Active immunization of heifers against luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin and bovine luteinizing hormone

Seventy crossbred heifers were allotted randomly to 10 treatment groups. Treatments consisted of active immunization against ovalbumin (OV) conjugates of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and bovine luteinizing hormone (bLH) with each of three adjuvants. The adjuvants were complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), M103(6) and 6VR6. Control animals were immunized against OV alone using CFA. Bulls were placed with the heifers following immunization to allow comparison of pregnancy rates between groups. Blood samples were collected weekly for 14 wk to determine antibody concentrations. Significant levels of circulating LH or LHRH antibodies were detected in heifers immunized with each of the hormone conjugates. Complete Freund's adjuvant was the most effective for stimulating antibody response to these antigens; however, M103 was equally effective when used with bLH or hCG conjugates. None of the heifers in the bLH-OV-CFA, bLH-OV-M103 or LHRH-OV-CFA immunization groups was pregnant at slaughter, whereas 71% of the OV-CFA control heifers were pregnant. Fertility suppression may be achieved in the bovine by active immunization against any of these three hormone conjugates. However, the duration of this study (8 wk after immunization) does not allow evaluation of the duration of effectiveness of each of the treatments.     

Immunization of pigs against chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II and lamprey gonadotropin-releasing hormone-III: effects on gonadotropin secretion and testicular function

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of active immunization against 2 GnRH isoforms on gonadotropin secretion and testicular function in pigs. Synthetic chicken (c) GnRH-II and lamprey (l) GnRH-III peptides, with the common pGlu-His-Trp-Ser sequence at the N-terminal omitted, were conjugated to BSA. Forty-eight male piglets were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments. Pigs on treatment 1 were actively immunized against cGnRH-II, whereas pigs on treatment 2 were actively immunized against lGnRH-III. Control pigs on treatment 3 were actively immunized against the carrier protein (BSA), and pigs on treatment 4 were castrated and actively immunized against BSA. The BSA conjugate was emulsified in Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant and diethylaminoethyldextran. Primary immunization was given at 13 wk of age (WOA) with booster immunizations given at 16 and 19 WOA. Body weight and plasma samples were collected weekly beginning at 11 WOA. Treatments did not affect BW during the experimental period. Antibody titers were increased in animals immunized against cGnRH-II and lGnRH-III (P < 0.001). Cross-reactivity of the antibodies to mammalian GnRH or between cGnRH-II and lGnRH-III was minimal. Concentrations of testosterone were maximal in control boars (treatment 3) and minimal in control barrows (treatment 4) and immunized pigs (treatment x week; P < 0.01). Immunized animals had concentrations of LH (P < 0.001) and FSH (treatment x week; P < 0.03) that were less than control barrows and similar to control boars. At the end of the experiment, intact (noncastrated) pigs were exsanguinated. Testes were removed immediately; Leydig cells were isolated and treated with 0, 1, or 10 ng/mL of LH. There was an LH x GnRH treatment effect on testosterone concentrations (P < 0.03), indicating that Leydig cells were sensitive to the immunization protocol and doses of LH. Taken together, these data suggest that immunization against GnRH isoforms decreased gonadotropin secretion compared with control barrows. Additionally, immunization against cGnRH-II and lGnRH-III reduced the ability of Leydig cells to respond to LH challenges.     

The influence of duration of photoperiod and hemicastration on growth and testicular and endocrine functions of boars

