Seasonal and steroid-dependent effects on the modulation of LH secretion in the ewe by intracerebroventricularly administered β-endorphin or naloxone

1989 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 509-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. E. Horton ◽  
H. Francis ◽  
I. J. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Opioid Peptide ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Opioid Antagonist ◽  
Endogenous Opioid ◽  
Endogenous Opioid Peptide ◽  
Lh Secretion

ABSTRACT The natural opioid ligand, β-endorphin, and the opioid antagonist, naloxone, were administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) to evaluate effects on LH secretion in ovariectomized ewes and in ovariectomized ewes treated with oestradiol-17β plus progesterone either during the breeding season or the anoestrous season. Ovary-intact ewes were also studied during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle. Jugular blood samples were taken at 10-min intervals for 8 h and either saline (20–50 μl), 100 μg naloxone or 10 μg β-endorphin were injected i.c.v. after 4 h. In addition, luteal phase ewes were injected i.c.v. with 25 μg β-endorphin(1–27), a purported endogenous opioid antagonist. In ovariectomized ewes, irrespective of season, saline and naloxone did not affect LH secretion, but β-endorphin decreased the plasma LH concentrations, by reducing LH pulse frequency. The effect of β-endorphin was blocked by administering naloxone 30 min beforehand. Treating ovariectomized ewes with oestradiol-17β plus progesterone during the breeding season reduced plasma LH concentrations from 6–8 μg/l to less than 1 μg/l. In these ewes, saline did not alter LH secretion, but naloxone increased LH pulse frequency and the plasma concentrations of LH within 15–20 min. During anoestrus, the combination of oestradiol-17β plus progesterone to ovariectomized ewes reduced the plasma LH concentrations from 3–5 μg/l to undetectable levels, and neither saline nor naloxone affected LH secretion. During the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle, naloxone enhanced LH pulse frequency, which resulted in increased plasma LH concentrations; saline had no effect. In these sheep, β-endorphin decreased LH pulse frequency and the mean concentrations of LH, and this effect was prevented by the previous administration of naloxone. The i.c.v. administration of β-endorphin(1–27) to luteal phase ewes did not affect LH secretion. These data demonstrate the ability of a naturally occurring opioid peptide to inhibit LH secretion in ewes during the breeding and non-breeding seasons, irrespective of the gonadal steroid background. In contrast, whilst the gonadal steroids suppress LH secretion in ovariectomized ewes during both seasons, they only appear to activate endogenous opioid peptide (EOP)-mediated inhibition of LH secretion during the breeding season. Furthermore, these data support the notion that LH secretion in ovariectomized ewes is not normally under the control of EOP, so that naloxone has no effect. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 122, 509–517

Evidence that the switch from negative to positive feedback at the level of the pituitary gland is an important timing event for the onset of the preovulatory surge in LH in the ewe

1995 ◽  
Vol 145 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
I J Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Negative Feedback ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Bolus Injection ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Lh Surge ◽  
Small Rise ◽  
Lh Secretion

