Concentrations of 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F 2α, estradiol-17β and progesterone during the peripubertal period in heifers

Abstract

Twenty prepubertal Holstein heifers were utilized to assess plasma 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F 2α (PGFM), serum progesterone (P 4) and estradiol-17β (E 2) concentrations as well as the E 2:P 4 ratio during the onset of puberty in cattle. All animals were maintained as a group along with a sterile marker bull to assist in the detection of estrus. Upon detection of the first estrus (Day=O), daily blood samples were collected from a jugular vein until the heifers had completed 3 estrous cycles. The average body weight and age at first estrus were 247.6±4.8 kg and 304.0±7.5 days, respectively. Frequency of abnormal length estrous cycles was greater (P<0.02) during the first (40%) and second (35%) cycles than during the third estrous cycle (0%). All heifers had normal cycle lengths (18 to 24 days) by the third estrous cycle. Serum P 4 was greater during the third cycle (P<0.05) from Day 10 to Day 4 before the next estrus compared with the same period of the first estrous cycle. Serum E 2 did not peak until the day of estrus in the first cycle, whereas E 2 reached a maximal level 2 days before estrus in the third estrous cycle. Serum E 2 was higher (P<0.0001) 2 days before estrus in the third cycle than in the first estrous cycle. Plasma PGFM reached maximum concentrations 3 days before estrus in the third cycle compared with 1 day before estrus at the end of first estrous cycle. As estrus approached during the third cycle, PGFM rose 1 day before E 2 rose and P 4 declined, while the rise in PGFM and E 2 occurred simultaneously, with P 4 declining at the end of the first estrous cycle. During diestrus, the E 2:P 4 ratio was lower (P<0.07) in the third cycle than in the first, but it was higher (P<0.04) at estrus and 1 day before in the third estrous cycle. These data reveal a high incidence of abnormal length estrous cycles during the first two estrous cycles of the peripubertal period, and demonstrate anomalies in uterine and ovarian endocrine activity during the peripubertal period in cattle.