Ovarian inhibin content and sensitivity to inhibin in Booroola and control strain Merino ewes

Abstract

The inhibin content of ovaries collected from highly fecund Booroola Merino ewes was only one third that of control Merino ewes. Ovariectomized ewes of both strains were treated with charcoal-treated ovine follicular fluid for 2 days. A dose-dependent effect on plasma FSH was observed: maximum FSH suppression was observed on the day after the last injection of follicular fluid. Ewes receiving the highest dose of follicular fluid (total dose 72000 units of inhibin) had FSH levels depressed to only 8% of pre-treatment levels. Booroola ewes showed FSH suppression 1 day earlier than control ewes but otherwise the responses of the two strains to follicular fluid were similar. Plasma LH levels were only slightly depressed with the highest dose of follicular fluid. These results suggest that the feedback relationship of inhibin and FSH in Booroola ewes may be set differently from that in control ewes and this may contribute to the difference in ovulation rate between ewes of the two genotypes.