Characterizing Deficit Accumulation Among Gulf War Era Veterans.

BACKGROUND: Veterans of the first Gulf War (1990-1991) are reaching middle and older adulthood in differing degrees of health and biological age. Many Gulf War veterans report myriad negative symptoms classified as Gulf War illness (GWI), a chronic multi-symptom illness. OBJECTIVES: To describe and analyze deficit accumulation, among veterans with Severe GWI (SGWI+) and those without Severe GWI (SGWI-), to assess the association between a medically unexplained illness and aging. DESIGN: This study uses a retrospective cohort design with quasi-longitudinal data. SETTING: The recruitment sample included 10,042 Gulf War era veterans across all four US Census regions. PARTICIPANTS: The analytic sample included 1,054 participants of the GWECB for whom SGWI case status could be determined and who had valid responses for at least 90% of the deficits included in the deficit accumulation index. MEASUREMENTS: Chronic health conditions were retroactively reported, including year of diagnosis, enabling us to create a longitudinal measure of deficit accumulation. This deficit accumulation index (DAI) ranged from 0-1 for each respondent in each year between 1991-2013. We compare veterans with SGWI+ to those with SGWI- using the CDC case definition. RESULTS: Most veterans in our sample could expect to spend more years with moderate or substantial deficits than without deficits. SGWI+ was associated with spending more years with substantial deficits than those with SGWI-. Veterans in middle age (age 35-65) experienced more years with substantial deficits than younger veterans. Individuals with SGWI+ had 13 times the hazard of accumulating substantial deficits than those without. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that veterans with SGWI+, even those in midlife, experienced aging as measured by accumulating deficits. Practitioners should consider patients with multi-symptom illnesses as at risk of accelerated aging, tailoring treatments to address patients' holistic needs.

Sex-Specific Skeletal Muscle Gene Expression Responses to Exercise Reveal Novel Direct Mediators of Insulin Sensitivity Change.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the causal pathways, systems, and mechanisms through which exercise impacts human health is complex. This study explores molecular signaling related to whole-body insulin sensitivity (Si) by examining changes in skeletal muscle gene expression. The analysis considers differences by biological sex, exercise amount, and exercise intensity to identify potential molecular targets for developing pharmacologic agents that replicate the health benefits of exercise. METHODS: The study involved 53 participants from the STRRIDE I and II trials who completed eight months of aerobic training. Skeletal muscle gene expression was measured using Affymetrix and Illumina technologies, while pre- and post-training Si was assessed via an intravenous glucose tolerance test. A novel gene discovery protocol, integrating three literature-derived and data-driven modeling strategies, was employed to identify causal pathways and direct causal factors based on differentially expressed transcripts associated with exercise intensity and amount. RESULTS: In women, the transcription factor targets identified were primarily influenced by exercise amount and were generally inhibitory. In contrast, in men, these targets were driven by exercise intensity and were generally activating. Transcription factors such as ATF1, CEBPA, BACH2, and STAT1 were commonly activating in both sexes. Specific transcriptional targets related to exercise-induced Si improvements included TACR3 and TMC7 for intensity-driven effects, and GRIN3B and EIF3B for amount-driven effects. Two key signaling pathways mediating aerobic exercise-induced Si improvements were identified: one centered on estrogen signaling and the other on phorbol ester (PKC) signaling, both converging on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and other relevant targets. CONCLUSIONS: The signaling pathways mediating Si improvements from aerobic exercise differed by sex and were further distinguished by exercise intensity and amount. Transcriptional adaptations in skeletal muscle related to Si improvements appear to be causally linked to estrogen and PKC signaling, with EGFR and other identified targets emerging as potential skeletal muscle-specific drug targets to mimic the beneficial effects of exercise on Si.

