A study on changes in ovarian luteal tissue and uterine haemodynamics during oestrous cycle in dairy cows

Severe negative energy balance (NEB) in the postpartum period of dairy cows may be associated with declining fertility but the mechanisms by which nutrition influences reproduction are complex, poorly understood and confounded by lactation. Hence, both chronic and acute nutritional restriction of beef heifers have been used as models to examine the effects of NEB on ovarian and endocrine responses in the absence of lactation. Plasma IGF-I concentrations gradually decreased until the onset of anoestrus (Stagg et al., 1999) but concentrations may be confounded with stage of the oestrous cycle, especially around ovulation (Mackey et al., 2000). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of nutritional restriction on periovulatory oestradiol (E2) and IGF-I concentrations.

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Tissue concentration, mRNA expression and stimulation of IGF-I in luteal tissue during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy of cows

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/jrf.0.0900439 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 90 (2) ◽

pp. 439-445 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

R. Einspanier ◽

A. Miyamoto ◽

D. Schams ◽

M. Muller ◽

G. Brem

Keyword(s):

Mrna Expression ◽

Tissue Concentration ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Igf I ◽

Luteal Tissue ◽

Stimulation Of

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Effects of treatment with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue on follicle development in dairy cows fed one of two different diets

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s0263967x00034108 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 451-455

Author(s):

E.C.L. Bleach ◽

C.L. Moore ◽

H.J. Zeale ◽

P.G. Knight

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Cycle Length ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Follicle Development ◽

Releasing Hormone ◽

Ovulatory Follicle ◽

Metabolisable Energy ◽

Phase Length

AbstractFollicle development occurs in two or three waves during the bovine oestrous cycle. Artificially extending the duration of ovulatory follicle dominance influences pregnancy rates in cattle, as does the interval from emergence to oestrus in dairy cows undergoing spontaneous oestrous cycles. The objectives of the presented study were to determine whether the interval from ovulatory follicle emergence to oestrus might be altered by diet and/or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment. Lactating primiparous Holstein/Friesian cows (n=21) were randomly allocated to one of two diets at calving (Diet 1, n=ll, DM 480 g/kg, metabolisable energy 12.0 MJ/kg DM crude protein 178 g/kg DM, oil B 48 g/kg DM, neutral detergent fibre 318 g/kg DM and diet 2, n=10, DM 440 g/kg, metabolisable energy 12.1 MJ/kg DM, crude protein 172 g/kg DM, oil B 40 g/kg DM, neutral detergent fibre 300 g/kg DM). From 10 days after observed oestrus (oestrus 1), ovarian follicular and luteal development was monitored by daily transrectal ultrasonography until the subsequent oestrus and ovulation. A GnRH analogue was injected (i.m.; 10 μg) 12 days after oestrus 1 in 6 cows fed diet 1 and 5 cows fed diet 2. Oestrous cycle length was longer (p<0.05) in control cows fed diet 1 than those fed diet 2. Treatment with GnRH increased (p<0.005) cycle length in cows fed diet 2 but not those fed diet 1. Increases in cycle length observed were associated with longer luteal phase length. Follicular phase length was reduced (p<0.05) by GnRH treatment in cows fed diet 1. Ovulatory follicles emerged later (p<0.05) in control cows fed diet 1 than those fed diet 2. GnRH treatment delayed (p<0.01) the emergence of the ovulatory follicle in cows fed diet 2, this delay was associated with an increase (p<0.05) in the incidence of 3 follicle waves in oestrous cycles following GnRH treatment. The interval from emergence of the ovulatory follicle to the subsequent oestrus was similar among the treatment groups. We conclude that treatment with GnRH during the mid-luteal phase may delay the emergence of the ovulatory follicle. However, the response is dependent on diet fed. Where ovulatory follicle emergence is delayed, the interval from emergence to the subsequent oestrus was unaffected since oestrous cycle length is extended.

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CHANGES IN THE DENSITY AND PROGESTERONE CONTENT OF LUTEAL TISSUE IN THE EGYPTIAN BUFFALO DURING THE OESTROUS CYCLE

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.0390163 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 163-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

A. S. EL-SHEIKH ◽

FRANÇOIS B. SAKLA ◽

SAFAA O. AMIN

Keyword(s):

Corpus Luteum ◽

Cell Volume ◽

Distribution System ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Luteal Cell ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Luteal Cells ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Parallel Increase ◽

Luteal Tissue

SUMMARY The histological and functional changes of 31 corpora lutea of Egyptian buffaloes during the various phases of the oestrous cycle were studied. The volumes of the corpora lutea were calculated, the volume per cell, the cell volume and the volume of the intercellular spaces were estimated from transverse serial sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Mallory's triple stain or van Gieson's stain. The nuclear volumes were also determined and the cytoplasmic volume was calculated. The progesterone content was estimated using column absorption chromatography and a counter-current distribution system. It was concluded that the luteal cells increase both in volume and in number due to mitosis. The luteal cells decrease in volume after the 15th day after ovulation, the cells lose their distinct outlines in the regressive stage and disappear completely in the corpus albicans. There was a parallel increase in luteal cell volume and progesterone content until the 15th post-ovulatory day followed by a decrease in the regressive phase and disappearance of the hormone in the corpus albicans. A highly significant correlation (r = +0·875) was found between the progesterone content and the cytoplasmic volume. Progesterone concentration/g. luteal tissue increased from the corpus haemorrhagicum to the mature corpus luteum, decreased in the regressive corpus luteum and completely disappeared in the corpus albicans.

