These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Endocrine profiles during doe-litter separation and the subsequent pregnancy in rabbits.
    Author: Ubilla E, Rebollar PG, Pazo D, Esquifino A, Alvariño JM.
    Journal: J Physiol Biochem; 2001 Mar; 57(2):23-9. PubMed ID: 11579995.
    Abstract:
    This study was carried out to determine the effects of a transient doe-litter separation on plasma prolactin, LH, FSH, estradiol-17beta 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-17beta 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-17beta 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-17beta 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.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]