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The recruitment of primary growth (PG) oocytes to the secondary growth (SG) phase within the ovulatory cycle, i.e. time interval between two sequential ovulation/spawning events, has rarely been examined in detail in a quantitative manner for batch spawning fishes with indeterminate fecundity. In the present study we analyzed the ovarian dynamics of Macedonian shad, Alosa macedonica, an iteroparous batch spawning clupeid with indeterminate fecundity, with the main goal to define the timing of PG recruitment and relate it to the ovulatory cycle. The latter was classified into four different phases (pre-ovulatory, running, post-ovulatory, intermediate) through postovulatory follicles and presence/absence of hydrated oocytes. Various indices of ovarian dynamics, including the formation and mean diameter of the advanced oocyte batch, the ovarian developmental stage, the oocyte size modality and the gonadosomatic index, varied among the ovulatory phases, evidencing cyclicity. Relative fecundity of newly recruited SG oocytes was used as an index of PG recruitment intensity and was shown to follow a specific pattern within the ovulatory cycle; PG recruitment occurred in a stepwise manner and in parallel with ovulation of the advanced oocyte batch, and synchronization of these two processes kept the ovary in a state of dynamic equilibrium.

In most mammals, cues of impending ovulation — including changes in appearance and sexual behavior — mark the fertile phase within the ovulatory cycle. Such cues were long thought to have been completely concealed in humans. However, research over the past two decades has overturned this assumption, revealing subtle but detectable cues of ovulation to which observers respond both behaviorally and hormonally. We review research in this area over the last several years. Cues of ovulation in human females include attractive changes in scent, voice, and appearance. Women also appear to be more receptive and solicitous toward sexually attractive prospective mates when fertile within the cycle. We discuss reasons why human ovulation cues are subtle and outline questions for future research.

Across human societies and many nonhuman animals, males have greater interest in uncommitted sex (more unrestricted sociosexuality) than do females. Testosterone shows positive associations with male-typical sociosexual behavior in nonhuman animals. Yet, it remains unclear whether the human sex difference in sociosexual psychology (attitudes and desires) is mediated by testosterone, whether any relationships between testosterone and sociosexuality differ between men and women, and what the nature of these possible relationships might be. In studies to resolve these questions, we examined relationships between salivary testosterone concentrations and sociosexual psychology and behavior in men and women. We measured testosterone in all men in our sample, but only in those women taking oral contraception (OC-using women) in order to reduce the influence of ovulatory cycle variation in ovarian hormone production. We found that OC-using women did not differ from normally-ovulating women in sociosexual psychology or behavior, but that circulating testosterone mediated the sex difference in human sociosexuality and predicted sociosexual psychology in men but not OC-using women. Moreover, when sociosexual psychology was controlled, men's sociosexual behavior (number of sexual partners) was negatively related to testosterone, suggesting that testosterone drives sociosexual psychology in men and is inhibited when those desires are fulfilled. This more complex relationship between androgens and male sexuality may reconcile some conflicting prior reports.

Most mammalian females possess classic estrus, a discrete phase of the ovulatory cycle during which females engage in sex and undergo dramatic physical changes that make them attractive to males. By contrast, humans engage in sexual activity throughout the ovulatory cycle. But is it the case that humans possess no estrous-like changes across the cycle? Research over the past three decades has shown that, in fact, women's sexual desires change across the cycle, as do men's responses to women. Research over the last few years has sharpened scientific understanding of the precise nature of these changes. Nevertheless, many intriguing questions remain. We highlight recent work in this area and identify key opportunities for research in the future.

A growing literature shows that the features women find particularly attractive in men vary across the ovulatory cycle. Women furthermore appear to more frequently report attraction to men other than primary partners when they are fertile in their cycle than in the infertile luteal phase. Previous studies have shown that men are more vigilant of or attentive to their primary partners during the fertile phase compared to the luteal phase. This study had several aims: First, to replicate and extend previous findings concerning men's vigilance of partners using male as well as female reports of men's behavior; second, to examine changes in women's behavior toward partners across the cycle; third, to examine ways in which women resist men's attempts to mate-guard across the cycle. Results indicate that (a) men are particularly self-assertive toward partners when their partners are fertile; (b) similarly, women are especially self-assertive toward partners when they are fertile; (c) women report engaging in more behaviors that resist male vigilance and mate guarding when they are fertile, especially in ways that are unobservable to male partners; and (d) these effects are especially strong when women themselves report greater attraction to men other than partners when they are fertile, compared to the luteal phase.

Women in the fertile phase of their menstrual cycle show an enhanced sexual preference for masculine expressions in behavioral, morphological and scent traits. These masculinity preferences may be associated with testosterone (T) levels in males and hence connote male quality as a sire. Thus, a scent preference of fertile-phase women for T is predicted. A recent study, however, found no evidence for this, but reported that women prefer the scent of men with high cortisol (C). That study had low power to detect the predicted effect, as well as other methodological limitations. We tested women's preferences across their ovulatory cycle for the body scent of men who varied in T and C, using a larger sample of men and methods used in research on cycle preferences for symmetry-related male body scent. Conception risk in the cycle positively predicted women's scent ratings of men's T; scent ratings of C or T × C interaction were not robustly related to conception risk. Conception risk is related positively to a preference for scent of men's symmetry. This preference is distinct from that arising from a preference for the scent of T. The male-emitted chemical(s) responsible for these preferences shifts across women's cycle remain unknown.

