EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS GROWTH HORMONE DURING THE FOLLICULAR PHASE ON hCG BINDING BY PORCINE LUTEAL TISSUE

Abstract

From 14 d after puberty, 37 Yorkshire Landrace gilts received nine daily injections of porcine growth hormone (GH) or vehicle. Gilts were killed 10 d after the onset of their second estrus and their ovaries recovered. Treatment with GH resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in the hCG binding capacity of the corpora lutea (0.17 vs. 0.11 nmol L−1 mg−1 protein). These data provide a possible mechanism whereby GH may influence ovarian function. Key words: Gilts, hCG binding, growth hormone