Endocrine profiles during doe-litter separation and the subsequent pregnancy in rabbits

This study was carried out to determine the effects of a transient doe-litter separation on plasma prolactin, LH, FSH, estradiol-17beta and progesterone concentrations before artificial insemination and during the subsequent pregnancy. Control does (n=12) had free access to nursing, whereas separate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of physiology and biochemistry 2001-03, Vol.57 (1), p.23-29
Main Authors: Ubilla, E, Rebollar, P G, Pazo, D, Esquifino, A, Alvariño, J M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Animals, Suckling
Estradiol - blood
Female
Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood
Hormones - blood
Insemination, Artificial
Lactation - blood
Luteinizing Hormone - blood
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Animal - blood
Progesterone - blood
Prolactin - blood
Rabbits
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Summary:This study was carried out to determine the effects of a transient doe-litter separation on plasma prolactin, LH, FSH, estradiol-17beta and progesterone concentrations before artificial insemination and during the subsequent pregnancy. Control does (n=12) had free access to nursing, whereas separated does (n=12) were kept away from their litters for 48 hours before artificial insemination. Both groups were inseminated on day 11 after parturition. Teat stimulation by suckling caused a high increase in prolactin concentrations in separated does (p < 0.0001). Basal prolactin concentrations were observed in both groups on days 8 and 18 of pregnancy. No effect of the treatment was detected on LH and FSH concentrations during the sampling period. A rise of estradiol-17beta concentrations was observed 48 hours after doe-litter separation, compared to control does and to previous values (p < 0.003). Both groups showed low progesterone concentrations before artificial insemination. Pregnant rabbits in both groups showed increased progesterone concentrations on days 8 and 18 of pregnancy. Lower estradiol-17beta concentrations were observed in control does on day 18 of pregnancy compared with separated rabbits (p < 0.003). The results suggest that a transient separation of nursing does from their litters before artificial insemination may promote high follicular steroidogenesis activity leading to increased estradiol-17beta concentrations. This hormonal change could be a result of several stimulatory actions probably triggered by the absence of suckling episodes and may affect the luteotrophic function during the subsequent pregnancy.
ISSN:1138-7548
1877-8755
DOI:10.1007/BF03179810