In many species, females are more sexually attractive to males near ovulation. Some evidence suggests a similar pattern in humans, but methodological limitations prohibit firm conclusions at present, and information on physiological mechanisms underlying any such pattern is lacking. In 202 normally-cycling women, we explored whether women's attractiveness changed over the cycle as a function of two likely candidates for mediating these changes: estradiol and progesterone. We scheduled women to attend one session during the late follicular phase and another during the mid-luteal phase. At each session, facial photographs, voice recordings and saliva samples were collected. All photographs and voice recordings were subsequently rated by men for attractiveness and by women for flirtatiousness and attractiveness to men. Saliva samples were assayed for estradiol and progesterone. We found that progesterone and its interaction with estradiol negatively predicted vocal attractiveness and overall (facial plus vocal) attractiveness to men. Progesterone also negatively predicted women's facial attractiveness to men and female-rated facial attractiveness, facial flirtatiousness and vocal attractiveness, but not female-rated vocal flirtatiousness. These results strongly suggest a pattern of increased attractiveness during peak fertility in the menstrual cycle and implicate estradiol and progesterone in driving these changes.

A substantial body of work demonstrates that women's mate preferences change across the ovulatory cycle. When fertile in their cycles, women are especially attracted to masculine features (e.g., faces, voices, bodies), socially dominant behavior, and male scents associated with body symmetry and social dominance. Women may also find intelligent men particularly attractive when fertile, though findings are mixed. Related research shows that, on average, romantically-involved women report stronger sexual attraction to men other than their pair-bond partners, but not partners, when fertile, and especially when their partners lack features fertile women prefer (e.g., symmetry). In the current study, we examined whether women's patterns of sexual interests across the cycle are similarly moderated by partners' facial masculinity, facial attractiveness, and intelligence. Results revealed predicted effects of male partners’ facial masculinity but none for partners’ intelligence. Facial attractiveness may have effects, but we find no evidence that it does so independently of facial masculinity.

Assisted reproductive technology is a difficult course for the couples. Our purpose is to be effective without damaging the patient and the child to be born. The cumulative rates of success are strictly dependent on the number of oocytes and on the obtained top quality embryos and thus on the realization of an effective stimulation. The risk of multiple pregnancies can be adjusted by an adapted policy of transfer. The transfer of a fresh embryo followed by cycles of frozen embryos transfers gives very satisfactory cumulative pregnancy rates.

Summary Purpose The pathophysiology of catamenial epilepsy is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the cortical excitability of women with catamenial epilepsy during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Methods Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, six patients suffering from catamenial epilepsy were investigated during ovulatory cycles. On days 8, −14, −7 and 2 of the cycle (day 1 being the first day of menstrual bleeding), resting motor threshold (RMT), cortical silent period (CSP), intracortical inhibition (ICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) were investigated. The non-parametric Friedman-test for multiple comparisons and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for statistical analysis. Results Five patients suffered from focal epilepsy (three right hemispheric, one bitemporal, one unknown origin) and one patient had idiopathic generalized epilepsy. All patients experienced perimenstrual seizure clustering and two also showed an increased seizure frequency during the luteal phase. In the right hemispheres there was a significant change of CSP duration in the course of the menstrual cycle ( χ 2 =8.3, P =0.041), due to a shorter CSP during the luteal phase ( Z =−2.0, P =0.043) and menstruation ( Z =−2.2, P =0.028) as compared to the follicular phase. There was no significant variation of CSP in the left hemispheres. RMT, ICI and ICF showed no significant changes in the course of the menstrual cycle. Conclusions The CSP changes suggest a decreased inhibition involving GABA-ergic neurotransmission during the luteal phase and menstruation. These TMS alterations correlated with the clinical course of the epilepsies and were found in the hemispheres containing the majority of the epileptogenic zones.

Resume Objectif Etudier la reponse folliculaire a une hyperstimulation ovarienne controlee au cours des cycles de FIVETE apres kystectomie ovarienne laparoscopique pour endometriomes. Patientes et methodes Dans le cadre d'une etude retrospective controlee, les dossiers de 113 femmes infertiles ayant subi des cycles de FIVETE apres cœlioscopie ont ete retenus. Le groupe de l'etude (A) comprenait 63 patientes avec endometriose pelvienne severe et excision d'endometriomes superieurs ou egaux a 4 cm. Le groupe temoin (B) comportait 50 patientes avec endometriose minime ou legere. Les interventions ont ete les suivantes : kystectomie ovarienne sous cœlioscopie dans le groupe de l'etude, et hyperstimulation ovarienne controlee dans les deux groupes. Resultats Les donnees epidemiologiques et les caracteristiques des deux groupes A et B etaient comparables. Les nombres totaux de follicules recrutes (9,1 ± 3,3 contre 10,6 ± 4,2 ; p = 0,001), follicules matures (> 16 mm) (4,2 ± 1,7 contre 4,8 ± 2,2 ; p = 0,04), ovocytes matures ponctionnes (5,8 ± 3,8 contre 7,4 ± 4,6 ; p = 0,02), ainsi que le taux de fecondation (48,9 ± 34,9 contre 61,8 ± 32,1 % ; p = 0,02) observes dans le groupe A etaient inferieurs a ceux observes dans le groupe B, respectivement. Le nombre moyen d'ampoules de FSHr (75 UI) utilisees a ete augmente en groupe A par rapport au groupe B (38,1 ± 20,4 contre 29,3 ± 16,4 ; p = 0,004). Les taux de grossesses cumulees etaient semblables dans les deux groupes (27,5 ± 8,8 % contre 37,2 ± 10,6 % ; p = 0,37). Discussion et conclusions La reponse ovarienne au cours des cycles de FIVETE est diminuee chez les patientes ayant des antecedents de kystectomie laparoscopique pour endometriomes par rapport aux patientes ayant une endometriose minime ou legere sans antecedents de chirurgie ovarienne.