Yorkshire boars were used to evaluate the influence of duration of photoperiod and hemicastration on growth and testicular and endocrine functions. At 10 wk of age, 5 hemicastrate (HC) and 5 intact (I) boars were assigned to either 8 or 16 hr of light daily until 6 mo of age. Body weights were recorded biweekly throughout the experiment. Venous cannulae were placed in all boars at 6 mo of age, and serum was collected at 30 min intervals from 0800 to 2000 hr. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) was infused at 2000 hr (50 micrograms) and at 2030 hr (250 micrograms), and samples of serum were collected until 2400 hr. The following day, all boars were castrated, and the weights and sperm content of the testes and epididymides were determined. At castration, all pigs were given implants containing testosterone. Two weeks later, pigs were again canulated, and serum was obtained at 15 min intervals for 2 hr. Growth of boars was not significantly affected by duration of photoperiod or number of testes. Duration of photoperiod did not affect weight or sperm content of testes or epididymides. Hemi-castrated boars had greater testicular (P less than .01) and capita-corpora (C-C) epididymal weights (P less than .05) and more testicular and C-C sperm (P less than .01) per testis. Neither average concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) nor number and amplitude of pulses of LH were affected by photoperiod treatment. However, HC boars had greater average concentrations of LH (P less than .05) than I boars (.71 +/- .05 vs .52 +/- .05 ng/ml). Hemicastrated boars in 16 hr light daily had greater concentrations of FSH in serum (P less than .05) than 8I, 8HC, and 16I boars. Intact and HC boars had similar concentrations of prolactin (PRL) and testosterone. Similarly, concentrations of PRL and testosterone were not affected by duration of photoperiod. Secretion of LH and testosterone after treatment with GnRH was not significantly affected by duration of photoperiod. In general, HC boars released more LH in response to GnRH treatment than I boars. Concentrations of LH were greater (P less than .05) in HC than I boars at .5, 1, 2, and 3 hr after GnRH and tended (P less than .10) to be elevated at 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4 hr after GnRH. The FSH response to GnRH was greater (P less than .05) for 16HC than 8I, 8HC, or 16I boars.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Reproductive characteristics of grass-fed, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-immunocastrated Bos indicus bulls

Two field trials were conducted in Brazil to evaluate LHRH immunocastration of Bos indicus bulls (d 0 = 2 yr of age). In Study I, 72 bulls were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups: LHRH0-immunized, castrated, and intact. Immunized animals (n = 25) received a primary and two booster injections of ovalbumin-LHRH-7 and thioredoxin-LHRH-7 fusion proteins on d 0, 141, and 287. Twenty-three bulls were surgically castrated on d 141, and 24 served as intact controls. All animals were slaughtered on d 385, at approximately 3 yr of age. In Study II, 216 bulls were assigned randomly to the same three treatments as in Study I; however, because of a drought in the area, bulls were kept on pasture an additional year, and a fourth treatment was added, in which one-half the LHRH-immunized bulls received an additional booster on d 639 (fourth immunization). All animals in Study II were slaughtered on d 741 (4 yr of age). Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antibodies increased following each immunization for immunized bulls, but they were not detectable in castrate or intact animals in either study. Consequently, scrotal circumference was suppressed in immunized bulls compared with intact controls in both studies. By d 287, serum concentrations of testosterone in LHRH-immunized bulls were decreased compared with intact controls (P < 0.01). In both studies, testes and epididymal weights at slaughter were greater (P < 0.01) for intact (500 +/- 17 and 60 +/- 2 g, respectively) than for immunized bulls (173 +/- 22 and 26 +/- 2 g, respectively) and fourth immunization bulls (78 +/- 23 and 20 +/- 2 g, respectively; Study II). At the end of each study, BW was greater (P < 0.01) for intact bulls than for castrated and LHRH-immunized animals. In these two studies, the efficacy of the LHRH fusion proteins to induce an effect similar to that of surgical castration was considered 92 and 93%, respectively. These data support the concept that immunocastration of bulls at 2 yr of age was successful and that it has practical application as a tool for producing grass-fattened bulls in Brazil.     

