Lack of an association between plasma follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations and ovarian weight in prepubertal gilts

Selection for increased number of corpora lutea in gilts is associated with increased plasma FSH concentrations during pubertal development. In the current study, 270 gilts from a control (CO) line and a line selected for increased ovulation rate (OR) were unilaterally ovariectomized at 85 d of age, and this ovarian weight was related to FSH concentrations at 65, 75, and 85 d of age. Gilts were produced during two farrowing seasons, spring and fall, and the age at first estrus was monitored from 160 to 250 d. Plasma FSH was greater in OR than in CO gilts at 65 (P < 0.01) and 75 d (difference in spring greater than in fall, P < 0.01), but FSH at these ages was not correlated with ovarian weight at 85 d. At 85 d, FSH did not differ in gilts of these lines; however, FSH was negatively correlated (r = -0.27, P < 0.01) with ovarian weight. The proportion of gilts detected in estrus was less for spring-born CO gilts than for spring-born OR or for fall-born CO and OR gilts (78 vs. 92%, season x line, P < 0.02). The age at first estrus was similar in the two lines but was earlier (P < 0.01) for spring-born than for fall-born gilts (194 vs. 204 d). Concentrations of FSH at each of the ages examined were not correlated with the age at first estrus. These observations support the conclusion that selection for a greater number of corpora lutea produces a correlated increase in plasma FSH during early pubertal development. This increase in FSH most likely reflects differences in FSH synthesis and release and not differences in the stage of pubertal development.