituitary levels.

The effect of a potent gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist on ovarian secretion of oestradiol, inhibin and androstenedione and the concentration of LH and FSH during the follicular phase of the sheep oestrous cycle

1990 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. K. Campbell ◽  
A. S. McNeilly ◽  
H. M. Picton ◽  
D. T. Baird
Keyword(s):  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Inhibitory Feedback ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone

ABSTRACT By selective removal and replacement of LH stimulation we sought to examine the relative importance of inhibin and oestradiol in controlling FSH secretion, and the role of LH in the control of ovarian hormone secretion, during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle. Eight Finn–Merino ewes which had one ovary removed and the other autotransplanted to a site in the neck were given two injections of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (50 μg/kg s.c.) in the follicular phase of the cycle 27 h and 51 h after luteal regression had been induced by cloprostenol (100 μg i.m.). Four of the ewes received, in addition, i.v. injections of 2·5 μg LH at hourly intervals for 23 h from 42 to 65 h after GnRH antagonist treatment. Ovarian jugular venous blood samples were taken at 10-min intervals for 3 h before and 5 h after the injection of antagonist (24–32 h after cloprostenol) and from 49 to 53 h after antagonist (74–78 h after cloprostenol). Additional blood samples were taken at 4-h intervals between the periods of intensive blood sampling. The GnRH antagonist completely inhibited endogenous pulsatile LH secretion within 1 h of injection. This resulted in a marked decrease in the ovarian secretion of oestradiol and androstenedione (P<0·001), an effect that was reversible by injection of exogenous pulses of LH (P<0·001). The pattern of ovarian inhibin secretion was episodic, but removal or replacement of stimulation by LH had no effect on the pattern or level of inhibin secretion. Peripheral concentrations of FSH rose (P<0·01) within 20 h of administration of the antagonist and these increased levels were maintained in ewes given no exogenous LH. In ewes given LH, however, FSH levels declined within 4 h of the first LH injection and by the end of the experimental period the levels of FSH were similar to those before administration of antagonist (P<0·01). These results confirm that ovarian oestradiol and androstenedione secretion, but not inhibin secretion, is under the acute control of LH. We conclude that oestradiol, and not inhibin, is the major component of the inhibitory feedback loop controlling the pattern of FSH secretion during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle in ewes. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 126, 377–384

Induction of luteinized unruptured follicles in the rat after injection of luteinizing hormone early in pro-oestrus

1995 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
John AM Mattheij ◽  
Hans JM Swarts
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Small Dose ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Gnrh Analogue ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Animal Physiology ◽  
Cause Of Formation ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Lh Secretion

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

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
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Mechanism ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Oestradiol Benzoate ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Prepubertal Rats ◽  
Lh Secretion

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

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) overcomes GnRH antagonist-induced suppression of LH secretion in primates

1986 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Marshall ◽  
F. Bint Akhtar ◽  
G. F. Weinbauer ◽  
E. Nieschlag
Keyword(s):  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Receptor Occupancy ◽  
Gnrh Receptor ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Gnrh Antagonists ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Gonadotrophin Secretion ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Lh Secretion

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

Variable duration of reproductive suppression in male coyotes (Canis latrans) treated with a high dose of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist deslorelin

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjorie J. MacGregor ◽  
Cheryl S. Asa ◽  
Donal C. Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Canis Latrans ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Reproductive Axis ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Effective and humane management strategies for coyotes (Canis latrans) remain elusive. We hypothesised that exposure to a high dose of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist would cause prolonged suppression of the reproductive axis. Two groups of male coyotes were administered 47 mg deslorelin in the form of either five 9.4-mg controlled-release Suprelorin (Peptech Animal Health, Macquarie Park NSW, Australia) implants (n = 3) or 10 4.7-mg implants (n = 5). In the first group, deslorelin suppressed plasma LH, testosterone and testes volume in two of three coyotes for three breeding seasons. In the second group, two of five deslorelin-treated coyotes had no sperm production after 1 year and plasma LH, FSH, testosterone and testes volume were suppressed. Although plasma gonadotropins and testosterone were suppressed in three treated coyotes in group two, testes volume and sperm production were evident. Because the duration of suppression differed among individual coyotes, we further hypothesised that a variation in deslorelin release underlay the variability. To test this, we analysed in vivo plasma profiles of deslorelin concentrations. These profiles suggested that deslorelin concentrations >100 pg mL–1 are required to maintain suppression in male coyotes. For field implementation, the development of an implant capable of releasing deslorelin for the life of the coyote is necessary.

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