Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J F Roche.
Three cases of heparin induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia are reported. Pathogenesis, clinical and biological manifestations as well as treatment are reviewed. Treatment consisted in replacing the heparin by a vitamin K antagonist or a low molecular weight heparin. During heparin treatment, the risk of thrombotic thrombocytopenia should be kept in mind and the platelet count monitored from time to time.
The objectives of this study were to develop a bioassay for measuring inhibin bioactivity in untreated samples of bovine follicular fluid (BFF) and then examine changes in inhibin bioactivity in ovulatory and atretic follicles and utero-ovarian venous blood during the periovulatory period in heifers. A rat pituitary cell culture system was used to bioassay inhibin-like activity. Addition of 0.005 to 1 microliter untreated (whole), unfiltered charcoal-stripped, or filtered whole BFF to pituitary cultures caused a linear suppression of LHRH-induced FSH release but had no effect on LH secretion. Steroids in BFF did not suppress FSH secretion, since removal of steroids from BFF with charcoal did not remove the FSH-suppressive activity in BFF. Addition of ether extracts of BFF caused a slight but nonparallel suppression of FSH secretion; however, heating these extracts removed most of this suppressive activity. Removal of BFF from pituitary cultures completely restored the capacity of pituitary cultures to respond to LHRH. It was concluded that the inhibin bioassay was specific for detecting inhibin-like activity in fluids from individual follicles without interference of steroids. Within 12 h after a prostaglandin (PG) injection during the luteal phase of heifers, LH levels in serum increased 2- to 4-fold and remained at this level until the occurrence of the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. In contrast, FSH did not change before the gonadotropin surge. Inhibin bioactivity was measured in all follicles (greater than or equal to 6 mm) 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h after and in utero-ovarian venous serum 0, 24, and 36 h after PG-induced luteolysis. From 0-36 h after PG administration, inhibin-like activity increased linearly in presumed ovulatory follicles and utero-ovarian venous serum. Then, from 48-72 h after PG treatment, before the preovulatory LH surge, inhibin activity decreased in ovulatory follicles. After the surge but before ovulation, inhibin-like activity increased in ovulatory follicles. Inhibin-like activity in atretic follicles did not change after PG treatment and was lower in atretic than ovulatory follicles. Since a single hypothalamic releasing factor, LHRH, may control the secretion of LH and FSH, increased secretion of inhibin from preovulatory follicles before the preovulatory LH and FSH surges could account for the absence of a presurge rise in FSH in blood, as was observed for LH during this time in heifers. Diminished follicular production of inhibin during the gonadotropin surge could explain the preovulatory release of FSH along with LH during this time.
The effects of implantation with different anabolic agents on growth rate, behaviour, carcase parameters and testicular size of bulls were evaluated in an experiment with 361 Friesian bulls about three months old on three farms. Animals were allocated to one of the following treatments: (a) Control; (b) repeated implantation with 36 mg zeranol at intervals of 95 to 124 days; (c) repeated implantation with 20 mg oestradiol benzoate plus 140 mg trenbolone acetate as in (b); (d) repeated implantation with 20 mg oestradiol benzoate plus 200 mg progesterone as in (b); (e) implanted once with 45 mg oestradiol-17 beta. Daily liveweight gain, carcase weight, testicular size and behaviour of the animals were the parameters measured. Repeated implantation of young bulls with hormones, beginning at eight to 10 weeks old, increases liveweight gain and carcase weight from 0 to 15 per cent, reduces aggressive behaviour and testicular size and, in some instances, improves conformation and increases fat cover of the carcase.