In the hen ovary, each preovulatory follicle in the hierarchy, irrespective of its size and the level of its maturity is exposed to the preovulatory LH surge in each ovulatory cycle of an egg laying sequence. In the present study, the thecal weight and membrane protein content of theca layers at different stages of hen ovulatory cycle were assessed. Hens were killed 2 h (stage I), 9 h (stage II), 16 h (stage III), and 23 h (stage IV) after oviposition. The first (F1), second (F2), third (F3), fourth (F4) and fifth (F5) largest yellow follicles were utilized. In all follicles except F1, the thecal weight rose considerably between stages I and III (P < 0.05) followed by a slight cessation of the thecal growth at stage IV. The mean content of the theca membrane protein in F1-F5 follicles was lowest at stage III, increasing at stage IV (P < 0.05), although, in the case of individual follicles the difference was significant (P < 0.05) in F3 follicles only. Estradiol-17beta levels in the plasma were lowest (but not significant) at stage III, and a fourfold increase in the plasma progesterone concentration occurred at stage IV. These findings demonstrate for the first time the ovulatory cycle-related alterations in the thecal weight and membrane protein content in the hen preovulatory follicles. Data suggest that the preovulatory rise in ovarian steroid hormones is probably involved in transient termination of the growth and induction of differentiation of the theca in preovulatory follicles as they pass from one category to the next.

Resume Objectif Le signal FSH intercycle initie le recrutement folliculaire au debut du cycle menstruel. Il survient generalement au troisieme jour du cycle. Son amplitude est faible, et peut varier d'un cycle a l'autre. Sa mesure dans le serum (FSHs) requiert donc des prises de sang quotidiennes. Nous avons cherche a determiner si le dosage de la FSH dans l'urine (FSHu) pouvait etre une alternative non invasive au dosage serique, en utilisant un modele ou le signal FSH intercycle est controle par une prise ponctuelle d'estradiol (E2). Patientes et methodes Il s'agit d'une etude pilote prospective, chez 21 femmes infertiles ayant recu de l'E2 du vingt-cinquieme jour du cycle precedent au premier vendredi apres les regles. Les echantillons de sang et d'urine ont ete recoltes des le dernier jour sous E2, pour doser la FSH et la creatinine urinaire. Une echographie a ete effectuee pour la recherche de follicules de taille superieure a 12 mm. Resultats La FSHu et FSHu/Cr montrent une bonne correlation avec la FSHs ( r = 0,52 et 0,63, p p Discussion et conclusion Le dosage la FSHu permet d'identifier le signal FSH intercycle. C'est une methode non invasive et fine pour evaluer la physiologie ovarienne.

Although the most well-known function of vascular endothelial growth factor is its angiogenic activity, it plays more than a simple angiogenic role in the female reproductive system as it is involved in a number of key events in the course of the ovulatory cycle. The modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression varies in different reproductive tissues, probably related to its various functions at these different sites.

Previous research has shown that female brook stickleback are attracted to the scent from conspecific males. In this paper, I show that a female's response to the male-based cue changes depending upon the stage she has reached in her ovulatory cycle. On the day of ovulation, when the female was ready to spawn, she was strongly attracted to the scent of conspecific males, and even performed the species-specific courtship/receptive display (head-up, sink to the bottom and remain stationary) in response to the cue. Within 24 h of spawning, the female had begun to decrease her courtship response and move away from the cue, and by 48 h she had stopped courting completely and was spending most of her time on the control (water-drip) side of the tank. Upon ovulating a second time, she was again attracted to the scent and began courtship behaviour. This represents the first experimental demonstration of a female teleost showing a change in responsiveness to male-based odours across her ovulatory cycle similar to that displayed by female mammals.

We describe the in vivo features of endometrium stained with methylene blue dye and observed via microhysteroscopy, showing the patterns of endometrial glands and superficial cell changes during the midproliferative, periovulatory, and midluteal phases. These preliminary observations have allowed us to identify a series of changes occurring in the different phases of the ovulatory cycle of potential value in reproductive medicine for specific groups of infertile patients.

In the preovulatory follicle, the LH surge stimulates progesterone production, reduces estradiol synthesis, and scales up the permeability of the blood-follicle barrier. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the extent of these changes is correlated with the levels of estradiol, estradiol esters, and cholesteryl esters in the follicular fluid. The follicular levels of progesterone, estradiol, estradiol linoleate, cholesterol, and cholesteryl linoleate were measured by HPLC. The estradiol linoleate/estradiol ratio, which reflects the efficiency of in vivo estradiol esterification, and the cholesteryl linoleate/cholesterol ratio were calculated and found negatively correlated. The estradiol level was positively correlated with the cholesteryl linoleate/cholesterol ratio while negatively correlated with the estradiol linoleate/estradiol ratio. The in vitro activity of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase, the enzyme esterifying both cholesterol and estradiol, was assayed by incubating the fluid with labeled substrates. This activity was not correlated with either the estradiol linoleate/estradiol or the cholesteryl linoleate/cholesterol ratio. The enzyme K m and V max values were lower with estradiol than with cholesterol. Higher estradiol linoleate/estradiol ratios and lower cholesteryl linoleate/cholesterol ratios were associated with higher level of Haptoglobin penetration into the follicle. This level, which was determined by ELISA, was found increased with increased progesterone concentration and, therefore, used as a marker of the LH-stimulated permeability of the blood-follicle barrier. Our data suggest that early preovulatory follicles contain more cholesteryl esters and less estradiol esters than follicles closer to ovulation.