Effect of castration on plasma luteinizing hormone concentrations in prepubertal boars

Mean concentrations and the occurrence of pulsatile release of luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined in 14-wk-old crossbred boars (50.5 +/- 1.5 kg) after bilateral or unilateral castration at 10 wk of age. Blood was collected at 10-min intervals for 5 h. Then gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH; 40 micrograms) was given and sampling was continued at 5-min intervals for 1 h. Compared with intact boars, bilateral castration increased (P less than .001) mean LH (982 +/- 56 vs 389 +/- 56 pg/ml), pulsatile releases of LH (7.0 +/- .6 vs 2.0 +/- .6 pulses/5 h) and LH pulse amplitude (617 +/- 29 vs 360 +/- 58 pg/ml). Unilaterally castrated boars did not differ from intact boars in any of the above measures of LH secretion. Testis weight increased more between 10 and 14 wk of age in the unilateral castrates than in the intact boars (432 +/- 42 vs 245 +/- 34%; P less than .05). Thus, compensatory hypertrophy occurred within 4 wk of castration. Plasma testosterone was lower for bilateral castrates than for intact animals (.1 +/- .8 vs 3.6 +/- .9 ng/ml; P less than .05) while unilateral castrates (3.8 +/- 1.0 ng/ml) and intact boars did not differ. Plasma estradiol concentrations in bilateral and unilateral castrates were not different from levels found in intact boars (1.8 +/- 1.8, 8.8 +/- 2.1 and 6.0 +/- 1.8 pg/ml, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immunization of beef heifers against gonadotropin-releasing hormone prevents luteal activity and pregnancy: Effect of conjugation to different proteins and effectiveness of adjuvants

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate methods of immunization against GnRH on antibody titer, luteal activity, and pregnancy in beef heifers. Experiment 1 evaluated the efficacy of adjuvants with 30 heifers. Control heifers were immunized against human serum albumin (HSA) emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). The other 4 treatments contained GnRH conjugated to HSA (HSA-GnRH) emulsified in FCA, Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA), DEAE dextran (DD) + mineral oil (MO), or DD+FIA. Treatment was in the mammary gland for all experiments. Titers against GnRH for heifers immunized against HSA-GnRH with FCA, DD+MO, or DD+FIA were greater than titers for HSA-GnRH with FIA or control heifers (P < 0.01). Body weight was reduced (P < 0.05) in control and FCA heifers compared with FIA, DD+MO, and DD+FIA heifers. Heifers immunized with DD+MO and DD+FIA had fewer granulomas in mammary glands than heifers treated with FCA (P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, 36 heifers were used to determine the effect of the protein conjugated to GnRH on titers against GnRH. Heifers (6/treatment) received a primary immunization against GnRH conjugated to HSA (HSA-GnRH), ovalbumin (OA-GnRH), or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KL-GnRH), or heifers were immunized against each carrier protein. Antigens were emulsified in DD+FIA. Immunization of heifers against OA-GnRH, KL-GnRH, or HSA-GnRH suppressed luteal activity (P < 0.01) for 23, 16, and 12 wk, respectively, and antibody titers against GnRH were greater (P < 0.01) for 19, 5, and 7 wk, respectively, compared with heifers immunized against the carrier proteins. In Exp. 3, 90 heifers were used to determine the effect of immunization against GnRH on ovarian activity and pregnancy rate. Heifers (30/treatment) received a primary and 2 or 3 booster immunizations against GnRH conjugated to OA, and controls received a primary and 2 booster immunizations against OA. All antigens were emulsified in DD+FIA. At 8 wk after primary immunization, heifers were exposed to fertile bulls for 24 wk. Pregnancy rate was less (P < 0.01) for 3-booster heifers (13%) compared with control (83%) and 2-booster (62%) heifers. We conclude that immunization against GnRH, conjugated to OA and emulsified in DD+FIA, does not influence ADG and produces sufficient titers against GnRH to prevent estrous cycles with few mammary granulomas. Immunization against GnRH with 3 booster immunizations prevented luteal activity and pregnancy in most beef heifers for more than 4 mo.     

