Uptake of glucose and cholesterol by the ovary of sheep and cattle and the influence of arterial LH concentrations

Time series analysis methods were used to evaluate the relationships between the uptake of glucose and cholesterol, and arterial luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations. Classical arterio-venous difference methods were applied to study ovarian uptake of metabolites. Arterial and venous samples (n=20) were obtained from six cows and nine sheep every 10 min. There were highly significant positive cross-correlations of 0.5 for cattle and 0.8 for sheep between the uptake of glucose and cholesterol at lag 0. All individual cross-correlations were significant for sheep. Uptake of these metabolites was not significantly associated with arterial LH concentrations in the cows. tudy suggests that glucose may promote cholesterol uptake into the ovarian cells or vice versa. This study is the first to identify such a relationship. If these findings are repeated, the possibility exists that control of the oestrous cycle and fertility may be achieved by seeking a common regulator of uptake of these metabolites or by uncoupling the association between glucose and cholesterol.