L in co ln Un i ve r s i t y D i g i t a l D i s se r t a t ion Cop y r i gh t S t a temen t Th e d i g i t a l cop y o f th i s d i s s e r t a t ion i s p ro te c t ed b y th e Cop y r i gh t A c t 1994 (N ew Z e a l and ) . Th i s d i s s e r t a t ion m a y b e con su l t ed b y you , p ro v id ed you comp l y w i th th e p ro v i s ion s o f th e A c t and th e fo l low in g cond i t ion s o f u s e : you w i l l u se th e cop y on l y fo r th e pu rpo s e s o f r e s e a r ch o r p r i v a t e s tud y you w i l l r e co gn i s e the au tho r ' s r i gh t to b e id en t i f i ed a s th e au tho r o f th e d i s s e r t a t ion and du e a c know l ed gem en t w i l l b e m ad e to th e au tho r wh e r e app rop r i a te you w i l l ob t a in th e au tho r ' s p e rm i s s ion b e fo r e pub l i sh in g an y m a t e r i a l f rom th e d i s s e r t a t ion . Oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s o f lu ce rne in fema le sheep A D i s se r t a t ion s ubm i t t ed in p a r t i a l fu l f i lmen t of the r equ i r emen t s fo r the De g r ee o f B a che lo r o f S c i en c e w i th Honou r s a t L in co ln Un i v e r s i t y b y L i s a Pee r s -­‐ Ad am s L in co ln Un i v e r s i t y 2015 Ab s t r a c t o f a D i s se r t a t ion subm i t t ed in p a r t i a l fu l f i lmen t o f the r equ i r emen t s fo r the De g r ee o f B a che lo r o f S c i en c e w i th Honou r s. Ab s t r a c t Oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s o f lu ce rne in fem a le sheep b y L i s a Pee r s -­‐ Ad am s Le gum inou s fodde r c rop s su ch a s lu ce rne con t a in oe s t ro gen i c sub s t an ce s and the i r p re cu r so r s th a t m a y in te r fe re w i th rep rodu c t ion in sheep . The re i s no de f in i te in fo rm a t ion abou t the a c tu a l le ve l s o f oe s t ro gen i c i t y o f New Ze a l and lu ce rne c rop s and the m a gn i tude o f the e f fe c t th a t the y h a ve on the rep rodu c t ion o f sheep . The re i s no in fo rm a t ion abou t when a c rop m a y be un s a fe fo r ewe s to g r a ze ju s t p r io r to m a t in g and a s imp le me a su remen t o f sheep i s needed to p ro v ide an a le r t so sheep f a rme r s c an mo ve sheep o f f a c rop o r le a ve them on know in g th a t the re w i l l be no de le te r iou s e f fe c t s on sub sequen t l amb in g pe r fo rm an ce . The sheep f a rm s tud y w a s an in c iden t a l f ind in g f rom a f a rme r who no t i ced udde r de ve lopmen t in p re-­‐ pube r t a l (25 -­‐ 28 wee k s o f a ge ) l amb s (n = 22 ) g r a z in g lu ce rne (oe s t ro gen i c i t y r an g in g f rom 98 .6 – 149 .6 µ g oe s t r ad io l equ i v a len t / k g DM ) comp a red w i th l amb s g r a z in g g r a s s (n = 36 ) th a t showed no udde r de ve lopmen t . D i f fe ren ce s in te a t len g th , te a t w id th , m amm a r y de ve lopmen t and vu l v a co lou r we re me a su red on two o c c a s ion s – s t r a i gh t a f te r g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c luce rne (12 M a r c h ) and 35 d a y s l a te r (16 Ap r i l ) , 4 wee k s a f te r the remo v a l f rom the lu ce rne c rop . The e xpe r imen t a l s tud y w a s de s i gned to p ro v ide a re fe ren ce c a l ib r a t ion w i th known do s a ge o f an oe s t ro gen . Fo r th i s 12 Coopwo r th ewe s (42 -­‐ 44 wee k s o f a ge ) we re r andom l y a s s i gned to one o f th ree t re a tmen t s (n = 4 , pe r t re a tmen t ) : 0 , 0 ,1 , 1 .0 m g β -­‐ oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s fo r 40 d a y s. Me a su remen t s o f te a t len g th , te a t w id th and m amm a r y de ve lopmen t w a s me a su red e ve r y 6 d a y s and , on d a y 41 , the ewe s we re k i l led and vu l v a co lou r , m amm a r y we i gh t , o v a r y we i gh t and u te ru s we i gh t we re me a su red and the numbe r o f fo l l i c le s and co rpo r a lu te a were coun ted . In bo th s tud ie s pho to g r aph s o f the m amm a r y re g ion we re t a ken to p ro v ide an a l te rn a t i ve me a su remen t te chn ique to u se o f c a l ipe r s . Re su l t s o f the sheep f a rm s tud y showed l amb s g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c lu ce rne we re he a v ie r , h ad lon ge r te a t len g th s (2 .1 mm d i f fe ren ce ) , w i th l a r ge r te a t w id th s (4 .63 mm d i f fe ren ce ) th an sheep g r a z in g g r a s s and m amm a r y de ve lopmen t ( in 14 ou t o f 25 l amb s g r a z in g lu ce rne ) h ad o c cu r red . The re w a s no ch an ge in vu l v a co lou r . A f te r remo v a l f rom lu ce rne the re w a s a i i s l i gh t redu c t io n in the oe s t ro gen-­‐ re l a ted ch an ge s and the g r a s s -­‐ fed l amb s h ad e xpe r ien ced some m amm a r y / te a t de ve lopmen t in the in te r ven in g pe r iod . In the e xpe r imen t a l t r i a l , the re we re do se-­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t s on the l i ve we i gh t , te a t len g th , m amm a r y de ve lopmen t , u te ru s we i g h t , o v a r y we i gh t and m amm a r y we i gh t . The re we re no ch an ge s in te a t w id th , vu l v a redne s s o r co lou r s a tu r a t ion , numbe r s o f o v a r i an fo l l i c le s and the re we re no co rpo r a lu te a p re sen t. Me a su remen t s t a ken f rom pho to g r aph s p ro v ided re l i ab le in fo rm a t ion abou t m amma r y / te a t d imen s ion s . A l thou gh the p re -­‐ pube r t a l l amb s g r a z in g lu ce rne we re re ce i v in g le s s oe s t r ad io l equ i v a len t d a i l y th an the o lde r ewe s supp l ied w i th k nown amoun t s o f oe s t r ad io l (181 .2 – 274 .9 µ g oe s t r ad io l equ i v a len t ve r su s 333 .3 µ g oe s t r ad io l pe r d a y , re spe c t i ve l y ), the y showed a g re a t e r sen s i t i v i t y to th i s ho rmon a l s t imu lu s th an w a s e xh ib i ted b y the pube r t a l ewe s . Ke ywo rd s : ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s , oe s t ro gen , sheep , lu ce rne , rep rodu c t ion , coume s t ro l, oe s t r ad io l i i i A c know led gemen t s F i r s t l y , I wou ld l i ke to th an k m y supe r v i so r A s so c i a te P ro fe s so r G r ah am B a r re l l fo r h i s gu id an ce , suppo r t and con s t ru c t i ve c r i t i c i sm th rou ghou t the ye a r and the du r a t ion o f m y de g ree . Th i s wo r k re ce i ved f in an c i a l a s s i s t an ce f rom Bee f and L amb New Ze a l and and u sed f a c i l i t ie s p ro v ided b y the Dep a r tmen t o f A g r i cu l tu r a l S c ien ce s o f L in co ln Un i ve r s i t y. I wou ld l i ke to e x tend m y g r a t i tude to the s t a f f a t the John s tone Memo r i a l L abo r a to r y fo r the i r te chn i c a l a s s i s t an ce , e spe c i a l l y J ame s Me ye r fo r a l l h i s he lp w i th the sheep and Rob in M cAnu l t y fo r h i s a s s i s t an ce . Th an k s to M a r t in We l lb y fo r m a k in g up the o i l so lu t ion s and ge t t in g the equ ipmen t and re sou r ce s o r g an i sed fo r me and Ch r i s Lo g an fo r o r g an i s in g the e xpe r imen t a l sheep . Sh a r yn and Ju l i an P r i ce , th an k you f o r supp l y in g the sheep in the f a rm sheep s tud y and fo r you r en thu s i a sm o f the p ro je c t . I w i sh to a c know led ge M i che le W i l son fo r he r a s s i s t an ce w i th b lood s amp l in g and R a che l F ie ld s fo r he r le ad in g ro le in the sheep f a rm s tud y . To a l l m y f r iend s who h a ve pu t up w i th me th i s ye a r – th an k you fo r the en cou r a gemen t o ve r the p a s t ye a r . A spe c i a l shou t ou t to m y fe l low honou r s s tuden t s who h a ve been in the s ame po s i t ion a s me a l l ye a r and h a ve m an a ged to m a ke th i s ye a r le s s s t re s s fu l . I th an k m y f am i l y fo r a l l the i r unw a ve r in g suppo r t and en cou r a gemen t th rou ghou t the ye a r s . F in a l l y , I a c know led ge and th an k m y p a r tne r Ku r t fo r he lp in g w i th the t r i a l in the wee kend s ( fo r s a k in g hun t in g ) , p roo f-­‐ re ad in g m y d i s se r t a t ion m an y t ime s and be in g s uppo r t i ve th rou ghou t the ye a r s . i v T ab le o f Con ten t s Ab s t ra c t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i i A c know led gemen t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i v Tab le o f Conten t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v L i s t o f Tab le s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v i i L i s t o f F i gu re s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v i i i Chap te r 1 In t rodu c t ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chap te r 2 L i te ra tu re Re v iew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 .1 In t rodu c t ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 .2 Oe s t ro gen s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 .2 .1 Ro le o f oe s t ro gen s in rum in an t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 .3 Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 .3 .1 C l a s se s o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 .3 .2 Me t abo l i sm o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2 .4 Oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 .5 E f fe c t s o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s in rum in an t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 .5 .1 C lo ve r d i se a se . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 .5 .2 Te mpo r a r y in fe r t i l i t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 .5 .3 Pe rm anen t in fe r t i l i t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 .6 Mo rpho lo g i c a l ch an ge s a s so c i a ted w i th oe s t ro gen s and ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2 .6 .1 Te a t s i ze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2 .6 .2 M amm a r y g l and s i ze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 2 .6 .3 Vu l v a co lou r ch an ge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2 .6 .4 U te r ine s i ze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2 .6 .5 O v a r y we i gh t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2 .7 Summ a r y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Chap te r 3 Ma te r i a l s and Me thod s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3 .1 Sheep f a rm s tud y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3 .1 .1 Me a su remen t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3 .2 E xpe r imen t a l s tud y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3 .2 .1 Oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3 .2 .2 Me a su remen t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 3 .3 S t a t i s t i c a l an a l y se s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Chap te r 4 Re su l t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4 .1 Sheep f a rm s tud y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4 .1 .1 L i ve we i gh t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4 .1 .2 M amm a r y de ve lopmen t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4 .1 .3 Te a t s i ze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4 .1 .4 Vu l v a co lou r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 4 .1 .5 Pho to g r aph i c me a su remen t s – comp a r i son w i th d i re c t ( c a l ipe r ) me a su remen t s . . . . 19 v 4 .2 E xpe r imen t a l S tud y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 4 .2 .1 L i ve we i gh t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 4 .2 .2 M amm a r y de ve lopmen t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 4 .2 .3 Te a t s i ze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 4 .2 .4 M amm a r y de ve lopmen t and te a t s i ze de te rm ined f rom pho to g r aph s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 4 .2 .5 Rep rodu c t i ve t r a c t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 4 .2 .6 Vu l v a co lou r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Chap te r 5 D i s cu s s ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Con c lu s ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Fu r the r re se a r ch oppo r tun i t ie s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Re fe ren ce s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Append i x A Mamma r y g l and pho to g raph s f rom sheep fa rm s tud y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Append i x B Vu l va pho to g raph s f rom sheep fa rm s tud y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Append i x C Mamma r y g l and pho to g raph s f rom e xpe r imen ta l s tud y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Append i x D Vu l va pho to g raph s f rom e xpe r imen ta l s tud y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 v i L i s t o f T ab le s T ab le 4 .1 Mean (± s .e .m . ) l i ve we i gh t o f ewe l amb s fed on r ye g r a s s / c lo ve r p a s tu re (G r a s s ) o r lu ce rne ( Lu ce rne ) re co rded on 2 o c c a s ion s in a pe r iod o f 35 d a y s du r in g l a te summe r 2015 and the i r me an (± s .e .m . ) l i ve we i gh t g a in du r in g th i s pe r iod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 1 1 T ab le 4 .2 Mean (± s .e .m . ) te a t w id th1, te a t len g th and udde r w id th me a su remen t s ( a l l in mm ) re co rded w i th c a l ipe r s comp a red w i th v a lue s ob t a ined f rom pho to g r aph s and the d i f fe ren ce s (me an ± s .e .m . ) be tween the se me a su remen t s . D a t a in c lude a l l me a su remen t s t a ken on 12 M a r ch and 16 Ap r i l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 T ab le 4 .3 L i ve we i gh t re co rded o n 3 o c c a s ion s in a pe r iod o f 40 d a y s and l i ve we i gh t g a in o f sheep (n = 4 pe r t re a tmen t ) t re a ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s ( Low oe s t r ad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s (H i gh oe s t r ad io l ) o r no t t re a ted (Con t ro l ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 1 1 1 T ab le 4 .4 Mean (± s .e .m . ) te a t w id th , te a t len g th and udde r w id th me a su remen t s ( a l l in mm ) when t a ken u s in g the c a l ipe r s comp a red to when t a ken u s in g a pho to g r aph w i th a ru le r in p re sen t v iew and the me an (± s .e .m . ) d i f fe ren ce be tween the two me a su remen t s . D a t a in c lude s a l l me a su remen t s th rou ghou t the du r a t ion o f the 40-­‐ d a y t r i a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 T ab le 4 .5 Po s t s l au gh te r me a su remen t s (me an ± s .e .m . ) o f m amm a r y we i gh t , u te ru s we i gh t , o v a r y we i gh t1 and vu l v a co lou r re co rded on d a y 41 o f sheep (n = 4 pe r t re a tmen t ) t re a ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s ( Low oe s t r ad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s (H i gh oe s t r ad io l ) o r no t t re a ted (Con t ro l ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 T ab le 4 .6 Numbe r o f fo l l i c le s w i th in d i ame te r s i ze r an ge s l i s ted he re re co rded po s t s l au gh te r on d a y 41 o f the sheep o f sheep (n = 4 pe r t re a tmen t ) t re a ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s ( Low oe s t r ad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s (H i gh oe s t r ad io l ) o r no t t re a ted (C on t ro l ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 v i i L i s t o f F i gu re s F i gu re 4 .1 Mean te a t len g th1 o f sheep g r a z in g g r a s s o r lu ce rne up to 12 M a r ch ( le f t h and b a r s ) , then g r a s s on l y un t i l 16 Ap r i l ( r i gh t h and b a r s ) . Ve r t i c a l b a r s rep re sen t ± S . E .M . . . . . . 18 F i gu re 4 .2 Mean te a t w id th1 o f sheep g r a z in g g r a s s o r lu ce rne up to 12 M a r ch ( le f t h and b a r s ) , then g r a s s on l y un t i l 16 Ap r i l ( r i gh t h and b a r s ) . Ve r t i c a l b a r s rep re sen t ± S . E .M . . . . . . . . 19 F i gu re 4 .3 Tea t len g th1 re co rded e ve r y 3 d a y s in a pe r iod o f 40 d a y s o f sheep (n = 4 pe r t re a tmen t ) t re a ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s ( Low oe s t r ad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t r ad iol e ve r y 3 d a y s (H i gh oe s t r ad io l ) o r no t t re a ted (Con t ro l ) . Ve r t i c a l b a r s rep re sen t ± s .e .m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 1 F i gu re 4 .4 Tea t w id th re co rded e ve r y 3 d a y s in a pe r iod o f 40 d a y s o f sheep (n=4 pe r t re a tmen t ) t re a ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s ( Low oe s t r ad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t r ad io l e ve r y 3 d a y s (H i gh oe s t r ad io l ) o r no t t re a ted (Con t ro l ) . Ve r t i c a l b a r s rep re sen t ± s .e .m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 v i i i Ch ap te r 1 In t rodu c t ion Fo r a ge p l an t s f rom the le gum inou s f am i l y a re w ide l y u sed in New Ze a l and a g r i cu l tu r a l p rodu c t ion s y s tem s . The mo s t common fo r a ge spe c ie s u sed a re lu ce rne (M ed i cago sa t i va L . ) , wh i te c lo ve r ( T r i fo l ium r ep en s L . ) , sub te r r ane an c lo ve r ( T r i fo l ium sub t e r ran eum L . ) and red c lo ve r ( T r i fo l ium p ra t en s e L . ) . The se fo r a ge s po ten t i a l l y con t a in b io lo g i c a l l y a c t i ve oe s t ro ge n i c compound s c a l led ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s th a t h a ve a chem i c a l s t ru c tu re s im i l a r to n a tu r a l l y o c cu r r in g oe s t ro gen s the re fo re m im i c the i r a c t i v i t y . The s im i l a r chem i c a l s t ru c tu re a l low s them to a c t on the oe s t ro gen re cep to r s to indu ce oe s t ru s and c au se mo rpho lo g i c a l ch an ge s in the rep rodu c t i ve t r a c t the re fo re the y c an redu ce the rep rodu c t i ve e f f i c ien c y o f dome s t i c l i ve s to c k (Ad am s , 1995 ; Ku r ze r and Xu , 1997 ) . Lu ce rne i s a h i gh qu a l i t y feed fo r d r y l and p a s tu re s due to i t s h i gh w a te r u se e f f i c ien c y and h i gh c rude p ro te in con ten t . Coume s t ro l , a ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen i c compound , i s p re sen t in lu ce rne and i t h a s the po ten t i a l to redu ce the o vu l a t ion r a te o f ewe s th a t g r a ze i t du r in g o r p r io r to m a t in g . The con cen t r a t ion o f coume s t ro l in lu ce rne i s h i gh l y v a r i ab le and h i gh l y dependen t on a numbe r o f en v i ronmen t a l f a c to r s the re fo re i s no t a lw a y s po ten t enou gh to e xe r t an oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t (O ld f ie ld e t a l , 1966 ) . The le ve l o f oe s t ro gen i c compound s in lu ce rne i s con s ide r ab l y le s s th an tho se repo r ted in sub te r r ane an c lo ve r the re fo re the e f fe c t s on rep rodu c t ion a re no t a s p rom inen t . The se e f fe c t s in c lude de c re a sed l amb in g r a te s , de c re a sed o v a r i an a c t i v i t y and redu ced o vu l a t ion r a te (Coop , 1977 ; New some and K i t t s , 1977 ; S c a le s e t a l . , 1977 ) . Lu ce rne doe s con t a in o the r ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s , su ch a s fo rmonone t in wh i ch i s con s ide red the mo s t p rom inen t i so f l a vone th a t in f luen ce s rep rodu c t ion in dome s t i c l i ve s to c k , howe ve r , the se on l y a c cumu l a te in sm a l l qu an t i t ie s in lu ce rne comp a red to e t a l . , 1995 ) . coume s t ro l (Ad am s , 1995 ; Nw annenn a Phy to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s h a ve a s im i l a r s t ru c tu re to oe s t r ad io l and beh a ve l i ke endo genou s oe s t ro gen s . In the i r a c t i ve fo rm the y b ind w i th oe s t ro gen re cep to r s . Th i s b ind in g c au se s de te c t ab le ch an ge s in the rep rodu c t i ve t r a c t o f fem a le sheep . Ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s c an e f fe c t u te r ine e ven t s and indu ce in c re a sed udde r and vu l v a de ve lopmen t (O ld f ie ld e t a l . , 1966 ; New some and K i t t s , 1980 ) . P rob lem s c an be me a su red b y redu ced l amb in g r a te s and ch an ge s in m amm a r y g l and , vu l v a , and te a t p a r ame te r s . The a im o f th i s s tud y w a s to me a su re the s t imu l a to r y e f fe c t s o f oe s t ro gen i c lu ce rne on the m amm a r y g l and s and te a t s o f p re -­‐ pube r t a l sheep in New Ze a l and and to re l a te the oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s re co rded on-­‐ f a rm to tho se p rodu ced b y a p re c i se do se adm in i s t r a t ion o f oe s t r ad io l to sheep . I t a l so a imed to 1 demon s t r a te the u t i l i t y o f pho to g r aph i c p ro cedu re to rep l a ce d i re c t me a su remen t s o f m amm a r y and te a t de ve lopmen t and oe s t ro gen -­‐ indu ced co lou r ch an ge s in e x te rn a l gen i t a l i a . 