A review of patterns of change in luteal function.
Abstract: Puberty: For the gilt and filly, the first corpus luteum (CL) appears to have a normal lifespan. For both species, first CL usually is associated with estrus but can form in the absence of estrus. For the ewe and cow, a transient (1 to 4 d, ewe; 3 to 10 d, cow) rise and fall of ovarian derived progesterone (P4) is detected in peripheral blood (80% of ewes; 50% of heifers) prior to first "normal" CL. The first CL of apparent normal lifespan is not accompanied by estrus in the ewe. The first CL in the cow may or may not be accompanied by estrus; first estrus in the cow can be anovulatory. Data are required to describe definitively variation in lifespan of first CL in these species. Persistent CL: Data that the CL can be prolonged in the absence of uterine abnormality are strongest in the mare, suggestive for the ewe under conditions of "more constant light," equivocal in the cow, and not reported in the pig. First CL after the anovulatory season: As reported for the pubertal ewe, the anestrous ewe can have a progesterone rise over a 2- to 4-d interval at about 25 d before estrus. The ewe has a P4 pattern similar to that of a normal estrous cycle in the absence of estrus immediately prior to the first estrus and CL. CL lifespan was reported for the first estrous cycle to be both normal and on the order of 4 to 10 d in up to 50% of the ewes, following introduction of rams. For the mare, first CL usually is associated with estrus and has a normal lifespan. Data suggest no P4 rise prior to first CL. The occurrence of estrus without formation of a CL is usual during the anovulatory season and during the transition from anovulatory to ovulatory seasons. Postpartum: The CL of pregnancy regressed at parturition and was not functional postpartum in the sow and cow, regressed at about d 180 of gestation in the mare (both primary CL and secondary CL), and regressed after d 140 of gestation and before d 2 postpartum in the ewe. Postpartum estrus occurring within d 1 to 3 postpartum was anovulatory for both the sow and ewe; postpartum estrus within d 5 to 12 was ovulatory for the mare.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1986-01-01 PubMed ID: 3533878DOI: 10.1093/ansci/62.2.79Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The article presents a scientific review of the changes that happen in luteal function during different stages and conditions, focusing on livestock animals like pigs, cows, sheep, and horses.
Puberty and First Corpus Luteum
- In the case of gilts (young pigs) and fillies (young female horses), the first corpus luteum (an essential part of the ovulation cycle) appears to have a normal lifespan. It is generally associated with their first heat cycle (estrus) but can form even if estrus doesn’t occur.
- In contrast, ewes (female sheep) and cows have an initial period where progesterone, an ovarian hormone, rises and falls transiently before their first ‘normal’ corpus luteum. Interestingly, the appearance of a normal functioning corpus luteum in ewes doesn’t coincide with estrus, while in cows it may or may not coincide.
- However, more data is required to establish the variance in the lifespan of the first corpus luteum across these species.
Persistent Corpus Luteum
- The research also discussed the conditions in which the corpus luteum can persist longer without the presence of any abnormalities in the uterus. Evidence shows that this is most likely to occur in mares (adult female horses), may occur in ewes under continuous light conditions, is uncertain in cows, and is unreported in pigs.
Corpus Luteum after Anovulatory Season
- In sheep, it’s observed that after the period without ovulation (anovulatory season), there is a rise in progesterone over a 2-4 day interval approximately 25 days before estrus. During this phase, the progesterone pattern is similar to that of a normal heat cycle, even without the occurrence of estrus.
- For horses, the first corpus luteum after the anovulatory season usually coincides with estrus and has a typical lifespan. There is typically no prior progesterone rise, and it’s common to see estrus without formation of corpus luteum during the transition from anovulatory to ovulatory seasons.
Postpartum Corpus Luteum and Estrus
- The article further elaborates on the changes post-pregnancy. Notably, the corpus luteum of pregnancy regresses around the time of childbirth and doesn’t function thereafter in sows (adult female pigs) and cows.
- In mares, this regression happens around the 180th day of gestation, while in ewes, it happens post gestation day 140 and before day 2 postpartum.
- For sows and ewes, any estrus that happens within 1 to 3 days post childbirth is typically anovulatory. However, for mares, estrus within 5 to 12 days is associated with ovulation.
The analysis of these patterns provides a deeper understanding of reproductive physiology across different livestock animals and may be used for potential applications in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
Lauderdale JW.
(1986).
A review of patterns of change in luteal function.
J Anim Sci, 62 Suppl 2, 79-91.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ansci/62.2.79 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Anestrus / physiology
- Animals
- Cattle
- Corpus Luteum / physiology
- Estrus / physiology
- Female
- Horses
- Postpartum Period / physiology
- Pregnancy
- Sheep
- Swine
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Smith MF, Geisert RD, Parrish JJ. Reproduction in domestic ruminants during the past 50 yr: discovery to application.. J Anim Sci 2018 Jun 29;96(7):2952-2970.
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