Racial differences in renal kallikrein excretion: Effect of the ovulatory cycle.BackgroundRenal kallikrein excretion is diminished in essential hypertension, especially in African-Americans, and evidence exists for a major gene effect on the kallikrein phenotype. In addition, urinary kallikrein excretion differs by gender, with ovulating females having greater kallikrein excretion than males or postmenopausal females. Recent studies have shown that renal kallikrein excretion varies in females during the ovulatory cycle, with levels rising during the luteal phase and returning during the follicular phase to levels that are similar to those of males. In family studies, gender differences in urinary kallikrein excretion were present in white subjects, but not black subjects. We therefore hypothesized dysregulation of kallikrein biosynthetic responses in African-Americans.MethodsWe determined urinary kallikrein activity [chromogenic substrate S2266 (D-val-leu-arg-paranitroanilide) assay; in μU/mg creatinine] in white (N = 15) and black (N = 11) ovulating females during the ovulatory cycle. Serum progesterone, estrogen, plasma renin activity as well as urinary aldosterone, and urinary electrolytes were determined to investigate changes between mid-follicular and mid-luteal phases in the two groups.ResultsWhite and black groups were matched for age, body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate and renal function. Ovulatory cycle phases were confirmed by serum progesterone determinations, which increased significantly in whites and blacks to a comparable degree [0.84 ± 0.14nmol/liter (mid-follicular) to 29.77 ± 4.70nmol/liter (mid-luteal) in whites, 0.67 ± 0.08nmol/liter (mid-follicular) to 28.62 ± 5.83nmol/liter (mid-luteal) in blacks; P < 0.001 for cycle effect, P = NS for race effect and race X cycle interaction]. Urinary kallikrein activity increased from 623 ± 86 μU/mg creatinine (mid-follicular) to 948 ± 142 μU/mg creatinine (mid-luteal) in whites, but did not change in blacks during the ovulatory cycle [239 ± 73 μU/mg creatinine (mid-follicular] to 244 ± 41 μU/mg creatinine (mid-luteal)]. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects on urinary kallikrein for race (P < 0.001), cycle (P < 0.05), and race X cycle interaction (P < 0.05). Thus, white females had higher urinary kallikrein than black females, and demonstrated a significant increase in urinary kallikrein excretion during the ovulatory cycle, whereas no significant change in urinary kallikrein activity was seen in the black group. Enzyme kinetic studies and mixing studies demonstrated that these racial differences in renal kallikrein excretion were quantitative, rather than due to qualitative differences in the renal kallikrein enzyme or due to the presence of a kallikrein inhibitor.ConclusionsThese results suggest pronounced blunting of menstrual cycle changes in urinary kallikrein excretion in black females. Blunted urinary kallikrein responses during the ovulatory cycle are consistent with dysregulation of renal kallikrein biosynthetic responses in African-Americans, a group at increased risk for hypertension.

Ovulation and spawning were induced in gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata L., which had failed to spawn spontaneously after thermal manipulations, using a long-acting commercial preparation of leuprolide acetate, an agonist of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRHa), in order to study the effects of this treatment on spawning periodicity, the timing of spawning, daily egg production and embryonic viability. Grouped and single females bearing yolky follicles were implanted once with 20, 40 or 80 μg kg−1 (body weight) of GnRHa encapsulated in a biodegradable copolymer, copoly(dl-lactic/glycolic acid ratio of 3:1). All treated females started to spawn after 48 h and about 40% of the eggs were laid during the initial 10-day period with daily peaks of 105 eggs kg−1. The mean daily production of viable eggs ranged between 71–288.102 eggs kg−1. Embryonic viability was equivalent to that of control fish which were induced to spawn with a rise in water temperature. There was, however, a significantly (P < 0.01) higher egg production in the GnRHa-treated fish. While egg laying occurred regularly at dawn in controls, the long-acting GnRHa tended to shorten the normal 24-h ovulatory cycle of seabream, gradually shifting spawning from dawn to sunset. In tanks with single females, sudden spawning readjustments were observed from sunset to dawn through short 12-h ovulatory cycles. Interestingly, spawning of single females with two males resulted in a greater percentage of non-fertilized eggs in comparison to groups of spawning females maintained with a similar ratio of males, presumably as a result of territorial competition when few males try to occupy the same spawning tank.

Changes in luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and testosterone concentrations were determined in blood samples taken every 10 min for 26 hr during an ovulatory cycle in laying turkey hens. During the 26-hr sampling period, one peak of both LH and progesterone and numerous peaks of testosterone were detected. The concentration of LH in plasma increased from basal level (2.44–4.0 ng/ml) to maximum level (8.57–24.3 ng/ml) over 1 to 2 hr and then declined over 3 to 5 hr to a basal level. The duration of the descending portion of the peak was about double that of the ascending portion. The concentration of progesterone increased rapidly from a basal level of 1.18–1.65 ng/ml to a peak of 6.18–11.87 ng/ml and then maintained a plateau before rapidly declining to basal level. The concentration of testosterone increased from a basal level of 0.06–0.09 ng/ml to a peak level of 0.13–0.30 ng/ml. All maximum levels of testosterone preceded those of LH, and all maximum levels of LH preceded those of progesterone. The durations of the progesterone peaks were longer than those of the LH peaks. Progesterone concentrations returned to basal level after LH had returned to basal level, although the initial increase in progesterone concentration was earlier, later, or at the same time as LH. Peak durations of testosterone were variable. The preovulatory surges of LH and progesterone of five of nine sets of samples started at the end of the scotophase and ended during the beginning portion of the photophase. In three of nine sets both the start and the end occurred during the scotophase and in one of nine sets during the photophase. It was concluded from this study that the patterns of secretion of LH, progesterone, and testosterone were similar in that the preovulatory surge was superimposed on a relatively stable basal level, while the temporal relationships of the ovulatory surges of these hormones were variable. The preovulatory surges were more tightly associated with ovulation rather than with photoperiod. Neither progesterone nor testosterone might be an initiator of the LH surge prior to ovulation.

