Gonadal steroids and leptin dynamics during estrous cycle of ewe: a correlative study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt

2 Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt

3 Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Leptin, as a hormone, acts as a signal for the energy status and affects reproductive performance. The current study investigated dynamics of gonadal steroids and leptin during estrous cycle in ewe. For this purpose synchronization of estrous cycle in ewes was accomplished by insertion of intravaginal sponge (Chronogest; Intervet Ltd.,) for 14 days followed by I/M injection of 3001U equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (Folligon; Intervet Ltd.,) for each ewe on day of sponge removal (day0), blood samples were collected during follicular and luteal phases for determination of leptin, estradiol and progesterone hormones by ELISA technique. The obtained results showed fluctuation in levels of leptin, where a significant decrease was recorded during follicular phase and an increase during luteal phase. Estradiol levels were highest during 1* 2 days of the 17 and 18 days estrous cycle, reached lowest levels during days 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15of the 17 days estrous cycle.As for the 18 days estrous cycle the estradiol level remained low for one more day (17% day). Progesterone levels were lowest during first 3 days of the 17 days estrous cycle, while during the 18 days estrous cycle, low progesterone levels were detected up to the fifth day of the cycle; progesterone peaked at day 11 of the 17 and 18 days estrous cycle.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics