Gonadotropin secretion in ovariectomized pony mares treated with dexamethasone or progesterone and subsequently with dihydrotestosterone.

Twelve long-term ovariectomized (OVX) pony mares were used to determine the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) or progesterone (PR) on concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in daily blood samples and after administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). All mares were subsequently administered dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to determine if DEX or PR treatment altered the FSH or LH response to this androgen. Daily blood sampling was started on day 1. After a pretreatment injection of GnRH on day 5, four mares were administered DEX at 125 micrograms/kg of body weight (BW), four mares were administered PR at 500 micrograms/kg of BW and four mares were administered vehicle. Injections were given subcutaneously in vegetable shortening daily through day 14. After a second injection of GnRH on day 15, all mares were administered DHT in shortening at 150 micrograms/kg of BW. Injections of DHT were given daily through day 24. A final injection of GnRH was given on day 25. Treatment of mares with DEX 1) reduced (P less than .01) daily LH secretion and briefly increased (P less than .05) daily FSH secretion and 2) increased (P less than .01) the FSH response to exogenous GnRH. Treatment of mares with PR had no effect on daily LH secretion but increased (P less than .05) daily FSH secretion and increased (P less than .01) the FSH response to exogenous GnRH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)