Avian species exhibit a great variety of life-long patterns in reproduction. Many shore birds, such as terns, have relatively long life spans as well as little evidence of reproductive aging. Reproductive aging has been studied extensively in some avian species, primarily in domestic species. In these species, the process of aging is first evidenced by a decline in fertility and reproductive behavior. As the animal continues to age, gonadal function gradually becomes increasingly disrupted leading to cessation of the ovulatory cycle and declining spermatogenesis. Neuroendocrine systems also show evidence of age-related alterations, which affect the function of the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) system. Moreover, the endogenous patterns in release of GnRH and other hormones appear altered, implying that the age-related changes affect endogenous rhythms that regulate endocrine system function. When integrated with environmental factors and endogenous rhythms, these complex changes in both the neuroendocrine regulatory systems and in gonadal function make triggers of age-related alterations difficult to identify. However, as more data are gathered, the mechanisms underlying these alterations and the factors associated with the process of aging in avian species are being elucidated.

We review our research on the regulation of the mare's ovulatory cycle. We describe the dynamics of GnRH, LH and FSH secretion during the cycle as determined by collecting pituitary venous blood and discuss the central mechanisms involved in generating an ovulatory LH surge. We also consider protocols giving GnRH or its analogues to induce ovulation out-of-season and relate results to the normal control of gonadotropin secretion.

An investigation was conducted on the ovulatory cycles and pregnancies of captive Banteng cattle (n=4). Estradiol and progesterone profiles plus palpation of the ovaries resulted in a mean cycle length of 20 days (± 0.68) for 6 cycles. Maximum follicle diameter before ovulation ranged from 15 to 20 mm and ovulations occurred equally on the right and left ovaries. Estrous cycles continued year round when not interrupted by pregnancy. Mean latency from parturition to the first ovulation was 44.8 (± 7.8) days, ranging from 30 to 65 days for the 4 pregnancies in 3 of the 4 cows. The fourth cow did not ovulate within the 96-day postpartum sampling period. The results generally conform with those found for the domestic cow (Bostaurus).

Recent observations in turkey and chicken hens show that sperm storage in both species is a highly inefficient process. After artificial insemination (AI), less than 1% of spermatozoa inseminated are selected for transport to and enter the sperm storage tubules (SST). It has been shown that the sperm selection process is orchestrated within the vagina and not at the level of the SST. At least two mechanisms are involved in the selection of spermatozoa fit for sperm storage, one being mechanical (motility) and the other biochemical in nature (sperm-vaginal mucosa interactions). Furthermore, it was also observed that the sperm storage efficiency in the chicken is dependent upon the logarithm of the number of spermatozoa inseminated. From a practical standpoint, inseminations performed frequently with a moderate number of spermatozoa should be more efficient than inseminations performed with higher doses at longer intervals. Maximal filling of the SST of hens in egg production requires only 1 day for the chicken and 2 days for the turkey. By contrast, the release of sperm from the SST is about seven times faster in the chicken than the turkey hen. The efficiency of oviducal sperm storage is related to a number of factors including age of the hen, stage of the ovulatory cycle when inseminated, and, in the turkey, if the hen was inseminated before or after the onset of egg production. Two different categories should be considered among factors that affect sperm survival in vivo. 1) Factors affecting sperm storage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) profiles were obtained during the first ovulatory cycle of heat-stressed (HS, 35 C; n = 24) and unstressed (US, 17 to 27 C; n = 24) hens using 30-min sampling intervals beginning approximately 6 h prior to ovulation. Progesterone levels from HS hens were lower from 6 h [.07 +/- .01 (SE) versus 1.66 +/- .25 ng/mL; P = .008] to predicted ovulation (.06 +/- .006 versus .70 +/- .18 ng/mL; P = .07). Likewise, LH levels from HS hens were lower from 6 h (1.55 +/- .16 versus 3.86 +/- .34 ng/mL; P = .007) to predicted ovulation (1.63 +/- .18 versus 2.50 +/- .27 ng/mL; P = .01). Eggs from HS hens were more often laid early (less than 24 h) than eggs from US hens (71.42 versus 13.33%, respectively; P = .01), but US hens more often laid eggs of a normal oviposition interval length (24 to 26 h) compared with HS hens (73.34 versus 14.29%; P = .0005). The percentage of delayed eggs (greater than 26 h) was not different (US, 14.29 versus HS, 13.37%; P = .75) between the two treatment groups. Basal production of progesterone by dispersed granulosa cells from US hens was 97.62 +/- 16.01 ng/mL. Challenge by LH increased this to 417.50 +/- 53.38 ng/mL (P = .0001). In contrast, basal progesterone secretion by cells from HS hens was 40.25 +/- 6.60 ng/mL (P = .0001) and LH challenge failed to increase progesterone production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The major symptoms of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea and infertility. Pertubations with lidocaine have been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea and have an enhancing effect on fertility. Different concentrations of lidocaine were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind study of pre-ovulatory pertubations with lidocaine solutions in women with dysmenorrhea. The patients had laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis and normal fallopian tubes. Ninety pertubations were carried out without complications on 26 patients during up to six cycles. The effect was evaluated by means of questionnaires where a clinically significant reduction of dysmenorrhea was reported. Pertubation with lidocaine can be a non-hormonal treatment option for dysmenorrhea.

