Effects of senktide, a neurokinin 3 receptor agonist, on luteinizing hormone secretion and follicular development in anestrous Shiba goats: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that neurokinin B and its receptor, neurokinin 3 receptor, have an essential role in the regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone (LH) release in several mammalian species. As the first trial, this pilot study reports the effect of intravenous treatment with senktide, a selective agonist of neurokinin 3 receptor, on LH secretion, follicular development in female goats that were clinically diagnosed with anestrus. FINDINGS: Anestrous goats were intravenously administered 200 nmol senktide at 4-h intervals for 24 h. Most of them examined (5/6 cases) showed a pulsatile increase in LH secretion after each injection of senktide, whereas the remaining one case showed a surge-like increase of LH secretion. Ovulation was confirmed in 5/6 cases at the range of 48–96 h after the beginning of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrated that intravenous treatment with senktide has therapeutic action in goats with anestrus by inducing LH release, which could promote follicular development and ovulation.