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1.
During the breeding season three experiments were conducted to evaluate the LH and testosterone (T) response of rams with male sexual orientation (e.g., male-oriented homosexual rams) to female sheep, to male sheep, and to treatment with LHRH. Male-oriented rams were identified through a series of sexual performance and sexual preference tests. Treatments included exposure to estrous females and to males for 15 min (Exp. 1) and exposure to estrous females and to males for 8 h (Exp. 2). Behavioral responses to stimulus animals were recorded. In Exp. 2 homosexual rams mounted males more than females (P less than .02) and exhibited more flehmen (P less than .002) and investigatory sniffs (P less than .01) when exposed to males vs females. Acts of aggression (butting the stimulus animals) did not differ by gender (P greater than .1). Flehmen and butting were positively correlated to LH secretion (P less than .02) of rams exposed to females but not to males. In Exp. 1, LH concentration determined every 15 min for 6 h was not affected (P greater than .05) by the gender of the stimulus animal. In Exp. 2, LH pulse frequency and concentration were similar (P greater than .05) by treatment. Lack of an LH response to sexual activity in homosexual rams was not a result of pituitary or gonadal insensitivity; within 1 h of a single injection of LHRH both LH and T increased (Exp. 3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)  相似文献   

2.
Effects of the opiate agonist, morphine, and antagonist, naloxone, on LH release, courtship behavior and ejaculation frequency of mature, sexually active or sexually inactive rams were investigated. Plasma LH concentrations were monitored from blood samples collected every 15 min for 10 hr (0800 to 1800 hr) from eight rams that were isolated from or in contact with estrous females. Plasma LH concentration was higher (P<.05) in sexually active rams exposed to receptive females compared with hormone concentration of rams isolated from ewes. Intravenous infusion of morphine sulphate (1 mg/kg) into rams 4 and 6 hr after exposure to ewes reduced (P<.05) plasma LH concentration as compared to rams given saline. Morphine did not affect (P>.05) courtship behavior (investigatory sniff, mount attempt, foreleg kick, flehmen, vocalization) but diminished (P<.05) number of ejaculations. In another trial, LH concentrations were higher (P<.05) in seven sexually active rams given naloxone iv or when given to three rams through an intracerebroventricular cannula (icv) as compared to LH response of sexually inactive rams. LH did not differ (P>.05) in seven sexually inactive rams before or after administration of naloxone. Investigatory sniffs by sexually active rams were increased (P<.03) after treatment with the opiate antagonist. Four of the seven sexually active rams had more ejaculations after naloxone compared with the pretreatment period, but mean ejaculation frequency after treatment did not differ (P=.31). Naloxone did not stimulate courtship behavior of sexually inactive males. These data suggest that the effect of opiates on sexual behavior and LH secretion depends upon the inherent level of sexual activity among rams.  相似文献   

3.
High-performing, low-performing, and male-oriented rams were used to investigate behavior and neuroendocrine correlates of sexual interest and discrimination. Treatment consisted of visual and olfactory contact with stimulus animals through a woven wire fence, which inhibited copulation (either ewes in estrus or other rams), for 4 h on each of three consecutive days. Before exposure to stimulus animals on d 1 and during the final 1 h of exposure on d 2, blood samples were collected every 15 min for 1 h to determine concentrations of LH and testosterone. During exposure to stimulus animals, rams were continuously observed and investigatory behaviors were recorded. There was no day effect for any behavior. Groups of rams differed (P < .05) in amounts of behaviors exhibited, but behaviors were not influenced by sex of stimulus animals. High-performing rams exhibited more (P < .05) investigatory behaviors toward stimulus animals than low-performing or male-oriented rams. Plasma concentrations of LH increased (P < .05) in high-performing rams following exposure to estrous ewes, but not following exposure to rams. In low-performing and male-orientated rams, concentrations of LH were unchanged regardless of sex of the stimulus animal. Change in plasma concentrations of testosterone from pre- to posttreatment did not differ between high-performing, low-performing, and male-oriented rams. However, low-performing rams exhibited an increase (P < .05) in plasma concentrations of testosterone following exposure to rams. In conclusion, high-performing rams exhibit a high degree of investigatory behaviors toward estrous ewes and other rams. High-performing rams seem to discriminate sex of stimulus animals and exhibit a neuroendocrine response (i.e., increased plasma LH) only when exposed to ewes in estrus. The sensory signals provided by estrous females are either not detected by low-performing or male-oriented rams or are not sufficiently provocative to elicit further investigation by these rams.  相似文献   