Self-reported gastrointestinal disorders among veterans with gulf war illness with and without posttraumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND: Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic, multi-symptom disorder affecting 25%-32% of Gulf War veterans. Veterans with GWI disproportionately suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Given the increasing evidence supporting a gut-brain axis, we explore the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), GWI, and self-reported GI disorders among GW veterans. METHODS: Veterans from the Gulf War Era Cohort and Biorepository responded to a mail-based survey (N = 1058). They were stratified by GWI (Centers for Disease Control definition) and PTSD status. This yielded three groups: GWI-, GWI+/PTSD-, and GWI+/PTSD+. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographic and military characteristics examined associations between GWI/PTSD groups and GI disorders. Results were expressed as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). KEY RESULTS: The most frequently reported GI disorders were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and colon polyps (CP). The GWI+/PTSD+ group had a higher odds of these disorders than the GWI+/PTSD- group (aORIBS  = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.93-5.05; aORGERD  = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.44-2.90; aORCP  = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.23-2.80), which had a higher odds of these disorders than the GWI- group (aORIBS  = 4.38, 95% CI: 1.55-12.36; aORGERD  = 2.51 95% CI: 1.63-3.87; aORCP  = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.53-4.32). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: GW veterans with GWI and PTSD have significantly higher odds of specific self-reported GI disorders than the other groups. Given the known bidirectional influences of the gut and brain, these veterans may benefit from a holistic healthcare approach that considers biopsychosocial contributors to the assessment and management of disease.

A large sample of finnish diabetic sib-pairs reveals no evidence for a non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus susceptibility locus at 2qter.

In the first reported positive result from a genome scan for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), Hanis et al. found significant evidence of linkage for NIDDM on chromosome 2q37 and named the putative disease locus NIDDM1 (Hanis et al. 1996. Nat. Genet. 13:161-166). Their total sample was comprised of 440 Mexican-American affected sib-pairs from 246 sibships. The strongest evidence for linkage was at marker D2S125 and best estimates of lambdas (risk to siblings of probands/population prevalence) using this marker were 1.37 under an additive model and 1.36 under a multiplicative model. We examined this chromosomal region using linkage analysis in a Finnish sample comprised of 709 affected sib-pairs from 472 sibships. We excluded this region in our sample (multipoint logarithm of odds score /= 1.37. We discuss possible reasons why linkage to 2q37 was not found and conclude that this region is unlikely to be playing a major role in NIDDM susceptibility in the Finnish Caucasian population.

Potential for expanded power in linkage studies using the ALLEGRO and MERLIN software programs.

Multipoint linkage analysis in complex diseases requires the use of fast algorithms that can handle many markers and a large number of moderately sized pedigrees with unknown mode of inheritance. This need has led to the development of several competitive software programs. We recently completed a genomic screen of neural tube defects using GENEHUNTER-PLUS and the more recent ALLEGRO. The ALLEGRO software was found to offer expanded power for linkage studies, particularly for childhood onset diseases like neural tube defects, though the results must be treated with caution.

Mapping genes for NIDDM. Design of the Finland-United States Investigation of NIDDM Genetics (FUSION) Study.

OBJECTIVE: To map and identify susceptibility genes for NIDDM and for the intermediate quantitative traits associated with NIDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We describe the methodology and sample of the Finland-United States Investigation of NIDDM Genetics (FUSION) study. The whole genome search approach is being applied in studies of several different ethnic groups to locate susceptibility genes for NIDDM. Detailed description of the study materials and designs of such studies are important, particularly when comparing the findings in these studies and when combining different data sets. RESULTS: Using a careful selection strategy, we have ascertained 495 families with confirmed NIDDM in at least two siblings and no history of IDDM among the first-degree relatives. These families were chosen from more than 22,000 NIDDM patients, representative of patients with NIDDM in the Finnish population. In a subset of families, a spouse and offspring were sampled, and they participated in a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) analyzed with the Minimal Model. An FSIGT was completed successfully for at least two nondiabetic offspring in 156 families with a confirmed nondiabetic spouse and no history of IDDM in first-degree relatives. CONCLUSIONS: Our work demonstrates the feasibility of collecting a large number of affected sib-pair families with NIDDM to provide data that will enable a whole genome search approach, including linkage analysis.

