Postweaning anestrus in the sows: Effect of the low-energy diet during lactation

Low energy (LE) intake during lactation results in a delay in the onset of estrus following weaning in primiparous sows. Our first goal was to determine whether LE intake during lactation causes a postweaning imbalance in reproductive and metabolic hormones. Effects of a decreased level of dietary energy intake during lactation on plasma concentrations of estradiol (E$\sb2$), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), progesterone (P$\sb4$), cortisol, urea, and glucose were investigated in 16 primiparous crossbred sows. Mean daily concentrations of plasma FSH, E$\sb2$ and LH were lower in LE sows than control (CO) fed sows. Thyroxine concentration was higher in the anestrous sows than the estrous sows during anestrus period. The postweaning high concentrations of T4 in plasma of the LE sows may be one of the factors that mediates the effect of LE diet during lactation on subsequent estrous cycle. The other goal was to determine whether inhibition of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and/or LE secretion is the cause for the lower plasma LH concentrations in postweaning anestrous sows. Results suggest that the postweaning decrease of LH secretion caused by LE intake during 28 days of lactation may be mediated through inactivation of the NMA receptors and an increase in the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to the negative feedback effect of E$\sb2$. The mechanism by which LE diet causes an extended postweaning anestrus may be through an increase in the number of NMA receptors and sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary to negative feedback effect of E$\sb2$ to decrease LH secretion in postweaning anestrous sows. An increase in TRH release as suggested indirectly by the presence of high concentration of plasma T4, may inhibit GnRH release and LH secretion. This suggested mechanism may be a system through which LE diet causes postweaning anestrus in the sow. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Animal Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Khazali, Homayoun

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bahr, Janice M.

• Biology, Neuroscience
• Biology, Animal Physiology
• Engineering, Biomedical

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1992 Khazali, Homayoun

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9236499
(UMI)AAI9236499

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/19637