4.
To examine the effect of diet on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, basal and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH)-induced LH release was compared in intact or castrated-estradiol-17 beta implanted Finn-Dorset lambs. Ten to 12 wk old ram (n = 20) and ewe lambs (n = 20) were maintained under a 8L:16D photoperiod and fed for high (HG, 163 to 168 g/d) or low (LG, 76 to 103 g/d) rates of gain. Eight to 10 wk later, baseline LH concentrations were determined in blood samples collected at 20 min intervals for 7 h. The following day, lambs were given an iv injection of 5 micrograms of estradiol-17 beta followed within 4 h by LHRH (.5 or 2.5 micrograms). Baseline concentrations of LH for HG ewes were threefold greater than for LG ewes (4.2 vs 1.4 ng/ml), respectively. Time to peak response was inversely related to dietary energy level (P less than .025). Basal LH levels were similar across diets in rams. Total LH release following LHRH was dose-dependent (P less than .005). Effects of gonadal feedback were tested in a second group (n = 24) of castrated lambs. Changes in LH secretion were not different between diets within 3 to 4 wk after castration. A subcutaneous silastic implant (22 mm) of estradiol-17 beta inhibited (P less than .01) LH concentrations across diets in both ewes and rams. No differences in estradiol feedback on LH secretion (at the dose of steroid tested) were detected between HG and LG lambs. Within 8 d, however, basal LH concentrations were 60% lower (P less than .01) in HG vs LG ewes. Furthermore, peak LHRH-induced LH release was greater (P less than .025) in LG vs HG lambs of both sexes. Estradiol inhibited basal LH secretion in ewes and rams but facilitated LH release in lambs with a reduced rate of gain.  相似文献   

5.
Two groups of 24 Hampshire and 26 Suffolk purebred ewes each were used to study effects of cohabitation with cyclic white-faced (WF) ewes on estrous activity in June. Ewes lambed in January, February and March and had been isolated from mature rams since the previous fall breeding. From June 1 to July 2, treated (T) ewes were exposed to vasectomized rams and to 65 WF ewes; control (C) ewes were exposed only to vasectomized rams. Ovulation was assessed with biweekly serum progesterone assays; crayon marks were used to detect estrus. Daily observations of ram behavior were conducted to assess sexual activity of rams joined with T and C ewes. Cohabitation with WF ewes increased (P less than .01) ovulation percentages from 46% in C (42% for Hampshires and 50% for Suffolks) to 76% in T ewes (79% for Hampshires and 73% for Suffolks). Mating percentage also was increased (P less than .05) by cohabitation with WF ewes from 14% for C ewes to 30% for T ewes. Rams with T + WF ewes spent more (P less than .05) time checking ewes for estrus than did rams with C ewes. Hence, cohabitation with cycling WF ewes increased ovulation and mating percentages. Many acyclic T ewes first ovulated after 10 or more days of teasing, possibly due to increased ram contact in the presence of WF ewes.  相似文献   

6.
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which sexual performance (serving capacity) tests can be used to predict the sexual behavior and reproductive success of rams in the context of pen mating. Standard serving capacity tests were used to select four low (LP) and four high-performing (HP) rams from a population of 94 yearling males. Each selected ram was then exposed to approximately 30 estrus-synchronized ewes for a 9-d period. Ejaculations observed and mounting marks left on ewes confirmed the greater (P less than .001) sexual activity of the HP rams in the field. In addition, ewes exposed to HP rams had a higher lambing percentage, more lambs born, and more live lambs born per ewe. Ram classification was not related (P greater than .60) to the number of lambs born per ewe lambing (prolificacy). It was concluded that serving capacity tests, properly conducted, can be used to predict ram mating performance and thus aid in establishing more efficient ram-to-ewe stocking rates.  相似文献   

7.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ejaculation rate (serving capacity) of sexually experienced rams could be estimated by selected measures of sexual libido when rams were exposed to estrous ewes under conditions that prevented copulations. Twenty-four crossbred rams selected for either high or low rates of copulation were exposed to two restrained estrous ewes under three treatment conditions that 1) permitted the full range of precopulatory and copulatory behaviors, 2) permitted precopulatory behaviors and mounting but precluded copulation, or 3) permitted precopulatory behaviors but not mounting or copulation. Frequencies of precopulatory behaviors (bouts of leg-kicking and anogenital sniffing) in each of the three treatment conditions and mounting frequency in Treatment 2 occurred in proportion to the ram's characteristic ejaculation rate (P < .001), suggesting that the mating potential of rams can be estimated under conditions that preclude copulation. Frequencies of precopulatory behaviors and mounting were lower when the rams were allowed to copulate, due largely to periods of sexual inactivity after ejaculations.  相似文献   

