The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dominant follicle ablation on follicle count in Sahiwal cattle. All the selected donor animals were randomly divided into two equal groups. Donor cows in group 1(n=10) were subjected to dominant follicle(s) ablation, donor cows in group 2(n=10) without ablation and both groups were administered with 10 µg GnRH followed by FSH in 3 divided doses @ 100 mg, 60 mg and 40 mg at 48, 60 and 72 hrs after GnRH administration. OPU was carried out 24 hrs after the last FSH administration in all the donor cows. The overall mean number of follicles available for aspiration by Ovum pick up (OPU) method were 7.43 ± 0.22 in group 1 and 6.19 ± 0.22 in group 2 and the difference in the number of follicles between groups was significant (p<0.05). Mean follicular count on right and left ovaries of group 1 cows were 7.87 ± 0.30 and 7.00 ± 0.30, respectively with a significant difference (p>0.05). whereas, mean follicular count on right and left ovaries of group 2 cows were 6.14 ± 0.32 and 6.24 ± 0.32, respectively without significant difference (p<0.05). While, the mean follicular count in group 1 at different timings of 0 hr, 48 hrs and 96 hrs were 7.15 ± 0.36, 7.60 ± 0.36 and 7.55 ± 0.36, respectively and in group 2 cows were 6.03 ± 0.39, 6.25 ±0.39 and 6.30 ± 0.39, respectively without significant (p>0.05). In conclusion, ablation of dominant follicle had higher follicular count in Sahiwal donor cows compared to non- ablation group cows.

Male Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) have an explicit reproductive cycle. The objective of this study was to clarify the variation of plasma testosterone, FSH, inhibin, LH levels and testicular gonadotropin receptor mRNA expression of male bears associated with their testicular activity. Notably, this study investigated peripheral FSH concentration and localization of gonadotropin receptor mRNAs for the first time in male bears. Blood and testicular tissue samples were taken from captive, mature, male Japanese black bears during testicular active, regressive and recrudescent phases. Plasma hormone concentrations were measured by immunoassays, and gonadotropin receptor mRNA expression in the testis was investigated by in situ hybridization technique and also by real-time PCR. There were significant variations in plasma testosterone and inhibin concentrations. Changes in FSH concentration preceded these hormones with a similar tendency. Hormones started to increase during denning, and achieved the highest values at the end of the recrudescent phase for FSH and in the active phase for testosterone and inhibin. These changes in hormone concentrations were accompanied by testicular growth. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that FSH and LH receptor mRNA was possibly expressed in Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, respectively, as they are in other mammals. However, neither plasma LH concentration nor testicular gonadotropin receptor mRNA expression level varied significantly among the sampling months. These results suggest that FSH, inhibin and testosterone have roles in testicular activity in male bears. This study provides important endocrine information for comprehending seasonal reproductivity in male Japanese black bears.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of estradiol benzoate injection to intact and castrated male rabbits on LH, FSH, testosterone and prostate tissue. Materials and methods: A total of 72 mature male rabbits were used in this study. The rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (36 intact and 36 castrated) and each group was further divided into four sub-groups. The rabbits of each subgroup were injected estradiol benzoate dosed at 0, 40, 80 and 120 and micro;gm/rabbit, through intramuscular (IM) route, on each alternative day over a period of 30 days. The levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone were measured in serum samples. Prostate tissue samples were taken from each sub-groups, histological examination was done. Results: The mean serum levels of LH and FSH were not affected by injection of estradiol benzoate in all intact and castrated rabbits sub-groups (P>0.05). However, the results of testosterone levels were showed insignificant increase in all intact and castrated male rabbits sub-groups, except the intact male rabbit sub-group that received estradiol benzoate at 120 and micro;g/rabbit (P<0.05). Furthermore, the effects of estradiol benzoate in prostate tissues were ranged from hyperplasia with dysplasia or dysplasia only in intact male rabbits; hyperplasia was represented by papillary projection in castrated male rabbits. Conclusion: The present study revealed no difference in the serum levels of LH, FSH in intact or castrated male rabbits, however, testosterone hormone did not show any change except in sub-group of intact male rabbits that was injected dosed at 120 and micro;g estradiol benzoate. The effect of estradiol benzoate on prostate tissue was found to be induce hyperplasia in both intact and castrated males rabbits. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 420-424]

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do FSH pituitário (pFSH) ou recombinante (rFSH) sobre a sobrevivência e o crescimento de folículos pré-antrais caprinos. O tecido ovariano foi cultivado in vitro por um ou sete dias em Meio Essencial Mínimo (MEM) sozinho, ou contendo 10, 50, 100 e 1000 ng/ml de pFSH ou rFSH. O grupo controle (não cultivado) e aqueles cultivados foram processados para análises histológica e ultra-estrutural. Além disso, os diâmetros folicular e oocitário foram avaliados. Após sete dias de cultivo, apenas 50 ng/ml de rFSH manteve o percentual de folículos normais semelhante ao controle. Além disso, 10 ng/ml de pFSH e todas as concentrações de rFSH promoveram ativação de folículos primordiais. A presença de 50 ng/ml de rFSH promoveu o maior diâmetro folicular após sete dias de cultivo. Em conclusão, 50 ng/ml de rFSH manteve a integridade de folículos pré-antrais caprinos e promoveu a ativação e o crescimento dos folículos cultivados.