Lack of effects of growth hormone administration on ovarian function of lactating goats

Exogenous growth hormone (GH, 5 mg d−1) was given daily to lactating goats for 4 weeks (Experiment 1) and 100 days (Experiment 2). Treatment effects on milk production and milk composition were assessed. At the end of treatment, goats were slaughtered and one ovary was processed for histological analysis while the largest follicles of the other ovary were dissected, measured and incubated in vitro (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, following a synchronisation treatment, a superovulatory regime of pregnant mareʹs serum gonadotrophin (eCG) was given and ovulation rate measured at laparoscopy. In both experiments, GH administration raised milk yield (28.6% and 17% in Experiments 1 and 2 respectively). Circulating IGF1 concentrations were also increased following treatment. In contrast, no treatment effects were detected on the ovaries. In Experiment 1, the total population of antral follicles, their atresia, the number in specific size classes and the size of the largest healthy or atretic follicles were similar in control and GH treated ovaries. In addition, steroidogenesis (oestradiol and testosterone) by large follicles was also unaffected by treatment. In Experiment 2, eCG induced ovulation rate (control 6.9 ± 7.6, treated 4.2 ± 2.8) was also similar between groups. It is concluded that GH administration to lactating goats, while increasing milk production has no detrimental or positive consequences on ovarian function.