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The objective of this study was to examine changes in steroid concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) and in gonadotropin receptors in nonovulatory follicles that develop after ovulation in heifers. Six groups of six to seven heifers were ovariectomized on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 of an estrous cycle. Follicles 6 mm or more in diameter were separated into two classes, estrogen-active (E-A) and estrogen-inactive (E-I). E-A follicles had higher concentrations of estradiol than progesterone and androgens in FF and a low incidence of atresia. E-I follicles had higher concentrations of progesterone or androgens than estradiol in FF and a high incidence of atresia. Diameters, numbers of granulosa cells, and capacities of granulosa cells and thecal tissue to bind [125I]iodo-hCG increased in E-A follicles from days 3-7. During this time, diameters, numbers of granulosa cells, concentrations of estradiol, and capacities of granulosa cells and thecal tissue to bind gonadotropins were greater in E-A than E-I follicles. On days 9, 11, and 13, each heifer had only a single E-I follicle. Compared with E-A follicles on day 7, E-I follicles on days 9, 11, and 13 were smaller and had less granulosa cells, less estradiol in FF, and a lower capacity to bind [125I]iodo-hCG. After day 7, E-A follicles were not observed until day 13. We conclude that at least two periods of growth and atresia of follicles occur between days 3-13 of an estrous cycle in heifers. One is during days 3-7 when a single E-A follicle 6 mm or more in diameter develops and all other E-I follicles regress. The other is between days 7 and 13 when the E-A follicle from day 7 becomes an E-I follicle and regresses, and another E-A follicle develops.
Treatment of 97 suckling beef cows at about 30 days post partum with doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 3.0, or 5.0 micrograms Gn-RH/pulse for period of 2-4 days at 1-h or 2-h intervals in three different experiments did not increase the number of cows ovulating when compared to untreated controls. Treatment with 0.25 or 0.5 micrograms Gn-RH/pulse resulted in little or no LH release, whereas higher doses gave discernible LH releases after each Gn-RH pulse. Pretreatment with progesterone did not affect the ovulatory or LH responses. These data indicate that pulsatile injections of Gn-RH, at the dose levels and frequencies used, cannot reactivate ovarian cyclicity in a majority of cows. We suggest that the degree of follicular development at the time of treatment is a major factor determining the ovulatory response to such pulsatile Gn-RH regimens.
The objective of the present study was to characterize changes in growth, concentrations of steroids in follicular fluid (FF) and gonadotropin receptors of individual antral follicles after spontaneous luteolysis in heifers and to reexamine our hormonal method of classifying healthy and atretic follicles. Groups of heifers were ovariectomized (OVX) before regression of corpora lutea on d 17, 18 and 19 of an estrous cycle and after regression of corpora lutea at time periods before, during and after preovulatory gonadotropin surges. Each follicle greater than or equal to 6 mm in diameter was examined for concentration of progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and estradiol-17 beta in FF and capacities of granulosal and thecal cells to specifically bind 125I-bovine follicle stimulating hormone (bFSH) or 125I-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Follicles were separated into two classes, estrogen-active (E-A) or estrogen-inactive (E-I). Concentrations of estradiol in FF were higher than both progesterone and androgens in E-A follicles, whereas either androgens or progesterone was higher than estradiol in E-I follicles. Diameters, volumes of FF and numbers of granulosal cells in E-A follicles increased from d 17 through the end of the preovulatory gonadotropin surges. During this time, concentrations of progesterone, androstenedione and estradiol in FF and specific binding of 125I-hCG to granulosal and thecal cells increased, whereas specific binding of 125I-bFSH to granulosal cells decreased. In E-I follicles, progesterone in FF decreased and androstenedione increased from d 17 through end of gonadotropin surges. The E-I follicles had a higher incidence of granulosal cells with pycnosis than E-A follicles. We concluded that changes in growth, concentration of steroids in FF and gonadotropin receptors in E-A follicles after spontaneous luteolysis were similar to changes we previously reported for E-A follicles after prostaglandin-induced luteolysis, and that ratio of concentration of estradiol in FF to both progesterone and androgens could be used to separate potential ovulatory (E-A) from atretic (E-I) follicles in heifers.
Changes in growth, concentrations of steroids in follicular fluid, and numbers of gonadotropin receptors in follicles 6 mm or more in diameter were examined 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h after prostaglandin (PG)-induced luteolysis in heifers. Follicles with higher concentrations of estradiol than progesterone and androgens in follicular fluid (FF) were classified as estrogen active (E-A). Follicles with higher concentrations of progesterone or androgens than estradiol in follicular fluid were classified as estrogen inactive (E-I). Although E-A and E-I follicles were similar in size 12-72 h after PG treatment, before the preovulatory surge of LH, numbers of granulosa cells, estradiol concentrations, and capacities of follicles to specifically bind gonadotropins were markedly lower in E-I follicles. Most E-I follicles had histological signs of atresia, whereas E-A follicles did not. Sizes, concentrations of steroids in FF, and specific binding of gonadotropins to follicle cells did not change in E-A or E-I follicles 12-72 h after PG treatment but before the preovulatory surge of LH. However, diameters of E-A follicles were highly correlated with concentrations of estradiol and progesterone in FF and with capacities of granulosa and thecal cells to specifically bind [125I] iodo-hCG. In contrast, diameters of E-A follicles were highly negatively correlated with concentrations of testosterone in FF and with capacities of granulosa cells to specifically bind [125I] iodobovine FSH. We conclude that E-I follicles are atretic and E-A follicles are potentially ovulatory follicles. In addition, after a single injection of PG during an estrous cycle in heifers, the growth the differentiation of ovulatory follicles were not synchronized.
