Effect of prepartum administration of growth hormone-releasing factor on somatotropin, insulin-like growth factor I, milk production, and postpartum return to ovarian activity in primiparous beef heifers
1992
Simpson, R.B. | Armstrong, J.D. | Harvey, R.W.
Forty-one primiparous beef heifers were used over 2 yr to evaluate the effect of prepartum administration of a growth hormone-releasing factor analog (GRF-A) or growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF(1-29)-NH2) on somatotropin (ST), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), milk production, heifer BW, and postpartum (PP) return to ovarian activity. Beginning on d -11 +/- 1 from parturition, heifers were administered (s.c.) GRF-S ([desNH2-Tyr1,D-Ala2,Ala15]GRF(1-29)-NH2, 2.5 mg/kg; Yr 1) or GRF(1-29)-NH2 (12.5 mg/kg; Yr 2) (GRF; n = 17) or vehicle (CON; n = 24) for seven consecutive days. Blood samples were collected at 20-min intervals from -60 to 300 min from the first and fourth injections. Samples were also collected at 20-min intervals for 6 h on d 25 and 69 +/- 1 PP. Area under the curve of ST (nonograms minute-1 milliliter-1) was greater (P < .01) in GRF than in CON heifers (9, 671 +/- 677 vs 2,611 +/- 237). Increases in ST after GRF-A or GRF(1-29)-NH2 were similar. On d 25 +/- 1 PP, frequency of ST release (pulses per 6 h) was greater (P < .01) in CON (3.3 +/- .2) than in GRF (2.1 +/- .2) heifers. Milk production was similar (P < .1) for the two treatments. Heifer BW loss from d -16 to 81 after parturition was greater (P < .01) in GRF (88 +/- 5) than in CON (68 +/- 5) heifers. Postpartum return to ovarian activity (progesterone > 1 ng/mL for two consecutive weeks) was delayed (P < .05) in GRF (97 +/- 14) vs CON (71 +/- 8) heifers. After accounting for variation due to treatment and year, a negative (P < .02) correlation (r = -.39) was detected between concentrations of IGF-I during the first 30 d PP and PP interval to ovarian activity. These results indicate that prepartum administration of GRF altered the release pattern of ST after parturition and was associated with greater PP BW loss and delayed PP return to ovarian activity in heifers.
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