Genetic analysis of eight breast-ovarian cancer families with suspected BRCA1 mutations.

BRCA1 is a breast cancer-related tumor suppressor gene located on human chromosome 17q21. Inherited mutations in BRCA1 are thought to be responsible for approximately half of all inherited breast cancer and to confer increased risk for ovarian, colon, or prostate cancer. Studies of affected families and population-based studies have provided some information on the prevalence of BRCA1 mutations in Caucasian U.S. and European populations as well as on the penetrance of these mutations. We review the available data on the epidemiology of breast cancer with specific reference to BRCA1. In addition, we describe the genetic analysis of one large family with multiple affected individuals now known to harbor a BRCA1 germline mutation but initially identified by genetic linkage analysis. This family is presented as a model of the challenges that can be encountered in genetic analysis of familial forms of cancer. To this end, we compare the outcome of analysis before and after the identification of a mutation that predisposes family members to early-onset breast and ovarian cancers. We describe seven additional families with evidence of linkage between breast cancer and genetic markers in the BRCA1 region. Each of these families generated a 2-point LOD (i.e., logarithm of the odds) score greater than 1.18 for at least one polymorphic marker flanking BRCA1. These families have formed the basis of our efforts to characterize BRCA1 mutations. First-pass mutation analysis using the single-strand conformation polymorphism approach failed to identify any mutations in the seven families. We consider the possible reasons for the apparent low mutation-detection efficiency.

Effects of charcoal-extracted follicular fluid on reproductive function in postpartum cows.

In order to determine the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the resumption of ovarian function in cows early postpartum (PP), bovine follicular fluid (FF) was used to selectively suppress concentrations of FSH. Calves were removed from all cows within 24 hr of birth. Follicular fluid that was treated with charcoal to remove steroids (15 ml; n = 14) or serum (S) from an ovariectomized cow (15 ml, n = 14) was injected i.m. twice daily from days 1 to 10 PP. Blood samples were collected before each injection and frequent samples (every 15 min for 6 hr) taken on days 5 and 10 PP. Eight cows from each group (FF and S) were slaughtered on the morning of day 11 PP and pituitaries and ovaries collected. The remaining cows (n = 6) were observed for estrus. Treatment with FF delayed follicular growth (P less than 0.01), as evidenced by the largest follicle per cow observed at time of slaughter (3.6 +/- 0.42 vs 11.5 +/- 1.77 mm dia; FF vs S). The intervals from parturition to first estrus (P less than 0.11) and to first progesterone rise (25.3 +/- 1.97 vs 18.0 +/- 3.62 d; P less than 0.06) tended to be delayed by treatment with FF vs S. Many of the cows treated with S ovulated by day 10 PP, they were divided retrospectively into those that had ovulated by (n = 9) or after (n = 5) day 10 PP for analysis. Cows treated with FF had lower (P less than 0.05) and less variable (P less than 0.01) serum FSH concentrations while levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) tended (P less than 0.08) to be greater on days 5 and 10 PP. Follicular fluid decreased levels of FSH (P less than 0.001), but not LH (P less than 0.15), in the samples obtained twice daily compared to S-treated cows that did not ovulate by day 10 PP. Anterior pituitaries were dissociated, and cells from each cow were cultured in order to ascertain whether treatment with FF in vivo would affect gonadotropin secretion in vitro. Estradiol-17 beta (E) was incubated with pituitary cells to determine the effect of E on gonadotropin secretion from cells of PP cows, and to ascertain whether treatment with FF in vivo and with E in vitro would interact to affect secretion of FSH and LH in culture. After 2 d of incubation, cells were treated with 10(-9) M E or vehicle (1% ethanol).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The effect of photoperiod on diurnal rhythms of serum gonadotrophins, prolactin and melatonin in ovariectomized heifers.