Heifers between Days 6 and 10 of the cycle were allocated at random to groups of 8 and treated with (i) a 4% progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID) + oestrogen capsule for 12 days; (ii) 4% PRID for 12 days; (iii) 20% PRID for 12 days; (iv) 4% for 14 days; or (v) 20% PRID for 14 days. Blood was obtained daily during treatment and at 2- or 4-h intervals for 72 h after removal of PRIDs. Some animals were sampled every 20 min for 4.676 h on the 3rd day after PRID insertion, and 1 day before and 36 h after removal of the PRID insertion, and 1 day before and 36 h after removal of the PRID. During progesterone treatment there was: (i) no correlation between concentrations of progesterone and LH within days; (ii) a significant negative correlation between progesterone and days (P less than 0.01) and also between progesterone and LH over days (P less than 0.01); (iii) the overall correlation co-efficient between LH and days was positive (P less than 0.05). The amplitude of LH or FSH episodes was not affected as progesterone concentrations declined during PRID treatment, but the number of LH (but not FSH) episodes was increased (p less than 0.01). After PRID removal, the amplitude of both LH and FSH episodes increased (P less than 0.01). We suggest that progesterone is part of a negative feedback complex on LH secretion in cattle and that this effect is apparently mediated through frequency of episodic LH release.
Hereford cross beef heifers at pasture were inseminated at a detected oestrus with thawed semen and were slaughtered at the following intervals after insemination: day 3 (60 heifers); day 8 (71); day 14 (65); day 18 (78) and day 28 (29). The recovery rates of ova at days 3 and 8 were 87 and 77 per cent respectively. The percentage of heifers that were pregnant at the respective time intervals after slaughter were 81, 84, 75, 60 and 62. There was no difference in the proportion of normally developing ova or embryos between days 3 and 8, 8 and 14, 14 and 18 or 18 and 28. There were significant differences in the number of animals with variable embryos between days 3 and days 18 + 28 (P less than 0.025); 8 and 18 + 28 (P less than 0.01); and 14 and 18 + 28 (P less than 0.05). Based on the results and other data in the literature, fertilisation failure can account for up to 20 per cent of reproductive wastage. Embryonic mortality accounts for most of the remaining wastage and occurs gradually between days 8 and 18. Pregnancy rates at days 18 and 28 approximate to calving data.
