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Biomedical subjects

B M Adams

Publications and source records attributed to B M Adams.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Gonadotrope responsiveness in orchidectomized sheep. II. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone amplitude shift during continuous infusion of estradiol.

Gonadotropin secretion during continuous infusion of estradiol (E2; 5 micrograms/h, i.v.) and pulsatile delivery of GnRH was assessed in orchidectomized sheep (wethers). Wethers received 200 ng GnRH per hourly pulse during the first 12 h of E2 infusion. During the final 36 h of infusion, animals (n = 6/group) received 0, 200, 400, 800, or 1600 ng GnRH/h pulse. Amplitude shift to 1600 ng GnRH/h pulse induced preovulatory surge-like secretion of LH in animals receiving concurrent E2 infusion. In the absence of E2, the same change in GnRH amplitude did not significantly affect serum concentrations of LH. Full expression of the GnRH-induced surge of LH in wethers required prior exposure to E2, but was not dependent on pretreatment with low-amplitude GnRH stimulus. In a companion experiment, anterior pituitary tissue was collected from E2-treated wethers 0, 3, 6, 12, or 24 h after initiation of episodic GnRH delivery (1600 ng/h pulse). Treatment with E2 induced a 5-fold increase in GnRH receptor concentration. The tissue concentration of GnRH receptor was depressed (p < 0.05) within 6 h of initiation of high-amplitude GnRH stimulation and remained depressed for the duration of GnRH delivery. Tissue stores of LH were increased (P < 0.05) by E2 and reduced (p < 0.05) after 3 h of high-amplitude GnRH stimulation. In contrast, tissue stores of FSH were reduced (p < 0.05) by both E2 alone and E2 with concurrent high-amplitude GnRH stimulation. The concentration of mRNA for the FSH beta subunit, but not for the alpha or LH beta subunits, was reduced (p < 0.05) by E2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Gonadotrope responsiveness in orchidectomized sheep: III. Effect of estradiol withdrawal after continuous infusion.

The magnitude of GnRH-induced (1600 ng/hourly pulse for 24 h) preovulatory surge-like secretion of LH was assessed in orchidectomized sheep (wethers) during infusion of estradiol (E2, 5 micrograms/h in 10% ethanol-saline [vehicle]) or at 0, 12, 24, or 48 h after E2 withdrawal (n = 6 wethers/group). In one group, infusion of E2 was continued for 48 h, with concurrent circhoral delivery of GnRH during the final 24 h of the E2 delivery period. In other treatment groups, infusion of E2 or vehicle was continued for 24 h. Circhoral delivery of GnRH was initiated at the conclusion of E2 delivery or 12, 24, or 48 h thereafter, or at 48 h after cessation of vehicle infusion. Total GnRH-induced LH secretion in wethers receiving concurrent E2 was significantly augmented relative to the GnRH-induced secretory response in wethers receiving vehicle alone. The magnitude of GnRH-induced LH release was significantly reduced in animals in which E2 delivery was halted at the beginning of the GnRH challenge period. Further reductions in gonadotrope responsiveness were noted 12, 24, and 48 h after cessation of E2 delivery. Responsiveness 48 h after halting the E2 infusion did not differ (p > 0.05) from the responsiveness of wethers that had not been treated with E2. In a companion study, anterior pituitary tissue was collected at the end of E2 infusion (5 micrograms/h for 24 h) or at 12, 24, or 48 h thereafter (n = 6 wethers/group). Anterior pituitary tissue of control animals (n = 6) was collected after halting the infusion of vehicle alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Testis function and feedlot performance of bulls actively immunized against gonadotropin-releasing hormone: effect of implants containing progesterone and estradiol benzoate.