Fourteen heifers, ovariectomized prepubertally, were used in two experiments to test the hypotheses that (1) there are diurnal patterns in circulating concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and melatonin and (2) that these diurnal patterns would be altered by changing photoperiod. In experiment 1 (Exp. 1) animals were randomly assigned to either increasing photoperiod (I) (n = 7) or decreasing photoperiod (D) (n = 7) for a period of 8 weeks. In the second experiment (Exp. 2) four heifers from each photoperiod group were assigned to the opposite treatment for another 4 weeks forming four subgroups; continued increasing photoperiod (II) (n = 3), increasing followed by decreasing photoperiod (ID) (n = 4), decreasing followed by increasing photoperiod (DI) (n = 4) and continued decreasing photoperiod (DD) (n = 3). At weeks 4, 8 (Exp. 1) and 12 (Exp. 2) the animals were cannulated and blood samples were taken hourly from 1030 hr to 0830 hr (23 samples). In Exp. 1, animals exposed to either I or D did not differ in circulating concentrations of LH, FSH, prolactin and melatonin. Concentrations of LH and melatonin but not FSH or prolactin were higher in animals during the scotophase than the photophase. In Exp. 2 LH, FSH and prolactin, but not melatonin concentrations were higher in animals exposed to I (II and ID) than D (DI and DD). Animals exposed to I had higher circulating concentrations of FSH and animals exposed to both I and D had higher concentrations of melatonin during the scotophase. Neither LH nor prolactin concentrations differed between scotophase and photophase. The abrupt switch from one photoperiod treatment to the other did not significantly affect LH, FSH or prolactin but did alter the patterns and concentrations of circulating melatonin. Animals that remained in the same photoperiod treatment had similar melatonin concentrations; but animals changed from I to D had higher serum melatonin concentrations than those changed from D to I. These data support the hypothesis that there are diurnal changes in circulating concentrations of melatonin in the prepubertal bovine female, with concentrations higher during scotophase than photophase. In addition, under certain photoperiodic conditions there were diurnal rhythms in gonadotropins. These data also support the hypothesis that changing photoperiod alters the diurnal pattern in circulating melatonin concentrations.

Photoperiodic alteration of postpartum reproductive function in suckled cows.

Three experiments were conducted using a total of 41 cows to determine if photoperiod modulates the establishment of postpartum estrous cycles and conception. Cows calving in the autumn and winter were exposed to either 18 hr light/day (18L:6D) or natural photoperiods. In Exp. 1, cows receiving 18L:6D had shorter (P<0.025) intervals from calving to estrus (61 +/- 3.8 days) than cows not receiving supplemental light (154 +/- 23.9 days). The same was true for primiparous cows in Exp. 2 (76 +/- 5.5 days vs 153 +/- 38.0 days; P<0.06) but not for the multiparous cows in Exp. 2 (56 +/- 5.2 days vs 40 +/- 7.4 days) or for all cows in Exp. 3 (60 +/- 10.1 days vs 70 +/- 13.5 days). Because conception rate was higher for cows exposed to 18L:6D for the multiparous cows in Exp. 2 and all cows in Exp. 3, interval to conception was significantly shorter for animals exposed to 18L:6D in all experiments. Generally, interval from calving to uterine involution was also reduced by exposure to 18L:6D. No effects of photoperiod were observed on body weight changes, serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or estradiol or on estradiol-induced release of gonadotropins. It was concluded that in certain situations day length can hasten estrus and conception in postpartum cows. The effect of photoperiod interacts with other conditions, one of which is parity. The endocrine basis for these effects are not known.

Effect of repeated laparoscopic surgery on the bovine estrous cycle.

