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Journal of Animal Science, Vol 72, Issue 3 591-597, Copyright © 1994 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effects of bromocriptine treatment on the expression of sexual behavior in male sheep (Ovis aries)

E. Gloria, C. Regisford and L. S. Katz
Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08903.

Twenty-three rams were treated twice daily with subcutaneous injections of bromocriptine or vehicle over 30 d during two seasons, spring and fall. Sexual behavior was observed and quantified to determine the effects of bromocriptine-induced hypoprolactinemia on mount attempt (MA), mount (M), and ejaculation (E) frequency of the rams upon exposure to estrous ewes. Behavioral responses and serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations were determined on a weekly basis before, during, and after the treatment period in each season. Treatment with bromocriptine caused a significant decrease in serum concentrations of PRL during both seasons (P < .01). Post-treatment period concentrations of PRL returned to pretreatment levels during the spring, whereas during the fall, post-treatment period PRL concentrations remained low (P < .05). The frequency of MA and M was lower during bromocriptine treatment relative to control rams in the spring (P < .05). The frequency of MA and M returned to pretreatment values after bromocriptine treatment was withdrawn. Ejaculation frequency tended to decrease during and after bromocriptine treatment relative to controls (P < .09). There was no effect of bromocriptine treatment on frequency of MA and M during the fall. During the fall, the frequency of E tended to decrease in bromocriptine-treated rams (P < .1). These data indicate that bromocriptine-induced hypoprolactinemia is associated with a significant diminution in expression of sexual behavior in rams. It is suggested that PRL modulates the intensity of expression of sexual behavior in rams, and this effect may be season-dependent.


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M. E. Freeman, B. Kanyicska, A. Lerant, and G. Nagy
Prolactin: Structure, Function, and Regulation of Secretion
Physiol Rev, October 1, 2000; 80(4): 1523 - 1631.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 1994 by the American Society of Animal Science.