Abstract Experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that there is a negative feedback 'clamp' of ovarian hormones on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle that limits the secretion of GnRH and LH. GnRH secretion was monitored by sampling the hypophysial portal blood of ewes during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle and either 24 h or 48 h after the induction of luteolysis by the injection of cloprostenol, a prostaglandin analogue. There was an increase in GnRH pulse frequency in the transition from the luteal to the follicular phase of the cycle. A reduction in the amplitude of GnRH pulses did not occur until 48 h after cloprostenol, suggestive of negative feedback at the level of the hypothalamus that is more profound in the latter part of the follicular phase. The responsivity of the pituitary gland to GnRH was monitored in ewes during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle and 24 h or 48 h after cloprostenol. Injections of 250 ng or 1000 ng GnRH were given (i.v.) to ewes that had been anaesthetised to suppress endogenous secretion of GnRH and LH. Using the lower dose, the responses 48 h after cloprostenol were not significantly different from those in the luteal phase. With the higher dose of GnRH, a significant (P<0·05) increase in mean responsivity was seen 48 h after cloprostenol. There was, however, a marked variation in response, with some ewes showing profound increases in LH secretion in response to GnRH and others showing responses that were similar to those obtained during the luteal phase of the cycle. These data are interpreted to mean that the secretion of LH is 'clamped' during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle and the 'clamp' is only released near the time of the preovulatory LH surge. To test whether or not a rise in GnRH input to the pituitary gland could over-ride the 'clamp' on the pituitary secretion of LH in the late follicular phase of the cycle, sheep were treated 40 h after cloprostenol with either a bolus injection of 500 ng GnRH or four pulses of 125 ng GnRH given at 10-min intervals. These treatments caused small elevations in LH secretion but did not always cause preovulatory LH surges. In some cases, a small rise in LH secretion was induced by GnRH treatments and levels of LH in plasma returned to baseline with the preovulatory LH surge occurring a few hours later. In one clear case, a bolus injection of GnRH induced an LH surge. The overall data from the GnRH-treated groups, however, indicated a significant delay in the onset of the LH surge which may have been due to perturbation of the subcellular mechanisms in the gonadotrophs. These data were interpreted to mean that the secretion of LH from the pituitary gland is inhibited up to very soon before the onset of the LH surge. The inhibitory factor could be oestrogen but could also be some other pituitary feedback hormone such as gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor. It is concluded that the increase in the secretion of GnRH at the time of the onset of the LH surge is closely linked to an increase in the responsivity of the gonadotrophs to GnRH. The latter is not caused by the increase in the secretion of GnRH. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 145, 271–282

Pulsatile secretion of inhibin, oestradiol and androstenedione by the ovary of the sheep during the oestrous cycle

1990 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. K. Campbell ◽  
G. E. Mann ◽  
A. S. McNeilly ◽  
D. T. Baird
Keyword(s):  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Early Follicular Phase ◽  
Lh Secretion ◽  
Late Follicular Phase

ABSTRACT The pattern of pulsatile secretion of inhibin, oestradiol and androstenedione by the ovary at different stages of the oestrous cycle in sheep was studied in five Finn–Merino ewes in which the left ovary had been autotransplanted to the neck. The ewes had jugular venous blood samples collected at 4-hourly intervals from 42 h before the induction of luteolysis by i.m. injection of cloprostenol (100 μg) on day 10 of the oestrous cycle, until day 3 of the following cycle. There were five periods of intensive blood sampling, when both ovarian and jugular venous blood samples were collected, as follows: (a) mid-luteal phase, before the second injection of cloprostenol on day 10 (15-min intervals for 6 h); (b) early follicular phase, 24 h after the second injection of cloprostenol (10-min intervals for 4 h); (c) late follicular phase, 48 h after the second injection of cloprostenol (10-min intervals for 4 h); (d) after the LH surge on day 1 of the cycle, 76 h after the second injection of cloprostenol (10-min intervals for 4 h); (e) early luteal phase on day 3 of the cycle, 120 h after the second injection of cloprostenol (10-min intervals for 3 h). Plasma was collected and the samples assayed for LH, FSH, progesterone, oestradiol, androstenedione and inhibin. The ovarian secretion rates for oestradiol, androstenedione and inhibin were calculated. All ewes responded normally to the luteolytic dose of cloprostenol with the preovulatory surge of LH occurring within 56·4±1·6 h (mean ± s.e.m.) followed by the establishment of a normal luteal phase. The pulse frequency of LH, oestradiol and androstenedione increased in the transition from the luteal to the follicular phase (P<0·01). On day 1 of the cycle LH secretion consisted of low-amplitude high-frequency pulses (1·0±0·1 pulse/h) to which androstenedione, but not oestradiol, responded. On day 3 of the cycle LH secretion was similar to that on day 1 but both androstenedione and oestradiol secretion were pulsatile in response to LH, indicating the presence of oestrogenic follicles. The stage of the cycle had no significant effects on LH pulse amplitude and nadir but the ovarian secretory response to LH stimulation did vary with the stage of the cycle. Prolactin pulse frequency, amplitude and nadir were higher (P<0·05) during the follicular phase than the luteal phase. Prolactin pulse frequency was depressed (P<0·05) on day 1 of the cycle but increased to follicular phase levels on day 3. Prolactin pulse frequency was significantly correlated to oestradiol pulse frequency (r = 0·54; P<0·01). During the luteal phase there were insufficient oestradiol pulses to obtain an estimate of pulse amplitude and nadir but both these parameters reached their highest level during the late follicular phase, fell to negligible levels on day 1 and increased to early follicular phase levels on day 3. Androstenedione pulse amplitude and nadir exhibited similar but less marked variation. Inhibin secretion was episodic at all stages of the cycle examined but did not exhibit significant variation with stage of cycle in any of the parameters of episodic secretion measured. Inhibin pulses were not related to either LH or prolactin at any stage of the cycle. FSH secretion was not detectably pulsatile but jugular venous concentrations of FSH at each stage of the oestrous cycle were negatively correlated with mean oestradiol (r= −0·52; P<0·01 but not inhibin secretion (r = 0·19). We conclude that (i) LH secretion is pulsatile at all stages of the oestrous cycle but the steroidogenic responses of the ovary varies with the stage of the cycle, reflecting changes in characteristics of the follicle population, (ii) ovarian inhibin secretion is episodic and displays little change with the stage of the oestrous cycle and (iii) episodic inhibin secretion is not related to either pulses of LH or prolactin. The aetiology of these inhibin pulses therefore remains unknown. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 126, 385–393

