Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-08T09:17:39.923Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Naloxone evokes a nutritionally dependent LH response in post partum beef cows but not in mid-luteal phase maiden heifers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

K. D. Sinclair ,
P. J. Broadbent  and
J. S. M. Hutchinson
K. D. Sinclair
Affiliation:
Scottish Agricultural College, Department of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
P. J. Broadbent
Affiliation:
Scottish Agricultural College, Department of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
J. S. M. Hutchinson
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen, Department of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
Get access

Abstract

Data from two experiments are reported which test the hypothesis that nutrient and/or dry-matter intake and body condition may interact to modify hypothalamic opioidergic activity and thus influence the pulsatile release of LH during the early post-partum period and during the oestrous cycle. Experiment 1 involved 16 multiparous, twin-suckling beef cows, and was a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design in which the factors were level of post-partum energy intake (80 v. 130 M) metabolizable energy (ME) per day), the digestible undegradable protein (DUP) content of the post-partum diet (14 v. 31 g/kg dry matter), and treatment with either 200 mg or 400 mg naloxone hydrochloride. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 4h at weeks 4 and 7 post partum. Naloxone was administered intravenously after the eighth sample. Experiment 2 involved 16 cyclic maiden heifers and was also arranged in a factorial manner, with two levels of body condition at the start of the experimental period (2·50 and 3·16 units) and two levels of energy intake thereafter (40 and 80 MJ ME per day). Seven blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals on 4 days consecutively during the mid-luteal phase of the oestrous cycle. On the first 2 of these 4 days naloxone was administered, whilst on the last 2 days a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (buserelin; GnRH) was administered, both after the fourth sample. Plasma from both experiments was assayed for LH and prolactin (Prl).

In experiment 1, cows on 130 MJ ME per day returned to oestrus and ovulated earlier than cows on 80 MJ ME per day (44·5 v. 55·0 days; s.e.d. = 3·93; P < 0·05). At week 4 post partum the proportional increase in plasma LH following naloxone challenge was greater for cows on 130 MJ ME per day than cows on 80 MJ ME per day (1·38 v. 1·12; P < 0·05), but the converse was true at week 7 (1·15 v. 1·68; P < 0·05). Cows on the high DUP diet required a higher dose of naloxone to elicit an LH response. Few heifers in experiment 2 exhibited an LH response to naloxone. In contrast, there were significant dietary treatment effects on the LH response to GnRH (P < 0·01). Relatively thin heifers on 40 MJ ME per day exhibited the lowest proportional increases in plasma LH to GnRH challenge, whereas heifers on 80 MJ ME per day and given the higher dose of GnRH produced the greatest plasma LH responses. Mean Prl concentrations before and after feeding in experiment 2 were respectively 13·2 and 10·2 ng/l (P < 0·01).

Suckled cows given a high energy diet during the early post-partum period can overcome the opioid mediated block on LH release and resume oestrous cycles earlier than cows given a low energy diet. LH would appear to be inhibited by a non-opioid mechanism in mid-luteal phase heifers. Total pituitary reserves ofLH may be influenced by the animals nutritional status.

