Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids
Published on: April 25, 2016
Effect of short-term fasting on hepatic steroid hormone metabolism in cows
Mamiko Ono1, Tadatoshi Ohtaki, Kouichi Tanemura
1Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252–0880, Japan.
Abstract:
In the present study, the effect of 4-day fasting on steroid hormone metabolism in the liver and secretion of LH was examined in cows. Six non pregnant, dry Holstein cows were used. The estrous cycle was synchronized in all cows using CIDR-Ovsynch. Cows were allocated to a control group (n=3) and a fasting group (n=3). In the fasting group, cows were fasted for four days from day -4 to day -1 (day 0=day of 2nd GnRH injection) but otherwise were fed ad libitum. The experiment was repeated in a crossover design after an interval of about one month. The peripheral progesterone (P(4)) concentration in the fasting group was significantly higher than in the control group on day -1 and 0. The peripheral estradiol-17β concentration in the fasting group was also significantly higher than in the control group on day -1 and 0. The portal vein P(4) concentration in the fasting group was significantly higher than in the control group. On day 0, there was no difference in LH secretion between groups. The mean percentages of lipid droplets in liver cells in the fasting group were significantly higher than in the control group on day 0. These results suggest that short-term fasting leads to reduced hepatic steroid hormone metabolism by accumulation of fat in the liver, which causes high peripheral steroid hormone concentrations.
Related Concept Videos
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

