Postovulatory effect of intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli, O55 : B5) on the endocrine status of recently ovulated sows

The effects of lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli, O55:B5), administered 18 h after ovulation in the second oestrus after weaning on the hormonal pr ofiles in 14 Swedish cross-bred (Landrace x Yorkshire) multiparous sows wer e studied. The endotoxin group (E-group) sows were administered with 300 ng /kg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) whereas the control group (C-group) sows we re administered 5 ml of saline intravenously via an indwelling jugular cann ula. Blood samples for hormonal analyses were collected from all sows until slaughter. In the E-group, progesterone, cortisol and prostaglandin F-2 al pha metabolite levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) following LPS comp ared with the C-group. It can be concluded from this study that apart from elevating cortisol and prostaglandin F-2 alpha metabolite, LPS also elevate s progesterone levels.