Changes in the secretion of LH pulses, FSH and prolactin during the preovulatory phase of the oestrous cycle of the ewe and the influence of treatment with bovine follicular fluid during the luteal phase

1988 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Wallace ◽  
G. B. Martin ◽  
A. S. McNeilly
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Lh Secretion

ABSTRACT It has previously been shown that treatment of ewes with bovine follicular fluid (bFF) throughout the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle lowers plasma levels of FSH but increases the frequency and amplitude of the pulses of LH. Under these conditions, ovarian follicles grow to a maximum diameter of 2·7 mm and have a reduced capacity to release oestradiol. We have examined the nature of the gonadotrophin signals controlling follicular development in the normally cycling ewe and have investigated the effects of previous exposure to bFF on these signals and the follicular responses to them. Control ewes (n = l) were injected i.v. with 9 ml bovine serum and treated ewes were injected with 9 ml bFF, twice daily from days 1 to 10 of the luteal phase (day 0 = oestrus). The ewes were injected with prostaglandin analogue on day 11 of the cycle to induce luteolysis and the gonadotrophin patterns were studied in blood sampled from these animals every 10 min for up to 72 h during the subsequent follicular phase. Following luteolysis (and the end of bFF treatment), LH pulse frequency increased rapidly in both groups and reached 1 pulse/h within 6 h. Thereafter, pulse frequency increased marginally and reached 1 pulse/50 min by the onset of the LH surge. This pattern was not affected by previous treatment with bFF. In the control ewes, the amplitude of the LH pulses did not change significantly following luteolysis or at any time during the follicular phase, while the levels of FSH declined slowly until the onset of the surge. In the treated ewes, on the other hand, there was an immediate increase in both LH pulse amplitude and the concentration of FSH immediately after the end of bFF treatment at luteolysis, and they remained above control levels for 24 and 16 h respectively. Plasma prolactin levels did not appear to change around the time of luteolysis but showed a marked and significant diurnal rhythm (nadir around noon and peak around midnight) in both groups. The concentrations of prolactin were significantly (P<0·001) lower and the preovulatory peak was delayed and reduced in the bFF-treated ewes relative to controls. The onset of oestrus was also significantly (P<0·01) delayed by bFF treatment, but the ovulation rates did not differ between the groups. Furthermore, comparisons within or between groups revealed no significant relationships between any of the variables of plasma LH secretion during the follicular phase and the subsequent ovulation rate. These observations provide a complete description of gonadotrophin patterns during the follicular phase of the ewe and confirm the suggestion that an increase in LH pulse frequency is the major driving force behind the follicular growth that ultimately leads to ovulation. On the other hand, it appears most unlikely that the pattern of LH secretion during the follicular phase has any influence on ovulation rate. The levels of FSH declined in the period leading up to the preovulatory surge, presumably as a consequence of rising peripheral levels of oestrogen (and/or inhibin). We also expected LH pulse amplitude to decline during the follicular phase because it has been proposed that pulse amplitude is also controlled by oestrogen. The absence of any significant fall in amplitude suggests that hypotheses about the control of LH secretion drawn from studies with ovariectomized ewes require further verification in the intact ewe. The effect of bFF on prolactin levels probably reflects the low rates of secretion of oestradiol by the small ovarian follicles in these ewes. J. Endocr. (1988) 116, 123–135