A case of pregnancy occurring with escape of suppression from GnRH-a therapy is described. Clinical pseudomenopause had been established, and the pregnancy was exposed to depot GnRH-a for 8 weeks. Normal pregnancy outcome demonstrated that successful implantation may occur in the first escaped ovulatory cycle.

mRNA was isolated from the oviductal mucosal layer and RT-PCR performed. Relative band intensities, visualized by UV light following agarose gel electrophoresis, were determined by a densitometer reading. A semiquantitative value for oviductin mRNA expression was derived from the ratio of oviductin to b-actin. The student T-test for independent samples was used to evaluate statistical significance for differences seen and the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used to determine significant correlation. Results: Oviductin mRNA was expressed throughout the ovulatory cycle with the lowest expression seen in the late luteal phase. The level of mRNA expression was significantly higher in the late follicular phase. (5.35 6 0.12) than in the early follicular phase (1.85 6 0.3) or the late luteal phase (0.57 6 0.43) (P,0.001). The concentrations of E2 and P were significantly correlated with oviductin mRNA (P,0.05) however the concentration of LH was more strongly correlated with oviductin mRNA expression (P, 0.01). Conclusions: Oviductin mRNA is expressed throughout the ovulatory cycle, however, its expression increases around the time of ovulation. For the first time a possible regulatory role of LH in human oviductin mRNA expression has been identified.

Anovulatory domestic hens (pregnant mare serum-treated) and normally cyclic domestic hens were artificially inseminated with 0.034 ml of pooled semen. A subsequent microscopic assessment of the uterovaginal sperm storage glands on days 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 post-insemination indicated that the sperm glands emptied over time in the normally cyclic hens, but not in the anovulatory hens. The data suggest that events associated with ovulation and/or oviposition are important to the sperm gland emptying process.

Protein consumed by the laying hen is overwhelmingly oriented to yolk and albumen formation. Yolk proteins are almost exclusively synthesized in the liver, then transported to developing follicles. Yolk accrual by follicles is continuous and rapid because of hepatic and follicular construction. Albumen is largely synthesized by the tubular gland cells of the magnum. Albumen formation is also continuous; however, the rate appears to be particularly accentuated during the 4 h the ovum is in the magnum. Ovarian sex steroids are necessary for transcription of mRNA for all of the major egg proteins. Circulating sex steroids undergo a transient surge prior to ovulation that not only extends transcription but also appears to enhance translation of existing mRNA. Full realization of this enhancement by the magnum seems to be limited to when the ovum is present. Hens increase their protein intake at this time, presumably in response to associated demands.

Observations of sociosexual behavior of adult ponies, made on two harem groups (each comprised of one vasectomized male and three females), were correlated with follicular development and ovulation for a total of 15 cycles (minimum of 2 cycles per female). Mean cycle length (interovulatory interval) was found to be 19.7 days, with behavioral estrus lasting 7–8 days (5.5 days preovulatory; 2.3 days postovulatory). Estrous females typically showed increased frequencies of approaching and following the stallion, urinating, presenting, clitoral winking, and tail raising. Approaching and following the stallion appeared earlier and persisted longer than other estrous responses. Deviations from the modal estrous pattern included cycles with subestrus, continual estrus, behavioral estrus in the absence of ovulation, and displays of female mounting. Dominance tests revealed that a mare's status was unaffected by the phases of the estrous cycle. The presence of more than one estrous female affected the copulatory performance of both stallions, most notably in reduced latencies to first mount, intromission, and ejaculation, in spite of differences between the stallions in sexual vigor. Each stallion usually selected the dominant mare for copulation when there were multiple estrous females present, but mounts were not displayed exclusively to one female per test. The social testing situation made apparent the importance of use of space in sociosexual communication in this species, particularly in avoidance of the stallion by diestrous mares and standing alone or in proximity to him by estrous mares.

INTRODUCTION The object of this paper is to specify the timing processes that regulate the ovulatory cycle of the hen by comparing it with that of the rat. To this end, the temporal events that result in ovulation are characterized as having either circadian (i.e., oscillatory) or interval (i.e., hourglass) properties. When environmental time cues such as light, food, and temperature are eliminated, many circadian rhythms of activity persist, or “free run”, for about 24 hr, suggesting control by an endogenous oscillator. The physiological system that ensures synchronization of an organism’s internal temporal events with the external environment has been called the circadian timing system. In the natural environment, endogenous rhythms are synchronized by physical stimuli called zeitgebers. Such synchronization is possible only over a limited range of periods close to that of the circadian rhythm. Animals also measure and respond to intervals much shorter and longer than 24 hr, . . .