2 Ch ap te r 2 L i te r a tu re Re v iew 2 .1 In t rodu c t ion Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s m im i c endo genou s oe s t ro gen s and b ind w i th oe s t ro gen re cep to r s e xe r t in g oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s on the cen t r a l ne r vou s s y s tem s c au s in g ch an ge s in the rep rodu c t ion t r a c t o f sheep (Ku r ze r and Xu , 1997 ) . O ve r 300 p l an t s h a ve h i gh enou gh le ve l s o f oe s t ro gen i c a c t i v i t y th rou gh ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen con cen t r a t ion to be ab le to in i t i a te oe s t rou s beh a v iou r in an im a l s (Ku r ze r and Xu , 1997 ) . Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s and the i r e f fe c t s h a s been w ide l y s tud ied in l abo r a to r y an im a l s , hum an s , sheep and c a t t le . Th i s l i te r a tu re re v iew co ve r s oe s t ro gen s and the i r ro le in the de ve lopmen t and the re gu l a t ion o f rep rodu c t ion s y s tem s and the chem i c a l s t ru c tu re and me t abo l i sm o f ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s and the e f fe c t th a t the y h a ve in sheep w i th p a r t i cu l a r re fe ren ce to the i r po ten t i a l to redu ce rep rodu c t i ve pe r fo rm an ce on f a rm s . In add i t ion , the mo rpho lo g i c a l ch an ge s a s so c i a ted w i th in c re a sed oe s t ro gen and ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen con sump t ion i s de s c r ibed . 2 .2 Oe s t ro gen s Oe s t ro gen s a re a g roup o f s te ro id ho rmone s th a t a re in vo l ved in the re gu l a t ion o f rep rodu c t ion , p a r t i cu l a r l y in fem a le s . The y a re comp r i sed o f fou r c a rbon r in g s , one o f the se (A-­‐ r in g ) be in g a rom a t i c , and h a ve a to t a l o f 18 -­‐ c a rbon a tom s . N a tu r a l l y o c cu r r in g oe s t ro gen s a re s te ro id b a sed , a s a re o the r se x ho rmone s in vo l ved in rep rodu c t ion su ch a s the p ro ge s to gen s (21 c a rbon s ) and the and ro gen s (19 c a rbon s ) . S te ro id b a sed ho rmone s a re de r i ved f rom cho le s te ro l , a 27 -­‐ c a rbon mo le cu le . Cho le s te ro l b ind s to l ipop ro te in re cep to r s and i s t a ken up b y s te ro ido gen i c ce l l s whe re i t i s s to red and t r an spo r ted to the s i te s o f s te ro id s yn the s i s . Du r in g s te ro id s yn the s i s , the d i f fe ren t s te ro id -­‐ b a sed ho rmone s a re fo rmed th rou gh a reduc t ion in c a rbon numbe r s (G rube r e t a l . , 2002 ) . The th ree m a jo r n a tu r a l l y o c cu r r in g oe s t ro gen s a re 17-­‐ β oe s t r ad io l , oe s t rone and oe s t r io l . The y a re chem i c a l l y s im i l a r to e a ch o the r ye t h a ve d i f fe ren t ro le s in the bod y and a re p re sen t a t d i f fe r in g con cen t r a t ion s th rou ghou t the bod y . Oe s t rone p redom in a te s in dome s t i c l i ve s to c k du r in g p re gn an c y wh i le oe s t r ad io l i s in abund an ce in the non-­‐ p re gn an t an im a l (Ree ce , 1991 ) . The p r im a r y sou r ce s o f oe s t r ad io l a re the the c a and g r anu lo s a ce l l s o f the o v a r ie s , howe ve r o the r t i s sue s su ch a s ad ipo se t i s sue h a ve the ab i l i t y to s yn the s i se oe s t r ad io l the re fo re con t r ibu t in g to i t s o ve r a l l con cen t r a t ion in e t a l . , 2002 ) . the bod y (Ne l son and Bu lun , 2001 ; G rube r 3 2 .2 .1 Ro le o f oe s t ro gen s in rum in an t s Oe s t ro gen s p l a y a ro le in m an y ph y s io lo g i c a l p ro ce s se s . In the b r a in the y h a ve been shown to re gu l a te the a c t i v i t y o f m an y neu ro t r an sm i t te r s and neu ropep t ide s s y s tem s b y a l te r in g the con cen t r a t ion o f the i r re cep to r s o r a c t in g a t the s yn the s i s / re le a se le ve l (B a l th a z a r t e t a l . , 2009 ) . Howe ve r , the i r p r in c ip le fun c t ion i s the de ve lopmen t and re gu l a t ion o f the rep rodu c t i ve s y s tem . The y a re in vo l ved in ce llu l a r p ro l i fe r a t ion and g row th o f rep rodu c t i ve o r g an s . Th i s in c lude s : s t imu l a t ion o f the endome t r i a l g l and g row th , s t imu l a t ion o f m amm a r y g l and du c t g row th and in c re a s in g se c re to r y a c t i v i t y o f u te r ine du c t s (Ree ce , 1991 ) . The y a l so h a ve in vo l vemen t in feed b a c k con t ro l o f gon ado t rop in se c re t ion , s t imu l a t ion o f fo l l i cu l a r g row th and m a tu r a t ion , in i t i a t ion o f se xu a l re cep t i v i t y and some in vo l vemen t in c re a t in g a f a vou r ab le u te r ine en v i ronmen t fo r fe r t i l i sed e g g ce l l s to de ve lop and he lp in g the u te ru s p rep a re fo r p a r tu r i t ion (B a l th a z a r t e t a l . , 2009 ) . Fo r fem a le con cep t ion to be su c ce s s fu l , o vu l a t ion need s to o c cu r . An in c re a se in the oe s t r ad io l con cen t r a t ion du r in g o vu l a t ion t r i g ge r s the gon ado t rop in re le a s in g ho rmone (GnRH ) su r ge , wh i ch gene r a te s the p reo vu l a t o r y su r ge o f lu te in i z in g ho rmone ( LH ) . Th i s i s a po s i t i ve feedb a c k me ch an i sm o f oe s t r ad io l th a t wo r k s b y b ind in g oe s t r ad io l to oe s t r ad io l re cep to r s ( ERα ) lo c a ted in spe c i f i c h ypo th a l am i c nu c le i , h a v in g a s t imu l a t i ve e f fe c t in the su r ge p ro ce s s re su l t in g in the ob se r ved su r ge s o f GnRH and LH . Th i s su r ge me ch an i sm in vo l v in g oe s t r ad io l i s demon s t r a ted in fem a le s o f mo s t spe c ie s (Go rdon , 1997 ; C l a r k son and He rb i son , 2009 ) . The numbe r o f oe s t r ad io l re cep to r s in the an te r io r p i tu i t a r y g l and in c re a se s the sen s i t i v i t y o f gon ado t roph s to GnRH (Ne t t e t a l . , 1984 ) . 2 .3 Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s a re d ipheno l i c , oe s t ro gen i c , p l an t-­‐ de r i ved compound s th a t h a ve a s im i l a r chem i c a l s t ru c tu re to oe s t ro gen s and c an b ind w i th oe s t ro gen re cep to r s c au s in g an e f fe c t . A l thou gh the y m im i c the beh a v iou r o f oe s t r ad io l , the i r e f fe c t s a re no t a lw a y s in te r ch an ge ab le (Ad am s , 1995 ) . Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s c an be chem i c a l l y de s c r ibed a s be in g compo sed o f ‘ a p l an a r r in g s y s tem th a t in c lude s a p -­‐ h yd ro x y l-­‐ sub s t i tu ted a rom a t i c r in g , app ro x im a te l y 12 A ° aw a y f rom a se cond p l an a r h yd ro x y l g roup ’ ( Tu rne r e t a l . , 2007 ) . Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s c an be c l a s s i f ied in to th ree m a in chem i c a l c l a s se s -­‐ coume s t an s , i so f l a vone s and l i gn an s . E a ch ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s h a s a s l i gh t l y d i f fe ren t chem i c a l s t ru c tu re a l thou gh the s t ru c tu re s o f a l l the c l a s se s a re s im i l a r to n a tu r a l and s yn the t i c oe s t ro gen s and an t i -­‐ oe s t ro gen s (Ku r ze r and Xu , 1997 ) . The se s l i gh t d i f fe ren ce s re su l t in the b io lo g i c a l a c t i v i t y o f the d i f fe ren t c l a s se s h a v in g v a r i a t ion e t a l . , 2007 ) . Ph y to -­‐ oes t ro gen s e xe r t oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s on the cen t r a l ne r vou s s y s tem , ( Tu rne r indu ce oe s t ru s and s t imu l a te g row th o f gen i t a l t r a c t s in fem a le s (Ku r ze r and Xu , 1997 ) . The se e f fe c t s 4 a re e xe r ted th rou gh a s in g le nu c le a r re cep to r known a s oe s t ro gen re cep to r s and two fo rm s e x i s t – oe s t ro gen re cep to r α and oe s t ro gen re cep to r β ( Tu rne r e t a l . , 2007 ) . The se re cep to r s a re lo c a ted in rep rodu c t ion -­‐ a s so c i a ted t i s sue s a s we l l a s in the he a r t , b r a in , l i ve r and bone s . Oe s t ro gen re cep to r α i s p r im a r i l y e xp re s sed in the gon ad a l t i s sue s and a l so in low con cen t r a t ion s in o the r t i s sue s su ch a s the k idne y , the b r a in and ad ipo se t i s sue , whe re a s oe s t ro gen re cep to r β i s p r im a r i l y e xp re s sed in non -­‐ gon ad a l t i s sue su ch a s co lon , bone m a r row and the b r a in (Cu i e t a l . , 2013 ) . The a f f in i t y o f ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s to b ind to the oe s t ro gen re cep to r s v a r ie s depend in g on the sub s t r a te . Some sub s t r a te s h a ve equ a l a f f in i t ie s fo r bo th re cep to r s , some h a ve an in c re a sed a f f in i t y fo r a p a r t i cu l a r oe s t ro gen re cep to r and some se le c t i ve l y b ind to a s in g le oe s t ro gen r e cep to r . Fo r e x amp le , i so f l a vone s a re c ap ab le o f b ind in g to bo th o f the oe s t ro gen re cep to r s , ho we ve r gen i s te in , an i so f l a vone , h a s a 7 – 30 t ime s g re a te r b ind in g a f f in i t y fo r oe s t ro gen re cep to r β . Th i s i s con s ide red re l a t i ve l y se le c t i ve b ind in g ( Tu rne r e t a l. , 2007 ) . 