8.
An experiment was conducted to determine if exogenous luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) administered iv intermittently as pulses (P) or by continuous sc infusion (I) using osmotic minipumps could sustain pulsatile LH release and induce estrous cyclicity in prepubertal heifers. Prepubertal heifers were assigned randomly to: 1) receive pulses of LHRH (n = 6; 2.5 micrograms LHRH/2 h for 72 h), 2) be infused with LHRH (n = 11; 1.25 micrograms LHRH/h for 72 h), or 3) serve as controls (n = 16). Blood was collected at 20-min intervals for 8 h (0900 to 1700 h) from six heifers in each group on d 1, 2, 3 (during treatment), and on d 4 (during 8 h after terminating LHRH treatments). Heifers given LHRH had higher (P less than .01) LH concentrations than controls. Preovulatory-like LH surges occurred in three I, two P and no control heifers during treatment. Pulse frequencies of LH (no. LH pulses/8 h) were greater (P less than .001) for P heifers than for I and control heifers due to pulsatile LHRH treatment. Serum estradiol was higher (P less than .01) during treatment for LHRH-treated heifers than for controls. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone, cortisol, and progesterone were unchanged during treatment. High levels of cortisol on d 1 declined (P less than .001) to baseline by d 2. Characteristic progesterone rises or short luteal phases occurred within 10 d of treatment initiation in more (P less than .05) LHRH-treated heifers (I = 45%, P = 33%) than controls (6%), although days to first observed estrus and first ovulation were unaffected by treatments. Although both continuous and pulsatile administration of LHRH successfully induced LH and estradiol release as well as preovulatory-like LH surges in some heifers, earlier initiation of estrous cycles was not achieved. Estrous cycles appeared to be delayed by exposure to continuous LHRH infusions during the peripubertal period.  相似文献   

9.
Six lighthorse stallions with previous sexual experience were used to determine the short-term effects of sexual stimulation (SS; 5 min exposure to an estrous mare), SS plus ejaculation (SSE), and no stimulation (control) on serum concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone, cortisol and prolactin. Stallions received one treatment per day on d 1, 4 and 7. Treatments were assigned such that each stallion 1) received each treatment once and 2) experienced a unique sequence of treatments. Neither SS nor SSE had any consistent effects on LH or FSH concentrations. Testosterone concentrations during control bleedings increased (P less than .05) with time. This increase was suppressed (P less than .05) by both SS and SSE. Cortisol concentrations increased (P less than .05) immediately after SS and SSE. Cortisol concentrations also tended to increase during the control bleedings, but only in stallions that previously had been exposed to SS or SSE. Prolactin concentrations increased (P less than .05) immediately after SS and SSE and tended to rise during control bleedings in stallions previously exposed to SS or SSE. We conclude that 1) prolactin and cortisol were secreted rapidly in response to SS and SSE, 2) the rise in cortisol concentrations likely suppressed testosterone secretion within the next hour, and 3) stallions appeared to associate the distant sounds of other stallions with their own previous exposure to SS and SSE, resulting in a cortisol response (and perhaps a prolactin response) even in the absence of direct stimulation.  相似文献   

10.
The impact of the dietary amino acid regimen of primiparous sows on LH secretion and weaning-to-estrus interval was evaluated. Thirty-six sows, nursing litters of 13 pigs, were allocated daily 6 kg of a corn-soybean meal diet containing a high (HP, 1.20% lysine) or low (LP, .34% lysine) protein content during a 23-d lactation. Dietary lysine concentration was achieved by altering the ratio of corn and soybean meal in the diet. Plasma LH, ACTH, and estradiol-17beta were evaluated at 15 min, hourly, and at 6-h intervals, respectively, during 6-h periods on d 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 of lactation. Sows were checked daily for estrus from weaning to 45 d postweaning. Sows fed the LP and HP diets consumed 4.41 and 4.98 kg of feed daily during lactation. The LP sows weighed less (P < .05), had lighter (P < .05) litters at weaning, and had (P < .05) extended weaning-to-estrus intervals. Mean and baseline LH concentrations and LH pulses/6 h were lower (P < .01) in LP sows, and the differences between LP and HP sows were established by d 10 of lactation. Plasma estradiol and ACTH concentrations were not altered by diet. Mean LH concentrations on d 5 and 10 of lactation were correlated (r = -.54 and -.56, respectively, P < .01) with weaning-to-estrus interval. Also, mean LH concentrations on d 10 were correlated (P < .05) with the magnitude of dietary lysine deficiencies relative to demand for milk synthesis on d 0 to 5 and d 5 to 10 (r = -.39 and -.49, respectively). Inadequate dietary amino acid intake in sows during early lactation results in lower LH secretion by d 10 postpartum and is associated with increased weaning-to-estrus interval.  相似文献   

