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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 73/1/45    most recent biolreprod.104.038745v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Malhi, P. S. Articles by Singh, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Malhi, P. S. Articles by Singh, J. Agricola Articles by Malhi, P. S. Articles by Singh, J.

Bovine Model for the Study of Reproductive Aging in Women: Follicular, Luteal, and Endocrine Characteristics¹

Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada S7N 5B4

At present, there is no well-characterized animal model to study the effects of aging on fertility in women. The objectives of the study were to characterize age-related changes in ovarian and endocrine functions in old cows and to investigate the validity of a bovine model for the study of human reproductive aging. We tested the hypotheses that aging in cattle is associated with 1) elevated concentrations of gonadotropins and reduced concentrations of steroid hormones in systemic circulation and 2) increased recruitment of ovarian follicles during wave emergence. Daily ultrasonography was performed in 13- to 14-yr-old cows (n = 10) and their 1- to 4-yr-old daughters (n = 9) for one interovulatory interval to study ovarian function. Plasma samples were obtained every 12 h for determination of FSH, LH, progesterone, and estradiol concentrations. Circulating FSH concentrations were higher (P = 0.009) during follicular waves in old cows than in their daughters, but the number of 4- to 5-mm follicles recruited into a wave was lower (P = 0.04) in old cows. Plasma LH concentrations did not differ between groups (P = 0.4), but the ovulatory follicle in two-wave cycles was smaller in old cows (P = 0.04). Plasma estradiol concentrations were higher (P = 0.01) in old cows, and luteal phase progesterone tended to be lower (P = 0.1). We conclude that these changes are consistent with those reported for women approaching menopause transition. Therefore, our results validate the use of the bovine model to study reproductive aging in women.

aging, follicle-stimulating hormone, follicular development, ovary, steroid hormones

² Correspondence. FAX: 306 966 7405; jaswant.singh{at}usask.ca

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