Patterns of gonadotropin secretion in cyclic Finn ewes selected for and against high ovulation rate

1995 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Haresign ◽  
A. C. Cooper ◽  
M. Khalid ◽  
J. P. Hanrahan
Keyword(s):  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Gonadotropin Secretion ◽  
High Line ◽  
Lh Secretion

AbstractA comparison of the patterns of LH and FSH secretion was undertaken in lines of Finn sheep selected for and against high ovulation rate. Mean ovulation rate was significantly higher in the high line ewes (mean 4·1) compared with both the control (mean 2·5) and low line (mean 2·7) ewes (P <0·01). The pre-ovulatory LH peak occurred significantly earlier in the high line ewes (mean 52·1 h) compared with both the control (mean 65·0 h) and low line (mean 59·0 h) ewes (P < 0·05). While mean LH pulse frequency and overall mean LH concentrations were both significantly higher during the follicular compared with the luteal phase of the cycle (P < 0·05), there were no consistent relationships between patterns of pulsatile LH secretion and ovulation rate among the three selection lines. Plasma FSH concentrations remained significantly higher over the entire follicular phase of the oestrous cycle in the high line ewes compared with both the control and low line ewes (P < 0·05). It is suggested that the ovulation rate achieved by high line ewes may be causally related to their higher follicular phase FSH concentrations.

Endogenous opioids and the control of seasonal LH secretion in Soay rams

1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. P. Ebling ◽  
G. A. Lincoln
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Chronic Treatment ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Endogenous Opioids ◽  
Endogenous Opioid ◽  
Acute Increase ◽  
Lh Releasing Hormone ◽  
Lh Secretion

ABSTRACT Soay rams were treated with naloxone and/or morphine at different stages of their annual reproductive cycle to study the role of endogenous opioid peptides in the control of pulsatile LH secretion. The responses in intact rams were compared with those shown by pinealectomized (PNX) or superior cervical ganglionectomized (SCGX) rams which had a different annual testicular cycle. Naloxone (4–6 mg/kg i.v.) given to intact rams at four times of the year induced significant increases in LH pulse frequency in the breeding season in September and December, but minimal responses in the non-breeding season in June. Similar treatments given to PNX or SCGX rams induced good responses in March, June and September and the poorest response in December; the different seasonal pattern between the intact and PNX/SCGX rams was correlated with differences in the timing of their testicular cycles. Morphine (1 mg/kg i.v.) induced a significant decrease in LH pulse frequency when given to intact rams in October, but no significant effects were observed when morphine was given to sexually inactive rams in early July. Naloxone (1 mg/kg i.v.) given concurrently with morphine in October reversed the suppressive effect and resulted in an actual increase in LH pulse frequency above pretreatment levels. Morphine-treated rams showed normal LH responses to injections of LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) indicating that the site of opiate inhibition was on hypothalamic LHRH secretion rather than on pituitary LH release. Chronic treatment of intact and PNX rams with naloxone 1 mg/kg every 4 h for 7 days) in April and October produced the expected acute increase in LH pulse frequency in the intact rams in October, and at both times of year in the PNX rams, however there was no sustained increase in LH secretion in response to chronic naloxone in any of the treatment groups. The response to the second naloxone injection was much reduced and was absent after 3 days; responsiveness to naloxone was restored within 2 days of stopping the chronic treatment. The overall results indicate that an endogenous opioid mechanism is involved in the tonic inhibition of LH secretion and that this mechanism is most active in the breeding season when both naloxone and morphine have marked effects on pulsatile release of LH. Regulation of endogenous opioids in the hypothalamus may be part of the mechanism by which environmental factors modulate steroid negative-feedback control of LHRH and thus LH secretion in seasonally breeding mammals. J. Endocr. (1985) 107, 341–353

