Effects of lactation on metabolic and reproductive hormones in Lipizzaner mares.
Abstract: In this study, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leptin, luteinising hormone (LH) and prolactin were analyzed in mares from late pregnancy throughout lactation (group 1, n=46) and in non-lactating mares (group 2, n=11). Plasma GH concentrations in group 1 mares during gestation and lactation were lower than in mares of group 2 (P<0.05). Highest IGF-1 levels were found in lactating mares in the week of foaling. IGF-1 concentrations decreased continuously thereafter. Plasma leptin concentrations decreased after foaling and, for 4 weeks, were lower in lactating than in non-lactating mares (P<0.05). Reduced leptin concentrations may promote feed intake and allow lactating mares to avoid an energy deficit. In group 1 mares, prolactin concentrations reached a maximum in the week of foaling and decreased rapidly thereafter. Plasma LH concentrations in group 1 mares before foaling were lower than at corresponding times in group 2 (P<0.05). LH concentrations then increased and did no longer differ from group 2 until week 2 postpartum. This increase may contribute to the resumption of cyclic ovarian activity in postpartum mares. Subsequently, LH levels in lactating mares decreased again (P<0.05). Increased IGF-1 concentrations early postpartum might contribute to ovarian stimulation while reduced IGF-1 and GH concentrations later in lactation might cause reduced stimulation. The changes in somatotrophic hormones could thus explain, at least in part, a more pronounced stimulation of ovarian function early postpartum than during the following months of lactation.
Publication Date: 2003-09-10 PubMed ID: 12963098DOI: 10.1016/s0739-7240(03)00044-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article delves into the impact of lactation on metabolic and reproductive hormones in Lipizzaner mares. The findings illustrate significant differences in hormone levels between lactating and non-lactating mares, suggesting a relationship between lactation and metabolic and reproductive processes in these animals.
Research Purpose
- The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in several hormones (GH, IGF-1, leptin, LH, and prolactin) in Lipizzaner mares during late pregnancy and lactation, and compare these changes with non-lactating mares.
Main Findings
- The research found that GH (growth hormone) concentrations were lower in lactating mares than in non-lactating mares both during gestation and lactation.
- The highest levels of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) were found in lactating mares during the week of foaling, and then the concentration of this hormone continuously decreased thereafter.
- The plasma leptin concentrations were found to decrease after foaling, and for a period of 4 weeks, were lower in lactating mares than in non-lactating mares. The decrease of leptin concentrations could possibly lead mares to eat more to avoid energy deficit during lactation.
- In lactating mares, the prolactin levels peaked in the week of foaling and decreased rapidly after that.
- The study also found that LH (luteinising hormone) concentrations were lower in lactating mares before foaling than at the same time in non-lactating mares. However, LH concentrations began to increase after foaling and matched the levels of non-lactating mares until the second week after birth. This increase could possibly contribute to restarting the ovarian cycle in postpartum mares.
- However, after reaching a peak, LH levels in lactating mares decreased again.
- The variations in GH and IGF-1 may explain why ovarian function is more stimulated immediately after giving birth than during the subsequent months of lactation.
Conclusions
- The observed hormonal changes during lactation in Lipizzaner mares have important implications for their metabolic and reproductive processes. In particular, lactation seems to lower concentrations of certain hormones and may contribute to the resumption of cyclic ovarian activity.
Cite This Article
APA
Heidler B, Parvizi N, Sauerwein H, Bruckmaier RM, Heintges U, Aurich JE, Aurich C.
(2003).
Effects of lactation on metabolic and reproductive hormones in Lipizzaner mares.
Domest Anim Endocrinol, 25(1), 47-59.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0739-7240(03)00044-4 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Gestational Age
- Growth Hormone / blood
- Hormones / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / analysis
- Lactation / physiology
- Leptin / blood
- Luteinizing Hormone / blood
- Pregnancy
- Prolactin / blood
- Reproduction
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Arfuso F, Giannetto C, Bazzano M, Assenza A, Piccione G. Physiological Correlation between Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, Leptin, UCP1 and Lipid Panel in Mares during Late Pregnancy and Early Postpartum Period. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 9;11(7).
- Hwang DL, Lee PD, Cohen P. Quantitative ontogeny of murine insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-binding protein-3 and the IGF-related acid-labile subunit. Growth Horm IGF Res 2008 Feb;18(1):65-74.
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