11.
The purpose of this study was to compare the sexual performance of rams that differed in age (maturation) and sexual experience. Twenty-four ram lambs (8 mo of age) and 21 rams (20 mo of age) were individually exposed to four females in hormonally induced estrus for 30 min on five occasions, 7 d apart. Half (12) the ram lambs and nine of the yearlings were sexually naive at the start of testing (had been denied access to females since weaning); the remaining males were sexually experienced. The sexual performance of the virgin rams was poorer during the initial exposure to females than in subsequent tests, whereas the sexual behavior of the sexually experienced males did not change over the days of testing. Sexually naive ram lambs and rams exhibited an improvement in sexual performance between Tests 1 and 2; during Test 3 to 5 the sexual performance (ejaculations per test) of sexually naive and experienced rams was similar. The only effects of age (maturation) on sexual performance during the last three test days were a higher frequency of mounts without ejaculation plus mount attempts (P less than .03) and a greater number of mount interactions per ejaculation (P less than .02) by ram lambs. In conclusion, one or two relatively brief exposures to estrous females can bring the sexual performance of virgin rams up to levels comparable to that of experienced males. Also, ram lambs in good condition exhibit acceptable levels of sexual performance.  相似文献   

12.
Melatonin (MEL) was evaluated for effects on LH, prolactin (PRL) and fertility in spring (Exp. 1, 2) and summer (Exp. 3 to 5). In Exp. 1, 17 ovariectomized ewes bearing estradiol implants were fed 3 mg MEL or vehicle for 44 d beginning May 1. Melatonin decreased (P less than .001) PRL levels but had no effect on LH secretion and response to GnRH. In Exp. 2, 12 ewes each received a 40-d MEL ear implant or a sham implant on March 31. Progesterone-releasing pessaries (CIDR) were applied for 12 d and were withdrawn concomitant with ram joining on May 7. Neither treatment stimulated follicular development or induced estrus or ovulation. Exp. 3 and 4 were contemporary 2 x 2 factorial trials with 24 ewes at each of two locations. Melatonin implants were administered on June 29 and CIDR on July 22. The CIDR were removed and rams (Exp. 3, vasectomized; Exp. 4, fertile) were joined on August 3. Days from introduction of rams to estrus were reduced (P less than .05) by CIDR but not by MEL. All ewes lambed in Exp. 4, and days to estrus and conception were reduced (P less than .001) by CIDR but not by MEL. Exp. 5 was designed like Exp. 4 except that MEL implants were inserted June 20 and rams were joined August 8. Intervals from introduction of rams to estrus were reduced (P less than .01) by both MEL and CIDR treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)  相似文献   

13.
Two experiments were conducted in which pregnant crossbred ewes were randomly assigned to a control group or implanted with testosterone propionate/silastic implants between d 40 and d 60 of gestation. Implants contained approximately 2 g testosterone propionate and provided a constant delivery of 8.7 mg/d. Androgenized ewes (TE), born to implanted dams, had lower adjusted birth weights (P less than .05) than control ewes (CE) in both experiments. Treated rams (TR) also displayed lower birth weights than control rams (CR) in both experiments, but the difference was significant only in Exp. 2. Average daily gain was 16.4% more (P less than .05) for TE than for CE in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2, TE gained 9.6% faster (P less than .05) and had 14.6% (P less than .05) more weight per unit of feed consumed than CE. In both experiments, average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio were similar for TR and CR. In Exp. 2, prenatal androgenization of ewes reduced (P less than .05) 12th rib fat thickness and decreased (P less than .05) percent kidney and pelvic fat. Yield grades of TE were lower than CE in both Exp. 1 (P less than .10) and Exp. 2 (P less than .05). From additional measurements taken in Exp. 2, liver weight per unit of carcass weight was greater (P less than .05), anogenital distance was greater (P less than .01) and test tube penetration into the vestibule was less (P less than .01) for TE than CE. The TE did not exhibit regular estrous cycles, while CE displayed recurring estrous cycles.  相似文献   