Involvement of endogenous opioid peptides in the neuroendocrine response of ewe lambs to the introduction of a ram

1987 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Stansfield ◽  
P. G. Knight ◽  
N. Z. Al-Mauly ◽  
M. J. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Median Eminence ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Opioid Peptide ◽  
Endogenous Opioid ◽  
Endogenous Opioid Peptide ◽  
Ewe Lambs ◽  
Basal Release

ABSTRACT Prepubertal ewes can, under certain circumstances, be stimulated to ovulate by the novel introduction of a ram. The endocrine response to the presence of the ram is characterized by a rapid increase in the frequency of episodic release of LH. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the presence of a ram on LH pulse frequency in vivo, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and β-endorphin concentrations in the median eminence, and on the influence of the endogenous opioid peptide agonist [d-Ala2,N-Phe4,Met(0)ol5]-enkephalin (FK 33–824) on basal and depolarization-induced release of GnRH from median eminence tissue superfused in vitro. The study was performed at two prepubertal ages in August and September. In September, the introduction of a ram resulted in an increase in pulsatile release of LH, which was associated with an increase in the rate of basal release of GnRH from median eminence tissue superfused in vitro, and the development of a marked ability of FK 33–824 to suppress depolarization-induced release of GnRH. The concentration of β-endorphin in the median eminence was reduced in animals exposed to the ram at this time. In contrast, the introduction of a ram in August failed to stimulate an increase in LH pulse frequency, basal release of GnRH in vitro was not altered and FK 33–824 was ineffective in reducing depolarization-induced release of GnRH. These results suggest that the premature onset of reproductive activity induced by exposure to the ram may involve the participation of the endogenous opioid peptide system. J. Endocr. (1987) 115, 333–339

Opioid growth factor inhibits DNA synthesis in mouse tongue epithelium in a circadian rhythm-dependent manner

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (3) ◽  
pp. R645-R652 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. S. Zagon ◽  
Y. Wu ◽  
P. J. McLaughlin
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Opioid Peptide ◽  
Endogenous Opioids ◽  
Opioid Antagonist ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Endogenous Opioid ◽  
Endogenous Opioid Peptide ◽  
Opioid Growth Factor

In addition to neuromodulation, endogenous opioids also serve as growth factors. To investigate the involvement of the naturally occurring opioid peptide [Met5]enkephalin [termed opioid growth factor (OGF)] in the renewal of epithelium, adult mice were given systemic injections of OGF (1 mg/kg) and examined 2 h later at 0700 or 1700 h. DNA synthesis in the tongue was investigated using [3H]thymidine and autoradiography. OGF depressed DNA synthesis of the basal epithelial cells in the tip, and dorsal and ventral surfaces of the tongue (42-44% of control levels) only at 0700 h. This decrease in DNA synthesis was blocked by concomitant administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone (10 mg/kg); naloxone alone had no influence on cell replicative processes. Both OGF and its receptor, zeta (zeta), were detected in the stratified squamous epithelium of the ventral and dorsal surfaces of the tongue by immunocytochemistry. Photodensitometric measurements of immunocytochemical preparations revealed almost twofold more OGF and zeta-receptor immunoreactivity at 1700 h than at 0700 h. These results indicate that an endogenous opioid peptide and its receptor are present and govern cellular renewal processes in the tongue and regulate DNA synthesis in a circadian rhythm-dependent fashion.