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone fusion protein vaccines block estrous cycle activity in beef heifers

Two LHRH fusion proteins, thioredoxin and ovalbumin, each containing seven LHRH inserts were tested for their ability to inhibit estrous cycle activity. The objective was to evaluate immune and biological responses from alternating the two fusion proteins in an immunization schedule. One hundred ten heifers were divided equally into 11 groups. Two control groups consisted of either spayed or intact, untreated heifers. Heifers in the other nine groups were immunized on wk 0, 4, and 9. Treatments were immunizations of the same protein throughout or alternating the proteins in different booster sequences. Blood was collected weekly for 22 wk, and serum was assayed for concentrations of progesterone and titers of anti-LHRH. At slaughter, reproductive tracts were removed from each heifer and weighed. Heifers with >or=1 ng/mL of progesterone were considered to have a functional corpus luteum and thus to have estrous cycle activity. All LHRH-immunized groups of heifers had a smaller (P < 0.05) proportion of heifers showing estrous cycle activity after 6 wk than the intact, untreated control group. There was no difference in number of heifers cycling between the immunized groups and the spayed heifers during wk 9 to 22. Anti-LHRH did not differ among immunized groups during wk 1 to 9. Starting at wk 10 and continuing through the conclusion of the study, there was an overall difference among treatment groups for anti-LHRH (P < 0.05). Uterine weights differed among treatments (P < 0.05), with intact control animals having heavier uteri than all other groups (P < 0.05). Uterine weights were negatively correlated with maximum LHRH antibody binding (r = -0.44). In summary, the LHRH fusion proteins were as effective as surgical spaying in suppression of estrous cycle activity, but alternating the two proteins in an immunization schedule did not enhance the immunological or biological effectiveness of the vaccine.     

Active immunization of prepubertal boars against testosterone: testicular and endocrine responses at 14 months of age

Thirteen crossbred boars were immunized at 1 mo of age against either testosterone-3-oxime-equine serum albumin (treated boars) or equine serum albumin (control boars) to test the hypothesis that active immunization against testosterone stimulates testicular growth and development in the prepubertal boar. All boars were injected with the appropriate antigen at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mo of age and were slaughtered at 14 mo of age. Active immunization against testosterone resulted in an increase (P less than .05) in tritiated-testosterone binding by plasma within 60 d after the primary immunization; the degree of binding decreased by 6 mo but remained elevated (P less than .05) relative to controls through 12 mo of age. There was no effect of treatment on body weights through 12 mo of age. Concentrations of testosterone in plasma were higher (P less than .05) in testosterone-immunized boars than in controls; this increase was likely due to antibody binding rather than increased testosterone secretion because (1) concentrations of androgen in testicular parenchyma at slaughter were not altered by treatment and (2) plasma concentrations of estrogens were generally not affected by treatment. Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were markedly suppressed in testosterone-immunized boars during the time when concentrations of these gonadotropins were high in control boars (greater than 3 mo of age). In spite of suppression of average LH and FSH concentrations, testicular weights, daily sperm production rates and seminal characteristics were similar for the two groups of boars at slaughter. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Hormonal patterns of boars exposed to natural or supplemental lighting during pubertal development

Thirty-two crossbred boars (Hampshire X Duroc X Yorkshire) were reared under natural lighting (35 lx) or supplemental lighting (1,400 lx) beginning at 4 wk of age. Boars received supplemental lighting from six 40-W fluorescent bulbs between 0530 and 2030 in a nursery unit. From 9 to 32 wk of age, boars received either natural lighting (30 lx) or supplemental lighting (100 lx) in a growing-finishing unit. Blood samples were collected from indwelling cannulae at 20-min intervals for 6 h every 2 wk from 2.5 to 7 mo of age. Libido scores were evaluated during alternate weeks when intensive blood samples were not taken. Libido scores were not different between natural and supplemental lighting treatments (P greater than .30). However, at 122 d of age, libido scores of boars exposed to supplemental lighting tended to be higher (P = .10) than those exposed to natural lighting. Although mean serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were higher (P less than .05) in boars at 75, 89, 103 and 131 d of age reared under supplemental lighting than boars of the same age reared under natural lighting, the number of LH secretory spikes was similar between the treatment groups (P = .39). Serum concentrations of LH decreased in both treatment groups as boars became older (P less than .05). However, the incidence of LH spikes was similar across ages and between treatment groups from 2.5 to 7 mo of age. Mean serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone were similar between treatments (P greater than .75).     