The effects of repeated laparoscopic surgery on the length of the bovine estrous cycle, estrus, ovulation and corpus luteum function were determined after one estrous cycle of normal duration (18 to 24 days). Five, Angus x Hereford cows were subjected to laparoscopy on days 5, 13, 18 and 20 (estrus = day 0) of the subsequent cycle. Blood was collected daily during the cycle in which laparoscopy was performed (surgical cycle) and during the next cycle (postsurgical cycle). Lengths of the surgical and postsurgical cycles (22.3 +/- .5 days and 21.5 +/- .6 days, respectively) did not differ (P>.05) from that of the presurgical cycle (21.8 +/- .2 days). Average concentrations (ng/ml) of LH and progesterone in serum were similar during the surgical and postsurgical cycles (1.2 +/- .1, 2.2 +/- .2 vs 1.3 +/- .2 and 2.3 +/- .1). Progesterone concentrations remained above 1 ng/ml for 17 and 16 days during the surgical and postsurgical cycles, respectively. A pre-ovulatory rise in LH, along with estrus and ovulation was confirmed in all animals. Follicular development, characterized by follicular volume, increased progressively from days 5 to 20, with the largest increase occurring between days 13 and 18. These results indicate that laparoscopy, used at the times and frequency specified, does not alter reproductive function of cyclic cows and can provide information on ovarian activity.

The negative feedback effect of estradiol-17beta on secretion of luteinizing hormone in beef cows.

Thirty-two ovariectomized cows were used to determine the time course for the negative feedback effect of estradiol-17beta (E) on secretion of the luteinizing hormone (LH). The cows were injected with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH; 40 mug) 2.5 or 5 h after pretreatment with E (1 mug/kg body weight) or with a vehicle for control (C). Pretreatment with E resulted in lower serum concentrations of LH at 2.5 h (0.27 vs 0.90 ng/ml; P < 0.01) and at 5 h (0.27 vs 0.67 ng/ml; P < 0.01); less LH was released in response to GnRH at 2.5 h after treatment compared to cows treated with C (10 +/- 4.9 vs 27 +/- 3.8 ng/ml; P < 0.001). However, when GnRH was administered 5 h after E or C, there was no difference in the total amount of LH released (34 +/- 1.8 vs 26 +/- 4.4 ng/ml; P > 0.2). Time to half area (estimate of decay for the induced surge of LH) was longer for cows treated with E when compared to those treated with C (1.3 vs 0.9 h, P < 0.001; 1.5 vs 0.8 h, P < 0.001). Time to half area was not affected by the time of administration of GnRH after E (P > 0.4). These results suggest that E acts in the pituitary to cause the initial decrease in concentrations of LH. Pituitaries in animals pretreated with E regained the capacity to release as much LH at 5 h after treatment as those treated with C at a time when LH concentrations were still suppressed by E. Thus, the hypothalamus or an extra-hypothalamic area may be involved in maintaining the suppression of LH secretion after the initial effect on the pituitary has declined.

Short estrous cycles in postpartum cows as influenced by level of milk production, suckling, diet, season of calving and interval to first estrus.

The frequency of short cycles after the first postpartum estrus was determined from data collected in three experiments. Short estrous cycles (SEC) were defined as those less than 17 days long. Cows that were bred at the first estrus postpartum and conceived were included in the non-short cycle count. In Exp. 1, designed to determine the influence of genetic ability for milk production on postpartum traits, 16 of 118 Holstein cows (13.6%) had short estrous cycles. The incidence of SEC was greater in the low milk production group, but the differences were not significant (P>.25). This group had a shorter mean postpartum interval to first estrus (PPI) when compared to the high milk production cows (P<.025). Exp. 2 was designed to test the influence of suckling versus nonsuckling on postpartum traits, and seven of 54 Angus cows (13.0%) had SEC. The incidence of SEC in suckled and nonsuckled cows was 2 26 and 5 28 , respectively (P<.25). The nonsuckled cows had a shorter (P<.005) PPI than suckled cows. When these cows were grouped according to winter or summer calving, the incidence of SEC was 1 20 vs 6 34 (P<.25). In Exp. 3, designed to determine breed of sire x nutrition interactions on postpartum traits, there were 14 SEC out of 174 (8.0%) first estrous cycles in three parities of 58 crossbred cows. There was a tendency (P<.15) for more SEC to occur in the high nutrition group, but this may have been due in part to two cows in the high nutrition group that exhibited SEC in more than one parity. The high nutrition group also tended (P<.10) to have a shorter mean PPI than the low nutrition group. In all experiments, there were more SEC among cows displaying first estrus before 20 days postpartum.

