Can testosterone alone maintain the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist-induced suppression of spermatogenesis in the non-human primate?

1994 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
G F Weinbauer ◽  
A Limberger ◽  
H M Behre ◽  
E Nieschlag
Keyword(s):  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Partial Recovery ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Gnrh Antagonists ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Testosterone Substitution ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Human Primate

Abstract The combination of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist and delayed testosterone substitution provides a promising approach towards male contraception. However, the GnRH antagonists used clinically so far cause side-effects and have to be administered continuously. We therefore used the non-human primate model to see whether the GnRH antagonist cetrorelix (which exhibits a favourable benefit-to-risk ratio in terms of anti-gonadotrophic action in normal men) induces complete and reversible suppression of spermatogenesis and whether GnRH antagonist-induced suppression of spermatogenesis can be maintained by testosterone alone. Four groups of adult cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis; five per group) were injected daily with 450 μg cetrorelix/kg ([N-acetyl-d-2-naphthyl-Ala1, d-4-chloro-Phe2, d-pyridyl-Ala3, d-Cit6, d-Ala10]-GnRH). Group 1 received the GnRH antagonist for 7 weeks followed by vehicle administration for another 11 weeks; group 2 was treated with GnRH antagonist for the entire 18 weeks with each animal receiving a single testosterone implant during weeks 11–18 to restore the ejaculatory response to electrostimulation; group 3 received the GnRH antagonist for 18 weeks and testosterone buciclate (TB) was injected during week 6 of GnRH antagonist treatment; group 4 was subjected to GnRH antagonist administration for 7 weeks and received TB (200 mg/animal) during week 6. Under GnRH antagonist treatment alone serum concentrations of testosterone were suppressed. TB maintained testosterone levels two- to fourfold above baseline levels in groups 3 and 4 and prevented the recovery of LH secretion for about 20 weeks after GnRH antagonist withdrawal, whereas inhibin levels increased significantly from week 8 onwards. Group 2 animals were azoospermic during weeks 12–18 of GnRH antagonist administration. The TB-replaced groups developed azoospermia or became severely oligozoospermic. Quantitation of cell numbers by flow cytometry during weeks 6 and 18 revealed that TB (groups 3 and 4) had prevented a further decline of germ cell production compared with group 2 but had maintained the spermatogenic status present at week 6 (onset of TB substitution). All inhibitory effects of cetrorelix and/or TB were reversible after cessation of treatment. These findings demonstrate that cetrorelix reversibly inhibits spermatogenesis in a non-human primate model. Although TB maintained the GnRH antagonist-induced suppression of spermatogenesis, azoospermia was not achieved. This latter effect may reflect either a direct spermatogenesis-supporting effect of the high dose of TB or the partial recovery of inhibin secretion (indirectly reflecting FSH secretion) or a combination of both. Thus, maintenance of GnRH antagonist-induced spermatogenic inhibition by testosterone alone appears theoretically possible. Whether this regimen will, however, permit the induction of sustained azoospermia remains to be seen, preferably in human studies. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 142, 485–495

Effects of administration of testosterone and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist on basal and GnRH-stimulated gonadotrophin secretion in orchidectomized monkeys

1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Khurshid ◽  
G. F. Weinbauer ◽  
E. Nieschlag
Keyword(s):  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Gnrh Antagonists ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Gonadotrophin Secretion ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Range Study