Keywords

opioidsnaloxoneGnRHnutritionbeef cowsreproduction
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 61 , Issue 2 , October 1995 , pp. 219 - 230
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agricultural Research Council. 1980. The nutrient requirements of ruminant livestock. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, Slough.Google Scholar
Baile, C. A., McLaughlin, C. L. and Della-Fera, M. A. 1986. Role of cholecystokinin and opioid peptides in control of food intake. Physiological Revieivs 66: 172–234.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bernard, C., Valet, J. P., Beland, R. and Lambert, R. D. 1983. Prediction of bovine ovulation by rapid radioimmunoassay for plasma LH. journal of Reproduction and Fertility 68: 425–430.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brooks, A. N., Lamming, G. E. and Haynes, N. B. 1986. Endogenous opioid peptides and the control of gonadotrophin secretion. Research in Veterinary Science 41: 285–299.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brooks, A. N., Lamming, G. E., Lees, P. D. and Haynes, N. B. 1986. Opioid modulation of LH secretion in the ewe. journal of Reproduction and Fertility 76: 693–708.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, W. R. and Smith, R. D. 1989. Inter relationships between energy balance and post partum reproductive function in dairy cattle. journal of Dairy Science 72: 767–783.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cella, S. G., Locatelli, V. and Miiller, E. E. 1993. Opioid peptides in the regulation of anterior pituitary hormones. In Opioids 11. Handbook of experimental pharmacology, vol. 104/11 (ed. Herz, A.), pp. 473–495. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.Google Scholar
Cooper, S. J. and Kirkham, T. C. 1993. Opioid mechanisms in the control of food consumption and taste preferences. In Opioids 11. Handbook of experimental pharmacology, vol. 104/11 (ed. Herz, A.), pp. 239–262. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.Google Scholar
Currie, W. D., Bauer, M. and Rawlings, N. C. 1993. The effect of naloxone on LHRH secretion from the median eminence of anestrous ewes. Animal Reproduction Science 31: 113–122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gala, R. R. and Hart, I. C. 1980. Serum prolactin heterogeneity in the cow and goat. Life Sciences 27: 723–730.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Greenwood, F. C., Hunter, W. M. and Glover, J. S. 1963. The proportion of I labelled human growth hormone of high specific radioactivity. Biochemical journal 89: 114–123.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gregg, D. W., Moss, G. E., Hudgens, R. E. and Malven, P. V. 1986. Endogenous opioid modulation of luteinizing hormone and prolactin secretion in post partum ewes and cows, journal of Animal Science 63: 838–847.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hart, I. C. 1973. Basal levels of prolactin in goat blood measured throughout a 24-h period by a rapid double antibody-solid phase radioimmunoassay. Journal of Dairy Research 40: 235–245.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Horton, R. J. E., Cummins, J. T. and Clarke, I. J. 1987. Naloxone evokes large-amplitude GnRH pulses in lutealphase ewes. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 81: 277–286.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lawes Agricultural Trust. 1990. Genstat V reference manual. Clarendon Press, Oxford.Google Scholar
Leers-Sucheta, S., Chakraborty, P. K., Rowe, K. E., Turner, H. A. and Stormshak, F. 1994. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-induced secretion of luteinizing hormone in post partum beef heifers maintained on two planes of nutrition before and after breeding, journal of Animal Science 72: 998–1003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Loeber, J. G., Wiel, D. F. M. van de and Das, R. E. G. 1987. An international collaborative study on the first international standard of bovine luteinizing hormone for immunoassay. journal of Reproduction and Fertility 79: 145–152.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lowman, B. G., Scott, N. A. and Somerville, S. H. 1976. Condition scoring of cattle. Bulletin, East of Scotland College of Agriculture, no. 6.Google Scholar
Lowman, B. G. 1985. Feeding in relation to suckler cow management and fertility. Veterinary Record 117: 80–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McLeod, B. J., Dodson, S. E., Peters, A. R. and Lamming, G. E. 1991. Effects of a GnRH agonist (buserelin) on LH secretion in post-partum beef cows. Animal Reproduction Science 24: 1–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Malven, P. V., Bossut, D. F. B. and Diekman, M. A. 1984. Effects of naloxone and electroacupuncture treatment on plasma concentrations of LH in sheep, journal of Endocrinology 101: 75–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nett, T. M. 1987. Function of the hypothalamichypophysial axis during the post partum period in ewes and cows, journal of Reproduction and Fertility 34: suppl., pp. 201–213.Google ScholarPubMed
