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Biology of Reproduction 66, 266-271 (2002)
© 2002 Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.

Regular Article

Effect of the Regressing Corpus Luteum of Pregnancy on Ovarian Folliculogenesis after Parturition in Cattle1

I. Martin Sheldon2,a, David E. Noakesa, and Hilary Dobsonb

a Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield AL9 7TA, United Kingdom b Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, University of Liverpool, Chester CH64 7TE, United Kingdom

In cattle, the first postpartum dominant follicle has a predilection for the ovary contralateral to the previously gravid uterine horn, possibly due to a local inhibitory effect of the regressing corpus luteum of pregnancy in the ipsilateral ovary. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the regressing corpus luteum of pregnancy suppresses folliculogenesis in the ipsilateral ovary after parturition. Dairy cows were treated with prostaglandin F2{alpha} between 190 and 220 days of gestation to cause luteolysis without inducing parturition (n = 14) or were untreated controls (n = 32). Follicular growth and function were monitored by daily transrectal ultrasonography and collection of plasma samples for estimation of FSH, estradiol, and progesterone concentrations. The proportion of first dominant follicles in the ipsilateral ovary was similar for treated and control animals (4/14 vs. 8/32), as was the time interval between calving and establishment of a dominant follicle (mean ± SEM, 10.1 ± 0.4 vs. 10.7 ± 0.5 days). Furthermore, no significant effect of treatment on dominant follicle growth or function was found as determined by plasma hormone concentrations. Although greater folliculogenesis was found in the ovary contralateral to the previously gravid uterine horn, once the location of the future first dominant follicle was selected, the timing of events was independent of location. We suggest that the corpus luteum of pregnancy does not have a local effect on postpartum ovarian folliculogenesis and that, instead, an effect of the previously gravid uterine horn shortly after parturition should be considered.

First decision: 15 August 2001.

1 Supported by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (Wilson) Scholarship in Production Animal Medicine to I.M.S.

2 Correspondence: I.M. Sheldon, Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK. FAX: 44 1707 666239; msheldon{at}rvc.ac.uk






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Copyright © 2002 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.