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Source of ovarian inhibin secretion during the oestrous cycle of the sheep

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1230181 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 123 (2) ◽

pp. 181-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

G. E. Mann ◽

A. S. McNeilly ◽

D. T. Baird

Keyword(s):

Corpus Luteum ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Contralateral Side ◽

Follicular Phase ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Secretion Rate ◽

Antral Follicles ◽

Luteal Tissue

ABSTRACT The source of inhibin secretion by the ovary in the sheep at different stages of the oestrous cycle was investigated by in-vivo cannulation of the ovarian veins. Twenty-four Scottish Blackface ewes were allocated to four groups of six ewes, i.e. those operated on during the luteal phase (day 10), and those operated on during the follicular phase 24–30, 36 and 60 h following an injection of 125 μg cloprostenol on day 10 of the luteal phase. Samples of jugular and timed ovarian venous blood were collected under anaesthesia before and after enucleation of the corpus luteum. Ovaries were then removed and follicles dissected out. Following injection of cloprostenol, luteal regression occurred as indicated by a fall in the secretion of progesterone. The concentration of inhibin in jugular venous plasma and its ovarian secretion rate were similar at all stages of the follicular phase and during the luteal phase. In contrast, the secretion rate of oestradiol rose from 2·68 ±0·73 pmol/min during the luteal phase to 8·70± 2·24 pmol/min 24 h after injection of cloprostenol (P<0·05). Following enucleation of the corpus luteum the secretion rate of progesterone fell from 809 ± 270 pmol/min to 86 ± 30 pmol/min (P<0·001). There was also a smaller, artifactual fall in the secretion rate of oestradiol following enucleation of the corpus luteum, which was of similar size to a fall seen in the secretion rate of inhibin. This resulted in a significant (P<0·001) fall in the ratio of progesterone to inhibin, while the oestradiol to inhibin ratio remained unchanged. The secretion rate of inhibin from ovaries containing luteal tissue was similar to that from the contralateral side without luteal tissue (1·41±0·30 compared with 1·32±0·30 ng/min), while ovaries with large antral follicles secreted significantly (P< 0·001) more inhibin than those with no follicles ≥3 mm (2·28 ± 0·36 compared with 0·25 ±0·06 ng/min). From these results we conclude that, in the sheep, large antral follicles are responsible for most, if not all, the secretion of inhibin by the ovary at all stages of the oestrous cycle, and that the corpus luteum secretes little or no immunoactive or bioactive inhibin. Due to the fact that, unlike inhibin, the secretion rate of oestradiol rises during the follicular phase of the cycle, when the concentration of FSH is suppressed, it seems likely that oestradiol rather than inhibin is the major ovarian factor modulating the change in FSH secretion seen at this stage of the oestrous cycle. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123, 181–188

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Effects of stress on ovarian morphology and oestrus cycles in ewes

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9640937 ◽

1964 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 937 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

AWH Braden ◽

GR Moule

Keyword(s):

Corpus Luteum ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Cycle Length ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Large Cavity ◽

Severe Stress ◽

Microscopic Appearance ◽

Ovarian Morphology ◽

Luteal Tissue

Observations involving over 600 sheep and extending over 4 years were made on the effect of acute stress on the oestrous cycle and ovarian morphology of ewes. In anoestrous ewes ovulation unaccompanied by oestrus was often induced by severe stress. Injections of ACTH did not induce ovulation in anoestrous ewes. During the breeding season severe stress appeared sometimes to lengthen the oestrous cycle by a few days. The presence of a large cavity in the corpus luteum (C.L.) often seemed to have been induced by stress, but the amount of luteal tissue and its microscopic appearance did not usually appear much different from solid C.L. Oxytocin injections did not affect oestrous cycles or ovarian morphology, but in some circumstances injections of ACTH or stilboestrol appeared to cause an increase in cycle length.

