CIRCULATING CONCENTRATIONS OF IMMUNOREACTIVE INHIBIN AND FSH DURING THE ESTROUS-CYCLE OF MARES

A heterologous radioimmunoassay developed to measure inhibin in rat plasma was validated and used to characterize changes in peripheral concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin (ir-inhibin) in relation to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations during the estrous cycle of mares. The primary antiserum used in the assay was developed against a synthetic porcine inhibin alpha-subunit [(1-26)-Gly-Tyr] fragment. The same synthetic peptide was used for preparation of standards and tracer. Slopes of the dose-response curves for pooled estrus and diestrus mare plasma and equine follicular fluid were similar to the slopes for the porcine inhibin alpha-subunit standard curve and porcine follicular fluid dose-response curve. Twelve mares were bled once daily beginning when diameter of the largest follicle reached greater-than-or-equal-to 25 mm and continuing until 3 days after the end of an interovulatory interval (ovulation = Day 0). Each of the 12 interovulatory intervals were normalized to the mean length of the interovulatory interval (22.2 days; range, 19 to 26). There was an effect of day for concentrations of ir-inhibin (P < 0.001) and FSH (P < 0.006). Significant mean changes were as follows: 1) ir-inhibin decreased between Days 0 and 1, whereas FSH increased between Days 0 and 5; and 2) ir-inhibin increased between Days 7 and 12, whereas FSH decreased between Days 11 and 14. Mean concentrations of ir-inhibin and FSH were negatively correlated (r = 0.548; P < 0.002). In conclusion, mean peripheral concentrations of ir-inhibin and FSH were inversely related during the estrous cycle of mares.