2 .3 .1 C l a s se s o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s A s in g le p l an t w i l l o f ten con t a in mo re th an one c l a s s o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen . Ou t o f the th ree m a in c l a s se s , i so f l a vone s and l i gn an s h a ve been iden t i f ied a s be in g the mo s t p re v a len t (Ku r ze r and Xu , 1997 ; Mu r k ie s e t a l . , 1998 ) . I so f l a vone s a re a t ype o f i so f l a v ano id , wh i ch a re n a tu r a l l y o c cu r r in g , b io lo g i c a l l y a c t i ve compound s . The y a re a lmo s t e x c lu s i ve l y p rodu ced in the F ab a ce ae f am i l y , wh i ch in c lude s be an s , le gume s and pe a s . Fo rmonone t in , gen i s te in and d a id ze in a re a l l e x amp le s o f i so f l a vone s and a l l e xe r t d i f fe ren t le ve l s o f oe s t ro gen i c a c t i v i t y , wh i ch depend s on the p l an t spe c ie s th a t the y a re p re sen t in . Fo rmonone t in i t se l f i s no t an oe s t ro gen i c sub s t r a te bu t in the rumen i t i s me t abo l i sed m a in l y to equo l , wh i ch i s oes t ro gen i c . I t i s p re sen t in red c lo ve r and be l ie ved to be the m a in c au se o f rep rodu c t i ve p rob lem s su ch a s pe rm anen t in fe r t i l i t y in sheep th a t h a ve h ad p ro lon ged e xpo su re to red c lo ve r (Co x and B r aden , 1974 ; Ku r ze r and Xu , 1997 ; D i xon , 2004 ) . Coume s t ro l i s the m a in ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen o f the coume s t an c l a s s i f i c a t ion . I t c an be found in oe s t ro gen i c fo r a ge s su ch a s lu ce rne , howe ve r , coume s t an s le ve l s a re u su a l l y low and do no t e xe r t an e f fe c t . Coume s t ro l le ve l s in lu ce rne c an r i se due to an a r r a y o f f a c to r s and when the y a re p re sen t in con cen t r a t ion s h i ghe r th an 20 -­‐ 50 m g / k g o f DM then i t e xe r t s an e f fe c t on the rep rodu c t i ve s y s tem su ch a s in c re a s in g rep rodu c t i ve o r g an de ve lopmen t in sheep . I t h a s the g re a te s t a c t i v i t y o f an y o f the th th a t o f oe s t r ad io l 17 -­‐ β (Won g e t a l . , ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen compound s s tud ied and i t s po ten c y i s 1 /1000 1971 ; New some and K i t t s , 1980 ; Ad am s , 1986 ; Ad am s 1995 ) . L i gn an s common l y o c cu r th rou ghou t p l an t s due to the i r ro le in p l an t de fen ce . The y a re common l y found in r ye and f l a x seed s and in the ou te r l a ye r s o f ce re a l s and g r a in s (D i xon , 2004 ) . On l y ce r t a in 5 t ype s o f p l an t l i gn an s a re o f impo r t an ce in te rm s o f e xe r t in g an oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s and the se a re the one s th a t a re con ve r ted to en te ro l a c tone and en te rod io l b y the in te s t in a l m i c ro f lo r a . E x amp le s o f l i gn an s con ve r ted to en te ro l a c tone and en te rod io l a re se co i so l a r i c i re s ino l and m a t a i re s ino l (W an g e t a l . , 2002 ) . 2 .3 .2 Me t abo l i sm o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s The me t abo l i c f a te o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s in f luen ce s the oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t th a t i t e xe r t s due to me t abo l ism e i the r in c re a s in g o r de c re a s in g oe s t ro gen i c a c t i v i t y (Ad am s , 1995 ; Lundh , 1995 ) . Due to d i f fe ren ce s in me t abo l i sm be tween rum in an t s and mono g a s t r i c s , the y b re a k down and me t abo l i se ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s d i f fe ren t l y . In rum in an t s , me t abo l i sm o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s i s d i re c t l y a f fe c ted b y the rum in a l m i c ro f lo r a a s the y re ad i l y h yd ro l y se the ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s (Chee ke , 1998 ) . The m i c ro-­‐ o r g an i sm s in the rumen c an t a ke be tween 6 – 10 d a y s to ad ap t to sub s t r a te s su ch a s gen i s te in and b io ch an in A , re su l t in g in them e xe r tin g the i r oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s fo r the f i r s t coup le o f d a y s fo l low in g the in t rodu c t ion o f an oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re bu t no t h a v in g an y lon g -­‐ te rm e f fe c t s (Ad am s , 1995 ) . Me t abo l i sm o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s depend s on the c l a s s o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen due to the s l i gh t d i ffe ren ce s in the chem i c a l s t ru c tu re (Ku r ze r and Xu , 1997 ) . Coume s t ro l i s ab so rbed in to an an im a l in i t s a c t i ve fo rm and c an be de te c ted in the p l a sm a a s soon a s 1 hou r fo l low in g in ge s t ion (Ke l l y and L ind s a y , 1978 ) . Deme th y l a t ion c an in c re a se the oe s t ro gen ic i t y b y in c re a s in g the sub s t r a te a f f in i t y fo r oe s t ro gen re cep to r s . Fo r e x amp le , 4 ’me tho x y -­‐ coume s t ro l h a s g re a te r oe s t ro gen i c i t y fo l low in g deme th y l a t ion , wh i ch a l low s the h yd ro x y l g roup to b ind to the oe s t ro gen re cep to r (Ad am s , 1995 ) . F ree coume s t ro l , wh i ch i s oe s t ro gen i c a l l y a c t i ve , a c coun t s fo r 20 -­‐ 40% o f the c i r cu l a t in g coume s t ro l (Ke l l y and L ind s a y , 1978 ) . The len g th o f t ime th a t ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s s t a y in the rumen , a f fe c t s the i r me t abo l i sm . The re ten t ion t ime o f i so f l a vone s in the rumen i s the m a in con t r ibu to r to the i r de g r ad a t ion and de to x i f i c a t ion ( L i v in g s tone , 1978 ; Lundh e t a l . , 1990 ) . Rumen m i c roo r g an i sm s b re a k down i so f l a vone s su ch a s b io ch an in A and gen i s te in in to the i r non-­‐ oe s t ro gen i c me t abo l i te s (Co x and B r aden , 1974 ) . Fo rmonone t in i s the mo s t i mpo r t an t i so f l a vone in te rm s o f lon g-­‐ te rm oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s in rum in an t s con sum in g sub te r r ane an and red c lo ve r ( Lundh e t a l . , 1990 ; Ad am s , 1995 ) . Fo rmonone t in h a s low oe s t ro gen i c i t y howe ve r i t i s deme th y l a ted to d a id ze in and fu r the r me t abo l i sed v i a h yd rogen a t ion to equo l , wh i ch i s a h i gh l y oe s t ro gen i c compound and i s r ap id l y ab so rbed th rou gh the rum in a l w a l l and g a s t ro -­‐ in te s t in a l t r a c t . Equo l i s thou gh t to be the m a jo r oe s t ro gen i c compound th a t in i t i a te s oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s in sheep (N i l s son e t a l . , 1967 ; Shu t t and B r aden , 1968 ; Lundh e t a l . , 1990 ; Ad am s , 1995 ) . 6 The me t abo l i sm o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s i s s im i l a r in c a t t le howe ve r the re a re m ino r d i f fe ren ce s (Ad am s , 1995 ) . C a t t le appe a r to be le s s sen s i t i ve and le s s a f fe c ted b y ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s th an sheep ( Lundh , 1995 ) . A t the s ame re l a t i ve p l a sm a con cen t r a t ion , i so f l a vone s h a ve been shown to h a ve le s s o f an e f fe c t on c a t t le th an sheep (Ad am s , 1995 ) . D i f fe ren ce s be tween the me t abo l i sm o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s o f sheep and c a t t le h a ve been con t r ibu ted to the i r d i f fe r in g con cen t r a t ion s o f oe s t ro gen re cep to r s and the i r ab i l i t y to compe t i t i ve l y b ind . Sheep u te r ine con cen t r a t ion o f oe s t ro gen re cep to r s i s two to fou r t ime s h i ghe r th an in c a t t le . Sheep a re a l so mo re e f f i c ien t a t con ju g a t in g ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s th an c a t t le – con ju g a t in g i s an impo r t an t me ch an i sm in an im a l s to be ab le to de to x i f y feed sub s t an ce s in c lud in g p l an t oe s t ro gen s ( Lundh , 1995 ) . 2 .4 Oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s Oe s t ro gen i c p l an t s a re common th rou ghou t the p l an t k in gdom , mo re so in le gume s . Le gume spe c ie s a re w ide l y u sed in a g r i cu l tu re p rodu c t ion s y s tem s due to the i r h i gh p ro te in con ten t and the i r ab i l i t y to f i x n i t ro gen . I so f l a vone s a re mo s t common l y found in p a s tu re s ; n ame l y sub te r r ane an c lo ve r , red c lo ve r and so ybe an , and the mo s t common sou r ce s o f coume s t an s a re l u ce rne , wh i te c lo ve r and the med i c s . The d ie t a r y con cen t r a t ion o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s needed to e xe r t an oe s t rou s e f fe c t i s re l a t i ve l y s im i l a r a c ro s s spe c ie s (Ad am s , 1996 ) . The ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen con ten t o f fo r a ge s i s h i gh l y v a r i ab le . Gene t i c v a r i a t ion i s re spons ib le fo r a s i gn i f i c an t po r t ion o f ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen v a r i a t ion in p l an t s . Th i s i s e v iden t w i th i so f l a vone v a r i a t ion in c lo ve r v a r y in g w i th d i f fe ren t sub te r r ane an c lo ve r s t r a i n s (M i l l in g ton e t a l . , 1964; N i co l l ie r and Thomp son , 1982 ) . The a c cumu l a t ion o f ph yto -­‐ oe s t ro gen s and the po ten c y o f fo r a ge s a l so depend s on the se a son , en v i ronmen t a l f a c to r s , cu l t i v a r , a ge and s t re s se s su ch a s d i se a se and fun g i (O ld f ie ld e t , 1966 ) . The p l an t p a r t a l so d i f fe r s in ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen con cen t r a t ion and in lu ce rne a v a r i a t ion h a s a l. been ob se r ved be tween the s tem , le a f and f lowe r o f the p l an t . The d i f fe ren ce in ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen con ten t o f the p l an t p a r t and the p ropo r t ion s o f p l an t componen t s in a s t and imp a c t the ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen con ten t o f h a r ve s ted m a te r i a l ( Se gu in e t a l . , 2004 ) . The v a r i ab i l i t y in ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen con cen t r a t ion s m a ke s i t d i f f i cu l t to ge t an a c cu r a te me a su remen t o f the oe s t ro gen i c i t y o f a c rop . 2 .5 E f fe c t s o f ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s in rum in an t s The e f fe c t th a t ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s e xe r t in te rm s o f oe s t rou s beh a v iou r h a s been w ide l y s tud ied in rum in an t s , m a in l y c a t t le and sheep . The mo s t d am a g in g e f fe c t th a t ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s h a ve on rum in an t s i s the po ten t i a l to supp re s s fe r t i l i t y th rou gh a redu c t ion in the o vu l a t ion r a te . Ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s c an c au se tempo r a r y and pe rm anen t e f fe c t s on the fe r t i l i t y o f an an im a l s 7 2 .5 .1 C lo ve r d i se a se ‘C lo ve r d i se a se ’ re fe r s to the lon g te rm in fe r t i l i t y in sheep a f te r g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c c lo ve r p a s tu re s , sub te r r ane an and red , fo r a p ro lon ged pe r iod . ‘C lo ve r d i se a se ’ i s ch a r a c te r i sed b y u te r ine p ro l ap se , d i f f i cu l t l amb in g and pe rm anen t in fe r t i l i t y o f ewe s . The ab i l i t y o f ewe s to con ce i ve i s redu ced the re fo re an in c re a se i s ob se r ved in the numbe r o f ‘d r y ’ ewe s in a f lo c k (Ad am s , 1986 ) . Sub te r r ane an c lo ve r and red c lo ve r a re bo th oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s t yp i c a l l y h i gh in i so f l a vone ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s su ch a s gen i s te in , d a id ze in and the i r p re cu r so r ’ s b io ch an in A and fo rmonone t in . Fo rmonone t in le ve l w a s co r re l a ted w i th oe s t ro gen i c i t y in c lo ve r p a s tu re s and a l thou gh no t h i gh l y oe s t ro gen i c i t se l f , in the rumen i t i s me t abo l i sed in to equo l , wh i ch i s h i gh l y oe s t ro gen i c (Ku r ze r and Xu , 1997 ) . In fe r t i l i t y c au sed b y ‘ c lo ve r d i se a se ’ i s no lon ge r common due to a l a r ge r p ropo r t ion o f g r a s s be in g used in c lo ve r p a s tu re s and th rou gh the u se o f low -­‐ fo rmonone t in sub te r r ane an c lo ve r v a r ie t ie s (Ad am s , 1995 ) . 2 .5 .2 Tempo r a r y in fe r t i l i t y The p a s tu re th a t a sheep i s m a ted on c an tempo r a r i l y imp a c t an an im a l ’ s fe r t i l i t y . Con sump t ion o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s du r in g ma t in g c an con t r ibu te to tempo r a r y in fe r t i l i t y ch a r a c te r i sed b y a redu c t ion in l amb in g r a te s , mu l t ip le b i r th s , con cep t ion f rom f i r s t se r v i ce , con cep t ion r a te s , i r re gu l a r oe s t ru s and an in c re a se in the amoun t o f spon t aneou s abo r t ion s , de a th o f newbo rn s , d i f f i cu l t y b i r th in g and u te r ine p ro l ap se ob se r ved in a f lo c k (New some and K i t t s , 1980 ; Ad am s , 1995 ; Ve t te r , 1995 ; V a lde r rbon a e t a l . , 198 8 ) . Th i s in fe r t i l i t y i s tempo r a r y and u su a l l y re so l ve s i t se l f se ve r a l wee k s to a mon th fo l low in g remo v a l o f an im a l s f rom an oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re to a non-­‐ oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re (Ad am s , 1995 ) . I t i s d i f f i cu l t to a t t r ibu te a tempo r a r y d rop in o vu l a t ion r a te to ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s due to the o vu l a t ion r a te v a r y in g f rom l i ve we i gh t , s t a ge o f b reed in g se a son and nu t r i t i ve v a lue o f the p a stu re (Ad am s , 1995 ) . 2 .5 .3 Pe rm anen t in fe r t i l i t y An in c re a se in ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen con cen t r a t ion in p l an t s h a s shown to be co r re l a ted w i th a de c re a se in fe r t i l i t y o f ewe s g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s ( L i v in g s tone , 1978 ) . P ro lon ged e xpo su re to oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s c an c au se pe rm anen t in fe r t i l i t y c au sed b y a redu c t ion in the ab i l i t y o f ewe s to con ce i ve due to the ce r v i x no t pe rm i t t in g the no rm a l t r an spo r t o f the spe rm a to zo a ( L i gh t foo t e t a l . , 1974) . The s t ru c tu re o f the ce r v i x a l so ch an ge s and s t a r t s to re semb le a u t e ru s in bo th fun c t ion and appe a r an ce . H i s to lo g i c a l l y , pe rm anen t in fe r t i l i t y i s e a s y to de te c t th rou gh the ch an ge s in the ce l lu l a r compo s i t ion o f the ce r v i x (Ad am s , 1986 ) . 8 2 .6 Mo rpho lo g i c a l ch an ge s a s so c i a ted w i th oe s t ro gen s and ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s The con sump t ion o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s th rou gh oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s re su l t s in mo rpho lo g i c a l ch an ge s in an an im a l . The s ame ch an ge s a re ob se r ved when an im a l s a re adm in i s te red oe s t ro gen s , su ch a s oe s t r ad io l 17 -­‐ β , e i the r th rou gh oe s t ro gen imp l an t s o r in je c t ion s . The mo rpho log i c a l ch an ge s a s so c i a ted w i th ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen con sump t ion o r oe s t ro gen adm in i s t r a t ion in c lude te a t s i ze p a r ame te r s , udde r de ve lopmen t , vu l v a co lou r ch an ge , u te r ine s i ze and ce r v i x h i s to lo g y . 2 .6 .1 Te a t s i ze E lon g a t ion o f the te a t len g th due to oe s t ro gen con sumpt ion h a s been ob se r ved in sheep and c a s t r a ted we a the r l amb s and th i s re spon se i s we l l ch a r a c te r i sed th rou ghou t l i te r a tu re . G a lb r a i th e t a l. (1997 ) t re a ted 6 -­‐ mon th o ld r am l amb s w i th oe s t r ad io l 17-­‐ β and ob se r ved an in c re a se in the te a t len g th o f the l amb s c omp a red to con t ro l s . Con t ro l l amb s h ad te a t len g th o f 8 .17 mm wh i le the t a l . , 1997 ) . An oe s t ro gen t re a ted r am l amb s e xpe r ien ced an in c re a se to 12 .1 mm (G a lb r a i th e in c re a se in te a t len g th h a s a l so been ob se r ved fo r we the r s g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s . Consump t ion o f red c lo ve r h a s been shown to c au se an in c re a se in te a t len g th o f 2 .5 mm comp a red w i th r ye g r a s s , wh i ch showed a de c re a se in te a t len g th o f 0 .35 mm (B r aden e t a l . , 1971 ) . Th i s e f fe c t h a s been ob se r ved fo r a lon g t ime , w i th a mob o f we the r s e xpe r ien c in g te a t len g th en l a r gemen t (up to 2 -­‐ 4 cm ) and te a t b a se en l a r gemen t (up to 2 cm ) a f te r con sum in g a d ie t l a r ge l y comp r i sed o f red c lo ve r in 1954 . The se we the r s a l so e xpe r ien ced m amm a r y se c re t ion s (Cunn in gh am and Ho g an , 1954 ) . Nw annenn a e t a l . (1995 ) and O ld f ie ld e t a l . (1966 ) bo th ob se r ved an in c re a se in te a t s i ze in fem a le sheep . Nw annenn a e t a l . ( 1995) me a su red the te a t len g th o f ewe s fed red c lo ve r and a l l o f them s i gn i f i c an t l y in c re a sed in s i ze , wh i ch l a te r de c re a sed b a c k to no rm a l s i ze 25 d a y s a f te r remo v a l f rom red c lo ve r . The s tud y a l so loo ked a t the e f fe c t s o f oe s t r ad io l 17 -­‐ β imp l an t s and the re spon se w a s mu ch mo re ab rup t w i th no t i ce ab le ch an ge s o c cu r r in g b y d a y 4 and sheep t a k in g 19 and 26 d a y s to re tu rn to p re -­‐ t re a tmen t te a t len g th (90 µ g /d a y and 45 µ g /d a y re le a se , re spe c t i ve l y ) (Nw annenn a e t a l . , 1995 ) . An in c re a se in te a t len g th c an be a s imp le me a su re o f the oe s t ro gen i c i t y o f p l an t s , howe ve r , th i s i s an imp re c i se me thod (Ad am s , 1995 ) . 2 .6 .2 M amm a r y g l and s i ze G r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s c an le ad to an in c re a se in the m amm a r y de ve lopmen t o f sheep . Non-­‐ p re gn an t fou r-­‐ ye a r o ld ewe s g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c sub te r r ane an c lo ve r h ad in c re a sed m amm a r y g l and de ve lopmen t and e xpe r ien ced m i l k y se c re t ion s f rom the m amm a r y g l and (Ad am s , 1977 ) . V a lde r r ab ano e t a l . (1988 ) comp a red 3 -­‐ mon th-­‐ o ld l amb s g r a z in g on lu ce rne , an oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re , 9 w i th tho se g r a z in g on I t a l ian r ye g r a s s , a t yp i c a l l y non -­‐ oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re . The h i ghe r ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen con ten t o f lu ce rne led to a s i gn i f i c an t in c re a se in the de ve lopmen t o f m amm a r y t i s sue ; 193 .0 g fo r sheep g r a zed on lu ce rne comp a red w i th 129 .7 g fo r sheep g r a zed on I t a l i an r ye g r as s . The in c re a se in m amm a r y g l and de ve lopmen t c an be a t t r ibu ted to an in c re a se in the amoun t o f g l andu l a r t i s sue de ve lopmen t and a de c re a se in the de ve lopmen t o f conne c t i ve t i s sue . Con sump t ion o f oe s t ro gen i c feed s a l so c au sed an in c re a se in s i ze o f the reprodu c t i ve t r a c t ; 181 .22 g fo r sheep g r a zed on lu ce rne comp a red w i th 165 .00 g fo r sheep g r a zed on I t a l i an r ye g r a s s (V a lde r r ab ano e t a l . , 198 8 ) . 2 .6 .3 Vu l v a co lou r ch an ge Nw annenn a e t a l . (1995 ) a s se s sed the co lou r o f the vu l v a in o v a r ie c tom i zed ewe s on two sep a r a te o c c a s ion s b y v i su a l app r a i s a l . The f i r s t e xpe r imen t o c cu r red o ve r sho r t d a y s and sheep we re g i ven red c lo ve r s i l a ge co r re spond in g to 6 .1 g o f ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s . A g r adu a l ch an ge f rom p a le to p in k and then to red w a s ob se r ved w i th in c re a s in g oedem a . In t he se cond e xpe r imen t the ewe s we re g i ven oe s t r ad io l 17-­‐ β imp l an t s (45 o r 90µ g ) , on ce a g a in du r in g sho r t d a y s . The vu l v a co lou r ch an ged ab rup t l y f rom p a le p in k to red w i th ob v iou s oedem a . The ch an ge in vu l v a co lou r w a s thou gh t to be due to in c re a sed b lood flow th a t a c comp an ie s h ype rp l a s i a and h ype r t roph i c en l a r gemen t o f the rep rodu c t i ve o r g an s when e xpo sed to oe s t ro gen s (Nw annenn a e t a l . , 1995 ) . Me a su r in g vu l v a co lou r u s in g th i s me thod , v i su a l app r a i s a l , c an be b i a sed and i t m a y be mo re a c cu r a te to a s se s s vul v a co lou r u s in g an ob je c t i ve te chn ique su ch a s me a su r in g the co lou r s a tu r a t ion o f the vu l v a . Co lou r s a tu r a t ion ch an ge s o f the vu l v a a s so c i a ted w i th oe s t ro gen con cen t r a t ion h a s been unde r t a ken in do g s . I t h a s been su g ge s ted th a t e le v a ted oe s t ro gen le ve l s cau se p ro l i fe r a t ion o f the ce l lu l a r s t ru c tu re and oedem a o f the mu co s a l fo ld s , h id in g the unde r l y in g b lood c ap i l l a r ie s . In theo r y , b y the end o f the fe r t i le pe r iod co lou r s a tu r a t ion wou ld in c re a se due to de c re a sed oedem a and a redu c t ion in ce l lu l a r l a ye r s ( Mo xon e t a l . , 2012 ) . Bo th s tud ie s h ad a sm a l l s amp le s i ze the re fo re whe the r the re i s a co lou r ch an ge o f the vu l v a a s so c i a ted w i th oe s t ro gen con cen t r a t ion s h a s no t been con f i rmed . 