Przewlocki, R. 1993. Opioid systems and stress. In Opioids 11. Handbook of experimental pharmacology, vol. 104/II (ed. Herz, A.), pp. 293–324. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.Google Scholar
Raud, H. R., Kiddy, C. A. and Odell, W. D. 1971. The effect of stress upon the determination of serum prolactin by radioimmunoassay. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 136: 689–693.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roche, J. F., Crowe, M. A. and Boland, M. P. 1992. Post partum anoestrus in dairy and beef cows. Animal Reproduction Science 28: 371–378.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rund, L. A., Leshin, L. S., Thompson, F. N., Rampacek, G. B. and Kiser, T. E. 1989. Influence of the ovary and suckling on luteinizing hormone response to naloxone in post partum beef cows, journal of Animal Science 67: 1527–1531.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schillo, K. K. 1992. Effects of dietary energy on control of luteinizing hormone secretion in cattle and sheep, journal of Animal Science 70: 1271–1282.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schoenemann, H. M., Richards, M. W., Sangiah, S. and Wettemann, R. P. 1990. Influence of naloxone and yohimbine administration on the pulsatile LH secretion in luteal phase beef cows. Theriogenology 33: 509–518.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Short, R. E., Brooks, A. N., Peters, A. R. and Lamming, G. E. 1987. Opioid modulation of LH secretion during the oestrous cycle of heifers. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 80: 213–219.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Short, R. E., Bellows, R. A., Staigmiller, R. B., Berardinelli, J. G. and Custer, E. E. 1990. Physiological mechanisms controlling anestrus and infertility in post partum beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 68: 799–816.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sinclair, K. D., Broadbent, P. J. and Hutchinson, J. S. M. 1994a. The effect of pre- and post-partum energy and protein supply on the performance of single- and twin-suckling beef cows and their calves. Animal Production 59: 379–389.Google Scholar
Sinclair, K. D., Broadbent, P. J. and Hutchinson, J. S. M. 1994b. The effect of pre- and post-partum energy and protein supply on the blood metabolites and reproductive performance of single- and twin-suckling beef cows. Animal Production 59: 391–400.Google Scholar
Trout, W. E. and Malven, P. V. 1987. Effects of exogenous estradiol-17β and progesterone on naloxone reversible inhibition of the release of luteinizing hormone in ewes. Journal of Animal Science 65: 1602–1609.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wardlaw, S. L. and Frantz, A. G. 1983. Brain β endorphin during pregnancy, parturition and the post partum period. Endocrinology 113: 1664–1668.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weiner, R. I., Findell, P. R. and Kordon, C. 1988. Role of classic peptide and neuromediators in the neuroendocrine regulation of LH and prolactin. In Physiology of reproduction, vol. 1 (ed. Knobil, E. and Neill, J. D.), pp. 1235–1281. Raven Press, New York.Google Scholar
Whisnant, C. S., Kiser, T. E., Thompson, F. N. and Barb, C. R. 1986a. Influence of calf removal on the serum luteinizing hormone response to naloxone in the post partum beef cow. Journal of Animal Science 63: 561–564.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whisnant, C. S., Thompson, F. N., Kiser, T. E. and Barb, C. R. 1986b. Effect of naloxone on serum lutenizing hormone, cortisol and prolactin concentrations in anestrous beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 62: 1340–1345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whisnant, C. S., Kiser, T. E., Thompson, F. N. and Hall, J. B. 1985. Effect of nutrition on the LH response to calf removal and GnRH. Theriogenology 24: 565–573.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williams, G. L., Koziorowski, M., Osborn, R. G., Kirsch, J. D. and Slanger, W. D. 1987. The post weaning rise of tonic luteinizing hormone secretion in anoestrous cows is not prevented by chronic milking or the physical presence of the calf. Biology of Reproduction 36: 1079–1084.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wright, I. A., Rhind, S. M. and Whyte, T. K. 1992. A note on the effects of pattern of food intake and body condition on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period and LH profiles in beef cows. Animal Production 54:143–146.Google Scholar
Wright, I. A., Rhind, S. M., Whyte, T. K., Smith, A. J., McMillen, S. R. and Prado, R. 1990. Circulating concentrations of LH and FSH and pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in intact and ovariectomized suckled beef cows in two levels of body condition. Animal Production 51: 93–101.Google Scholar