Buserelin alters the development of the corpora lutea in cyclic and early postpartum cows.

Changes in proportions of luteal cells after buserelin treatment were studied in the corpus luteum (CL) that was present at the time of treatment (CLP) and in the buserelin-induced CL (CLI) of cyclic and acyclic postpartum cows. On d 0 of the experimental period, eight cyclic (Cyc-sal) cows were injected with saline, whereas eight cyclic (Cyc-bus) cows and eight acyclic (Acyc-bus) cows were treated i.m. with 8 micrograms of buserelin. On d 3 or 6, ovaries were collected and stained using histological techniques. As determined with the point-counting method, the number of nuclei in the CLP was similar on d 3 in Cyc-bus and Cyc-sal groups but was lower (treatment x day, P < .001) in the Cyc-bus group than in the Cyc-sal group on d 6. The volume of the CLP was similar on d 3 in the two groups but was greater (treatment x day, P < .04) in the Cyc-bus than in the Cyc-sal group on d 6. The number of nuclei in the CLI was greater (P < .001) in cyclic than in acyclic cows on d 3 and 6 after treatment. The volume of the CLI was lower (P < .001) in cyclic than in acyclic cows on d 3 and 6. Buserelin did not change the profile of progesterone in cyclic cows from d 0 to 6, but concentrations of progesterone increased (P < .01) in acyclic cows 3 to 6 d after buserelin treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)