Sexual stimulation as a luteolytic inductor in beef heifers. 2019

María Victoria Felipez, and Tomás Acosta, and Rodolfo Ungerfeld
Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Lasplaces 1620, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay.

The objective was to determine if the introduction of androgenized steers or females in oestrus has luteolytic effects during the advanced luteal phase (Day 12-13 of the cycle, Day of ovulation = Day 0) in heifers by analysing the changes in corpus luteum (CL) size and perfused area together with progesterone (P4) secretion. Experiment 1 (EXP1) was carried out in May (autumn) with 12 Angus and Angus X Hereford heifers and experiment 2 (EXP2) in September (spring) with 20 heifers of the same breed. Procedures for both experiments were the same. Firstly, oestrus was synchronized in heifers, then, transrectal colour doppler ultrasonography was performed daily from Day 10 to Day 12 of the cycle in all animals. On Day 12 in the afternoon, animals were allocated to two experimental groups (control and biostimulated) and maintained separated (minimum distance: 1000 m) until the end of each experiment. In EXP1, two androgenized steers were introduced into the biostimulated group (BAS) and compared with unstimulated control group (CON1). In EXP2, 20 animals were separated into control group (CON2) and biostimulated group (BHE), in which 4 oestrous heifers were introduced on Day 12 in the afternoon, and 4 more on day 13. The oestrous heifers were injected with 2 mg i.m. of oestradiol benzoate every 12 h until the end of the experiment to maintain the receptiveness. In both experiments, from Day 13 until the day on which detectable luteal blood flow (irrigation) disappeared, colour doppler ultrasonography was performed every 12 h in both groups. Blood samples were collected from all heifers every 12 h from Day 10 to the day in which irrigation disappeared. In EXP1 there was no effect of treatment on CL volume. The BAS had less CL's perfused area than controls 0.09 ± 0.02 cm2 vs 0.16 ± 0.02 cm2, respectively (p = 0.015), less percentage of perfused area (2.4 ± 0.4% vs 4.2 ± 0.4%; p = 0,011), and lower progesterone (P4) concentration than CON1 (2.7 ± 1.0 ng/mL vs 5.8 ± 0.9 ng/mL respectively; p = 0.046). On Day 14.5 of the cycle, the BAS tended to have a lower concentration of P4 than the CON1 (p = 0.06) and on Days 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 19.5 the P4 concentration was lower in BAS than in CON1 (p < 0.05). In EXP2 there were no treatment effects in any of the studied variables. Overall, it was concluded that the introduction of androgenized steers during heifers' advanced luteal phase of heifers advanced the luteolytic process. However, the introduction of oestrous heifers had no effect on luteal activity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010060 Ovulation The discharge of an OVUM from a rupturing follicle in the OVARY. Ovulations
D002417 Cattle Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor. Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D003338 Corpus Luteum The yellow body derived from the ruptured OVARIAN FOLLICLE after OVULATION. The process of corpus luteum formation, LUTEINIZATION, is regulated by LUTEINIZING HORMONE. Corpora Lutea,Lutea, Corpora
D003341 Luteolysis Degradation of CORPUS LUTEUM. In the absence of pregnancy and diminishing trophic hormones, the corpus luteum undergoes luteolysis which is characterized by the involution and cessation of its endocrine function. Corpus Luteum Regression,Luteal Regression,Regression, Corpus Luteum,Regression, Luteal
D004971 Estrus The period in the ESTROUS CYCLE associated with maximum sexual receptivity and fertility in non-primate female mammals.
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012726 Sexual Behavior, Animal Sexual activities of animals. Mating Behavior, Animal,Sex Behavior, Animal,Animal Mating Behavior,Animal Mating Behaviors,Animal Sex Behavior,Animal Sex Behaviors,Animal Sexual Behavior,Animal Sexual Behaviors,Mating Behaviors, Animal,Sex Behaviors, Animal,Sexual Behaviors, Animal

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