Treatment of Inactive Ovaries of Holstein Dairy Cows by Epidural Injection of GnRH Analogue (Receptal) and Its Impact on the Reproductive Hormones, Oxidant/Antioxidant Profile and Micro and Macro-Elements Profile

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Ovarian inactivity is one of the most common ovarian diseases that cause infertility. Several trials were carried out to find a reliable treatment for inactive ovaries. In veterinary medicine, numerous pharmacological substances are delivered into the epidural area, such as local anaesthetics and analgesics. Using this approach, hormones and analogues can also be administered to produce a targeted local pharmacological response. Since sympathetic neurons from the ovarian plexus nerve and the hypogastric nerve innervate the bovine ovaries, the epidural injection may have an indirect impact on the ovaries. In the present study, the epidural injection of Receptal has the potential to induce estrus response and conception incidences in cows have ovarian inactivity. Progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone concentrations were significantly increased in the cows treated with the epidural injection of Receptal, whereas testosterone and cortisol decreased following treatment. In addition, the treated cows had greater total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase concentrations than the non-treated cows. Serum concentrations of magnesium increased following receptal treatment, but differences in other minerals were not detected. This research suggests a novel, effective method of treating inactive ovaries with an epidural infusion of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. ABSTRACT: This study was designed to evaluate a new therapeutic approach for inactive ovaries based on the epidural administration of a GnRH agonist (Receptal) and an investigation of the impact of this treatment on the hormonal, oxidant/antioxidant and micro- and macro-element profiles. Sixty cows with postpartum anestrus were divided into two groups: the first group (group R(epid), n = 30) was administered an epidural injection of Receptal, while the second group (group C(epid), n = 30) received saline and was considered the control group. Evaluation of hormonal (progesterone, FSH, LH, testosterone, and cortisol), oxidant/antioxidant (MDA, SOD, GPx and TAC) as well as micro- and macroelement (calcium, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium) profiles was done in serum. The results showed that the epidural injection of Receptal has the potential to induce estrus response and conception incidence in treated cows. Compared to the control group, progesterone, FSH, and LH concentrations were significantly increased in the treated group, whereas testosterone and cortisol decreased (p < 0.05) following treatment. In addition, the treated group had greater TAC and GPx concentrations than the control group. Serum concentrations of magnesium increased (p < 0.05) following receptal treatment, but differences in other minerals were not detected. This research suggests a novel, effective method of treating inactive ovaries with epidural infusion of a GnRH agonist.