Ovarian morphology and the concentration of steroids during the oestrus cycle of sheep actively immunized against androstenedione.

Abstract

Ewes were immunized against androstenedione-11 alpha-hemisuccinyl-bovine serum albumin (androstenedione-11-BSA) or BSA alone (controls). The ovaries were examined macroscopically and ovarian venous blood was collected at laparotomy by in-situ cannulation of the ovarian vein on Day 10 of the oestrous cycle, or by needle puncture of the ovarian vein 36 h after prostaglandin treatment. Follicular fluid was also collected from follicles greater than 5 mm diameter in some ewes. Ovaries and adrenal glands were collected and examined histologically. Oestrone, oestradiol-17 beta, androstenedione, testosterone and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassays. Immunization against androstenedione-1..