The effect of implants containing anabolic steroid (Synovex) on testis function, feedlot performance, and carcass traits was evaluated in bulls, steers, and bulls actively immunized against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Ninety-one Hereford or Hereford x Red Angus bull calves were randomly assigned to a 3 x 2 factorial experiment. The treatments were: 1) unimmunized control (n = 30), 2) actively immunized against GnRH (n = 31), or 3) castrate (n = 30). The classes were 1) unimplanted (n = 45) or 2) implanted (n = 46) with Synovex. Animals in treatment Groups 2 and 3 were either immunized with a GnRH-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) conjugate or castrated at 3.6 +/- .1 mo of age. Animals assigned to Class 2 received Synovex-C at the time of initial treatment and Synovex-S at weaning and feedlot entry. Animals in treatment Group 2 received a booster immunization at feedlot entry. Anti-GnRH titer was evident at weaning and remained elevated to slaughter in all (31 of 31) immunized animals. Anti-GnRH titer was not evident in steers or unimmunized bulls. Immunization and (or) Synovex decreased (P < .05) serum concentrations of testosterone (T) and scrotal circumference (SC) at weaning. Similarly, SC, testis weight, and tissue concentrations of spermatozoa at slaughter were significantly reduced by immunization, Synovex, or the immunization/Synovex combination. Immunization, but not Synovex, reduced (P < .05) serum levels of T at slaughter. The masculinity of immunized bulls was less (P < .05) than that of control bulls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Pattern of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-like stimuli sufficient to induce follicular growth and ovulation in ewes passively immunized against GnRH.

The pattern of GnRH-like stimuli capable of inducing follicular growth, ovulation, and luteal function was evaluated in ewes passively immunized against GnRH. The estrous cycles of 30 regularly cyclic sheep were synchronized using vaginal pessaries impregnated with a synthetic progestogen. Animals were passively immunized against GnRH (groups 2-5, n = 6) or the carrier protein, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH; group 1, n = 6), at the time of pessary removal (PR). Circhoral delivery of saline (groups 1, 2, and 5) or low amplitude GnRH agonist (des-Gly10 GnRH ethylamide [100 ng/hourly pulse]; groups 3 and 4) was initiated at PR and continued for 3 (groups 4 and 5) or 12 days (groups 1-3). In groups 4 and 5, the amplitude of the GnRH-like stimulus was increased to 800 ng/hourly pulse (stimulus-shift) during the 24-h period beginning 72 h after PR. The amplitude of the hourly stimulus was adjusted to 100 ng/pulse 96 h after PR and continued at that level to Day 12. The endocrine changes associated with follicle growth and maturation (serum concentrations of estradiol [E2] above 10 pg/ml), ovulation (surge-like secretion of LH and FSH), and normal luteal function (serum concentrations of progesterone [P] above 2 ng/ml) were evident in ewes passively immunized against KLH (group 1). In this group, the preovulatory surge of gonadotropins was noted 48.7 +/- 1.2 h after PR. These endocrine events were blocked by passive immunization against GnRH (group 2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Feedlot performance of steers and bulls actively immunized against gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Feedlot performance and testicular and pituitary function were assessed in cattle actively immunized against GnRH. In Trial 1, 50 steers were either unimmunized (n = 10), actively immunized against keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH; n = 10), or immunized against a GnRH-KLH conjugate (n = 30). Fifteen of 30 steers immunized against GnRH-KLH received a secondary immunization 8 wk after primary immunization. Antibodies against GnRH were not evident in unimmunized steers or steers actively immunized against KLH. Antibodies against GnRH were noted in all immunized animals (n = 30) within 6 wk of primary immunization and anti-GnRH antibody concentrations became maximal 20 to 24 wk after immunization. The increasing anti-GnRH titer in immunized steers was associated with decreasing serum concentrations of LH. Serum concentrations of LH were depressed (P less than .05) within 8 wk of primary immunization and reached a nadir by wk 20. The patterns of increase in GnRH titer and decrease in serum concentrations of LH did not differ (P greater than .05) in animals receiving primary immunization alone or primary and secondary immunization. Feedlot performance and carcass quality were not affected (P greater than .05) by immunization against KLH or the GnRH-KLH conjugate. In Trial 2, 60 bull calves (mean weight = 325.2 +/- 2.8 kg) were randomly assigned to a 2 x 3 factorial experiment. The two classes (n = 30) were 1) unimplanted and 2) implanted with Synovex-S. The three treatments (n = 20) were 1) intact control, 2) actively immunized against GnRH, and 3) castrate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anabolic Agents↗

Reproductive function and feedlot performance of beef heifers actively immunized against GnRH1.