The effect of photoperiod on serum concentrations of luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones in prepubertal heifers following ovariectomy and estradiol injection.

Eleven heifers, between 63 and 197 days of age, were exposed to 18 hr light/day (L) or natural photoperiods (N), beginning October 19, 1979. They were ovariectomized 8 weeks later. LH concentrations after ovariectomy were not affected by photoperiod, but the rate of increase of FSH after ovariectomy was greater (P<0.10) for group L than for group N. Three weeks after ovariectomy, heifers were injected, IV, with 0.1 mug/kg estradiol-17beta. LH concentrations initially decreased after injection. This was followed by a series of pulses larger than those prior to injection. FSH concentrations declined after injection and remained low throughout the sampling period. The net response of LH concentrations to estradiol (mean post-injection concentration minus mean pre-injection concentration) was greater (P=0.05) for group L (4.7+/-0.49 ng/ml) than for group N (2.9+/-0.37 ng/ml). Photoperiod did not affect the net response of FSH concentrations to estradiol. We concluded that exposing prepubertal heifers to 18 hr light/day during the winter resulted in a greater rate of increase of FSH after ovariectomy and greater estrogen-induced LH release. Because the response of LH to estradiol-17beta differed from the response of FSH, these hormones may be regulated differently.

Influences of month of birth and age on patterns of luteinizing hormone secretion in prepubertal heifers.

An experiment was done to determine if month of birth and age influenced patterns of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in prepubertal heifers. Mean concentrations of LH increased linearly (P<.05) in March-born heifers between one and seven months of age. This was partially due to an increase in number of LH pulses. The prepubertal pattern of LH concentrations was quadratic (P<.05) for heifers born in September because concentrations were slightly higher (P=.15) than those in March-born heifers at one month of age. There were no differences between groups during the remainder of the prepubertal period (3 to 7 months). There was a tendency (P=.18) for September-born animals to reach puberty at younger ages than those born in March. September-born heifers also had greater (P=.06) average daily gains, but body weights at puberty were similar for the two groups. These results show that season of birth influenced LH concentrations at one month of age, but did not significantly affect the increase between three and seven months of age.

The effect of exogenous melatonin administration on gonadotropin and prolactin patterns in ovariectomized estradiol-treated heifers exposed to increasing photoperiod.

