The effects of short term calf removal on pulsatile LH secretion in the postpartum beef cow

Abstract

Patterns of secretion of LH were characterized before, during and after 72 h calf separation at approximately 30 days postpartum in nine suckled cows. Calf removal increased both LH concentrations and LH pulse frequency (P<0.01) in the period 48 to 56 h following calf removal in six acyclic cows, but no changes were seen in three cyclic cows. Calf return decreased LH concentrations and LH pulse frequency (P<0.05) within 8 h in the acyclic cows, but no changes were seen in the cyclic cows. Differences in the initial LH parameters and magnitude of the LH responses were apparent between the acyclic cows which responded to calf removal with progesterone secretion and those which did not. These data suggest that suckling inhibits the release of LH acyclic cows and that this is achieved primarily via a reduction in the number of pulsatile releases of LH.