Changes in LH secretion in response to an estradiol challenge in male- and female-oriented rams and in ewes

F. Stormshak, C. T. Estill, J. A. Resko, C. E. Roselli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether an estradiol challenge could cause a female-type LH surge in castrated male- and female-oriented rams (MORs and FORs). Administration of 17β-estradiol to castrated MORs and FORs and ovariectomized ewes caused an initial reduction in LH secretion followed for 12-20 h by a surge release of LH in the ewes. No surge release of LH occurred in the MORs and FORs. The pattern of changes in LH secretion within rams and ewes did not differ between the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Treatment failed to elicit female-typical receptive sexual behaviors in the rams but did stimulate increased sexual receptivity in the ewes as determined by the measures of responsiveness to the teaser ram. Overall, no differences were found in hypothalamic-hypophyseal function in response to exogenous estradiol between MORs and FORs. These data are interpreted to suggest that in contrast to sexual attraction, the neural mechanisms controlling the LH surge and female receptivity are defeminized in MORS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)733-738
Number of pages6
JournalReproduction
Volume135
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Embryology
  • Endocrinology
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Changes in LH secretion in response to an estradiol challenge in male- and female-oriented rams and in ewes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this