Alterations in follicular dynamics and steroidogenic abilities induced by heat stress during follicular recruitment in goats

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We investigated the changes in follicular dynamics and steroidogenic activity during heat stress in goats. Adult female goats were exposed to heat stress at 36 degrees C and 70% relative humidity for 48 h and then injected with prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha (the time of PGF2alpha injection was designated as 0 h). In experiment 1, every follicle greater than 2 mm in diameter was monitored by ultrasonography to investigate the follicular dynamics, and plasma concentrations of FSH, LH, progesterone, and oestradiol were measured from -48 h to 120 h. In experiment 2, the follicles were recovered from the goats at 48 h, and the concentration of oestradiol, the aromatase activity, and the LH receptor level in the follicles were determined. In control (non-heat-stressed) goats, ovulatory follicles were mainly recruited from -24 h to 0 h, whereas no follicles recruited during that period were ovulated in the heat-stressed goats. The timing of the recruitment of ovulatory follicles was delayed by heat stress by approximately 24 h. The plasma concentration of oestradiol in the heat-stressed goats was significantly lower from 36 to 54 h compared with the controls, although the concentrations of FSH and progesterone did not differ between the treatments. In addition, the concentration of oestradiol, the aromatase activity, and the LH receptor level in the follicles from heat-stressed goats were significantly lower compared with the controls. These results indicate that heat stress during follicular recruitment suppresses subsequent growth to ovulation, accompanied by decreased LH receptor level and oestradiol synthesis activity in the follicles.