14.
Twenty-five crossbred ewes were utilized to examine the timing of embryonic migration relative to maternal recognition of pregnancy. These ewes also were utilized to examine whether ovine embryos synthesized estradiol-17 beta in association with embryonic elongation and intrauterine migration. Embryos were flushed on d 11 through 15 from hemiovariectomized ewes. Recovery of embryos from the uterine horn contralateral to the remaining ovary indicated that migration had occurred. Ewes subsequently were returned with rams to determine their interestrous interval. Recovered embryos were classified morphologically, their length determined and individually incubated. Changes in estradiol within the medium were determined after a 6-h incubation. Embryo migration began on d 14 (P less than .05); on consecutive days from 11 through 15, 0, 0, 0, 60 and 100% of ewes examined, respectively, had an embryo in the contralateral horn. Extended estrous cycles (greater than 20 d) were observed in 0, 0, 40, 80 and 100% of ewes examined (P less than .05) following removal of embryos on d 11 through 15 of the cycle. Ovine embryos were longer (P less than .05) on d 14 (4.8 +/- 1.1 cm length, mean +/- SE) compared with d 13 (.2 +/- .1 cm) and increased further (P less than .05) on d 15 (7.8 +/- 1.1 cm). Incidence of intrauterine migration was correlated with embryonic length (r = .83; P less than .01) and estradiol synthesis (r = .77; P less than .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)  相似文献   

15.
The objective of the present study was to determine if postpubertal boars (12-13 months of age; 156 +/- 8 kg) with large testes had altered hypothalamic control of secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). Seven boars with the highest estimated 150 d, paired testis weights from a line selected for large testes (769 +/- 60 g = mean weight of excised testes) and 8 boars from a control group (control, 544 +/- 20 g) were tethered in stalls and fitted with indwelling jugular catheters. Males were bled when they were intact, 14 days after castration and during administration of sodium pentobarbital anesthetic (subsequent to castration) to block secretion of endogenous LH-releasing hormone (LHRH). Blood samples were collected at 12-min intervals for 6 hr before and 1 hr after intravenous injection of LHRH in intact and castrated males. During anesthesia, LHRH was administered 4 times at 1-hr intervals and blood samples were collected every 6 min. All samples were analyzed for concentrations of LH and pooled samples were analyzed for concentrations of 17-beta estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T). In intact and castrated males, mean concentrations of LH, frequency and amplitude of pulses of LH, and concentrations of E2 and T were not different between boars of the two groups (P greater than .10). Response to exogenous LHRH was less (P less than .05) in intact males with large testes than in corresponding males from the control group (P less than .05). Fourteen days after castration, males that had larger testes before castration had less of a response to LHRH than males from the control group (P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)  相似文献   

16.
One hundred ewes were utilized to determine the effects of interferon supplementation on the number of ewes pregnant and embryonic survival. Ewes were checked twice daily (0700 and 1600) for estrus using fertile rams. On d 12 through 16, ewes received twice-daily i.m. injections of either recombinant bovine interferon alpha I1 (2 mg IFN) or vehicle. Ewes remained penned with rams and were observed for subsequent estrous activity for at least 35 d after mating. To determine the number of fetuses and corpora lutea, all ewes were subjected to one surgery during mid-pregnancy (d 45 to 80). More (P less than .05) ewes were pregnant after treatment with IFN vs vehicle (45 of 49, 92% vs 37 of 49, 76%, respectively). The interestrous interval for ewes that were treated with IFN and did not conceive was longer (P less than .05) than for ewes given vehicle (26 +/- 1 vs 17 +/- 2 d, respectively). Embryonic survival (98.2 vs 87.9%; P less than .05), calculated as the number of fetuses present at the time of laparotomy and expressed as a percentage of the ovulation rate, and percentage of ewes with 100% fetal survival (96 vs 76%; P less than .05) were greater after treatment with IFN. It was concluded that supplementation of IFN increased both the number of ewes pregnant and embryonic survival.  相似文献   