2 .6 .4 U te r ine s i ze Oe s t ro gen s h a ve been shown to be re spon s ib le fo r p ro l i fe r a t ion o f the ce l l s in the u te ru s re su l t in g in u te r ine g l and de ve lopmen t . Oe s t r ad io l and ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen do s in g o f l amb s re su l t s in in c re a sed u te r ine g row th , wh i ch w a s re a l g row th r a the r th an w a te r a c cumu l a t ion (New some and K i t t s , 1980 ) . In an e xpe r imen t , con t ro l sheep we re comp a red to tho se do sed w i th d i f fe r in g oe s t r ad io l con cen t r a t ion s (2 .5 m g /d a y , 10 m g /d a y and 50 m g /d a y ) and coume s t ro l (132 µ g /d a y ) . A l l sheep do sed w i th oe s t r ad io l and coume s t ro l e xpe r ien ced an in c re a se in u te r ine we i gh t ; sheep do sed w i th 10 m g oe s t r ad io l /d a y e xpe r ien ced the m a x imum u te r ine we i gh t re spon se . Due to th i s , i t w a s 10 con c luded th a t the oe s t r ad io l do se o f 50 m g /d a y w a s too h i gh and the re spon se when do sed a t 2 .5 m g /d a y w a s mo re l i ke l y to be ph y s io lo g i c a l (New some and K i t t s , 1980 ) . John son e t a l . (1997 ) a l so no t i ced a d r am a t i c in c re a se in the u te r ine s i ze fo l low in g adm in i s t r a t ion o f ewe s w i th oe s t r ad io l-­‐ 17β . O v a r ie c tom i zed ewe s t re a ted w i th oe s t r ad io l h ad an a ve r a ge u te r ine we i gh t o f 64 .8 g comp a red w i th tho se who re ce i ved no t re a tmen t who se me an u te r ine we i gh t w a s 27 .0 g ( John son e t a l . , 1997 ) . Loo k in g a t the cou r se re spon se o f the u te ru s to oe s t ro gen imp l an t s (50 2 imp l an t s pe r ewe ) showed th a t the f re sh we i gh t o f the u te ru s doub led in s i ze in the f i r s t 24 m g E2, hou r s fo l low in g oe s t r ad io l adm in i s t r a t ion – in c re a s in g f rom 20 .6 to 46 .8 g . Be tween 0 and 48 hou r s , the u te ru s we i gh t unde rwen t a 3 .3 -­‐ fo ld in c re a se – f rom 20 .6 g to 68 .6 g . U te r ine g row th re spon se w a s p r im a r i l y due to t i s sue g row th r a the r th an an in c re a se in the d r y we i gh t to we t we i gh t r a t io . T i s sue g row th w a s con t r ibu ted equ a l l y to h ype rp l a s i a ( in c re a se in ce l l numbe r ) and h ype r t roph y ( in c re a se in ce l l s i ze ) i n the f i r s t 24 hou r s fo l low in g t re a tmen t (Re yno ld s e t a l . , 1998 ) . 2 .6 .5 O v a r y we i gh t Con sump t ion o f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s and oe s t ro gen s h a s shown to de c re a se o v a r i an we i gh t o f p re-­‐ pube r t a l l amb s . In a s tud y de s c r ibed b y New some and K i t t (1980 ) , p re-­‐ pube r t a l l amb s we re do sed w i th e i the r an oe s t ro gen o r coume s t ro l o r we re con t ro l s . The o v a r i an we i gh t s o f the l amb s g i ven oe s t r ad io l and coume s t ro l we re lowe r th an tho se o f the con t ro l s . The redu c t ion in o v a r i an we i gh t cou ld re su l t in redu ced o r a l te red o v a r i an fun c t ion (New some and K i t t , 1980 ) . V a lde r r ab ano e t a l . (1988 ) a l so no t i ced a supp re s s ion in o v a r i an s i ze in ewe l amb s g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c lu ce rne comp a red to tho se g r a z in g I t a l i an r ye g r a s s ; 0 .53 g and 0 .67 g , re spe c t i ve l y . L i kew i se , Sm i th e t a l . (1990 ) ob se r ved the o v a r y s i ze o f sheep a f te r adm in i s t r a t ion o f ze a r a lenone , a ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen . Ewe s (5-­‐ 6 ye a r s o ld ) we re e i the r adm in i s te red 0 .0 , 1 .5 , 3 .0 , 6 .0 , 12 .0 o r 24 .0 m g ze a r a lenone pe r d a y fo r 10 d a y s . The t rend showed th a t the h i ghe r the do se o f z ae r a lonone , the sm a l le r in we i gh t o f the o v a r ie s . The on l y e x cep t ion to th i s w a s a t the do se o f 1 .5 m g z ae r a lonone pe r d a y , whe re a s l i gh t in c re a se in o v a r i an we i gh t w a s ob se r ved comp a red w i th the con t ro l ewe s ( Sm i th e t a l . , 1990 ) . 2 .7 Summ a r y Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s a re found m a in l y in le gum inou s p a s tu re s su ch a s lu ce rne and c lo ve r and c an h a ve de le te r iou s e f fe c t s on an im a l rep rodu c t ion , p a r t i cu l a r l y b y c au s in g a redu c t ion in o vu l a t ion r a te wh i ch m an i fe s t s a s fewe r mu l t ip le b i r th s . I t i s re commended th a t f a rme r s remo ve ewe s f rom Lu ce rn e-­‐ dom in an t p a s tu re s we l l p r io r to m a t in g to en su re th a t the rep rodu c t ion r a te o f b reed in g ewe s i s no t comp rom i sed . Howe ve r , remo v in g sheep f rom lu ce rne p a s tu re s re su l t s in the in ab i l i t y to u t i l i se h i gh qu a l i t y feed th a t c an in c re a se the bod y cond i t ion o f ewe s p r io r to m a t in g . Oe s t ro gen and 11 oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s a l i ke c au se mo rpho lo g i c a l ch an ge s th a t c an be qu an t i f ied . The se ch an ge s in c lude a ch an ge in te a t s i ze , vu l v a co lou r , u te r ine s i ze , o v a r y we i gh t and m amm a r y g l and de ve lopmen t . Te a t s i ze , u te r ine s i ze and m amm a r y g l and de ve lopmen t a l l in c re a se unde r the in f luen ce o f oe s t ro gen s wh i le vu l v a co lou r be come s in c re a s in g l y d a r ke r . O v a r i an we i gh t de c re a se s w i th in c re a s ing oe s t ro gen con cen t r a t ion s and o v a r i an a c t i v i t y a l so de c re a se s . The se ch an ge s cou ld po ten t i al l y be u sed to de te c t when sheep h a ve con sumed h i gh le ve l s o f ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s and m an a gemen t de c i s ion s cou ld be m ade abou t t im in g o f remo v a l o f sheep f rom oe s t ro gen i c c rop s to p re ven t an y imp a i rmen t o f the i r rep rodu c t i ve pe r fo rm an ce . 12 Ch ap te r 3 Ma te r i a l s and Me thod s 3 .1 Sheep f a rm s tud y App a ren t udde r de ve lopmen t w a s ob se r ved in ewe l amb s g r a z in g lu ce rne on a comme r c i a l f a rm , ‘C reedmo re ’ lo c a ted 17 km sou thwe s t o f O am a ru , C an te rbu r y , New Ze a l and . Sheep we re c ro s s -­‐ b red ewe l amb s o f Te xe l-­‐ E a s t F r ie s i an -­‐ Coopwo r th an ce s t r y , bo rn in sp r in g 2014 (25 – 28 wee k s o f a ge ) and a t we an in g (27 No vembe r ) the y we re a l lo c a ted to e i the r a lu ce rne c rop ( Lu ce rne ) o r rem a ined on r ye -­‐ g r a s s /wh i te c lo ve r p a s tu re (G r a s s ) . Th i s a l lo c a t ion w a s b a sed on the i r l i ve we i gh t ; the l i gh te r l amb s b e in g tho se a l lo c a ted to the lu ce rne p a s tu re . On 12 M a r ch me a su remen t s o f the sheep we re t a ken ( a s de s c r ibed be low ) fo r 25 o f the Lu ce rne l amb s and 10 o f the G r a s s l amb s . Lu ce rne l amb s we re re tu rned to the r ye -­‐ g r a s s /wh i te c lo ve r p a s tu re w i th the G r a s s l amb s on 20 M a r ch and ano the r se t o f me a su remen t s w a s re co rded on 16 Ap r i l p r io r to the in t rodu c t ion o f r am s . L i ve we i gh t o f a l l an im a l s w a s re co rded e a ch mon th and m a t in g a c t i v i t y w a s re co rded d a i l y b y u se o f c r a yon-­‐ h a rne s sed r am s . On 24 June the numbe r o f fe tu se s p re sen t in ea ch ewe w a s de te rm ined b y t r an s abdom in a l u l t r a sono g r aph y c a r r ied ou t b y a comme r c i a l ope r a to r . Po s t ho c an a l y s i s ( ye a s t ce l l b io a s s a y ) o f the lu ce rne c rop on 12 M a r ch showed i t to h a ve an oe s t ro gen i c i t y o f 151 .4 µ g oe s t r ad io l equ i v alen t / k g DM w i th a coume s t ro l le ve l o f 8 .25 m g / k g DM and the c rop Lu ce rne sheep mo ved on to the s ame d a y h ad an oe s t ro gen i c i t y o f 99 .8 µ g oe s t r ad io l equ i v a len t / k g DM w i th a coume s t ro l le ve l o f 8 .32 µ g / k g DM . 3 .1 .1 Me a su remen t s L i ve we i gh t Non-­‐ f a s ted l i ve we i g h t w a s re co rded u s in g e le c t ron i c s c a le s . Te a t and m amm a r y g l and s i ze Me a su remen t s o f te a t and m amm a r y d imen s ion s we re t a ken wh i l s t e a ch l amb w a s he ld m anu a l l y in a sem i p rone po s i t ion . Te a t len g th and te a t w id th a t the b a se we re me a su red w i th d i g i t a l c a l ipe r s . I f udde r de ve lopmen t w a s v i su a l l y p rom inen t , i t s d i ame te r w a s me a su red w i th c a l ipe r s . E a ch udde r w a s pho to g r aphed w i th 13 a ru le r p re sen t in the v iew f ie ld so th a t a sep a r a te me a su re o f te a t len g th and w id th w a s re co rded f rom the pho to g r aph i c im a ge s . Vu l v a co lou r A pho to g r aph w a s t a ken o f e a ch l amb ’ s vu l v a to en ab le the co lou r o f the in te rn a l mu co s a to be e v a lu a ted . The im a ge s we re s a ved a s 2592 X 3888 p i xe l s JP EG im a ge s w i th a ho r i zon t a l and ve r t i c a l re so lu t ion o f 72 dp i and a b i t dep th o f 8 . Co lou r re ad in g s we re ob t a ined u s in g Co lo rP i x (h t tp : / /www . co lo r s cheme r . com / co lo rp i x_ in fo .php ) . The co lou r s a tu r a t ion w a s me a su red f i ve t ime s fo r e a ch im a ge and the me an v a lue w a s re co rded , a vo id in g a re a s whe re the l i gh t sou r ce a f fe c ted the im a ge . 