ABSTRACT The aim of the present investigation was to investigate the effects of testosterone on basal and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated gonadotrophin secretion in the presence and absence of a GnRH antagonist in a non-human primate model (Macaca fascicularis). Orchidectomized animals were used in order to avoid interference by testicular products other than testosterone involved in gonadotrophin feedback. Concomitant and delayed administration of testosterone at doses that provided serum levels either within the intact range (study 1) or markedly above that range (study 2) did not influence the suppression of basal gonadotrophin release induced by the GnRH antagonist during a 15-day period. To assess the possible effects of testosterone treatment at the pituitary level (study 3) GnRH stimulation tests (500 μg) were performed before and on days 8 and 15 of treatment with high-dose testosterone and GnRH antagonist alone or in combination. Testosterone alone abolished the gonadotrophin responses to exogenous GnRH observed under pretreatment conditions. With GnRH antagonist alone, an increased responsiveness (P <0·05) to GnRH was seen on day 8 and a similar response compared with pretreatment on day 15. Following combined treatment with GnRH antagonist and testosterone, GnRH-induced gonadotrophin secretion was consistently lower compared with that after GnRH antagonist alone (P <0·05), but was increased compared with that after testosterone alone (P<0·05). Thus, in the presence of a GnRH antagonist the feedback action of testosterone on LH and FSH was diminished. The present work in GnRH antagonist-treated orchidectomized monkeys demonstrates that (I) unlike in rats, testosterone fails to stimulate FSH secretion selectively, (II) the negative feedback action of testosterone on GnRH-stimulated LH and FSH secretion is altered in the presence of a GnRH antagonist and (III) GnRH antagonists induce a transient period of increased responsiveness of gonadotrophic hormone release to exogenous GnRH. The observation that a GnRH antagonist reduced the feedback effects of testosterone suggests that testosterone action on pituitary gonadotrophin release, at least in part, is mediated via hypothalamic GnRH. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 363–370

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

Sustained inhibition of sperm production and inhibin secretion induced by a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist and delayed testosterone substitution in non-human primates (Macaca fascicularis)

1989 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. F. Weinbauer ◽  
S. Khurshid ◽  
U. Fingscheidt ◽  
E. Nieschlag
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Macaca Fascicularis ◽  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Entire Treatment Period ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Testosterone Substitution ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone

ABSTRACT Since the concomitant administration of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist and testosterone suppresses sperm production only incompletely, the feasibility of treatment with a GnRH antagonist and delayed testosterone supplementation for sustained suppression of sperm production in a non-human primate model was investigated. Adult cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis; five/group) received daily s.c. injections of the GnRH antagonist [N-acetyl-d-2-naphthyl-Ala1,d-4-chloro-Phe2,d-pyridyl-Ala3,nicotinyl-Lys5,d- nicotinyl - Lys6, isopropyl-Lys8,d-Ala10]-GnRH of either 450 or 900 μg/kg for 18 weeks. During week 6 of the GnRH antagonist treatment, all monkeys were given a single i.m. injection of 40 mg of a long-acting testosterone ester (testosterone-trans-4-n-butylcyclo-hexanecarboxylate; 20-Aet-1). Within 1 week, serum LH bioactivity was suppressed in both groups and remained low throughout the entire treatment period. Similarly, concentrations of serum testosterone declined precipitously. During week 6, substitution with testosterone restored concentrations of serum testosterone into the pretreatment range. Concentrations of serum inhibin declined within 1 week and remained suppressed during the period of treatment with the GnRH antagonist. Testicular volumes were reduced to approximately 25% of pretreatment values in both groups by week 8 and stayed in that range during the remaining period of administration of the GnRH antagonist. During the first 6 weeks of administration of the GnRH antagonist, the ejaculatory response to electrostimulation and the volume of the ejaculates diminished with time. Supplementation with testosterone during week 6 restored the ejaculatory responses within 2–3 weeks. From week 9 of GnRH antagonist treatment onwards, all monkeys given 450 μg/kg and four monkeys given 900 μg/kg produced azoospermic ejaculates. The fifth animal in the latter group became azoospermic during week 13. Azoospermia persisted throughout the entire period of treatment with the GnRH antagonist and for a further 7–13 weeks. All suppressive effects of administration of GnRH antagonist were reversible. During the recovery phase the increase in testicular volumes paralleled an increase in concentrations of serum inhibin. The suppression of inhibin levels during the period of administration of testosterone indicates that Sertoli cell activity was not restimulated by testosterone. In conclusion, GnRH antagonist treatment with delayed supplementation with testosterone might serve as a model for further research towards the development of an endocrine male contraceptive. The recovery pattern of serum levels of inhibin suggests that inhibin could serve as a marker for Sertoli cell activity. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123, 303–310

