Effects of a commercial canine gonadotropin releasing hormone vaccine on estrus suppression and estrous behavior in mares.
Abstract: We investigated the effect of immunization against gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) using a commercial canine GnRH vaccine on estrus suppression and unwanted estrous behavior in mares. In experiment 1, mares were immunized (n = 6) twice with vaccine (5 mL) given intramuscularly 4 weeks apart or received a control diluent (n = 5). Transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the reproductive tracts was performed three days a week for 40 weeks after initial vaccination. Blood samples were collected weekly for GnRH antibody titer and progesterone concentration determination. In experiment 2, privately-owned mares (n = 12) were immunized twice with vaccine (1 mL) given intramuscularly 4 weeks apart. Blood samples were collected prior to each vaccination as well as 12 and 20 weeks after initial treatment, and transrectal ultrasonographic examinations of the reproductive tracts were performed 12 weeks after the first vaccination. Vaccinated mares in experiment 1 responded with a GnRH antibody titer, progesterone concentrations significantly lower than controls, and cessation of ovarian activity. Vaccinated mares in experiment 2 also responded with a GnRH antibody titer, progesterone concentrations that remained basal for the duration of the study, and cessation of ovarian activity. Owners of vaccinated mares in experiment 2 reported that the number of unwanted estrous behaviors present before vaccination significantly decreased following vaccination. In conclusion, GnRH immunization using a canine GnRH vaccine is an effective method for suppressing estrus and unwanted estrous behavior.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-09-12 PubMed ID: 24083943DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.09.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigated the potential of using a canine vaccine to suppress estrous cycles in mares. It found that the vaccine was able to effectively decrease unwanted estrous behaviors and stop ovarian activity.
Research Methodology
The study was conducted in two parts.
- In the first experiment, 6 mares were immunized with a canine gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine twice, four weeks apart. This group was compared with a control group of 5 mares that received a control diluent. The researchers carried out transrectal ultrasonographic examinations of the mares’ reproductive tracts three times a week for 40 weeks after the mares had been vaccinated. Blood samples were collected weekly to measure GnRH antibody titer and progesterone concentration.
- In the second experiment, 12 privately-owned mares were immunized twice, again four weeks apart. Here, the blood samples were collected prior to each vaccination as well as 12 and 20 weeks after the initial treatment. Their reproductive tracts were examined by ultrasound 12 weeks after the first vaccination.
Results and Findings
- In both experiments the mares that were vaccinated showed a response to the GnRH vaccine. The mares developed a GnRH antibody titer, which suggests an immunological response to vaccination.
- Progesterone concentrations significantly dropped in both groups of mares that were vaccinated, when compared to the control group. This implied a cessation of ovarian activity, as progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries that indicates reproductive activity.
- Mares in the second experiment maintained these low progesterone levels throughout the duration of the study, which suggests that the effects of the vaccine were sustained over time.
- The owners of the vaccinated mares in the second experiment also reported a noticeable decrease in unwanted estrous behaviors. It implies a behavioral change related to the cessation of estrous cycles due to the vaccine.
Conclusions
In conclusion, vaccination with a canine GnRH vaccine appears to be an effective method for suppressing estrus and the associated unwanted behaviors in mares. The cessation of ovarian activity indicated by the decreased progesterone and the behavioral changes observed suggest that this could be a promising technique for managing estrus in mares.
Cite This Article
APA
Donovan CE, Hazzard T, Schmidt A, LeMieux J, Hathaway F, Kutzler MA.
(2013).
Effects of a commercial canine gonadotropin releasing hormone vaccine on estrus suppression and estrous behavior in mares.
Anim Reprod Sci, 142(1-2), 42-47.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.09.002 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dogs
- Estrus / immunology
- Female
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / immunology
- Horses / physiology
- Immunization / veterinary
- Ovarian Follicle
- Progesterone / blood
- Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology
- Time Factors
- Vaccines, Contraceptive / immunology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Han X, Xia X, Chen W, Meng F, Cao X, Bu G, Gan T, Du X, Liang Q, Zeng X. Efficacy of Immunization against a Novel Synthetic 13-Amino Acid Betaglycan-Binding Peptide Sequence of Inhibin α Subunit on Promoting Fertility in Female Rats.. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Apr 7;24(8).
- Schwarzenberger F, Krawinkel P, Jeserschek SM, Schauerte N, Geiger C, Balfanz F, Knauf-Witzens T, Sicks F, Martinez Nevado E, Anfray G, Hein A, Kaandorp-Huber C, Marcordes S, Venshøj B. Immunocontraception of male and female giraffes using the GnRH vaccine Improvac®.. Zoo Biol 2022 Jan;41(1):50-64.
- Hermes R, Schwarzenberger F, Göritz F, Oh S, Fernandes T, Bernardino R, Leclerc A, Greunz E, Mathew A, Forsyth S, Saragusty J, Hildebrandt TB. Ovarian down Regulation by GnRF Vaccination Decreases Reproductive Tract Tumour Size in Female White and Greater One-Horned Rhinoceroses.. PLoS One 2016;11(7):e0157963.
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