Thyroid hormones in the cerebrospinal fluid of the third ventricle of adult female sheep during different periods of reproductive activity

Abstract

Thyroid hormones (THs) are obligatory for transition from breeding season to anestrus in sheep. In this process, THs act during a very limited time of the year and primarily within the brain. In ewes chronically equipped for sampling cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the third ventricle, we have characterized the concentrations of total and free thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and total reverse T3 (rT3) in the CSF during breeding season, anestrus and during a critical period required for transition to anestrus (December-March). The total T4, T3, rT3 and free T3 average concentrations (+/- SEM) in CSF were 1.5 +/- 0.07 ng/ml, 14.5 +/- 1.2 pg/ml, 43 +/- 7.4 pg/ml, and 0.6 +/- 0.05 pg/ml, respectively, and all were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in blood plasma except free T4 (12.6 +/- 1.1 pg/ml), which was similar to that in plasma. There was a seasonal trend (p < 0.05) in the concentration of total T3 (highest in December) and free T4 (highest in November) in the CSF that does not follow that in blood plasma. During the period of transition to anestrus the CSF total T3/TT4 molar ratio and free T3/T4 ratio were significantly lower (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) than in blood plasma, while the total rT3/T4 ratio was significantly higher (p < 0.01) at the end of this period (March). Additionally, the CSF total rT3 concentrations were also significantly correlated with the CSF total T4 levels (r = 0.57; p < 0.05). In conclusion, the CSF in sheep may serve as a considerable source of thyroid hormones for neuroendocrine events. The lack of significant changes in THs concentrations in the CSF during the period of transition to anestrus indicate that neither seasonal changes of THs circulating in the blood plasma nor THs circulating in the CSF actively drive the transition to anestrus.