The objective of this experiment was to determine the optimal interval from the last day of melengestrol acetate (MGA) feeding to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) treatment on pregnancy rates of beef heifers and cows. All females (149 heifers and 399 postpartum cows) were fed MGA (.5 mg) daily for 14 d and then administered PGF2 alpha (25 mg Lutalyse) 13, 15, and 17 d (Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) after the last day of MGA feeding. Females not in estrus the first 52 h after PGF2 alpha treatment were artificially inseminated 72 h after PGF2 alpha treatment. Females in estrus 0 to 52 h and 78 h to 6 d after PGF2 alpha treatment were inseminated at estrus. Blood sera (collected immediately before and 3 d after PGF2 alpha treatment) were assayed for progesterone concentrations. Pregnancy was determined 44 to 47 d after the 72-h AI by rectal examination. The intervals from MGA feeding to PGF2 alpha that had the highest 72-h AI pregnancy rates were 17 d for heifers (43%) and 15 d for cows (43%). Heifers with a 17-d interval had a higher (P < .05) 72-h AI pregnancy rate than heifers with 13-d and 15-d intervals, and cows with a 15-d interval had a higher (P < .05) 72-h AI pregnancy rate than cows with a 17-d interval. The 4-d synchronized pregnancy rates (the 72-h AI and the succeeding 3 d inseminations) for both heifers (44%) and cows (53%) were not different (P > .05) among groups. Fewer (P < .05) cows with a 17-d interval from MGA to PGF2 alpha had corpora lutea regression (by 72 h) after PGF2 alpha treatment than cows with 13-d and 15-d intervals. We interpret the results to indicate that the interval from MGA to PGF2 alpha treatment may influence 72-h AI pregnancy rates, that optimal intervals are 17 d for heifers and 15 d for cows, and that pregnancy rates are improved by insemination for 3 d after the 72-h AI.
BackgroundBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a chronic, debilitating, and difficult to treat condition. BPD has recently been linked to steroid hormone dysregulation and medical conditions characterized by disturbed androgen metabolism. This study aimed to investigate cortisol and testosterone levels in BPD, and changes in hormones following psychological treatment.MethodsParticipants with BPD (n = 33) completed a 12-week Dialectical Behavior Therapy group program. Pre and post salivary testosterone and cortisol were analyzed. Baseline hormones in the BPD group were compared to age-and-sex matched controls (n = 33). Non-parametric tests were utilized to investigate group differences, pre-post treatment hormone and symptom changes, and associations between symptoms and hormone levels.ResultsParticipants with BPD had significantly higher testosterone levels than controls. Mean testosterone levels in females with BPD were double that of female controls. Testosterone and cortisol levels were related, and some BPD symptoms were associated with with hormone levels. BPD symptoms reduced significantly with treatment, however pre to post hormone levels did not change.ConclusionsThis study supports an association between BPD symptoms and neuroendocrine dysfunction at baseline, however we found no reduction in hormone dysfunction post treatment. Further research into relationships between stress signaling and neuroendocrine disturbances in BPD may inform aetiological and treatment models.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000477224. Registered on 3 April 2018.
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