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The Effect of Soybean-Derived Phytoestrogens on Concentrations of Plasma Isoflavones, 15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F2α and Progesterone in Dairy Cows

Acta Veterinaria Brno ◽

10.2754/avb201079040525 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 79 (4) ◽

pp. 525-532 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jarmila Watzková ◽

Ludmila Křížová ◽

Aleš Pavlík ◽

Věra Schulzová ◽

Jana Hajšlová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasma Concentration ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Latin Square ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Control Group ◽

Rapeseed Cake ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Reversal Design ◽

Experimental Group

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of soybean-derived phytoestrogens and their metabolites on the activity of sex hormones during the oestrous cycle in multiparous lactating dairy cows. The experiment was carried out on 4 multiparous lactating Holstein cows in the form of replicated Latin square in double reversal design. The experiment in the total length of 168 days was divided into 4 periods of 42 days, each consisting of a 21-day preliminary period and a 21-day collecting period. Cows were divided into 2 groups of 2 cows. The control group (C) was fed a diet based on extruded rapeseed cake while the experimental group (S) was fed a diet containing extruded full-fat soya. The intake of total isoflavones was 3297 mg/d in S and 58.0 mg/d in C (P < 0.001). The concentrations of individual isoflavones, it is daidzein, genistein and equol in plasma were significantly higher in the experimental group S (49.3, 78.7 and 218.8 ng/ml, respectively) than in the control group C (13.5, 42.9 and 18.3 ng/ml, respectively, P < 0.001). Plasma concentration of progesterone throughout the oestrous cycle was not influenced by the diet used (P > 0.05). Plasma concentration of prostaglandine PGFM throughout the oestrous cycle in the experimental group (S) tended to be higher (P = 0.095) than in the control group (C). No differences in the length of the oestrous cycle between the cows fed different diets were observed.

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Progesterone profiles and oestrous cycle changes following superovulatory treatment of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in a tropical environment

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ◽

10.1556/avet.52.2004.4.11 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 489-499 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. Bényei ◽

Margit Kulcsár ◽

A. Gáspárdy ◽

Anna Pécsi

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Close Correlation ◽

Tropical Climate ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Tropical Environment ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Embryo Recovery ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Donor Cows ◽

Friesian Cows

Changes of progesterone (P4) profiles and oestrous cycle were investigated up to 70 days in 20 superovulated Holstein-Friesian cows in a dry tropical environment (Brazil). Superovulated cows showed no significant differences in relation to P4 level at the time of embryo recovery (39.0 ± 27.1 nmol/L, P = 0.536), first and second (12.0 ± 6.0 and 10.7 ± 2.2 nmol/L, P = 0.543) cycle. There was a close correlation between serum P4 concentration and the number of corpora lutea (CL; 13.3 ± 9.5) at the recovery (P < 0.0001). After the embryo collection, cows returned to cycle in different ways: (i) group of donors returning to cycle after 2.2 ± 0.8 days, (ii) group with a delay of 11.0 ± 1.9 days; and (iii) animals having a long (28.8 ± 2.2 days) acyclic period, which is significant (P < 0.001). The remaining animals (30%) showed cystic ovarian malformations. P4 level at the time of embryo recovery does not influence the oestrous cycle changes. The results suggest that Holstein-Friesian donor cows may suffer from cystic ovarian degeneration and may have a long acyclic period after superovulatory treatment in a tropical climate.

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Metabolic status and oestrous cycle in dairy cows

International Journal of Livestock Production ◽

10.5897/ijlp12.006 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 4 (9) ◽

pp. 135-147 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

K. Danowski

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Metabolic Status

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Cloning of pig prostaglandin F2alphaFP receptor cDNA and expression of its mRNA in the corpora lutea

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep.0.1250053 ◽

2003 ◽

pp. 53-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

U Boonyaprakob ◽

JE Gadsby ◽

V Hedgpeth ◽

P Routh ◽

GW Almond

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Amino Acid Sequence ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Small Cells ◽

Predicted Amino Acid Sequence ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Reading Frame ◽

Luteal Tissue ◽

Fp Receptor ◽

Steroidogenic Cells

Changes in the expression and localization of luteal mRNA for PGF(2alpha) (FP) receptors may be critical in determining the luteolytic action of PGF(2alpha) in pig corpora lutea. In this study, a full-length FP receptor (FPr) cDNA was isolated and cloned from pig corpora lutea. This isolate (GenBank accession no. U91520) contains an open reading frame of 1086 bases coding for a protein of 362 amino acids with seven potential transmembrane domains. The predicted amino acid sequence of this isolate was 83% identical to the FPr amino acid sequence of other species including sheep, cattle and humans. Northern blot analysis showed the presence of an FPr message of about 5 kb in mRNA from pig corpora lutea. Relatively weak FPr mRNA expression was detected on day 4 and day 7 of the oestrous cycle. The expression was greater (P < 0.05) on days 10, 13 and 15 than on days 4 and 7. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that mRNA for FPr was expressed predominantly in the steroidogenic large luteal subtype of cell, although there was some expression in small luteal cells, with histological appearance of steroidogenic small cells. Localization of hybridization signals of FPr was observed in luteal tissue at all stages examined. These data demonstrate that FPr is expressed in pig corpora lutea throughout the oestrous cycle and that upregulation of the FPr mRNA occurs when the corpora lutea becomes sensitive to PGF(2alpha). Direct luteal targets of PGF(2alpha) appear to be primarily large steroidogenic cells in this species.

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