Acute and chronic effects of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist on pituitary and testicular function in monkeys

1985 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Bint Akhtar ◽  
G. F. Weinbauer ◽  
E. Nieschlag
Keyword(s):  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Testicular Function ◽  
Gnrh Antagonists ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Complete Disruption ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACT The effects of a potent gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, (N-Ac-d-p-Cl-Phe1,2,d-Trp3,d-Arg6,d-Ala10)-GnRH (Org 30276), on pituitary and testicular function of adult macaque monkeys were investigated. After a study to find the correct dose in castrated monkeys, five intact adult male animals were treated with daily s.c. injections of 5 mg antagonist for 9 weeks. The treatment resulted in an immediate decline in serum LH and testosterone in three out of five animals. The two hormones remained suppressed during the 9-week treatment period. Testosterone and LH responses to a bolus injection of GnRH (50 μg i.v.) were blunted or abolished during the antagonist treatment. Testicular volumes decreased markedly and ejaculates obtained at the end of treatment were azoospermic or contained only few dead sperm. Histological examination of the testes showed complete disruption of seminiferous epithelium in these animals. A decrease of body weight was observed in the treated animals. When the treatment was ceased, all inhibitory effects of GnRH antagonists were reversible. In the other two animals no consistent suppression of pituitary or testicular function could be observed during this period, nor was a doubling of the treatment dose for a further 8 weeks capable of fully suppressing endocrine and seminal parameters in these monkeys. It is concluded that GnRH antagonist treatment is capable of rapidly decreasing serum LH and testosterone and disrupting spermatogenesis in this primate species. Suppression effected by antagonist treatment is more rapid than that caused by GnRH agonists. The individual responses to the tested doses, however, vary markedly. J. Endocr. (1985) 104, 345–354

Suppression and recovery of pituitary gonadotrophin secretion in intact and orchidectomized rats treated neonatally with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist

1989 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 519-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-L. Kolho ◽  
I. Huhtaniemi
Keyword(s):  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Gnrh Antagonists ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
Gonadotrophin Secretion ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone

ABSTRACT Suppression of neonatal rat pituitary-testis function by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists results in delayed sexual maturation and infertility. Since the mechanism is not understood, the acute effects of a GnRH antagonist on gonadotrophin secretion in neonatal male rats has been studied in more detail. Treatment with a GnRH antagonist analogue, N-Ac-d-Nal(2)1,d-p-Cl-Phe2,d-Trp3,d-hArg(ET2)6,d-Ala10-GnRH (2 mg/kg per day) on days 1–10 of life had prolonged effects on gonadotrophin secretion; serum LH and FSH recovered in 1 week, but the pituitary content took 2 weeks to recover. Likewise, LH and FSH responses to acute in-vivo stimulation with a GnRH agonist were still suppressed 1 week after the treatment. Interestingly, a rebound (86% increase) in basal serum FSH was found 16 days after treatment with the antagonist. Whether testis factors influence gonadotrophin secretion during treatment with the GnRH antagonist and/or in the subsequent recovery period was also assessed. Neonatal rats were castrated on days 1, 5 or 10 of the 10-day period of antagonist treatment. Orchidectomy on days 1 and 5 only marginally affected gonadotrophin secretion. When orchidectomy was performed at the beginning of the recovery period, no effects on pituitary recovery were seen within 1 week of castration. After 16 days, serum LH and FSH in the antagonist-treated and control castrated rats were equally increased but the pituitary contents of the antagonist-treated rats were still suppressed. Finally, the effect of testosterone treatment on the recovery of gonadotrophin secretion after antagonist suppression was studied in intact and orchidectomized animals. The rats were implanted with testosterone capsules for 7 days after treatment with the GnRH antagonist in the neonatal period. Testosterone suppressed pituitary LH contents similarly in all groups of animals, but had no effects on serum LH. Paradoxically, serum FSH was suppressed 50% by testosterone in intact and castrated antagonist-treated rats and in castrated controls but not in intact controls. These findings suggest that suppression of FSH by testosterone is only seen in neonatal animals with low endogenous levels of this androgen, whether due to GnRH antagonist treatment or castration. It is concluded that neonatal treatment with a GnRH antagonist results in prolonged suppression of LH and FSH secretion, that testis factors play only a minor role in pituitary modulation during the antagonist suppression and that more disturbances are observed in the post-treatment recovery of FSH secretion than in that of LH. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 122, 519–526