Control of luteinizing hormone in postpubertal boars with large testes

The objective of the present study was to investigate endocrine control of LH in postpubertal boars with large testes. Eight boars with the highest estimated paired testis weights from a line selected for large testes and nine boars from a line selected at random were used. Blood samples were collected over a 13-h period at weekly intervals for 4 wk. Samples were collected at 12-min intervals for 12 h before and 1 h after exogenous LHRH. Boars were bled when they were intact during the initial week. The second and third blood collections were 7 and 14 d after castration. The fourth bleeding occurred 7 d after exogenous 17 beta-estradiol (E2) replacement. In intact boars, mean LH was similar between boars from the two groups, but amplitude of pulses of LH was lower in intact boars with large testes than in boars from the control line. Maximum concentration of LH after administration of LHRH was less in boars with large testes than in boars from the control group. Seven days after castration, characteristics of LH measured did not differ between males from the two groups. However, 14 d after castration, amplitude of pulses of LH and maximum concentrations of LH after LHRH were less in males from the group with large testes than in males from the control group. After E2 administration, amplitude of pulses of LH tended to be lower in males from the group with large testes than in males from the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in postpubertal boars with large testes

The objective of the present study was to determine if postpubertal boars (12-13 months of age; 156 +/- 8 kg) with large testes had altered hypothalamic control of secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). Seven boars with the highest estimated 150 d, paired testis weights from a line selected for large testes (769 +/- 60 g = mean weight of excised testes) and 8 boars from a control group (control, 544 +/- 20 g) were tethered in stalls and fitted with indwelling jugular catheters. Males were bled when they were intact, 14 days after castration and during administration of sodium pentobarbital anesthetic (subsequent to castration) to block secretion of endogenous LH-releasing hormone (LHRH). Blood samples were collected at 12-min intervals for 6 hr before and 1 hr after intravenous injection of LHRH in intact and castrated males. During anesthesia, LHRH was administered 4 times at 1-hr intervals and blood samples were collected every 6 min. All samples were analyzed for concentrations of LH and pooled samples were analyzed for concentrations of 17-beta estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T). In intact and castrated males, mean concentrations of LH, frequency and amplitude of pulses of LH, and concentrations of E2 and T were not different between boars of the two groups (P greater than .10). Response to exogenous LHRH was less (P less than .05) in intact males with large testes than in corresponding males from the control group (P less than .05). Fourteen days after castration, males that had larger testes before castration had less of a response to LHRH than males from the control group (P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reproductive function and feedlot performance of beef heifers actively immunized against GnRH1

Two trials were conducted to examine reproductive function and feedlot performance by heifers after active immunization against GnRH. In trial 1, heifers were not immunized or were immunized with one of three doses of a GnRH-KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) conjugate in Freund's complete adjuvant. Antibodies against GnRH were not detectable in non-immunized heifers (n = 9). However, antibodies against GnRH were noted in all immunized animals (n = 30) within 8 wk of primary immunization; anti-GnRH antibody concentrations were at a maximum 16 to 20 wk after immunization. This increased anti-GnRH titer was associated with a decreased serum concentration of progesterone. Ovarian and uterine weight and tissue concentrations of LH and GnRH receptor were reduced (P less than .05) by immunoneutralization of GnRH. Similarly, immunization against GnRH reduced (P less than .05) weight gain during feedlot confinement. In trial 2, feedlot performance after insertion of anabolic steroid implants (Synovex H) was evaluated in non-immunized heifers (n = 15), heifers actively immunized against GnRH-KLH (n = 15) or KLH alone (n = 15), or non-immunized heifers treated with melengestrol acetate (MGA; n = 15). Serum concentrations of progesterone were depressed in anti-GnRH and MGA-fed groups, but ovarian and uterine weights were depressed (P less than .05) only in heifers immunized against GnRH. Total weight gain and gain during the final 4 wk of confinement did not differ (P greater than .05) among groups with steroid implants. The GnRH-KLH conjugate is an effective immunogen in heifers, leading to suppression of reproductive activity. The depression of weight gain that attends development of anti-GnRH titers may be reversed by use of implants that contain anabolic steroids.     

