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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2019; 54(10); 1411-1418; doi: 10.1111/rda.13545

Intrafollicular and systemic serotonin, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations in cycling mares.

Abstract: The hypothesis that a local serotonergic network might also exist in the follicle of mares remains poorly documented, with exception for humans and laboratory species. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to clarify this possibility, investigating intrafollicular serotonin concentrations of the cycling mare at ovulation time. Sixty ovaries collected from 30 clinically healthy mares of slaughterhouse meat production with clinically normal reproductive tracts after slaughtering were evaluated. Blood samples were taken prior to sacrifice. Follicles were classified in three categories in relation to size, as small (20-30 mm), medium (31-40 mm) and large (>41 mm), and the follicular fluid samples were extracted from each follicle. Intrafollicular and systemic serotonin (5-HT), oestradiol-17β (E ) and progesterone (P ) were determined by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and RIA, respectively. Intrafollicular 5-HT, E and P concentrations were higher than systemic ones (p < .05). 5-HT concentrations increased in larger compared to medium follicles, without differences compared to small size follicles (p < .05). 5-HT and E (r = .79) and 5-HT and P (r = .79; p < .05) were positively correlated. 5-HT and P concentrations in follicular fluid increased progressively with the increase in follicular size (p < .05). Follicle diameter and E (r = .85) and P (r = .68) were correlated (p < .05). Since serotonin interacts with steroids, its role on steroidogenesis during growth of the dominant follicle may be suggested.
Publication Date: 2019-08-22 PubMed ID: 31373734DOI: 10.1111/rda.13545Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research study investigates the possibility of a local serotonin network in the follicles of female horses during their reproductive cycle, with particular attention to ovulation time. The researchers conducted this study by focusing on the concentrations of serotonin, oestrogen, and progesterone both within the ovarian follicles and within the body systemically.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The researchers gathered 60 ovaries from 30 healthy mares used for meat production. These mares had clinically normal reproductive tracts, and their ovaries were harvested post-slaughter.
  • Blood samples were taken before the mares were slaughtered, to represent the systemic concentrations of serotonin, oestrogen, and progesterone.
  • The collected ovaries’ follicles were divided into three size categories: small (20-30mm), medium (31-40mm), and large (>41mm). The researchers then extracted fluid samples from these follicles for examination.
  • The serotonin (5-HT), oestradiol-17β (E), and progesterone (P) concentrations in both the blood and follicular fluid samples were then determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay, respectively.

Findings

  • The results revealed that the intrafollicular concentrations of serotonin, estrogen, and progesterone were higher than their systemic levels.
  • Larger follicles showed an increased concentration of serotonin compared to medium-sized follicles, though no significant difference was observed when compared to small follicles.
  • The concentrations of serotonin exhibited a positive correlation with both oestrogen and progesterone levels.
  • There was also evidence that serotonin and progesterone levels in the follicular fluid increased correlative with the increase in follicular size.
  • The diameters of the follicles also showed correlations with the levels of oestrogen and progesterone.

Research Implications

  • The research findings suggest that serotonin may exert influence on the production of sex hormones during the development of the dominant ovarian follicle in horses.
  • This supports the hypothesis of a localized serotonergic network within the ovarian follicles.
  • As the interplay between serotonin and steroids is complex, further studies are needed to understand these interactions fully and their implications for female horse fertility and reproductive health.

Cite This Article

APA
Satué K, Fazio E, Ferlazzo A, Medica P. (2019). Intrafollicular and systemic serotonin, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations in cycling mares. Reprod Domest Anim, 54(10), 1411-1418. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13545

Publication

ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 10
Pages: 1411-1418

Researcher Affiliations

Satué, Katiuska
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU-Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia, Spain.
Fazio, Esterina
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Sicilia, Italy.
Ferlazzo, Adriana
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Sicilia, Italy.
Medica, Pietro
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Sicilia, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Female
  • Follicular Fluid / metabolism
  • Horses / physiology
  • Ovarian Follicle / growth & development
  • Ovulation
  • Progesterone / blood
  • Progesterone / metabolism
  • Serotonin / blood
  • Serotonin / metabolism

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Satué K, La Fauci D, Medica P, Velasco-Martínez MG, Barbiera G, Fazio E. Involvement of Peripheral Serotonin in Blood Cells in Healthy Cyclical Mares of Different Ages. Vet Sci 2025 Jun 4;12(6).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12060548pubmed: 40559785google scholar: lookup
  2. Mainguy-Seers S, Diaw M, Lavoie JP. Lung Function Variation during the Estrus Cycle of Mares Affected by Severe Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 17;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12040494pubmed: 35203202google scholar: lookup
  3. Satué K, Fazio E, Medica P. Can the Presence of Ovarian Corpus Luteum Modify the Hormonal Composition of Follicular Fluid in Mares?. Animals (Basel) 2020 Apr 9;10(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10040646pubmed: 32283596google scholar: lookup