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Endocrine Changes Associated with a Dietary-Induced Increase in Ovulation Rate (Flushing) in Gilts¹

University of Missouri³, Columbia 65211

Abstract

Effects of an increased level of dietary energy (flushing) on plasma concentrations of FSH, LH, insulin, progesterone and estradiol-17ß and ovulation rate were studied in 16 gilts. Gilts received 5,400 kcal ME/d for one estrous cycle and the first 7 d of a second. On d 8 of the second estrous cycle, gilts received either 5,400 kcal ME/d (control [C], n = 8) or 11,000 kcal ME/d (flushed [F], n = 8) for the remainder of the estrous cycle. Blood was collected daily at 15-min intervals for 6 h from d 8 through estrus. Gilts were examined by laparotomy 6 d after estrus. Ovulation rate was greater (P < .05) in F than C gilts (16.0 vs 9.4). Mean daily concentrations of FSH were greater (P < .05) in F gilts at 5 d, 4 d and 3 d prior to estrus compared with C females. In both C and F gilts, FSH decreased (P < .05) prior to estrus. Mean daily concentrations of LH and LH pulse amplitude were not different (P > .05) between treatments. Mean number of LH pulses/6 h at 4 d, 3 d and 2 d prior to estrus were greater (P < .05) in F than in C gilts. In both treatments, LH pulse amplitude decreased (P < .05) and pulse frequency increased (P < .07) prior to estrus. Mean plasma concentrations of insulin tended to be higher (P < .07) in F than in C females during the 7-d period before estrus. Plasma concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were not different (P > .05) between treatments. Results of this study show that gilts exhibiting a greater ovulation rate due to flushing also differ from control gilts in plasma concentrations of LH, FSH and insulin prior to estrus.

¹ Contribution from the Missouri Agric. Exp. Sta. Journal Series No. 10535.

² Present address: Dept. of Anim. Sci., North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh 27607.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci.

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