Performance of male pigs immunized against GnRH is related to the time of onset of biological response

In this study, the performance of male pigs immunized against GnRH was determined in relation to the onset of their biological response to the immunization. Pigs were immunized at 9 and 17 wk of age and were housed in a pen together with both a surgically castrated and an intact boar littermate. Feed intake was restricted to 2.8 to 3.2 times maintenance requirement for energy. Animals were weighed weekly and slaughtered at 108 kg BW. Depending on the time of onset of the response after immunization in terms of biological effects, immunized pigs were retrospectively grouped into two categories. One category consisted of the immunized pigs, which had undetectable or low levels of LH and testosterone at the time of booster immunization-known as "early" responding immunocastrates (E-IM, n = 8), whereas the "late" responding immunocastrates (L-IM, n = 7) had substantial LH and testosterone levels at that time. This dichotomy of the response to immunization also was reflected in testis weight, with 17 g and 40 g for E-IM and L-IM pigs, respectively. At slaughter, testis size and weight were reduced (P < 0.001) in the immunocastrated pigs as compared to the intact boars. Androstenone concentrations in backfat of all immunocastrated pigs were undetectable. Growth performance (i.e., ADG and feed efficiency [FE, g gain/kg feed]), was better in boars and L-IM pigs than in surgical castrates and E-IM pigs (P < 0.05). Average daily gain and FE did not differ between E-IM pigs and the surgical castrates, but intact boars performed better than L-IM (P < 0.02). There were no significant differences in carcass quality (backfat thickness and meat percentage) between boars and surgical castrates at slaughter. However, for both characteristics L-IM pigs and intact boars performed better (P < 0.03) than E-IM pigs. Thus, growth performance in L-IM is better than in either E-IM or surgical castrates.     

Temporal effects of estradiol (E) on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) and LH release in castrated male sheep

We tested the hypothesis that rapidly expressed inhibitory effects of estradiol (E) on luteinizing hormone (LH) release in the male are attributable, in part, to suppression of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release. Hypophyseal-portal cannulated, castrated male sheep were infused with E (15 ng/kg/hr) or vehicle. Portal and jugular blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals for 4 hr before, and for either 12 hr (E, n = 4; vehicle, n = 4) or 24 hr (E, n = 8; vehicle, n = 3) after the start of infusion. In animals sampled for 16 hr, temporal changes in both LHRH and LH were assessed. In animals sampled for 28 hr, only LH data were analyzed. Before either the 12-hr or 24-hr infusion, LHRH and/or LH mean concentrations, pulse amplitude and interpulse interval (IPI) did not differ between E- and vehicle-infused animals. In animals sampled for 16 hr, no effects of time or steroid × time interactions were detected for mean LHRH and LHRH pulse amplitude; however, both were greater (P < 0.01) in vehicle-infused than in E-infused males. LHRH IPI was unaffected by infusion. In contrast, both mean LH and LH pulse amplitude declined (P < 0.01) within 4–8 hr after the start of E infusion, whereas mean LH IPI was unaffected. In animals sampled for 28 hr, an effect of time (P < 0.01) and a steroid × time interaction (P < 0.01) was detected for mean LH, and there was an effect of time (P < 0.01) on LH pulse amplitude. Mean LH IPI was not affected. Our results show that in male sheep E rapidly reduces LH release in the absence of a detectable change in LHRH release.     