Eight nulliparous Angus and Angus crossbred heifers, which had been ovariectomized and treated with estradiol-17beta (E(2)) S.Q. implants for 6 months, were used to determine the effects of exogenous melatonin on serum gonadotropin and prolactin concentrations. Melatonin (15 mg) or corn oil (vehicle) was administered as a single i.m. injection at 1600 h daily for 12 weeks (March 19 to June 4, 1982). Blood samples taken weekly via jugular venipuncture at approximately 1100 h were assayed for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and E(2). At 4-week intervals, animals were fitted with indwelling jugular cannulae at 1100 h and samples were taken for 4 h at 15-min intervals. These samples were used to estimate pulsatile patterns of LH, FSH and prolactin. On the day of the first 15-min sampling, additional blood samples were collected at 30 min intervals from 1500 to 2200 h to determine the acute effect of melatonin injection on concentrations of LH, FSH and prolactin. Melatonin did not affect concentrations of FSH collected at weekly intervals (P=0.03) but tended to inhibit the decrease in concentrations of LH seen in the heifers treated with vehicle (P=0.12). There was a melatonin x time interaction for FSH (P=0.04) and a tendency for this interaction for LH (P=0.11). Circulating concentrations of prolactin were not different between treatment groups (P=0.83) nor was there a melatonin x time interaction (P=0.03). Estradiol was higher in the melatonin treated group (P=0.03) (15.58 +/- 4.17 versus 8.25 +/- 1.25 pg/ml) (X +/- SEM) and the melatonin x time interaction was significant (P=0.001). There was a tendency for a melatonin x time interaction for FSH pulse frequency (P=0.10). Prolactin pulse duration tended to decrease in response to melatonin treatment (P=0.14) (15.92 +/- 9.29 versus 11.04 +/- 4.57 min). These data do not support the hypothesis that melatonin decreases prolactin concentrations in cattle and indicates that other factors must mediate photoperiod regulation of this hormone. However, the interpretation of these data is less clear concerning the hypothesis that melatonin may maintain elevated concentrations of gonadotropins in the presence of increasing photoperiod. Concentrations of FSH appeared to be more affected by melatonin than LH; consistent with previous observations that FSH may be more affected than LH by changes in photoperiod (2). But neither LH or FSH concentrations were clearly shown to be consistantly elevated in the melatonin treatment group.

Estrogen - Induced release of luteinizing hormone in prepubertal and postpubertal heifers.

This experiment was designed to determine the age at which estradiol-17beta (E(2)) first induces a preovulatory-like surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) in prepubertal heifers. Responses of prepubertal animals 3 to 4 and 5 to 6 months of age were compared with those of postpubertal heifers that received 25 mg prostaglandin F(2)alpha at 0800 hr on day 15 of the estrous cycle. E(2) (500mug) induced surges of LH in 1 5 heifers 3 to 4 months of age, 3 3 heifers 5 to 6 months of age and 5 5 postpubertal heifers. Duration of response and interval between E(2) injection and peak of the response were longer in postpubertal heifers than in those 5 to 6 months old (P<0.10). Peak response and total amount of LH released were greater in animals 5 to 6 months old (P<0.10). Only one prepubertal heifer had elevated concentrations of progesterone following an LH surge. Four of 5 postpubertal heifers receiving E(2) and 3 of 4 postpubertal heifers receiving corn oil had corpora lutea and similar patterns of progesterone concentrations. We conclude that ability to release an LH surge in response to E(2) develops in heifers between 3 and 5 months of age, but that this induced surge does not cause ovulation.

Variability of ovarian structures and plasma progesterone profiles in dairy cows with ovarian cysts.

Weekly reproductive health examinations were performed on 46 multiparous Holstein cows from 14 to 100 d post partum. Sixteen cows developed 19 nonsimultaneous ovarian cysts, with a mean day of first detection at 34.3 +/- 4.5 d post partum and a mean duration of 31.0 +/- 4.3 d after first detection. Coccygeal blood was collected three times weekly, and plasma progesterone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Cysts were diagnosed by palpation per rectum or by ultrasonography and classified as follicular or luteal cysts; the cows were not treated. Cows with a mean plasma progesterone concentration of < 1 ng/ml from the first day of detection (Day 1) of a cyst until Day 10 were classified as having a follicular cyst, and those with a mean plasma progesterone concentration of >or= 1 ng/ml from Day 1 to Day 10 were classified as having a luteal cyst. According to this classification, 58% of the cysts were follicular and 42% were luteal. There was an overall 47% agreement between classification by palpation and by ultrasonography on Day 1 with progesterone concentration during Days 1 to 10 after detection of the cyst. Detailed graphs of progesterone concentrations and area of largest follicles or cysts and corpora lutea demonstrate the variability of ovarian structures and progesterone profiles in cystic cows. Detection of a cyst at any one time accompanied by simultaneous measurement of progesterone can lead to different diagnoses of cyst type depending on the method of classification, the presence and age of luteinized tissue in the cyst and undetected corpora lutea.

