The effects of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin on follicular development, mating and pregnancy in mink.
Abstract: Forty-four female ranch mink, maintained out-of-doors under standard conditions, were exposed to natural photoperiod supplemented with a period of artificial light from approximately 2300 hr to 0300 hr from early January to mid February. Breeding was initiated on March 1. After repeated attempts to breed the animals, it was determined that the likelihood of their breeding was very low, presumably due to the artificial and asynchronous long-day photoperiod. In an attempt to induce breeding, the mink were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: saline, 25 International Units (IU) PMSG, 37.5 IU PMSG and 50 IU PMSG. Significantly different (p less than 0.05) patterns of breeding success were observed following PMSG treatment. Approximately 90% of the 37.5 and 50 IU PMSG-treated females bred while only 30 to 50% of the females in the saline and 25 IU PMSG-treated groups bred. More importantly, there was a marked difference in successful pregnancies observed between the saline- and PMSG-treated animals. None of the saline-treated females bore offspring while 40% of the animals that were treated with PMSG gave birth, with litter size averaging between 4 and 5 kits per female. Histological evaluation of ovaries obtained from an additional 13 animals treated in a similar fashion demonstrated that PMSG treatment significantly increased the number of small follicles. These results demonstrate that the exogenous administration of PMSG has a potential application in increasing the reproductive efficiency of female mink with functional ovarian tissue yet rendered infertile due to other factors.
Publication Date: 1989-10-01 PubMed ID: 2620507DOI: 10.1016/0739-7240(89)90031-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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This research investigates the effect of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on the follicular development, mating, and pregnancy in mink. Results showed that the administration of PMSG significantly increases the reproductive efficiency and the likelihood of successful pregnancies in mink.
Study Design
- The study involved forty-four female ranch minks kept in outdoor, standard conditions. Their natural photoperiod was supplemented with artificial light from early January to mid-February.
- Attempts were made to breed the minks from March 1. However, the asynchronous long-day photoperiod apparently hindered their breeding.
- To induce breeding, the minks were divided into four groups, treated with either saline, 25 IU PMSG, 37.5 IU PMSG, or 50 IU PMSG.
Observations and Findings
- Different patterns of breeding success were observed in each group. Minks treated with 37.5 or 50 IU PMSG showed higher breeding success at about 90%, while only 30-50% of minks in the saline and 25 IU PMSG groups were successful.
- None of the saline-treated females bore offspring, while 40% of the PMSG-treated females gave birth. The average litter size was between 4 and 5 kits per female.
- A histological evaluation of ovaries from an additional 13 animals treated similarly demonstrated that PMSG treatment significantly increased the number of small follicles, vital for the maturity and release of eggs during a female’s menstrual cycle.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that the administration of PMSG improved the reproductive efficiency of minks. The use of PMSG resulted in significantly higher rates of successful mating and pregnancies.
The results of this study may have potential applications in the reproductive management of minks and possibly other animals. The enhancement of follicular development through PMSG could lead to improved fertility rates, particularly in animals considered infertile due to factors apart from non-functional ovarian tissue.
Cite This Article
APA
Wehrenberg WB, Fowler S, Kurhajec J, Hutz RJ.
(1989).
The effects of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin on follicular development, mating and pregnancy in mink.
Domest Anim Endocrinol, 6(4), 371-378.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0739-7240(89)90031-3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53211.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Copulation
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Female
- Gonadotropins, Equine / pharmacology
- Mink / physiology
- Ovarian Follicle / physiology
- Pregnancy
- Random Allocation
- Time Factors
Grant Funding
- 2 S03 RR03407-03 / NCRR NIH HHS
Citations
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