Effect of active immunisation with follicular fluid on ovulation
rates in Romney ewes
K.M. Henderson, R.L. Ellen, A. Weaver, K. Ball and K.P. McNatty
MAFTech, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Upper Hutt
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1989, 49: 97-102
Active immunisation of Romney ewes with bovine follicular fluid
(bFF) at monthly intervals for 4 months in the breeding season increased
monthly mean ovulation rates by 8 to 100%, relative to non-immunised
ewes, by increasing the frequency of double ovulations. The increases
in ovulation rate were independent of the dose of bFF (from 1 to 10 ml)
and whether an aqueous- or oil-based adjuvant was used. Immunisation
with porcine FF (1 or 5 ml) did not increase ovulation rates
significantly. Active immunisation with an androstenedioned-based
immunogen (Androvax), increased the mean monthly ovulation rates 31 to
63% by increasing the frequency of double and triple ovulations.
Immunisation with bFF and Androvax together did not increase ovulation
rates any more than immunisation with Androvax alone.
These results show that active immunisation with bFF can increase
ovulation rates in sheep, though generally less effectively than by
immunisation with an androstenedione-based immunogen.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Follicular fluid; androstenedione; immunisation; ovulation rate;
sheep
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Last Updated 18-03-1997
