Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2022, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (6): 1807-1818.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2022.06.014

• ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND REPRODUCTION • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of PGF2α on Reproductive Hormones and Related Cytokines during Luteal Phase in Ewes

LI Yu1, DUAN Chunhui1, SONG Zhipan1, YUE Sicong1, WANG Yuan2, ZHANG Yingjie1, LIU Yueqin1*   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071000, China;
    2. Zhihao Animal Husbandry Technology Co. LTD., of Hengshui/Hebei Mutton Industry Research Institute, Hengshui 053000, China
  • Received:2021-11-24 Online:2022-06-23 Published:2022-06-25

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) injection at different phases of luteal on reproductive hormones and related cytokines in growing ewes. A total of 60 healthy ewes in good condition with similiar weight and normal estrous cycle were used in this study. Forty eight ewes with normal estrus were randomly divided into 6 groups after synchronization of estrus cycle with "MAP +PMSG" method. The day of oestrus was recorded as day 0. Ewes in the experiment groups of early-, mid-, and late-luteal phase were injected with 1 mL PGF2α (0.1 mg) on day 6 (early-luteal phase), 11 (mid-luteal phase) and 16 (late-luteal phase) of luteal phase, respectively. Ewes in the control groups of different luteal phases were injected with 1 mL normal saline on day 6, 11 and 16 of luteal phase, respectively. Blood was collected at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours after each injection for the determination of blood indexes. The results showed as follows: There were no significant differences in levels of FSH, LH, PRL, P4, E2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-β between experimental groups and control groups at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 h after injection (P > 0.05). Injection of PGF2α at different phases of luteal had no significant effect on serum FSH, LH, PRL, IL-1β and IFN-β levels at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 h (P > 0.05). At 3 h after injection, P4 level was significantly lower, E2 and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the early-luteal experiment group than that in control group (P < 0.05). The level of TNF-α in the early-luteal experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group at 2 and 3 h after injection (P < 0.05), and the level of P4 in the mid-luteal experiment group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 1 h after injection (P < 0.05). After injection of PGF2α in the early-luteal phase, the overall levels of FSH, E2, TNF-α and IL-6 in the early-luteal experiment group were significantly higher than those in control group within 3 h (P < 0.05), and the overall level of P4 was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05), there were no significant effects on LH, PRL, IL-1β and IFN-β (P>0.05). After injection of PGF2α in the mid-luteal phase, the overall level of E2 in the mid-luteal experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group within 3 h(P < 0.05), and P4 was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05), there were no significant effects on FSH, LH, PRL, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-β (P>0.05). Injection of PGF2α at the late-luteal had no significant effect on reproductive hormones and related cytokines (P>0.05). In conclusion, there are stage differences of PGF2α in dissolving corpus luteum. The short-term response of ewes to PGF2α was stronger in early-luteal phase than in mid- and late-luteal phases. The ovaries could respond to PGF2α in early-luteal phase to create a better environment for follicular development.

Key words: Hu sheep, luteal phase, reproductive hormones, inflammatory factors

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