Altered ovarian follicle function in ACTH-treated gilts

Abstract To assess the possible influence of increased endogenous glucocorticoid levels on ovarian function, gilts were treated with either adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) or saline during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle, from day 9 to day 14, and ovariectomised on day 14. Individual follicles were dissected from each ovary and their follicular fluid (FF), granulosa and theca cells were recovered. Cell viability was determined by dye exclusion. Cortisol (C), oestradiol-17β (E 2 ), oestrone (E 1 ), testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A) concentrations were measured in FF while cellular oestrogen and androgen production was assessed during a 3 h incubation period. The steroid hormone profile in FF was significantly altered in the treatment group. Follicles collected from ACTH-treated gilts were characterised by elevated C ( P 1 ( P P 2 values also tended to be lower, but not significantly so. An increase ( P 2 or E 1 production, based on viable cell numbers, during the 3 h incubation by either granulosa or theca cells from control and ACTH-treated gilts. Theca cells collected from treated animals, however, produced significantly lower ( P