3 .2 E xpe r imen t a l s tud y Twe l ve non-­‐ p re gn an t fem a le Coopwo r th sheep , a ged be tween 42 and 44 wee k s o f a ge (me an l i ve we i gh t = 42 .75 ± 5 .58 k g ) we re r andom l y a l lo c a ted in to th ree g roup s (n = 4 ) th a t we re b a l an ced fo r l i ve we i gh t . The y we re lo c a ted on the Re se a r ch F a rm , L in co ln Un i ve r s i t y , C an te rbu r y , New Ze a l and (43 °38 ’54 ” S 172 °27 ’24 ” E , a t an a l t i tude o f 9m ) and we re g r a zed on p a s tu re con s i s t in g p redom in an t l y o f pe renn i a l r ye g r a s s (Lo l ium p e r enn e L . ) and wh i te c lo ve r ( T r i fo l ium r ep en s L . ) w i th w a te r a v a i l ab le ad l ib i tum. Fo r a pe r iod o f 40 d a y s , commen c in g on 26 Ju l y , the ewe s we re t re a ted e ve r y 3 d a y s w i th e i the r 0 , 0 .1 o r 1 .0 m g o f oe s t r ad io l , depend in g on g roup , so th a t the y re ce i ved 13 t re a tmen t s du r in g the e xpe r imen t a l pe r iod . Th rou ghou t the s tud y l i ve we i gh t and o the r me a su remen t s ( a s de s c r ibed be low ) we re t a ken a t re gu l a r in te r v a l s a f te r the ewe s h ad been mu s te red f rom the i r p addo c k and mo ved in to a ne a rb y y a rd . A t comp le t ion o f the s tud y (D a y 41 ) the ewe s we re k i l led , u s in g c ap t i ve bo l t p i s to l fo r s tunn in g fo l lowed b y e x s an gu in a t ion , and rep rodu c t i ve t r a c t s and m amm a r y g l and s we re remo ved fo r we i gh in g . A l l an im a l p ro cedu re s we re app ro ved b y the L in co ln Un i ve r s i t y An im a l E th i c s Comm i t tee . 3 .2 .1 Oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t Oe s t r ad io l (β-­‐ e s t r ad io l , S i gm a S t Lou i s , MO . C a t E8875 ) w a s d i s so l ved in a sm a l l vo lume o f e th y l a l coho l and the so lu t ion w a s added to sun f lowe r o i l ( Sun f ie ld O i l , Au c k l and , New Ze a l and ) th a t h ad been rende red s te r i le b y f i l te r in g i t u s in g a 0 .22µm f i l te r (M i c ron Sep a r a t ion s In c . , We s tbo rou gh , MA , U SA ) . The o i l , e ithe r w i thou t oe s t r ad io l o r con t a in in g oe s t r ad io l , w a s s to red in sep a r a te 15 m l con i c a l po l yp rop y lene cen t r i fu ge tube s (Co rn in g , New Yo r k , U SA ) so th a t 0 .5 m l o f the so lu t ion de l i ve red 0 , 0.1 o r 1 .0 m g oe s t r ad io l (depend in g on sheep g roup ) when i t w a s adm in i s te red b y in t r amu s cu l a r in je c t ion in to the ne c k u s in g a 1 m l s y r in ge and 18 -­‐ g au ge need le ( Be c ton D i c k in son and Comp an y , 14 F r an k l in L a ke s , N J , U SA ) . Th i s w a s done on the f i r s t and e ve r y sub sequen t th i rd d a y wh i l s t the an im a l s we re he ld b y m anu a l re s t r a in t i n a ho ld in g y a rd . 3 .2 .2 Me a su remen t s L i ve we i gh t Non-­‐ f a s ted l i ve we i gh t w a s re co rded u s in g e le c t ron i c s c a le s on D a y s 1 , 21 and 40 . Te a t and m amm a r y g l and s i ze Te a t and m amm a r y g l and d imen s ion s we re me a su red on D a y 1 and e ve r y 6 d a y s the re a f te r ( i .e . 7 t ime s ) wh i l s t e a ch ewe w a s he ld m anu a l l y b y an a s s i s t an t in a sem i p rone po s i t ion . Te a t len g th and te a t w id th a t the b a se we re me a su red w i th d i g i t a l c a l ipe r s . I f udde r de ve lopmen t w a s v i su a l l y p rom inen t , i t s d i ame te r w a s me a su red w i th c a l ipe r s and i t s c i r cum fe ren ce de te rm ined w i th a me a su r in g t ape . E a ch udde r w a s pho to g r aphed w i th a ru le r p re sen t in the v iew f ie ld so th a t a sep a r a te me a su re o f te a t len g th and w id th w a s re co rded f rom the pho to g r aph i c im a ge s . B lood s amp l in g Venou s b lood s amp le s (10 m L ) we re ob t a ined on D a y s 1 and 41 b y venepun c tu re f rom an e x te rn a l ju gu l a r ve in wh i l s t the sheep we re m anu a l l y re s t r a ined u s in g e v a cu a ted p l a s t i c tube s con t a in in g sod ium e th y lene d i am ine te t r a a ce t i c a c id (K2 E , B D V a cu t a ine r® , Be c ton D i c k in son and Comp an y , Be c ton F r an k l in L a ke s , N J , U SA ) a s an t i co a gu l an t and a 0 .9 x 25 mm need le (P re c i s ionG l ideTM, D i c k in son and Comp an y ) . Immed i a te l y on w i thd r aw a l o f the s amp le , e a ch tube w a s gen t l y in ve r ted a few t ime s to en su re d i spe r s a l o f the an t i co a gu l an t . Soon a f te r co l le c t ion b lood s amp le s we re cen t r i fu ged a t 1000 g in a ben ch cen t r i fu ge fo r 15 m inu t e s and p l a sm a w a s co l le c ted b y a sp i r a t ion and p l a ced in 12 x75mm po l y c a rbon a te tube s to be s to red f ro zen . (No te : the p l a sm a s amp le ob t a ined on d a y 41 w a s co l le c ted app ro x im a te l y 96 hou r s a f te r the p re ced in g do se o f oe s t r ad io l h ad been adm in i s te red to e a ch ewe . ) Rep rodu c t i ve t r a c t A t s l au gh te r the vu l v a and abou t 2 cm o f v a g in a w a s cu t f rom e a ch rep rodu c t i ve t r a c t w i th s c i s so r s . A sep a r a te pho to g r aph w a s t a ken fo r e a ch g roup o f ewe s ’ vu l v a s to en ab le the co lou r o f the in te rn a l mu co s a to be e v a lu a ted . Pho to g r aph s we re t a ken w i th a FAMACHA © ch a r t in the f ie ld o f v iew to u se a s a re fe ren ce v a lue . The im a ge s we re s a ved a s 2448 X 3264 p i xe l s JP EG im a ge s w i th a ho r i zon t a l and ve r t i c a l re so lu t ion o f 72 dp i and a b i t dep th o f 8 . Co lou r re ad in g s we re ob t a ined u s in g Co lo rP i x (h t tp : / /www . co lo r s cheme r . com / co lo rp i x_ in fo .php ) . The co lou r s a tu r a t ion and co lou r redne s s we re bo th me a su red f i ve t ime s fo r e a ch im a ge and the me an v a lue w a s re co rded a vo id in g a re a s whe re the 15 l i gh t sou r ce a f fe c ted the im a ge . The me an v a lue s we re co r re c ted fo r v a r i a t ion in l i gh t b y u s in g the FAMACHA © ch a r t re fe ren ce v a lue . The u te ru s w a s sep a r a ted f rom the v a g in a b y cu t t in g th rou gh the t r a c t a t the le ve l o f the ce r v i x o s . The o v a r ie s we re remo ved b y d i s se c t ion and e x t r aneou s l i g amen t a l t i s sue remo ved f rom the u te ru s b y b lun t d i s se c t ion . We t we i gh t o f the u te ru s and e a ch ind i v idu a l o v a r y w a s me a su red u s in g e le c t ron i c s c a le s . The o v a r ie s we re in spe c ted v i su a l l y fo r p re sen ce o f co rpo r a lu te a and the numbe r o f l a r ge fo l l i c le s (be tween 5 and 7 mm , and abo ve 8 mm ) w a s re co rded . The d a t a fo r e a ch o v a r y we re poo led to g i ve a s in g le to t a l v a lue fo r e a ch ewe . M amm a r y g l and The m amm a r y g l and , a s a s in g le o r g an , w a s d i s se c ted f ree f rom the s k in and unde r l y in g pe r i toneum and i t s we t we i gh t w a s me a su red u s in g e le c t ron i c s c a le s . 3 .3 S t a t i s t i c a l an a l y se s Re su l t s we re an a l y sed u s in g E x ce l and M in i t ab 17 . M in i t ab w a s u sed to an a l y se the s i gn i f i c an t (α = 0 .05 ) e f fe c t s on the v a r i ab le s f rom oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t u s in g gene r a l an a l y s i s o f v a r i an ce mode l . I t w a s u s ed fo r l i ve we i gh t , te a t s i ze , vu l v a co lou r and rep rodu c t i ve t r a c t me a su remen t s (u te ru s we i gh t , m amm a r y g l and we i gh t and o v a r y we i gh t ) . Fo r comp a r i son s o f the me an s , a l l s t and a rd e r ro r o f d i f fe ren ce s ( S ED ) h a ve been c a l cu l a ted a t the P < 0 .05 le ve l . M in i t ab w a s u sed to an a l y se the d i f fe ren ce s o ve r the pe r iod o f me a su remen t s u s in g a P a i red t -­‐ te s t . M amm a r y de ve lopmen t and te a t s i ze we re an a l y sed b y th i s app ro a ch to de te rm ine i f the re w a s an y ch an ge o ve r t ime . A P a i red t -­‐ te s t w a s to comp a re me a su remen t s t a ken u s in g the c a l ipe r s w i th tho se de te rm ined f rom the pho to g r aph s . E x ce l w a s u sed fo r re g re s s ion mode l l in g to see i f the re w a s a l i ve we i gh t e f fe c t on m amm a r y g l and we i gh t , u te ru s we i gh t , o v a r y we i gh t and te a t len g th and w id th . Re g re s s ion mode l l in g w a s a l so done to comp a re c a l ipe r me a su remen t s w i th me a su remen t s t a ken w i th a pho to g r aph and a ru le r in p re sen t v iew . O v a r i an fo l l i c le numbe r s we re an a l y sed b y u se o f a Ch i-­‐ squ a re te s t . 16 Ch ap te r 4 Re su l t s 4 .1 Sheep f a rm s tud y 4 .1 .1 L i ve we i gh t L i ve we i gh t s o f the sheep re co rded on two o c c a s ion s abou t 4 wee k s ap a r t a re p ro v ided in T ab le 4 .1 . G r a s s l amb s (n = 22 ) we re he a v ie r (P < 0 .01 ) th an Lu ce rne l amb s (n = 36 ) on e a ch o c c a s ion . The Lu ce rne l amb s h ad a h i ghe r (P < 0 .001 ) g a in in l i ve we i gh t d u r in g th a t pe r iod ( T ab le 4 .1 ) . L i ve we i gh t ( k g ) L i ve we i gh t ( k g ) Ma r ch L i ve -­‐ we i gh t ga in ( k g ) 16 Ap r i l G ra s s n = 22 53 .2 ± 0 .77 58 .3 ± 2 .02 4 .1 ± 0 .63 Lu ce rne n = 36 45 .4 ± 0 .87 52 .4 ± 2 .34 7 .4 ± 0 .74 Tab le 4. 1 Mean (± s .e .m . ) l i ve we i gh t o f ewe l amb s fed on r ye g ra s s / c lo ve r pa s tu re (G ra s s ) o r lu ce rne ( Lu ce rne ) re co rded on 2 o c ca s ion s in a pe r iod o f 35 da y s du r in g l a te summe r 2015 and the i r mean (± s .e .m . ) l i ve we i gh t ga in du r in g th is pe r iod . 4 .1 .2 M amm a r y de ve lopmen t Some (14 ou t o f 25 ) o f the ewe l amb s g r a z in g Lu ce rne h ad v i s ib le e v iden ce o f m amm a r y g l and de ve lopmen t on 12 M a r ch ( see Append i x A ) . Fo r the se l amb s , me an m amm a r y g l and d i ame te r w a s 65 .8 ± 7 .52 mm (n = 14 ) on 12 M a r ch and w a s un ch an ged (P = 0 .133 ) 35 d a y s l a te r (me an d i ame te r 61 .8 ± 6 .40 mm , n = 11 ) on 16 Ap r i l . The re w a s no v i s ib le e v iden ce o f m amm a r y de ve lopmen t in the G r a s s l amb s on e i the r o c c a s ion . 