Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry

, Volume 57, Issue 1, pp 23–29 | Cite as

Endocrine profiles during doe-litter separation and the subsequent pregnancy in rabbits

  • E. Ubilla
  • P. G. Rebollar
  • D. Pazo
  • A. Esquifino
  • J. M. R. Alvariño
Article
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Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of a transient doe-litter separation on plasma prolactin, LH, FSH, estradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations before artificial insemination and during the subsequent pregnancy. Control does (n=12) had free access to nursing, whereas separated does (n=12) were kept away from their litters for 48 hours before artificial insemination. Both groups were inseminated on day 11 after parturition. Teat stimulation by suckling caused a high increase in prolactin concentrations in separated does (p<0.0001). Basal prolactin concentrations were observed in both groups on days 8 and 18 of pregnancy. No effect of the treatment was detected on LH and FSH concentrations during the sampling period. A rise of estradiol-17β concentrations was observed 48 hours after doe-litter separation, compared to control does and to previous values (p<0.003). Both groups showed low progesterone concentrations before artificial insemination. Pregnant rabbits in both groups showed increased progesterone concentrations on days 8 and 18 of pregnancy. Lower estradiol-17β concentrations were observed in control does on day 18 of pregnancy compared with separated rabbits (p<0.003). The results suggest that a transient separation of nursing does from their litters before artificial insemination may promote high follicular steroidogenesis activity leading to increased estradiol-l7β concentrations. This hormonal change could be a result of several stimulatory actions probably triggered by the absence of suckling episodes and may affect the luteotrophic function during the subsequent pregnancy.

Key words

Hormones Doe-litter separation Pregnancy Rabbits 

Perfil endocrino durante el destete transitorio y la siguiente gestación en conejas

Resumen

Se estudian los efectos del destete transitorio sobre las concentraciones plasmáticas de prolactina, LH, FSH, estradiol-17 β y progesterona antes de la inseminación artificial y durante la siguiente gestación, Durante el estudio, las conejas del grupo control (n =12) accedían libremente a los nidos para amamantar a sus camadas, mientras que las conejas destetadas transitoriamente permanecieron separadas de sus camadas durante 48 horas antes de la inserninación artificial. Los dos grupos se inseminan el día 11 postparto. El estímulo del amamantamiento incrementa las concentraciones plasmáticas de prolactina en las conejas destetadas transitoriamente (p<0.0001). Se observan niveles basales de prolactina plasmática en ambos grupos de conejas en el día 8 y 18 de gestación y no se detectan efectos del destete sobre los niveles plasmáticos de LH y FSH. Las conejas destetadas transitoriamente presentan aumento de las concentraciones plasmáticas de estradiol-17 β 48 horas después de iniciado el destete (p<0.003). Las concentraciones plasmáticas basales de progesterona antes de la inseminación artificial se incrementan en los días 8 y 18 de gestación en ambos grupos de conejas. Sin embargo, el grupo control presenta menores concentraciones de estradiol-17 β en el día 18 de gestación (p<0.003). Los resultados de este estudio indican que el destete transitorio realizado 48 horas antes de la inseminación artificial estimula la actividad esteroidogénica folicular, produciendo un aumento de las concentraciones plasmáticas de estradiol-17 β. Este cambio de la actividad ovárica y hormonal provocado por la ausencia temporal del estímulo del amamantamiento, podría afectar la función luteotrófica en la siguiente gestación.

Palabras clave

Hormonas Destete transitorio Gestación Conejas 
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Copyright information

© Universidad de Navarra 2001

Authors and Affiliations

  • E. Ubilla
    • 1
  • P. G. Rebollar
    • 2
  • D. Pazo
    • 2
  • A. Esquifino
    • 2
  • J. M. R. Alvariño
    • 1
  1. 1.Departamento de Producción Animal, E.T.S.I. AgrónomosUniversidad PolitécnicaMadridSpain
  2. 2.Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad ComplutenseMadridSpain

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