Effects of age, season and active immunization against estrogen on serum prolactin concentrations in stallions.

The research investigates how age, season, and estrogen immunization influence prolactin levels in stallions. It concludes that age and season significantly impact serum prolactin concentrations while active estrogen immunization does not.

Methodology

• The research analyzes the prolactin concentrations in the serum of stallions. This was done using a radioimmunoassay based on antiserum generated against equine prolactin and radioiodinated canine prolactin.
• Serum samples were collected from 152 stallions at a slaughterhouse over different seasons. The effect of age was also considered in the analysis.
• In addition to this, another group of stallions, consisting of five control and five estrogen-immunized stallions aged between 6 to 26 months, was also assessed for prolactin concentration.

Findings

• It was observed that prolactin concentrations in the serum were significantly higher during summer than in winter. It shows that there is a seasonal effect on prolactin concentrations.
• The study found that age has an influence on prolactin concentrations. The levels increased with age up to 3 to 5 years, with older stallions having higher prolactin concentrations compared to younger ones.
• Additionally, while assessing the effect of active estrogen immunization, it was noted that it didn’t significantly affect prolactin concentrations, regardless of the time of the year or the stallion’s age.

Conclusion

• The overall conclusion drawn from this study is that age and season have a meaningful influence on serum prolactin concentrations in stallions. Generally, older stallions and warm seasons are associated with higher prolactin levels.
• On the other hand, active immunization against estrogens doesn’t alter the prolactin concentrations. This finding is essential as it dismisses the hypothesis of the potential impact of estrogen immunization on prolactin concentration in stallions.