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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Reprod Sci / Ovulation-inducing factor in seminal plasma: a review.
Animal reproduction science2012; 136(3); 148-156; doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.10.004

Ovulation-inducing factor in seminal plasma: a review.

Abstract: Ovulation in mammals involves pulsatile release of GnRH from the hypothalamus into the hypophyseal portal system with subsequent release of LH from the anterior pituitary into systemic circulation. Elevated circulating concentrations of LH induce a cascade of events within the mature follicle, culminating in follicle rupture and evacuation. The broad classification of species as either spontaneous or induced ovulators is based on the type of stimulus responsible for eliciting GnRH release from the hypothalamus. In spontaneously ovulating species (e.g., human, sheep, cattle, horse, pigs), release of GnRH from the hypothalamus is triggered when, in the absence of progesterone, systemic estradiol concentrations exceed a threshold. In induced ovulators (e.g., rabbits, ferrets, cats, camelids), release of GnRH is contingent upon copulatory stimuli; hence, ovulation is not a regular cyclic event. Since a classic 1970 Peruvian study, dogma has maintained that physical stimulation of the genitalia during copulation is the primary trigger for inducing ovulation in alpacas and llamas. Exciting results of recent studies, however, provide direct evidence for the existence of an ovulation-inducing factor (OIF) in semen, and compel us to re-examine the mechanism of ovulation in both induced and spontaneous ovulators. Ovulation-inducing factor in seminal plasma is a potent stimulant of LH secretion, ovulation and luteal gland development, and acts via a systemic rather than a local route. OIF is a protein molecule that is resistant to heat and enzymatic digestion with proteinase K. It has a molecular mass of 14kDa, and may be part of a larger protein complex or pro-hormone. The effect of OIF is dose-related and evident at physiologically relevant doses (i.e., as little as 1/100th that present in the ejaculate), and is mediated, in whole or in part, at the level of the hypothalamus in vivo. The factor exists in the seminal plasma of every species in which it has been examined thus far, including Bactrian camels, alpacas, llamas, cattle, horses, pigs, and koalas. Seminal plasma OIF does not appear to be a phylogenetic vestige in spontaneous ovulators since it (1) induced ovulation in pre-pubertal mice, (2) altered ovarian follicular wave dynamics in cows, and (3) elicited LH release in vitro from primary pituitary cell cultures of rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, llamas and cows.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2012-10-24 PubMed ID: 23141951DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.10.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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Summary

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This research article discusses the existence of an ovulation-inducing factor (OIF) found in seminal plasma, which contributes to ovulation and luteal gland development in both induced and spontaneous ovulators, including various mammals like camels, alpacas, llamas, cattle, horses, pigs, and koalas.

Overview of the Ovulation Process

  • Ovulation in mammals is a result of the release of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) from the hypothalamus into the hypophyseal portal system, which in turn triggers the release of LH (luteinizing hormone) from the anterior pituitary into the bloodstream.
  • Increased circulating levels of LH stimulate a sequence of events within the mature ovarian follicle, culminating in follicle rupture and the release of an ovum.
  • Mammalian species fall under two broad categories based on what triggers the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus: spontaneous ovulators and induced ovulators.

Spontaneous vs Induced Ovulators

  • Spontaneous ovulators such as humans, sheep, cattle, horses, and pigs, have their hypothalamic GnRH release triggered when systemic estradiol concentrations exceed a certain threshold in the absence of progesterone.
  • Induced ovulators, on the other hand, like rabbits, ferrets, cats, and camelids, rely on copulatory stimuli for the release of GnRH. This means ovulation is not a frequent cyclic event in these species.

Ovulation-Inducing Factor in Seminal Plasma

  • This study calls into question the long-held belief that physical stimulation during copulation is the main trigger for ovulation in alpacas and llamas. Instead, it presents evidence supporting the existence of an ovulation-inducing factor (OIF) in semen.
  • The OIF in seminal plasma is a powerful stimulant of LH secretion, ovulation, and luteal gland development. Remarkably, the factor acts systemically and not through a local route.
  • This protein molecule, which resists heat and enzymatic digestion with proteinase K, has a molecular mass of 14kDa and may form part of a larger protein complex or pro-hormone.

OIF’s Influence at Physiological Doses

  • OIF’s effect is dose-dependent and can be detected even at doses much lower than those present in the ejaculate.
  • This factor has been identified in the seminal plasma of every species examined so far, which includes several spontaneous and induced ovulators.
  • OIF is not a phylogenetic vestige in spontaneous ovulators since it has been shown to induce ovulation in pre-pubertal mice, alter ovarian follicular wave dynamics in cows, and to stimulate LH release in vitro from primary pituitary cell cultures of various mammals.

Cite This Article

APA
Adams GP, Ratto MH. (2012). Ovulation-inducing factor in seminal plasma: a review. Anim Reprod Sci, 136(3), 148-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.10.004

Publication

Animal reproduction science
ISSN: 1873-2232
NlmUniqueID: 7807205
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 136
Issue: 3
Pages: 148-156
PII: S0378-4320(12)00307-7

Researcher Affiliations

Adams, Gregg P
  • Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. gregg.adams@usask.ca
Ratto, Marcelo H

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Female
    • Humans
    • Male
    • Ovulation / physiology
    • Ovulation Induction
    • Semen / physiology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 17 times.
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