Regularly laying female Japanese quail were injected 12 or 18 hr before the next expected oviposition with 25 micrograms oLH, 25 micrograms luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), or 0.05 mg progesterone, and the subsequent oviposition was recorded and ovulation determined by autopsy 9 hr after the injection. Plasma progesterone levels were measured in blood collected from a wing vein during the postinjection interval. Vehicle-injected birds served as control. All treatments resulted in premature oviposition and ovulations in 50-100% of birds when injected 12 hr before the next expected oviposition. None of the vehicle-injected birds showed any advancement in either oviposition or ovulation. Premature oviposition was generally followed by premature ovulation within 1 hr, when birds were treated 12 hr before the next expected oviposition and was preceded by a rise in plasma progesterone levels which reached values similar to those occurring during the normal preovulatory period. When birds were injected 18 hr before the next expected oviposition, the incidence of premature oviposition was very low, premature ovulation was absent, and the rise in plasma progesterone levels following treatment was substantially less than in the former group. The results suggest that oviposition and ovulation in quail may be initiated by LHRH induced LH release from the pituitary gland and that progesterone may stimulate LHRH and LH release. The timing of the ovulatory cycle may depend upon the phase of follicular maturation.

Hormone profiles during the ovulatory cycle were studied in goldfish. Blood samples were taken from female goldfish every 4 days between 1400 and 1700 hr during the course of repeated ovulations for a duration of 3 months, and plasma hormone levels of 3 days before and after ovulation were compared. Plasma gonadotropin (GtH) levels did not show significant changes except a surge for ovulation, but tended to show higher levels before the surge than those after the surge. Plasma testosterone before ovulation showed significantly higher levels compared with those after ovulation. Plasma estradiol-17 beta (E2) levels remained low for 3 days prior to ovulation. Postovulation E2 levels that were significantly higher than the preovulation levels were kept elevated and declined on the third day after ovulation. These results indicate that E2 is mainly produced in the first part of the ovulatory cycle and testosterone in the latter part followed by the GtH surge and ovulation at the end of the cycle. This shift in steroid pattern from E2 to testosterone seems to be similar to those observed in salmonid fishes except for the time scale. The synchrony of ovulation in goldfish is also discussed in relation to physiological and external factors which influence the occurrence of ovulation.

Nineteen female college students recorded their basal, afternoon, and bedtime temperatures during an ovulatory cycle. Three parallel curves were found with the afternoon temperature being 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit (F.) higher than the basal and 0.3 degrees F. higher than the bedtime temperature. A clinically useful alternative to the basal body temperature is proposed.

The gonadotropin-releasing activity of the stalk-median eminence (SME) of hens at various times during the period between ovulations of the initial ovum and the second ovum (C2) of a clutch was measured using an in vitro incubation system and a bioassay based on the 32P-uptake by chick testes. The gonadotropin-releasing activity of the SME changes during the ovulatory cycle, with peaks 21 and 8–11 hr. before ovulation (C2). The gonadotropins released from the incubated pituitaries by the SME of hens 11 hr. before C2 ovulation showed a greater ovulation-inducing activity on hens than those released by the SME of hens 21 hr. before C2 ovulation, while the activity for the 32P-uptake by chick testes was almost equal.

The concentration of LH was studied in blood samples removed intermittently from hens. Hens were selected for study in the middle of sequences when ovulations are separated by 24 to 25 hr, before the first ovulation of a sequence when successive ovulations are separated by 40 hr, and in an 14L: 14D photoperiod when all ovulations are separated by 28 hr. A preovulatory surge of LH always preceded ovulation by 4 to 7 hr, and a nadir in the concentration of LH always occurred 10 to 11 hr before ovulation. This nadir followed a gradual decline in the concentration of LH, which began 19 hr before a midsequence ovulation, 27 to 31 hr before the first ovulation of a sequence, and 20 to 28 hr before ovulation in a 14L: 14D photoperiod. It was concluded that this decline in plasma LH terminating at a nadir 10 to 11 hr before ovulation may be involved in the acquisition of ovulability by the largest follicle in the ovarian hierarchy.

Thirty randomly cycling Holstein heifers were given two injections of prostaglandin F2α 10 days apart, to determine whether this treatment would cause most of the animals to show estrus shortly after the second injection. Twenty-five of the 30 heifers (83%) were in estrus and inseminated 2 to 4 days following the second injection and 10 of the 25 (40%) were pregnant at 60 days post insemination. Thirteen of 15 control heifers (87%) were detected in estrus over a 3 week period and seven of the 13 (54%) were pregnant at 60 days. Chi square analysis indicated that the proportion of animals showing estrus and subsequent pregnancy in the treated and in the control groups were not significantly different. The two injection system may have commercial application for the regulation of the ovulatory cycle of cattle.

IN THE ovary of the hen, several follicles in different stages of development grow simultaneously with the most mature one ovulating. Ovulation usually occurs for a varying number of consecutive days, followed by pauses of 1 or 2 days, and then ovulation resumes. It has been accepted generally that ovulation is induced by an acute release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary some 8 hours before ovulation (Fraps, 1955). Recently, it was found that levels of LH content in the pituitary and in the blood fluctuated during the ovulatory cycle of the hen, i.e., two peaks of the LH level appeared in the pituitary (Nelson et al., 1965; Heald et al., 1967; Tanaka and Yoshioka, 1967) and three peaks appeared in the blood (Nelson et al., 1965; Bullock and Nalbandov, 1967). These facts suggest that the release of LH from the pituitary occurs more than once during the ovulatory…

Seven oligoovulatory or anovulatory women were studied during a clomiphene-induced ovulatory cycle. Plasma luteinizing hormone determinations by radioimmunoassay showed an elevation after only 2 to 3 days of therapy. In each ovulatory cycle there was a second and greater peak in plasma LH occurring 6 to 10 days following completion of the 5 day course of therapy. Plasma LH levels during the luteal phase and following the ovulatory menses averaged lower than control levels. Ovulatory status in 3 subjects was confirmed by culdoscopic biopsy and subsequent histologic examination of the corpus hemorrhagicum. The initial mode of action of clomiphene was considered to be on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Criteria for predicting responsiveness to clomiphene and the correlation of the early LH rise with subsequent ovulation were considered.