Immune, growth and carcass responses of ram lambs to active immunization against desulfated cholecystokinin (CCK-8)

This study explored feed intake and carcass responses to active immunization against desulfated cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) in ram lambs. Antibody titers 8 wk following primary immunization and booster immunizations given at 4 and 6 wk averaged greater than 1:1,000. Titers increased to greater than 1:10,000 by 16 wk following a final booster immunization at 11 wk. The antibodies developed against desulfated CCK-8 exhibited 29% and 13% cross-reactivities for sulfated CCK-8 and gastrin-17, respectively. Immunization against desulfated CCK-8 had no effect on feed intake, ADG, carcass weight or carcass quality grade. Backfat thickness and carcass yield grade were reduced (P less than .05) by immunization. Organ weights at slaughter, including those of the pancreas and small intestines, were not affected by CCK-8 immunization, with the exception of the lungs, which were 16% lighter (P less than .01) in immunized lambs. In conclusion, active immunization against desulfated CCK-8 resulted in development of high antibody titers against desulfated and sulfated CCK-8. Immunization against CCK-8 decreased fat content of the carcass but failed to affect feed intake, carcass weight or ADG.     

Active immunization of pigs against growth hormone-releasing factor: effect on concentrations of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1

Cyclic gilts (96 +/- 1 kg) were used to determine the effect of active immunization against growth hormone-releasing factor GRF(1-29)-NH2 on concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Gilts were immunized against GRF conjugated to human serum albumin (GRF-HSA, n = 5) or HSA alone at 180 d of age (wk 0). Booster doses were administered at wk 9 and 13. Seven days after the second booster (wk 14), blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 6 h before feeding and 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min after feeding. Eight days after the second booster, all gilts were administered a GRF analog, [desNH2Tyr1,Ala15]-GRF(1-29)-NH2, followed by an opioid agonist, FK33-824. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals from -30 to 240 min after injection. Immunization against GRF-HSA resulted in antibody titers, expressed as dilution required to bind 50% of [125I]GRF, ranging from 1:11,000 to 1:60,000 (wk 11 and 14); binding was not detectable or was less than 50% at 1:100 in HSA gilts (P less than .05). Episodic release of GH was abolished by immunization against GRF-HSA (P less than .05). Mean GH was decreased (P less than .07), but basal GH concentrations were not altered (P greater than .15) by immunization against GRF-HSA. Serum concentrations of IGF-1 were similar at wk 0, but concentrations were lower in GRF-HSA than in HSA gilts (P less than .05) at wk 14.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Increased testosterone secretion in bulls treated with a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist requires endogenous LH but not LHRH

The requirement for endogenous LHRH and LH action in the maintenance of elevated plasma concentrations of testosterone in bulls receiving the LHRH agonist deslorelin was examined. In Experiment 1, bulls were either (i) left untreated (control); (ii) implanted with deslorelin; (iii) actively immunized against LHRH; or (iv) implanted with deslorelin and immunized against LHRH. Experiment 2 was of similar design to Experiment 1, except that bulls were immunized against LH in place of LHRH. In Experiment 1, plasma LH declined in bulls immunized against LHRH, but not in the bulls immunized against LHRH and implanted with deslorelin. Also in Experiment 1, plasma testosterone declined in bulls immunized against LHRH but was elevated in bulls treated with deslorelin and bulls treated with deslorelin and immunized against LHRH. In Experiment 2, bulls immunized against LH and treated with deslorelin had plasma concentrations of testosterone similar to controls, whereas bulls treated only with deslorelin had elevated plasma testosterone. It was concluded from these experiments that endogenous LHRH action was not required for increased steroidogenic activity in bulls treated with a LHRH agonist. However, circulating LH was necessary for increased plasma testosterone in bulls implanted with deslorelin. LH is therefore involved in mediating the response of bulls to treatment with deslorelin, either by acting directly at the testes or through a permissive role that allows a direct action of deslorelin at the testes.     

Selection for immune response in goats: the effect of immunization procedure on antibody response to diphtheria toxoid and human serum albumin.

