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Increased Luteinizing Hormone Secretion and Ovarian Function in Heifers Actively Immunized against Estrogen and Progesterone^1,2,

Washington State University^,5, Pullman 99164-6332

Abstract

This study was designed to test the effects of active immunization against estrogen and progesterone on patterns of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion, ovarian characteristics and growth rate of heifers. Heifers were randomly assigned to four treatments: 1) control injection (n = 10); 2) ovariectomy (n = 9); 3) immunization against estrogen (anti-E, n = 10); and 4) immunization against estrogen and progesterone (anti-E+P₄, n = 10). Three booster immunizations were administered at 1, 1.5 and 6 mo after primary immunization. Progesterone antibody binding was 40% (34 fmol at 1:600 final dilution) in the anti-E+P₄ heifers, and estradiol-17ß binding was 35% (30 fmol) and 60% (52 fmol at 1:100 final dilution) in the anti-E+P₄ and anti-E heifers, respectively, after the final immunization. Anti-E+P₄ heifers had more pulses of LH and higher basal concentrations of LH than anti-E or control heifers (P<.05). Concentrations of LH in anti-E+P₄ heifers did not increase to concentrations found in ovariectomized heifers (P<.05). Immunization against steroids did not alter the secretion of FSH. The number of large follicles (>15 mm diameter) in anti-E+P₄ and anti-E heifers was greater than in control heifers (P<.05). Ovarian weight was increased in anti-E+P₄ heifers (P<.05). Average daily gain was not different among groups (P>.05). It was concluded that active immunization against estrogen and progesterone in heifers increased LH secretion and stimulated ovarian function.

¹ Scientific paper no. 7516. College of Agr. and Home Econ. Res. Center, Washington State Univ., Pullman 99164. This research was supported in part by USDA Animal Health Grant No. 83-CRSR-2-2185.

² The authors gratefully acknowledge NIAMDD for the purified LH for standards: Dr. L. E. Reichert, Jr., Albany Med. College, Albany, NY for the purified LH and FSH for iodination; Dr. J. A. Dias, Albany Med. College, Albany, NY for the FSH antiserum; and Dr. V L. Estergreen, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA for the progesterone antibody.

³ Present address: Dept. of Aquacul., National Taiwan College of Marine Sci. and Tech., Keelung, Taiwan.

⁴ Address reprint requests to: Dr. J. J. Reeves, Dept. of Anim. Sci., Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164-6332.

⁵ Dept. of Anim. Sci.