Gonadotrope responsiveness in orchidectomized sheep: effect of duration of a simulated follicular phase

The effect of duration of a simulated follicular phase on gonadotrope responsiveness was assessed in orchidectomized sheep (wethers). The oestrogenic and hypothalamic inputs characteristic of the ovine follicular phase were simulated by continuous infusion of oestradiol (5 micrograms h-1 in 10% (v/v) ethanol saline) and circhoral delivery of GnRH (200 ng per hourly pulse) for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 or 96 h (n = 6 wethers per group). Responsiveness increased (P < 0.05) with increasing duration of simulated follicular phase. In a second experiment, responsiveness was assessed 96 h after initiation of infusion of oestradiol in wethers receiving hourly pulses of GnRH or saline. Concurrent administration of GnRH reduced (P < 0.05) the magnitude of the oestradiol-induced increase in gonadotrope responsiveness. In a companion study, anterior pituitary tissue was collected 96 h after the start of infusion of oestradiol and circhoral delivery of GnRH or saline. Pituitary stores of LH and tissue concentrations of GnRH receptor and mRNA encoding the GnRH receptor were increased (P < 0.05) by oestradiol infusion. The magnitude of these oestradiol-induced responses was not affected (P > 0.05) by concurrent GnRH treatment. Tissue concentrations of FSH and mRNA encoding the FSH beta subunit were decreased (P < 0.05) by oestradiol infusion. This suppressive effect of oestradiol was not reversed by GnRH. These results indicate that oestradiol stimulation, but not concurrent delivery of GnRH, is essential for full expression of surge-like secretion of LH. In addition, the oestradiol-induced increase in gonadotrope responsiveness during the simulated follicular phase is sustained throughout the period of oestradiol delivery.