Two trials were conducted to examine reproductive function and feedlot performance by heifers after active immunization against GnRH. In trial 1, heifers were not immunized or were immunized with one of three doses of a GnRH-KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) conjugate in Freund's complete adjuvant. Antibodies against GnRH were not detectable in non-immunized heifers (n = 9). However, antibodies against GnRH were noted in all immunized animals (n = 30) within 8 wk of primary immunization; anti-GnRH antibody concentrations were at a maximum 16 to 20 wk after immunization. This increased anti-GnRH titer was associated with a decreased serum concentration of progesterone. Ovarian and uterine weight and tissue concentrations of LH and GnRH receptor were reduced (P less than .05) by immunoneutralization of GnRH. Similarly, immunization against GnRH reduced (P less than .05) weight gain during feedlot confinement. In trial 2, feedlot performance after insertion of anabolic steroid implants (Synovex H) was evaluated in non-immunized heifers (n = 15), heifers actively immunized against GnRH-KLH (n = 15) or KLH alone (n = 15), or non-immunized heifers treated with melengestrol acetate (MGA; n = 15). Serum concentrations of progesterone were depressed in anti-GnRH and MGA-fed groups, but ovarian and uterine weights were depressed (P less than .05) only in heifers immunized against GnRH. Total weight gain and gain during the final 4 wk of confinement did not differ (P greater than .05) among groups with steroid implants. The GnRH-KLH conjugate is an effective immunogen in heifers, leading to suppression of reproductive activity. The depression of weight gain that attends development of anti-GnRH titers may be reversed by use of implants that contain anabolic steroids.

Anabolic Agents↗

Avian gonadotropin-releasing hormones I and II in brain and other tissues in turkey hens.

1. Radioimmunoassays were developed for measuring avian gonadotropin-releasing hormones I and II (cGnRH I and II) in tissue extracts during the reproductive cycle. 2. Hypothalamic concentrations of cGnRH I and II were qualitatively similar being lowest in non-photostimulated hens, greater in laying hens and greatest in incubating hens. 3. cGnRH II concentrations were similar in paraolfactory lobe and hypothalamic fragments while lesser amounts were found in cerebrum, cerebellum, duodenum, shell gland, and pineal. 4. These results suggest that cGnRH II has unknown functions in turkeys quite distinct from traditional functions associated with GnRHs.

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Concentrations of bioactive and immunoactive luteinizing hormone in bovine anterior pituitary tissue.

Tissue concentrations of LH as determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) may not accurately measure actual changes that could occur in biological activity of the hormone. To examine this possibility, pituitary homogenates from 135 beef cows in various physiological states were analyzed for content of LH by both RIA and an in vitro bioassay. The ratio of biological/immunological active concentrations of LH remained constant (.52 +/- .02) even though tissue concentrations of immunoactive LH differed among groups. Tissue concentrations of bioactive LH were linearly related to, and highly correlated with (P less than .001), tissue concentrations of immunoactive LH. These data indicate that only a fraction of the immunoactive LH in the bovine pituitary is biologically active. However, this fraction does not vary with the reproductive status or plane of nutrition.

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Gonadotrophin secretion during the periovulatory period in Galway and Finnish Landrace ewes and Finnish Landrace ewes selected for high ovulation rate.

Rates of ovulation differed significantly (P less than 0.01) among ewes of the different genetic lines. However, of the reproductive characteristics studied, only progesterone concentration at the height of luteal function, duration of oestrus, and interval from onset of oestrus to peak of the preovulatory gonadotrophin surge showed significant positive association with rate of ovulation. The pattern of secretion of LH during the periovulatory period did not differ in the Galway and Finnish Landrace breeds. The total amount of LH secreted during the preovulatory surge did not differ amongst lines. Similarly, no difference in the plasma concentration of LH at the height of the preovulatory surge was noted among Galway and reference Finnish Landrace lines. However, the concentration of LH at the height of the surge was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced in the selected Finnish Landrace line. Plasma concentrations of FSH during the preovulatory period were significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated in the breed (Galway) with the lowest prolifcacy. When contrasted with either of the Finnish Landrace lines, the magnitudes of the preovulatory surge of FSH and the secondary surge of FSH were significantly greater (P less than 0.05) in Galway ewes. These results suggest that genetic difference in rate of ovulation among sheep breeds is not tightly coupled to quantitative differences in plasma concentration of gonadotrophic hormones during the periovulatory period.

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Secretory dynamics of bioactive and immunoactive LH during the oestrous cycle of the sheep.