1. 1. A method of approach to evaluation of the amenorrheic patient with emphasis on the importance of thinking in terms of physiologic processes in arriving at a differential diagnosis of cause is presented. 2. 2. General measures, indications for therapy, and specific hormonal therapy which has been successfully employed in functional amenorrhea are discussed. 3. 3. Results of clinical observations in 328 courses of therapy administered to 123 patients with functional amenorrhea employing either (a) anhydro-hydroxyprogesterone—10 mg., (b) progesterone—30 mg., or (c) a combination of estrogenic substances—1 mg. and progesterone—30 mg., by ingestion, three times daily for 5 consecutive days are compared. These preparations were found to be equally effective by ingestion in the dosage used, and withdrawal bleeding followed therapy in (a) 90.9 per cent, (b) 90.45 per cent, and (c) 94.1 per cent of instances. 4. 4. Simultaneous oral administration of estrogen and progesterone proved slightly superior to progesterone alone but was not sufficient in the dosage used to take the place of estrogen priming in those patients with inadequate intrinsic estrogens. 5. 5. It is believed that best results in management of functional amenorrhea are obtained by cyclic administration of estrogen and progesterone in a manner which closely simulates the normal physiologic process of the ovulatory cycle.

Plasma immunoreactive estrogens and LH were measured daily when feasible during three normal cycles and one clomiphene-induced ovulatory cycle. In all the subjects studied, an estrogen peak preceded the midcycle LH peak. The above finding suggests that estrogens may play an important role in a midcycle surge of LH.

The subject of this report is concerned with the time at which regression begins in the corpus luteum of menstruation. The life cycle of the corpus luteum of menstruation in the human being has been described and its division into four typical stages has been universally accepted. These stages are termed proliferation, vascularization, mature or blossom stage, and stage of regression (Meyer, 1911; Frank, 1914). Meyer (1911 and 1932) observed that the blossom and regression stages were imperfectly limited and stated that the beginning of regression could not be definitely recognized. Novak (1934 and 1941) stated that regression begins shortly before the onset of menstruation, about the twenty-sixth day in a patient with a twenty-eight-day ovulatory cycle. The material to be presented here indicates rather that regression begins at the termination of the so-called vascularization stage, four to six days before the onset of menstruation. In order to avoid confusion, I wish to state that I shall not describe the reported specimens in relation to days of the menstrual cycle. The variability in the length of normal cycles is so great that the dating of specimens according to this method may lead to confusion. Since that portion of the menstrual cycle between the time of ovulation and the onset of menstruation is relatively constant, I shall date all specimens by the probable days of age of the corpus luteum. Exact age of a given corpus luteum is difficult to determine. Histologic characteristics offer the best method. It is possible to evaluate the approximate age within two to three days by these histologic characteristics. For the most exact age determinations, it is necessary to study a series of specimens in this report. By this method of comparison the age of an individual specimen can be estimated more accurately. The study of the normal endometrium is also an aid in making age determinations of corpora lutea.

REVIEW OF CURRENT CONCEPTS AND LITERATURE NO COMPLETE and satisfactory explanation has thus far been advanced to account for the peculiar ovulatory cycle of the domestic hen. Normally, the eggs are laid in clutches and each egg is usually laid progressively later on succeeding days. Oviposition of the first egg occurs early in the morning (e.g., 7 to 9 a.m.) and that of the terminal egg of the clutch sometime in the midafternoon. Clutches are usually separated by a one day interval of no lay and the lengths of clutches vary from one to one hundred or more eggs, the shorter lengths of 2 or 3 eggs constituting the typical clutch. An explanation of the asynchronous ovulation rhythm of the hen, i.e., the lag of Fraps (1954), must take into regard a number of facts that are known regarding ovulation in the bird and also explain the progressively delayed ovulation …

To demonstrate time of transformation of ovarian follicles from the resting stage to the rapid growth phase, Sudan black in ethanol was intravenously injected into laying hens, and 4 hr later Sudan red in water was injected into the same hens; the hens were killed 4 hr after the last injection for observation of the follicles. Injections were made at various times during an ovulatory cycle. In an additional experiment, hourly yolk deposition in the dark period (1900 to 0500 hr) was compared with that in the light period. Follicular transformation occurred at a high frequency within the period of 8 to 14 hr after ovulation. This period corresponded to the time between 1700 and 2400 hr. Hourly yolk deposition in the dark period was higher than that in the light period.

While maintaining hens in cages for another purpose, observations have been made on the presumed ovulatory cycle, and more particularly on the occasional failure of the phenomenon to result in normal oviposition. The abnormalities provide a basis for the different phases of egg formation, and effects on the ovulatory cycle. The existence of two asynchronous cycles as postulated by Bastian and Zarrow (1955) is endorsed. However, exception is taken to the usual concept of the egg clutch. Rather than a clutch representing the number of consecutive days on which eggs are laid, it is the number of eggs produced consecutively in which the interval between successive ovipositions does not exceed by more than 24 hours, the usual interval between eggs on consecutive days. This idea may be extended to the occurrence of oviposition on alternate days, or even on every third day. The requirement is that a rhythm must be …