The serum antibody titers to diphtheria toxoid and human serum albumin were determined in 103 goat kids from lines selected for 12 yr for high or low antibody response to diphtheria toxoid. In the 12th yr, six groups of kids were immunized with different preparations of the antigens. In all groups but one, the antigens were emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant with added sonicated Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. The groups received the following treatments: Group 1 was immunized with both antigens mixed in the same syringe, Group 2 got both antigens injected separately, Group 3 got both antigens injected separately, but with a lower concentration of M. paratuberculosis, Group 4 was immunized with diphtheria toxoid only, Group 5 was immunized with human serum albumin only, and Group 6 was immunized with both antigens mixed, but without any M. paratuberculosis. The animals were immunized at 4 wk of age, and the antibody titers were determined 3 wk later by ELISA and passive hemagglutination. The mean antibody titers to both antigens were different between the selected lines (P less than .03). There was no effect of separate vs combined injections of antigens. However, there were indications of antigen suppression or competition between the antigens. Animals receiving only one antigen seemed to mount a higher antibody response to that antigen than did animals immunized with two antigens.     

Effects of intermittent injections of LHRH on secretory patterns of LH and FSH and ovarian follicular growth during postpartum anovulation in suckled beef cows

Changes in numbers of ovarian follicles and coincident secretion of pituitary gonadotropins were characterized in suckled, anovulatory beef cows injected iv with 500 ng of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) every 2 h for 48 or 96 h, starting 21.4 +/- .4 d after parturition. Two hours after the last injection, all cows were ovariectomized. Compared with saline-injected controls, LHRH had no effect on baseline or overall concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum (P greater than .10), but increased (P less than .05) frequency and decreased (P less than .05) amplitude of LH pulses. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone increased (P less than .05) baseline concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum and frequency of FSH pulses, but decreased (P less than .05) pulse amplitude. Overall concentrations of FSH increased 20% (P less than .10). Exogenous LHRH did not affect diameter of the two largest follicles or numbers of follicles 1.0 to 3.9 mm, 4.0 to 7.9 mm or greater than or equal to 8.0 mm in diameter. These data suggest that increasing the frequency of episodic LH and FSH pulses in postpartum cattle by intermittent administration of LHRH did not increase mean circulating levels of LH, or alter size and numbers of ovarian follicles within the 96-h period of injections. Thus, induction of ovulation in anovulatory cows treated with low-dose injections of LHRH cannot be explained on the basis of an increase in mean concentrations of LH or numbers of antral follicles within 96 h after initiation of injections.     

Feedlot performance of steers and bulls actively immunized against gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Feedlot performance and testicular and pituitary function were assessed in cattle actively immunized against GnRH. In Trial 1, 50 steers were either unimmunized (n = 10), actively immunized against keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH; n = 10), or immunized against a GnRH-KLH conjugate (n = 30). Fifteen of 30 steers immunized against GnRH-KLH received a secondary immunization 8 wk after primary immunization. Antibodies against GnRH were not evident in unimmunized steers or steers actively immunized against KLH. Antibodies against GnRH were noted in all immunized animals (n = 30) within 6 wk of primary immunization and anti-GnRH antibody concentrations became maximal 20 to 24 wk after immunization. The increasing anti-GnRH titer in immunized steers was associated with decreasing serum concentrations of LH. Serum concentrations of LH were depressed (P less than .05) within 8 wk of primary immunization and reached a nadir by wk 20. The patterns of increase in GnRH titer and decrease in serum concentrations of LH did not differ (P greater than .05) in animals receiving primary immunization alone or primary and secondary immunization. Feedlot performance and carcass quality were not affected (P greater than .05) by immunization against KLH or the GnRH-KLH conjugate. In Trial 2, 60 bull calves (mean weight = 325.2 +/- 2.8 kg) were randomly assigned to a 2 x 3 factorial experiment. The two classes (n = 30) were 1) unimplanted and 2) implanted with Synovex-S. The three treatments (n = 20) were 1) intact control, 2) actively immunized against GnRH, and 3) castrate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)