Effects of oestrogenic silage on some clinical and endocrinological parameters in ovariectomized heifers

Abstract

The influence of phytoestrogens was studied in 3 ovariectomized Swedish Friesian heifers fed 20 kg of 100% red clover silage per heifer/day for 14 days. Behaviour, reproductive organs and pituitary response to exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injections were monitored. Clinical effects like oedema and mucous discharge in the vulva, presence of milky fluid in the mammae and increases in teat size and the cross-sectional distance of the uterus were observed in heifers fed red clover silage. Fluid accumulation in the uterus, visualized by means of ultrasonography, had still not disappeared 30 days after the red clover silage had been completely withdrawn. Red clover silage appeared to reduce the magnitude and duration of the pituitary response to GnRH injections.

Keywords

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS; LH; GNRH; PHYTOESTROGENS; RED CLOVER

Published in

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
1994, volume: 35, number: 2, pages: 173-183
Publisher: DANSKE DYRLAEGEFORENING

SLU Authors

• Lundh, Torbjörn

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Madej, Andrzej

  • Department of Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Fredriksson, Gunnar

  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/bf03548345

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/67114