Seven-day administration of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix in normal cycling women

1994 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lieselotte Sommer ◽  
Kerstin Zanger ◽  
Thomas Dyong ◽  
Christoph Dorn ◽  
Johannes Luckhaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Sigmund Freud ◽  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Treatment Cycle ◽  
Day Treatment ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Gnrh Antagonists ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Releasing Hormone

Sommer L, Zanger K, Dyong T, Dorn C, Luckhaus J, Diedrich K, Klingmüller D. Seven-day administration of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix in normal cycling women. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;131:280–5. ISSN 0804–4643 In contrast to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, GnRH antagonists do not show any stimulatory effect on the pituitary but their clinical usage was precluded by severe side effects and high dose requirements. We report here on a 7-day treatment using the potent GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix ([Ac-d-Nal(2)1, d-Phe(4Cl)2, d-Pal(3)3, d-Cit6, d-Ala10]GnRH) on five women 23–33 years old. All women were ovulatory and were studied during three consecutive cycles: a control cycle, a treatment cycle and a post-treatment control cycle. Throughout the control cycles blood samples were obtained daily during cycle days 8–18 and on days 21 and 23 during the remainder of the control cycles. On the eighth day of the treatment cycle women were hospitalized at 07.00 h for 26 h. Repeated blood samples were drawn at 15-min intervals during the entire period. Subjects received 3 mg of Cetrorelix sc for the first time at 09.00 h on the eighth day of the cycle and daily at 08.00 h for the following 6 days. Blood samples were obtained daily over a period of 25 days and every third day throughout the remainder of the treatment cycle. Twenty-four hours after the first application of Cetrorelix, luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol were in the subnormal range and remained subnormal until the end of medication. The suppressive effect of Cetrorelix compared to pretreatment values lasted at least 6 days for LH and FSH and 11 days after the last Cetrorelix injection for estradiol. An LH surge followed by postovulatory progesterone values was found 22.6 ± 1.4 days after the last injection. During application of the GnRH antagonist, LH was reduced to 16.1 ± 0.7%, FSH to 58.7 ± 1.3% and estradiol to 17.9 ± 0.4% compared to the individual pretreatment values. The consecutive cycle after completion of treatment was comparable to the length of the pretreatment cycle. No serious side effects were observed. In summary, the results of this study give evidence of the effectiveness and safety of this new GnRH antagonist used in low dosages for possible therapeutic application in sex-hormone-dependent diseases in women. Dietrich Klingmüller, Institut für Klinische Biochemie der Universität Bonn, Sigmund Freud Str. 25, D53105 Bonn, Germany

Suppression of pituitary-testis function in rats treated neonatally with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist and antagonist: acute and long-term effects

1989 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-L. Kolho ◽  
I. Huhtaniemi
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Gnrh Agonist ◽  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
Accessory Sex Organs ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone

ABSTRACT The acute and long-term effects of pituitary-testis suppression with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, d-Ser(But)6des-Gly10-GnRH N-ethylamide (buserelin; 0·02, 0·1, 1·0 or 10 mg/kg body weight per day s.c.) or antagonist, N-Ac-d-Nal(2)1,d-p-Cl-Phe2,d-Trp3,d-hArg(Et2)6,d-Ala10-GnRH (RS 68439; 2 mg/kg body weight per day s.c.) were studied in male rats treated on days 1–15 of life. The animals were killed on day 16 (acute effects) or as adults (130–160 days; long-term effects). Acutely, the lowest dose of the agonist decreased pituitary FSH content and testicular LH receptors, but with increasing doses pituitary and serum LH concentrations, intratesticular testosterone content and weights of testes were also suppressed (P< 0·05–0·01). No decrease was found in serum FSH or in weights of accessory sex organs even with the highest dose of the agonist, the latter finding indicating continuing secretion of androgens. The GnRH antagonist treatment suppressed pituitary LH and FSH contents and serum LH (P< 0·05–0·01) but, as with the agonist, serum FSH remained unaltered. Testicular testosterone and testis weights were decreased (P <0·01) but testicular LH receptors remained unchanged. Moreover, the seminal vesicle and ventral prostate weights were reduced, in contrast to the effects of the agonists. Pituitary LH and FSH contents had recovered in all adult rats treated neonatally with agonist and there was no effect on serum LH and testosterone concentrations or on fertility. In contrast, in adult rats treated neonatally with antagonist, weights of testis and accessory sex organs remained decreased (P <0·01–0·05) but hormone secretion from the pituitary and testis had returned to normal except that serum FSH was increased by 80% (P <0·01). Interestingly, 90% of the antagonist-treated animals were infertile. It is concluded that treatment with a GnRH agonist during the neonatal period does not have a chronic effect on pituitary-gonadal function. In contrast, GnRH antagonist treatment neonatally permanently inhibits the development of the testis and accessory sex organs and results in infertility. Interestingly, despite the decline of pituitary FSH neonatally, neither of the GnRH analogues was able to suppress serum FSH values and this differs from the concomitant changes in LH and from the effects of similar treatments in adult rats. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123, 83–91

90 Effect of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist on the sheep follicular population

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
H. C. Ferreira ◽  
G. B. Vergani ◽  
J. R. Bevilaqua ◽  
N. V. Rodrigues ◽  
M. E. F. Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Average Diameter ◽  
Placebo Treatment ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Treatment Administration ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Different Doses ◽  
Synchronization Protocol

The present study was designed to study the follicular population dynamics followed or not by treatment with different doses of the GnRH antagonist in sheep. A total of 18 ewes were submitted to short-term oestrus synchronization protocol (Oliveira et al. 2009 Proc. Braz. Congr. Anim. Reprod.). The animals were 2 or 3 years old, multiparous, and had a body score of 3 to 3.5. On Day 7 after ovulation of synchronized oestrus, females were randomly divided into groups (n=6/group) according to the dose of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (Firmagon®, Ferring Pharmaceuticals) subcutaneously administered: G-control: placebo treatment (administration of saline solution); G-lower dose: 215 µg/kg; and G-higher dose: 235 µg/kg of bodyweight. B-mode ultrasound exams of the ovaries were conducted daily from 1 day before treatment with GnRH antagonist until the females showed oestrous behaviour. Ultrasound equipment (MyLab Vet®, Esaote) was used coupled to a transrectal linear transducer with a frequency of 6 and 8MHz to assess the ovarian population. Data were compared between groups, evaluation days, and their interaction by ANOVA with post hoc using Tukey’s test (P&lt;0.05). There was no interaction (P&gt;0.05) between the studied effects (treatments and evaluation days). The number of small follicles (2–3.49mm) was higher (P=0.0002) in the G-lower dose (5.4±0.4) compared with the G-control (4.1±0.3) and G-higher dose (3.5±0.2). The number of large follicles (≥4.5mm) was lower (P=0.01) in the G-higher dose (0.2±0.0) compared with the G-control (0.5±0.1) and G-lower dose (0.4±0.1). The number of medium follicles (3.5– 4.49mm) and the average diameter of the follicles in the 3 categories of diameter did not differ (P&gt;0.05) between groups. The number of medium follicles differed (P=0.0131) between Days 8 and 15 after synchronized oestrus ovulation. The number of large follicles on Day 6 differed (P=0.0002) of Days 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, and 17. The average diameter of medium follicles differed (P=0.0095) between Days 8 and 10. The number of small follicles and the average diameter of small and large follicles did not differ (P&gt;0.05) between days. In conclusion, the administration of the GnRH antagonist at a higher dose in sheep suppressed the development of large tertiary or antral follicles, whereas at a lower dose, it led to an increase in the population of small follicles.

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