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Effects Of Weaning On Concentrations Of Inhibin In Follicular Fluid And Plasma Of Sows, W. E. Trout, J. H. Killen, R. K. Christenson, B. D. Schanbacher, J. J. Ford

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Changes in plasma and follicular fluid concentrations of inhibin were examined in sows after weaning at 28-32 days post partum. From 0 to 48 h after weaning, inhibin concentrations were 200-300times higher in follicular fluid from small ( < 4 mm) and medium-large( ≥4 mm) follicles than in ovarian venous plasma. Inhibin concentrations increased in follicular fluid from medium-large follicles at 24 and 48 h after weaning; concentrations in ovarian venous plasma were positively correlated with the number of medium-large follicles (r= 0·40)and with ovarian venous plasma concentrations of oestradiol (r= 0·61).Blood samples were collected for 30 days from sows (n=6) that exhibited oestrus within 5 days after weaning and from sows (n=5) that remained anoestrous for 11 days after weaning. Plasma inhibin concentrations rose in oestrous and anoestrous sows by 12 h and continued to rise for 60 h after weaning. Plasma inhibin concentrations rose further and were higher at 3·5-4·5days after weaning in oestrous sows than in sows that remained anoestrous. After oestrus, plasma inhibin concentrations declined. At weaning, plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were higher in sows that subsequently exhibited oestrus than in sows that remained anoestrous. After weaning, plasma concentrations of FSH declined in both groups, reached a nadir at 2·5days, and increased gradually in anoestrous sows; oestrous sows exhibited an FSH surge at oestrus. Plasma FSH returned to preweaning concentrations in both groups of sows at Days 7-8.The results demonstrated dynamic changes in plasma concentrations of FSH and inhibin in sows after weaning; an inverse relationship of these, with the exception during the preovulatory surge of FSH, typifies the porcine oestrous cycle.