Two studies were conducted to determine if 7-d MGA or PRID treatment initiated on d 17 of the estrous cycle altered: 1) follicular development, 2) estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations, and 3) patterns of release of luteinizing hormone (LH). In both studies, Angus, Angus x Holstein or Holstein cows 2 to 6 yr of age were randomly assigned to receive either MGA (.5 mg⋅hd⁻¹⋅d⁻¹; n = 23) or PRID (n = 26) for 7 d or to serve as untreated controls (n = 14). Real time, B-mode ultrasound, equipped with a 7.5 mHz linear-array transrectal transducer, was used to conduct daily ovarian scans beginning 3 (Study 1) or 9 d (Study 2) after onset of estrus. Jugular venous blood samples (45 ml) were collected coincident with ovarian scans. In study 2, cows were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters 17 (Control, MGA and PRID), 20 and 23 d (MGA and PRID) after onset of estrus and blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 6 h for determination of LH. Interestrus interval was extended (P<.05) for 3 to 5 d in MGA-treated cows exhibiting two or three dominant follicles (classified as MGA-2 and MGA-3, respectively) or PRID-treated cows compared to controls exhibiting two or three dominant follicles during the estrous cycle (control-2 and control-3, respectively). Forty-four percent of MGA-treated cows ovulated the dominant follicle present at the beginning of MGA treatment. In both studies, days from detection of the ovulatory follicle until ovulation were greater (P<.01) in MGA-2 and control-2 cows than control-3, MGA-3 and PRID cows. Diameter of the ovulatory follicle was greater (P<.01) 9 d before estrus and growth rate of the ovulatory follicle was less (P<.02) in MGA-2 and control- 2 cows than control-3, MGA-3 and PRID cows. Serum P4 decreased 3 d earlier (P<.02) during the estrous cycle of MGA-2 and control-2 cows than control-3, MGA-3 and PRID cows. Serum E2 was greater (P<.01) 7 d before estrus in MGA-2 cows than all other treatment groups. Changes in mean and baseline LH concentrations and amplitude of LH pulses on d 17, 20 and 23 after onset of estrus did not differ (P>.10) among treatments. Luteinizing hormone pulse frequency was greater (P<.03) on d-20 after onset of estrus in MGA-2 cows than MGA-3 and PRID cows (4.3 ± .6 vs 2.6 ± .3 and 3.2 ± .4, respectively). In addition, LH pulse frequency did not differ (P>.10) 17 or 23 d after onset of estrus among treatments. In conclusion, MGA treatment extended the dominance phase of development of ovulatory follicles, which resulted in the premature increase in serum E2 and frequency of LH release, whereas the dominant follicle present at the beginning of PRID treatment underwent atresia and another preovulatory follicle developed.
Ph. D.