Journal of Animal Science, Vol 68, Issue 12 4100-4108, Copyright © 1990 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effect of prenatal testosterone treatment on nitrogen utilization and endocrine status of ewe lambs

K. C. DeHaan, L. L. Berger, P. J. Bechtel, D. J. Kesler, F. K. McKeith and D. L. Thomas
University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.

Thirty-eight pregnant Suffolk ewes were assigned randomly to a control group or implanted with approximately 2 g of testosterone propionate (TP) when they were between d 40 and 60 of gestation. Implants were removed 3 wk prior to lambing. Five ewe lambs born to implanted ewes and ten ewe lambs born to nonimplanted ewes were utilized in this experiment. Ram lambs were not used in this trial. No differences (P greater than .10) were observed for fecal, urinary and total N excretion and amount of N absorbed. Nitrogen retained (percentage of N intake and g/d) was higher (P less than .05) in prenatally androgenized ewe lambs than in control ewe lambs. Plasma insulin concentrations averaged 99% higher (P less than .05) in prenatally androgenized ewe lambs. Plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations averaged 29% higher (P less than .06) in ewe lambs treated prenatally with testosterone. Nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations averaged 41% higher (P less than .05) in prenatally androgenized ewe lambs. Significant (P less than .05) treatment x time effects were observed in plasma thyroxine, glucose and urea N concentrations of prenatally androgenized vs control ewe lambs. These significant modifications in the plasma metabolite and endocrine status could be an important element of the physiological mechanism(s) by which prenatal androgenization improves growth performance and leanness of ewe lambs.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Alexanderson, E. Eriksson, E. Stener-Victorin, M. Lonn, and A. Holmang Early postnatal oestradiol exposure causes insulin resistance and signs of inflammation in circulation and skeletal muscle J. Endocrinol., April 1, 2009; 201(1): 49 - 58. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Alexanderson, E. Eriksson, E. Stener-Victorin, T. Lystig, B. Gabrielsson, M. Lonn, and A. Holmang Postnatal Testosterone Exposure Results in Insulin Resistance, Enlarged Mesenteric Adipocytes, and an Atherogenic Lipid Profile in Adult Female Rats: Comparisons with Estradiol and Dihydrotestosterone Endocrinology, November 1, 2007; 148(11): 5369 - 5376. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Manikkam, T. L. Steckler, K. B. Welch, E. K. Inskeep, and V. Padmanabhan Fetal Programming: Prenatal Testosterone Treatment Leads to Follicular Persistence/Luteal Defects; Partial Restoration of Ovarian Function by Cyclic Progesterone Treatment Endocrinology, April 1, 2006; 147(4): 1997 - 2007. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. P. Sharma, C. Herkimer, C. West, W. Ye, R. Birch, J. E. Robinson, D. L. Foster, and V. Padmanabhan Fetal Programming: Prenatal Androgen Disrupts Positive Feedback Actions of Estradiol but Does Not Affect Timing of Puberty in Female Sheep Biol Reprod, April 1, 2002; 66(4): 924 - 933. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]