17.
Two experiments were conducted in ovariectomized, pituitary stalk-transected ewes to determine if dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) or serotonin (5-HT) alter secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin (PRL). In experiment 1, ewes were infused (iv) with saline (control), DA (66 micrograms/kg/min), NE (6.6 micrograms/kg/min) or 5-HT (6.6 micrograms/kg/min). Treatments did not alter pulse frequency, but 5-HT increased (P less than .05) amplitude of pulses of LH and mean concentrations of LH, DA and NE were without effect on basal secretion of LH. DA but not NE or 5-HT decreased (P less than .05) the release of LH in response to gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH, 25 micrograms, im). Concentrations of FSH were not affected by treatments. Secretion of PRL was reduced (P less than .05) by treatment with DA and NE but not 5-HT. Each amine reduced (P less than .05) the release of PRL in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; 3 micrograms, im). In experiment 2, ewes were given DA at doses of 0, 0.66, 6.6 or 66.0 micrograms/kg/min, iv. No dose altered basal LH, but each dose reduced (P less than .05) basal and TRH-induced release of PRL. Key findings from these studies include direct pituitary action for: (1) 5-HT enhanced basal secretion of LH, (2) suppression of GnRH-induced secretion of LH by DA. (3) DA and NE inhibition of PRL secretion, and (4) DA, NE and 5-HT inhibition of release of PRL in response to TRH.  相似文献   

18.
The relationship between systemic luteinizing hormone (LH) and testicular development was investigated in Finn and Suffolk ram lambs treated at 2 wk of age with sc progesterone implants for 0, 4, 8 or 12 wk. Serial samples of blood (30-min intervals for 3 h) were collected from five rams X breed-1 X treatment-1 at 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18 and 22 wk of age plus 1 and 2 wk after implant removal. Scrotal circumference was measured at 10, 14, 18 and 22 wk of age. A testicular biopsy was obtained at 14, 18 and 22 wk for microscopic evaluation of testicular development and spermatogenesis. Pulsatile LH releases occurred 60 to 180 min apart in control lambs between 6 and 22 wk of age; LH secretion was not affected by age except for a decrease (P less than .01) in mean LH at 22 wk. Transient increases in testosterone were found subsequent to LH pulses. Systemic testosterone increased (P less than .01) progressively with age, was higher (P less than .05) in Finn than in Suffolk rams at 18 and 22 wk and was correlated positively (P less than .01) within breeds with seminiferous tubule diameter at 14 wk and with scrotal circumference at 10 and 14 wk. Tubule diameter was larger (P less than .01) but testes size and weight were smaller (P less than .01) in Finn than in Suffolk rams. Progesterone implants decreased (P less than .01) LH secretion at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, but not at 14 wk of age; decreased systemic testosterone between 4 and 14 wk; decreased (P less than .01) seminiferous tubule diameter at 14 wk, which was related inversely to duration of progesterone treatment; and delayed puberty from 18 to 22 or more wk in rams implanted from 2 to 10 or 14 wk of age. Both control and treated rams with elongated spermatids at 18 vs 22 or more wk had increased LH secretion, higher systemic testosterone and larger tubule diameter and testes size at a younger age. These results suggest that rate of sexual maturation in ram lambs is related to level of postnatal LH stimulation and to the prepubertal age when increased LH stimulation occurs.  相似文献   

19.
Adult Suffolk ewes (n = 14) were treated on d 10 of the estrous cycle with anti-bovine luteinizing hormone (LH) antiserum. Control ewes (n = 10) were treated with normal horse serum. Estrous behavior and the number of corpora lutea and ovarian follicles were examined at the subsequent estrous cycle. Daily plasma concentrations of progesterone (P4), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol were determined before and after treatment. Ewes treated with antiserum had a higher (P less than .05) ovulation rate (2.7 +/- .2) than did controls (2.1 +/- .1). No differences were found in the numbers of large (greater than 5 mm) or small (less than 5 mm) follicles between treatment groups. Estrus was delayed (P less than .025) approximately .6 d/in ewes treated with antisera. Immunoreactive FSH increased (P less than .05) within 1 d after treatment and remained higher than the controls for 5 d. Peak estradiol concentrations occurred on d 17 for treated ewes compared with peak concentrations on d 15 or 16 for control ewes. The P4 concentrations were generally less (P less than .025) in treated ewes throughout the luteal phase of the treatment cycle. These data demonstrate that ovulation rate is increased in ewes treated with LH antiserum. The marked increase in plasma FSH suggests a possible mechanism whereby ovulation rate is enhanced.  相似文献   

20.
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