LH secretion in ovariectomized ewes: effects of morphine and ovarian steroid interactions with naloxone during the breeding season and anestrum

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Currie ◽  
S. J. Cook ◽  
N. C. Rawlings
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Endogenous Opioid Peptides ◽  
Endogenous Opioid ◽  
Ovarian Steroid ◽  
Basal Serum ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
Lh Secretion ◽  
Higher Doses

Morphine (MOR) infusion (i.v.) was used to mimic effects of endogenous opioid peptides (EOPs) on LH secretion in ovariectomized (OVX) ewes during the breeding season and anestrum. MOR decreased luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency and/or amplitude at higher doses (0.5 and 1.0 mg kg−1 h−1), and increased basal serum LH concentrations at a lower dose (0.01 mg kg−1 h−1). Simultaneous MOR and naloxone (NAL) infusion (0.5 mg kg−1 h−1, each) did not affect LH secretion, suggesting that effects of MOR were EOP receptor-specific. EOP involvement in ovarian steroid feedback was examined by NAL infusion and ovarian steroid replacement in OVX ewes. NAL infusion increased LH pulse frequency in OVX ewes during the breeding season, suggesting ovarian steroid-independent, but EOP-dependent suppression of LH secretion. NAL did not alleviate seasonal suppression of LH pulse frequency during the anestrum, suggesting ovarian steroid-independent, EOP-independent suppression of LH secretion. NAL eliminated progesterone (P4) suppression of LH pulse frequency during the breeding season, suggesting that a major portion of P4 feedback on tonic LH secretion is EOP-dependent. P4 replacement in the anestrum did not suppress LH pulse frequency. NAL infusion, following P4 replacement in the anestrum, increased LH pulse frequency to levels observed in untreated OVX ewes during the breeding season. It was concluded that EOP-dependent P4 feedback experimentally over-rode EOP-independent suppression of LH pulse frequency during the anestrum. EOP activity was not required for estradiol (E2) to suppress LH secretion from the pituitary during the breeding season. Key words: LH, morphine, naloxone, progesterone, estradiol

Ovulation rate and the concentrations of gonadotrophins and metabolic hormones in ewes infused with glucose during the late luteal phase of the oestrous cycle

1995 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Downing ◽  
J Joss ◽  
R J Scaramuzzi
Keyword(s):  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Metabolic Hormones ◽  
Late Luteal Phase ◽  
Early Follicular Phase ◽  
Lh Secretion ◽  
Effect Of Glucose ◽  
Stimulation Of

Abstract The positive relationship between nutrition and ovulation rate was investigated in sheep infused intravenously with glucose. Ovulation rate increased (2·0±0·0 vs 2·4 ± 0·3) when ewes were given an infusion of glucose (60–65 mm/h) for five days in the late luteal phase of the oestrous cycle. The effect of glucose was obtained without any significant change in LH secretion. The concentration of FSH in glucose-infused ewes was lower during the infusion (luteal phase) but higher during the early follicular phase. These data suggest that the change in ovulation rate occurred without increased gonadotrophin support to the follicle during the late luteal phase, which is the period of the sheep oestrous cycle during which improved nutrition increases ovulation rate. There were no changes in GH or prolactin, but changes in circulating glucose and insulin levels were detected. We conclude that insulin, because of its role in cell growth and metabolism, is involved in mediating ovulation responses to nutritional stimuli, either directly or more likely by the stimulation of insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 146, 403–410

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