The effect of short-term lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) feed supplementation on serum steroid hormones, insulin-like growth factor I, and ovarian follicular development and atresia in Merino ewes

Abstract

The effects of short-term lupin supplementation on ovulation rate in ewes during oestrous season are well known. In this study, we tested the effects of an 8-day lupin supplementation on folliculogenesis during anoestrus applied over the hormonal treatment of ewes. Fourteen anoestrous Merino ewes were assigned into 2 groups (n = 7 for each) in which the control group was fed a basal diet and the experimental group was supplemented with lupin groats (500 g per head per day). Both groups were treated intramuscularly with 12.5 µg/head lecirelinum (luteinising hormone releasing hormone super analogue) on the first day of supplementation and 5 days later with 37.5 µg/head cloprostenolum D (prostaglandin F 2 α analogue). Serum sexual steroid and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations were assessed using radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods, respectively. Folliculogenesis was evaluated using a light microscope. Lupin feeding did not affect progesterone or IGF-I, but it significantly decreased the concentration of oestradiol-17β. Lupin significantly increased the number of follicles of 3-5 mm in diameter and the total rate of atresia. The follicles mainly collapsed and underwent late atresia. The size of healthy and collapsed follicles increased in the lupin-fed group. These results indicated that 8-day lupin supplementation affected follicular development and atresia through an IGF-I/oestradiol feedback system.

Effects of Short-Term Melatonin or Progestogen with Gonadotropic Treatments on Reproductive Performance, Hormonal Levels and Ovarian Activity of Ewes

“…In the group of sheep treated with the combination of preparations, we observed a higher proportion of follicles undergoing early, collapsing, and late atresia compared to the melatonin group. We reported similar results in our previous study performed on puerperal ewes (Vlčková et al 2014).…”

“…Blood serum was stored at -20ºC until assayed. Progesterone (P4) and oestradiol-17β (E2) concentrations were determined by RIA, while insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) was measured by ELISA commercial kits according to the producer's instructions (Vlčková et al 2014).…”

“…Ovaries were processed using standard histological methods as described previously (Vlčková et al 2014). The 5μm thick wedge sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) for evaluation using a digital camera (ProgResCapture Pro 2.7.7, Jena, Germany) and light microscopy (Nikon Eclipse E200, connected to a PC System for Image Analysis NIS Elements, (both Japanese manufacture).…”

Reproductive Success Rate and Blood Urea Nitrogen Status of Garut Ewes Fed Sorghum-Indigofera in Majalengka District - West Java

“…Overall, the nutrient content of SI feed is better than FG (Table 1). Good feed nutrient content can stimulate the growth and development of dominant follicles and oocyte quality, ultimately improving reproductive performance (Gallet et al, 2011;Senosy et al, 2013;Vlčková et al, 2014;Chavarro and Schlaff, 2018). Conversely, the negative energy balance can inhibit the growth of follicles which may be due to a decrease in the production of reproductive hormones through a reduction of the expression of intra-follicular steroidogenic genes, including for the enzyme cytochrome (Ying et al, 2013).…”