Genotype x environmental interactions on reproductive traits of bovine females. III. Seasonal variation in postpartum reproduction as influenced by genotype, suckling and dietary regimen.

We examined the effect of season of calving (winter = October to March, summer = April to September) on postpartum reproductive traits by analyzing six data sets in which cows calved throughout the year. In two experiments, with suckled and nonsuckled cows, animals that calved in winter had longer (P less than .01) intervals from parturition to first estrus (IE) than those that calved in summer. Multiple regression analysis [model; IE = y + b1 (calving date) + b2 (calving date)2] indicated that the relationship between calving date and IE was less for nonsuckled cows than for suckled cows because there was heterogeneity of regression (P less than .005) between groups. A similar seasonal difference and calving date X suckling status interaction (P less than .10) was observed in a third experiment. Another experiment involved Holstein cows ranked for genetic ability for milk production. Cows with genetic ability for high milk production and calving in summer tended (P less than .12) to have shorter IE than winter-calving cows. Genetically low producing cows did not show this tendency and there was heterogeneity of regression (P less than .10) between groups. In two experiments cows were fed diets either low or high in energy and data were analyzed for three consecutive postpartum periods (PP1, PP2, PP3) beginning after first calving. In PP1 of one experiment, intervals to first ovulation, estrus and conception were longer in winter than in summer. The multiple regression equation between calving date and IE was significant (P less than .10) only for cows fed diets low in energy. There was no significant relationship between calving date and IE in PP2 or PP3. In the other experiment, there were not enough winter-calving cows to make seasonal comparisons in PP1 and season did not significantly influence IE in PP2 or PP3. We concluded that, in general, winter-calving cows appeared to take longer to regain reproductive competence after calving than summer-calving cows. Differences between seasons tended to be greater for suckled cows, cows with genetic ability for high milk production, primiparous cows and cows fed diets low in energy.

The influence of photoperiod on the onset of puberty in the female rabbit.

Seventy-six New Zealand white does born between June 28, 1979 and April 6, 1980 were used in an experiment of 2 X 2 X 2 factorial design to determine if 1) exposure to 18 h (L) or 6 h (D) of light/d beginning at weaning influenced age and body weight at puberty and 2) if mating and(or) hormone treatment at puberty influenced ovulation rate and number of embryos. Beginning at weaning, estrus was checked daily using males known to be fertile. At first expression of estrus, does were either mated or nonmated and were injected iv with either 30 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), or saline. Means for the L and D groups for age at puberty (d), body weight at puberty (kg), ovarian weight (g) and number of embryos 5 d postcoitus were 105 +/- 3.6 vs 121.9 +/- 4.1 (P less than .01); 2.65 +/- .07 vs 2.87 +/- .08 (P less than .05); .56 +/- .04 vs .78 +/- .04 (P less than .001) and 6.1 +/- .83 vs 3.44 +/- .67 (P less than .01), respectively. Photoperiod did not influence number of ovulations. Number of embryos relative to number of ovulations were higher in rabbits exposed to 18 h of light. Does that were both mated and hormone-treated had more (P less than .025) corpora lutea (11.0 +/- .9) than does that were either hormone-treated (7.7 +/- .86) or mated (7.0 +/- .97) only. Mated does had heavier uteri (10.8 +/- .5 vs 7.9 +/- .5) while hormone treatment increased both ovarian and uterine weights (g) over nontreated does (.74 +/- .04 vs .59 +/- .05; 9.9 +/- .45 vs 8.8 +/- .65). Multiple regression analysis revealed that does born in summer reached puberty later than those born during other seasons. It was concluded that season of birth and exposure of does to 18 h of light from weaning affect onset of puberty. Increasing daily light exposure from 6 to 18 h/d may improve litter size in pubertal does.