Blood samples were collected every 15 min for 6 h during the follicular (1 day before oestrus), and early (Days +1 to +3), mid- (Days +4 to +8), and full (Days +9 to +14) luteal phases of the oestrous cycle. Serum concentrations of immunoactive LH were measured by radioimmunoassay. The biological activity of serum LH was determined by an in-vitro bioassay that uses LH-induced testosterone production from mouse interstitial cells as an endpoint. Only ovine and bovine LH and hCG had appreciable activity in this bioassay. The temporal pattern of secretion of bioactive LH paralleled the secretory pattern of immunoactive LH at all stages of the ovine oestrous cycle. However, the secretory pattern itself varied regularly through the oestrous cycle. The frequency of secretory excursions of LH was highest during the follicular phase (6.2 +/- 0.9 pulses/6 h) and was progressively reduced through the luteal phase (1.1 +/- 0.1 pulses/6 h during full luteal phase). Conversely, amplitude of secretory excursions of immunoactive LH was low during the follicular phase (0.79 +/- 0.08 ng/ml) and significantly (P less than 0.05) increased during the mid- and full luteal phases (1.49 +/- 0.10 and 2.37 +/- 0.20 ng/ml, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Gonadotrope function in ovariectomized ewes actively immunized against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

The gonadotrope cells of the ovine anterior pituitary were insulated from hypothalamic inputs by imposing an immunologic barrier generated by active immunization of ovariectomized ewes against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) through a p-aminophenylacetic acid bridge. All GnRH-KLH animals immunized developed titers of anti-GnRH that exceeded 1:5000. The antisera were specific for GnRH and cross-reacted with GnRH agonists modified in position 10 to an extent that was less than 0.01%. Ewes actively immunized against GnRH-KLH displayed levels of basal and GnRH agonist-induced gonadotropin secretion that were markedly lower (p less than 0.05) than comparable parameters in ewes actively immunized against KLH. In contrast, basal and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-induced prolactin (PRL) secretion were not compromised by active immunization. Immunization against the GnRH-KLH conjugate, but not KLH alone, prevented expression of the positive feedback response to exogenous estradiol (E2). Pituitary stores of immunoactive luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were significantly (p less than 0.001) reduced in ewes immunized against GnRH-KLH but stores of PRL were not affected by such immunization. Further, the biopotency of the residual LH stores in tissue of animals from the anti-GnRH group was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than LH biopotency in anti-KLH animals. Serum levels of LH in anti-GnRH ewes were restored by circhoral administration of a GnRH agonist that did not cross-react with the antisera generated. Pulsatile delivery of GnRH agonist in anti-GnRH ewes significantly (p less than 0.05) elevated serum LH within 48 h and reestablished LH levels comparable to anti-KLH ewes within 6 days of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor dynamics and gonadotrope responsiveness during and after continuous GnRH stimulation.

Gonadotrope responsiveness, serum and tissue levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), and tissue concentration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors in ovariectomized rats were determined during and after continuous GnRH stimulation. Intraperitoneal placement of GnRH-containing osmotic minipumps for 96 h established a rate of GnRH delivery (1 microgram/h) that resulted in stable serum levels of GnRH (500-700 pg/ml). Secretion of LH increased 8-fold within 6 h; however, serum LH returned to pretreatment levels by 24 h, even with continued GnRH stimulation. Tissue concentration of LH was depressed within 48 h of initiation of treatment but levels were restored by 96 h. Tissue levels of GnRH receptor remained elevated during the first 6 h of treatment but were reduced by 60% within 24 h and remained depressed for the duration of treatment. Gonadotrope responsiveness 48 h and 96 h after initiation of treatment was reduced by 50% and 90%, respectively. Removal of the GnRH delivery vehicle resulted in rapid disappearance of GnRH from serum. Dramatic reduction (75%) in circulating levels of LH, and a 2-fold increase in tissue levels of LH and in GnRH receptor concentration were noted within 6 h of minipump removal. Although tissue concentration of GnRH receptor returned to pretreatment levels within 48 h of minipump removal, both basal LH secretion and gonadotrope responsiveness remained depressed even 96 h after cessation of continuous GnRH stimulation. These data indicate that GnRH can "down regulate" its receptor, gonadotrope responsiveness is not obligatorily linked to receptor concentration, and desensitization that follows hyperstimulation represents effects directed at post-receptor loci.

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