Inhibition of the secretion of LH in ovariectomised pigs by sustained but not repeated acute elevation of cortisol in the absence but not the presence of oestradiol

Abstract

Prolonged stress is known to impair reproduction. It has been proposed that reproduction will also be impaired when a severe acute stress occurs during a period of elevated plasma concentrations of oestradiol, such as during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle. In this experiment, we hypothesised that repeated acute and sustained elevation of cortisol would suppress the secretion of LH in ovariectomised pigs and that these effects would be enhanced in the presence of oestradiol negative feedback. Cortisol (or vehicle) was administered 12 hourly to ovariectomised pigs (n= 6/treatment) for 8 days in the absence of oestradiol treatment and for a further 8 days during treatment with oestr..