Ovarian function and hormone secretion of gilts actively immunized against androstenedione

Fifty crossbred gilts immunized against bovine serum albumin (BSA) or androstenedione conjugated to BSA (AD) were used in three experiments. Primary immunizations were given at 120 d of age and boosters at 148 and 176 d. Gilts were moved to pens containing four to five animals each and exposed to boars beginning at 180 d of age. Immunization against AD did not affect age at puberty, percentage of gilts exhibiting estrus or duration of first estrous cycle. Over the three experiments, ovulation rate was 24% greater for AD-immunized gilts than for controls, and the number of corpora lutea was related positively (r = .82) to the log of the antibody titer. Number of ovulations decreased as interval from booster immunization to onset of estrus increased. During diestrus of the first estrous cycle, gilts immunized against AD had more follicles 5 to 10 mm in diameter, more total ovarian follicles and more total ovarian structures (corpora lutea plus follicles) than controls. Immunization against AD increased the frequency of LH pulses on d 16 but not on d 17 or 18, of the estrous cycle. However, average serum concentrations of LH, FSH and estradiol from 5 d before until 2 d after expected estrus were not different between treatment groups. Concentrations of AD in follicles 4 to 6 and greater than 7 mm in diameter were greater in gilts immunized against AD. Mean serum progesterone was higher on d 9 and 12 after mating in AD immunized gilts than in controls. Immunization against AD had no effect on maintenance of pregnancy or embryo survival rate.