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Title: RELATIONSHIPS OF LIVER WEIGHT, CHOLESTEROL, ALBUMIN AND ALPHA2- MACROGLOBULIN CONCENTRATIONS WITH OVARIAN FUNCTION IN SWINE

Author
item Wise, Thomas
item Ford, Johny

Submitted to: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The ovary makes chemicals called hormones that affect reproduction, growth, and health of animals. An understanding of how the ovary is regulated and how it interacts with target organs will ultimately lead to improved domestic animal production. Studies were conducted to determine relationships of liver weight, albumin, and cholesterol on gonadal function nof gilts. A positive relationship was detected with liver weight and ovulation rate. Testosterone was inversely related with cholesterol concentrations. Regulatory aspects of the liver function extend beyond the general health of animals and may have important roles in maintaining gonadal function and reproductive capability. Such information indicates ovarian hormones play an important role in growth, health, and reproduction and understanding regulation may improve animal production.

Technical Abstract: In two genetic swine models selected for diversity in ovulation rates (White composite controls and ovulation rate selection line, n = 131; 1/2 white composite:1/2 Meishan crossbreds, n = 387), a positive relationship was established with liver weight and ovulation rate (P < .01). As markers of liver function, cholesterol and albumin concentrations were monitored during various stages of the luteal phase and follicular phase (d 17 and 1 of the estrous cycle (1/2 white composite:1/2 Meishan gilts)). Cholesterol concentrations increased with liver weights (r = .19; P < .01) and corpora lutea numbers (r = .14; P < .01). Albumin concentrations were negatively correlated with corpora numbers (r = -.3; P < .01) but had no relationship with liver weight. Testosterone concentrations were inversely related to circulating cholesterol concentrations during the estrous cycle, but testosterone concentrations on d 17 or 19 of the cycle were unrelated to corpora lutea numbers of the next estrous cycle. Concentrations of estron on d 17 or 19 (as an index of follicles destined to ovulate) were also not related to numbers of corpora lutea. Many interactions between liver and ovarian function involving metabolic and endocrine systems are plausible, but defined mechanisms resulting in coordinate increases in liver weight and ovulation rates are presently unelucidated.