Ovarian morphology and hormonal profiles in gilts following surgical denervation at day 12 of the oestrous cycle - preliminary data

Abstract

To establish the role of the nervous system in the etiopathogenesis of ovarian cysts we studied ovarian morphology and hormonal profiles in gilts that had undergone bilateral surgical denervation at day 12 of the oestrous cycle. Blood samples were collected from day 13 of the first cycle until day 20 of the second studied cycle. On this day the number of follicles (6 to 10 mm in diameter) was lower (p < 0.01) in the denervated ovaries when compared to the control group. Denervation resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of TH/D βH- and/or NPY-IR nerve fibres, especially in the vicinity of the follicles. Furthermore, denervation lead to a decrease (p < 0.05–0.001) in plasma concentrations of P₄ (at day 15 and 16 of the first cycle and during the luteal phase of the second studied cycle) and LH and E₂ (mainly during the perioestrous period). These results suggest that sympathetic neurons supplying ovaries may participate in the follicular development and steroidogenesis in gilts.