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The effects of progesterone on LH and FSH concentrations in cattle are not clearly understood. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of various concentrations of progesterone on serum concentrations of LH and FSH in heifers. After estrous synchrony, animals were assigned to four different treatment groups (n = 10/group). Heifers received vaginal coils containing either 2% or 6.75% progesterone between days 8-10 (luteal phase) or days 17-18 (follicular phase) after estrus. Coils remained in place for 7 days. One day before removal of coils, all animals received an injection of prostaglandin-F2 alpha to cause regression of existing corpora lutea. Both the stage of the cycle and the percentage of progesterone in the coil affected serum concentrations of progesterone while the coils were in the vagina. Concentrations of FSH during progesterone treatment were not different for animals on different treatments. While coils were in the vagina, there was a significant increase in serum LH concentrations in heifers in the follicular phase given 2% progesterone coils, but no increase in LH was observed in the other three treatment groups. After removal of the progesterone coils, but before the preovulatory gonadotropin surges, LH increased but not FSH. The LH and FSH surges occurred synchronously. After the surges, FSH concentrations increased at a faster rate than LH. These data suggest that differential feedback mechanisms exist for LH and FSH in heifers. (Endocrinology 108: 568, 1981)
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The control and induction of ovulation in cattle are discussed with particular reference to use of progesterone-impregnated coils in heifers and beef cows. Progesterone treatment for 14 days was required to obtain precise onset of oestrus. With 7, 9 or 12 days of progesterone treatment a luteolytic agent in the form of a prostaglandin (PG) or oestradiol benzoate had to be used. Fertility was normal after treatment durations of 7, 9 or 12 days, but fertility after 14-day treatment requires further testing. The progesterone coil was not effective in maintaining luteal-phase levels of progesterone throughout a 12-day treatment and increasing the concentration of progesterone in the coil from 4 to 20% was not effective in elevating the progesterone concentrations in blood. When progesterone concentrations dropped below approximately 1.5 ng/ml the basal level of LH began to rise before removal of the coil. A 2-fold rise in the basal level of LH was observed following the removal of the progesterone coil. This early rise in LH was absent in cows which did not ovulate after they were given a 12-day progesterone treatment and GnRH 24-36 h after removal of coils to induce the main LH peak. Absence of this early rise suggests that frequency and amplitude of episodic LH release were inadequate in the post-partum anovulatory period. Ovariectomy in the early post-partum period was not followed by an abrupt LH release.
Trials were carried out on 1184 dairy cows calved at least six weeks before treatment and 255 heifers to determine effectiveness of the prostaglandin analogue, cloprostenol to control estrus. In trial 1, following two injections of cloprostenol given 12 days apart, there was no difference in calving rate following AI either at 72 and 96 hr after treatment (71 163 ) or at a detected estrus (53 118 ) compared to control cows bred at estrus (54 110 ). In trial 2, treated cows were injected once after 5 to 7 days of estrous detection and AI. The calving rate following AI either at 72 and 96 hr after cloprostenol (46 100 ) or at a detected estrus (39 71 ) was similar to that in control cows bred at estrus (45 86 ). In trial 3, cows were bred at a detected estrus after the first cloprostenol injection. Twelve days after this injection, cows not bred were given a second injection and bred 72 and 96 hr later. The calving rate in treated cows bred at estrus after the first injection (66 138 ) was similar to calving rate in controls (55 95 ). However, calving rate in cows given a second injection and bred 72 and 96 hr later was significantly (P angle 0.05) lower (30 98 ). Similar results were obtained in heifers, except calving rate in trial 3 after the second cloprostenol injection was not reduced.
The calving rate to artificial insemination following administration of progesterone or prostaglandin was influenced by ovarian activity at the start of the treatment. Significantly more heifers inseminated on a fixed time basis after a 12-day progesterone treatment calved compared to synchronised or control heifers inseminated at a detected oestrus. Administration of 10 mg oestrogen intravaginally by gelatin capsule attached to the progesterone-containing coil or injection of 5 mg oestrogen and 200 mg progesterone at the start of the 12-day progesterone treatment did not influence the oestrous response of calving rate. The accuracy of detection of non-pregnant heifers by oestrous detection, measurement of progesterone in blood 21 days after AI or rectal examination varied from 90 to 93 per cent. However, both oestrous detection and the progesterone test identified significantly fewer non-pregnant heifers. Rectal examination as a method of diagnosing pregnant heifers was significantly more accurate than either of the above.
Farm trials were carried out to determine if cows and heifers could be inseminated on a fixed time basis following a 12-day treatment with progesterone coils and an injection of 5 mg oestradiol benzoate and 200 mg progesterone at the start of treatment. The retention rate of the coils was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) when a 5.5 cm diameter was used compared with a diameter of 7.0 cm. Calving rate was similar in treated cows bred at a detected oestrus, at 56 + 74 hours after treatment or at 56 hours after treatment and injection of 100 microgram gonadotrophin releasing hormone 20 hours previously and in control cows bred at oestrus. Fertility to the first repeat oestrus was also similar in treated and control cows. Significantly (P less than 0.05) more synchronised cows calved following fixed time AI compared with the calving rate in control cows inseminated for a 24-day experimental period. In beef suckler cows, calved at least 50 days, and dairy heifers weighing over 280 kg, calving rate was similar in treated animals bred at 56 and 74 hours after treatment compared to calving rate in control animals bred at oestrus.