CONCENTRATION OF 17-BETA-ESTRADIOL AND PR OGESTERONE IN FOLLICULAR-FLUID, MUSCLE AND FAT IN FEMALE PIGS DEPENDENT ON THE ESTROUS-CYCLE

In an experiment with 95 mature female pigs the concentration of 17-be ta-estradiol and progesterone was analysed in follicular fluid, muscle and fat dependent on the oestrous cycle and the ovulation potency. Af ter slaughtering the follicular fluid and samples of Musculus glutaeus medius, back- and belly-fat were taken and analysed by radioimmunoass ay (RIA). It was found very high individual variations in concentratio n of 17-beta-estradiol during the oestrous cycle. An increase and decr ease of this hormones were observed in follicular fluid and muscle dep endent on the oestrous cycle with peaks during prooestrus and oestrus. In the fat is a higher concentration than in muscle but there are not concentration variations dependent on the cycle. The body-fat has the function as a depot of estradiol. The progesterone level in follicula r fluid, in muscle and fat is dependent on the oestrous cycle. Peak va lues were observed in follicular fluid during the oestrus, but in musc le and fat during the dioestrus. In fat the progesterone concentration is lower than in muscle. There is a positive correlation between the ovulation potency and the 17-beta-estradiol level in follicular fluid and body-fat. The progesterone level in follicular fluid is only posit ive correlated with the ovulation potency during the prooestrus and oe strus.