Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals

04-Endocrine Glands & Hormones

Learning Objectives:

To understand what the reproductive endocrine glands and hormones are. To understand the characteristics and functions of these hormones. To understand how the concentrations of these hormones in the blood are controlled.

Endocrine Glands of Reproduction

Body Diagram of Endocrine Glands Brain Diagram of Endocrine Glands

Endocrine Control of Reproduction

Hormone - Chemical messenger produced by a ductless gland or tissue and carried in the blood to a target organ where it effects a change in cellular activity.

Chemical types of hormones:

Peptide - Few - Several amino acids Protein - Long chains of amino acids

Glycoprotein - Protein hormone with carbohydrate molecules

Hormone Disappearance Rate

Steroid Hormones - Sex Steroid Biosynthetic Pathway

Synthetic Hormones

Fatty Acids

Concept of Receptors: Cells of target organ have specific receptors for hormones.

For protein & peptide hormones - receptor is in plasma membrane.

For steroid homrones - receptor is in nucleus

For prostaglanding hormones - receptor is in plasma membrane.

Hormone Receptor Activation

Hormone Estrogens (Estradiol) Chemical Class Steroid Principal Functions Mating behavoir, Secondary sex characteristics, Maintenance of female duct system , Mammary growth Regulates release of FSH from anterior pituitary Maintenance of pregnancy, Mammary growth & secretion

Gland Ovary Graafian Follicle

Inhibin (Folliculostatin) Progestins (Progesterone)

Protein Steroid

Corpus Luteum

Relaxin Androgens (Testosterone)

Polypeptide Steroid

Testis Leydig Cells

Sertoli Cells Adrenal Cortex

Inhibin Glucocorticoids (Cortisol)

Protein Steroid

Placenta

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Glycoprotein (HCG) Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) Old name - Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) Estrogens/Progestins Relaxin Placenal Lactogen Prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) Glycoprotein

Endometrial Cups Mare

Steroids Protein Glycoprotein Lipid

Uterine Endometrium Graafian Follicles Seminal Vesicles

Liver

Insulin-like Growth Factors IGF-I & IGF-II Melatonin

Protein

Pineal Gland

Biogenic amine

Posterior Pituitary

Oxytocin

Octapeptide

Anterior Pituitary

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - Follicotropin Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Luteotropin

Glycoprotein

Glycoprotein

Expansion of pelvis Dilation of cervix Male mating behavior, Spermatocytogenesis, Maintenance of male duct system & accessory glands Regulates release of FSH Induction of partruition by fetus Milk synthesis Stress response LH-like - Involved with establishment of pregnancy in human. Support and maintain CL FSH-like- some LH activity Immunological protection of foal during pregnancy Formation of accessory CL in mare Regulate placental bloodflow Maintenance of pregnancy Relaxation/dialation of cervix for parturition Stimulates mammary growth & milk secretion. Regression of CL Stimulate myometrial contractions Ovulation Sperm transport Stimulates steroidogenesis, Stimulates mammary growth and fetal development Control of seasonal reproduction in Mare & Ewe Regulate hair growth Stimulate myometrial contractions for sperm transport, parturition & milk ejection Stimulate follicle growth Stimulate estrogen production Spermiogenesis in male Stimulate ovulation Support CL formation, and progesterone secretion Stimulate testosterone synthesis by leydig

Prolactin

Protein

Adrenalcorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Gonadotropic Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Dopamine Corticotropic Releasing Hormone (CRH) Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GRH) Oxytocin

Protein

Hypothalamus

Decapeptide Biogenic Amine Peptide Peptide Octapeptide

cells of testis Stimulate milk synthesis Regulate metabolism for milk synthesis Effects Maternal Behavior Release of corticosteroids & glucocorticoids from adrenal cortex to initiate parturition Stimulates release of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary Inhibits release of prolactin Stimulates ACTH release Stimulates release of growth hormone Produced by the hypothalamus, released at the posterior pituitary.

Control of endocrine gland function.

Hypothalamus - Pituitary interrelationships.
Hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system caries hypothalamic hormones specifically to the anterior pituitary without dilution in the systemic blood.

Specific hypothalamic nuclei secrete releasing or release inhibiting factors that control release of pituitary hormones. Preovulatory LH surge is controlled by gonadotropin releasing Hormone (GnRH) from the surge center.