4 .1 .3 Te a t s i ze The re w a s a d ie t -­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t on te a t len g th s re co rded on 12 M a r ch ( F i gu re 4 .1 ) w i th lon ge r ( P < 0 .05 ) te a t s on Lu ce rne l amb s (me an 22 .7 ± 1 .20 mm , n = 25 ) th an the G r a s s l amb s (me an 20 .6 ± 1 .45 mm , n = 10 ) . Howe ve r , on 16 Ap r i l , te a t len g th s h ad de c re a sed in Lu ce rne l amb s (b y 2 .28 ± 1 .28 mm , to a me an len g th o f 20 . 4 ± 1 .31 mm , n = 22 ) whe re a s the re h ad been an in c re a se in te a t len g th o f 17 G r a s s l amb s (b y 1 .31 ± 1 .81 mm to a me an len g th o f 21 .9 ± 1 .52 mm , n = 10 ) so th a t , a t th i s d a te , the re w a s no d i f fe ren ce in te a t len g th be tween the two g roup s o f sheep ( P = 0 .16 ) . 30 T e a t Len g th (mm ) 25 20 15 10 5 0 n= 10 n = 25 n= 10 12 /03 /2015 16 /04 /2015 n= 22 D a t e G r a s s Lu c e rn e o f sheep g ra z in g g ra s s o r lu ce rne up to 12 Ma r ch ( le f t hand ba r s ) , F i gu re 4. 1 Mean tea t len g th1 then g ra s s on l y un t i l 16 Ap r i l ( r i gh t hand ba r s ) . Ve r t i ca l ba r s rep re sen t ± S . E .M . 1 – me an s a re c a l cu l a ted f rom the a ve r a ge o f the p a i r fo r e a ch sheep The re w a s a g r a z in g-­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t on te a t w id th s re co rded on 12 M a r ch ( F i gu re 4 .2 ) w i th mu ch w ide r ( P < 0 .001 ) te a t s on Lu ce rne l amb s (me an 18 .0 ± 1 .01 mm , n = 24 ) th an the G r a s s l amb s (me an 13 .4 ± 1 .77 mm , n = 10 ) . On 16 Ap r i l , te a t w id th s h ad s l i gh t l y in c re a sed in Lu ce rne l amb s (0 .90 ± 1 .09 mm to a me an w id th o f 18 .9 ± 1 .20 mm , n = 21 ) whe re a s the re h ad been a m a jo r in c re a se in te a t w id th o f G r a s s l amb s (b y 5 .5 ± 0 .54 mm to a me an w id th o f 18 .9 ± 2 .11 mm , n = 10 ) so th a t , a t th i s d a te , the re = 0 .964 ) . w a s no d i f fe ren ce in te a t w id th be tween the two g roup s o f sheep (P 18 2 5 T e a t w id th (mm ) 2 0 1 5 1 0 5 0 n = 10 n = 10 n= 24 12 /3 /2015 16 /04 /2015 D a t e G r a s s n = 22 Lu c e rn e F i gu re 4. 2 Mean tea t w id th1 o f sheep g ra z in g g ra s s o r lu ce rne up to 12 Ma r ch ( le f t hand ba r s ) , then g ra s s on l y un t i l 16 Ap r i l ( r i gh t hand ba r s ) . Ve r t i ca l ba r s rep re sen t ± S . E .M . 1 – me an s a re c a l cu l a ted f rom the a ve r a ge o f the p a i r fo r e a ch sheep 4 .1 .4 Vu l v a co lou r The re w a s no s i gn i f i c an t d i f fe ren ce (P = 0 .264 ) in the vu l v a co lou r s a tu r a t ion be tween g r a s s (57 .4 ± 4 .88 , n = 10 ) and lu ce rne g r a zed ewe s (52 .8 ± 3 .83 , n = 25 ) on 12 M a r ch ( see Append i x B ) . 4 .1 .5 Pho to g r aph i c me a su remen t s – comp a r i son w i th d i re c t ( c a l ipe r ) me a su remen t s The re w a s a s i gn i f i c an t d i f fe ren ce be tween the me a su remen t s t a ken u s in g the c a l ipe r and the s l i gh t l y sm a l le r me a su remen t s ob t a ined f rom pho to g r aph s u s in g a ru le r fo r te a t w id th ( P < 0 .001 ) ( see T ab le 4 .2 ) . Howe ve r , the re we re no d i f fe ren ce s be tween the c a l ipe r and pho tog r aph i c me a su remen t s fo r te a t len g th and udde r w id th ( see T ab le 4 .2 ) . 19 Me an c a l ipe r Me an pho to D i f fe ren ce P-­‐ v a lue me a su remen t me a su remen t Tea t w id th 17 .9 ± 0 .39 15 .3 ± 0 .33 2 .5 ± 0 .39 0 .000 Tea t len g th 21 .5 ± 0 .35 22 .1 ± 0 .55 0 .6 ± 0 .42 0 .151 Udde r w id th 62 .0 ± 1 .63 61 .6 ± 1 .54 0 .3 ± 2 .00 0 .826 1 tea t len g th and udde r w id th1 mea su remen t s ( a l l in mm ) Tab le 4. 2 Mean (± s .e .m . ) tea t w id th1, re co rded w i th ca l ipe r s com pa red w i th va lue s ob ta ined f rom pho to g raph s and the d i f fe ren ce s (mean ± s .e .m . ) be tween the se mea su remen t s . Da ta in c lude a l l mea su remen t s ta ken on 12 Ma r ch and 16 Ap r i l . 1 – me an s a re c a l cu l a ted f rom the a ve r a ge o f the p a i r fo r e a ch sheep 4 .2 E xpe r imen t a l S tud y 4 .2 .1 L i ve we i gh t Me an l i ve we i gh t o f the sheep a t the be g inn in g o f the e xpe r imen t w a s 42 .8 (± 5 .58 ) k g . Th rou ghou t the pe r iod o f the s tud y the re w a s a gene r a l in c re a se in l i ve we i gh t ( T ab le 4 .3 ) bu t th i s w a s no t a f fe c ted b y t re a tmen t w i th oe s t r ad io l ( P v a lue = 0 .727 ) ( see T ab le 4 .3 ). L i ve we i gh t da y 1 L i ve we i gh t da y 19 L i ve we i gh t da y 40 L i ve we i gh t ga in ( k g ) ( k g ) ( k g ) ( g / da y ) 41 .4 ± 3 .61 48 .0 ± 3 .27 52 .5 ± 2 .89 284 .6 ± 32 .15 Low oe s t rad io l 43 .8 ± 1 .68 50 .3 ± 1 .27 55 .8 ± 1 .27 307 .7 ± 16 .32 H i gh oe s t rad io l 43 .1 ± 4 .13 50 .0 ± 4 .28 55 .5 ± 4 .20 318 .0 ± 36 .65 Con t ro l Tab le 4. 3 L i ve we i gh t re co rded on 3 o c ca s ion s in a pe r iod o f 40 da y s and l i ve we i gh t ga in o f sheep (n = 4 pe r t rea tmen t ) t rea ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s ( Low oe s t rad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s (H i gh oe s t rad io l ) o r no t t rea ted (Con t ro l ) . 20 4 .2 .2 M amm a r y de ve lopmen t M amm a r y de ve lopmen t o c cu r red on l y in the sheep on the h i gh do se o f oe s t r ad io l ( see Append i x B ) . Th i s w a s f i r s t ob se r ved in one an im a l a t 6 d a y s a f te r commen cemen t o f t re a tmen t w i th oe s t r ad io l , bu t a l l the sheep in th i s g roup e ven tu a l l y de ve loped udde r s b y the end o f the s tud y . Fo r the se sheep , the me an m amm a r y g l and d i ame te r when i t be c ame v i su a l l y p rom inen t w a s 50 .62 ± 0 .65 (n = 4 ) and w a s un ch an ged (P = 0 .796 ) on d a y 40 (me an d i ame te r 49 .92 ± 2 .20 , n = 4 ) . The me an c i r cum fe ren ce o f the udde r when i t be c ame v i su a l l y p rom inen t w a s 15 .50 ± 0 .96 (n = 4 ) and w a s un ch an ged (P = 0 .103 ) on d a y 40 (me an c i r cum fe ren ce 14 .00 ± 1 .08 , n = 4 ) . The re w a s no v i s ib le e v iden ce o f m amm a r y de ve lopmen t in the Con t ro l sheep o r the Low oe s t r ad io l sheep th rou ghou t the e xpe r imen t . The re w a s a t rend fo r a po s i t i ve do se-­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t o f oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t on me an m amm a r y g l and we i gh t on d a y 41 ( T ab le 4 .5) bu t th i s w a s no t s i gn i f i c an t ( P = 0 .314 ) . 4 .2 .3 Te a t s i ze Ch an ge s in me an te a t len g th a re shown in F i gu re 4 .3 . The re w a s do se-­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t o f oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t on te a t len g th ( P < 0 .05 ) w i th the sheep th a t re ce i ved the h i gh do se o f oe s t r ad io l h a v in g a me an in c re a se in te a t len g th o f 3 .97 ± 2 .21 mm and tho se in the con t ro l and low do se oe s t r ad io l g roup s h a v in g s l i gh t de c re a se s in me an te a t len g th ( redu c t ion s o f 1 .30 ± 2 .05 mm and 0 .62 ± 5 .02 mm , re spe c t i ve l y ) . 21 2 8 .00 2 6 .00 Te a t l en g th (mm ) 2 4 .00 2 2 .00 2 0 .00 1 8 .00 1 6 .00 1 4 .00 1 2 .00 1 7 13 19 25 31 40 T im e (da y ) Non e Low H i gh F i gu re 4. 3 Tea t len g th1 re co rded e ve r y 3 da y s in a pe r iod o f 40 da y s o f sheep (n = 4 pe r t rea tmen t ) t rea ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s ( Low oe s t rad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s (H i gh oe s t rad io l ) o r no t t rea ted (Con t ro l ). Ve r t i ca l ba r s rep re sen t ± s .e .m . 1 – me an s a re c a l cu l a ted f rom the a ve r a ge o f the p a i r fo r e a ch sheep Re su l t s fo r te a t w id th a re shown in F i gu re 4 .4 . The re w a s no e f fe c t o f oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t on me an te a t len g th du r in g the pe r iod o f the s tud y . 22 2 2 .00 Te a t w id th (mm ) 2 0 .00 1 8 .00 1 6 .00 1 4 .00 1 2 .00 1 0 .00 8 .00 1 7 13 19 25 31 40 T im e (da y s ) Non e Low H i gh F i gu re 4. 4 Tea t w id th1 re co rded e ve r y 3 da y s in a pe r iod o f 40 da y s o f sheep (n=4 pe r t rea tmen t ) t rea ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s ( Low oe s t rad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s (H i gh oe s t rad io l ) o r no t t rea ted (Con t ro l ) . Ve r t i ca l ba r s rep re sen t ± s .e .m . 1 – me an s a re c a l cu l a ted f rom the a ve r a ge o f the p a i r fo r e a ch sheep 4 .2 .4 M amm a r y de ve lopmen t and te a t s i ze de te rm ined f rom pho to g r aph s The re w a s a s i gn i f i c an t d i f fe ren ce be tween the me a su remen t s t a ken u s in g the c a l ipe r and the me a su remen t s t a ken u s in g a pho tog r aph w i th a ru le r in p re sen t v iew fo r te a t len g th (P < 0 .001 ) a c ro s s a l l the me a su remen t s t a ken th rou ghou t the du r a t ion o f the 40 -­‐ d a y t r i a l . The re w a s no s i gn i f i c an t d i f fe ren ce be tween the c a l ipe r and pho to g r aph i c me a su remen t s t a ken fo r te a t w id th (P = 0 .932 ) o r udde r w id th (P = 0 .179 ) ( see T ab le 4 .4 ) . 23 Me an c a l ipe r Me an pho to D i f fe ren ce P-­‐ v a lue me a su remen t me a su remen t Tea t w id th 14 .4 ± 0 .21 14 .4 ± 0 .25 0 .0 ± 0 .23 0 .932 Tea t len g th 18 .1 ± 0 .27 19 .6 ± 0 .36 1 .4 ± 0 .29 0 .000 Udde r w id th 52 .9 ± 1 .25 54 .9 ± 1 .75 2 .0 ± 1 .39 0 .179 1 tea t len g th and udde r w id th1 mea su remen t s ( a l l in mm ) Tab le 4. 4 Mean (± s .e .m . ) tea t w id th1, when ta ken u s in g the ca l ipe r s compa red to when ta ken u s in g a pho tog raph w i th a ru le r in p re sen t v iew and the mean (± s .e .m . ) d i f fe ren ce be tween the two mea su remen t s . Da ta in c lude s a l l mea su remen t s th rou ghou t the du ra t ion o f the 40-­‐ da y t r i a l 1 – me an s a re c a l cu l a ted f rom the a ve r a ge o f the p a i r fo r e a ch sheep 4 .2 .5 Rep rodu c t i ve t r a c t U te ru s we i gh t The re w a s a t rend fo r a po s i t i ve do se-­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t o f oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t on u te ru s we i gh t ( T ab le 4 .5 ) bu t th i s w a s no t s i gn i f i c an t (P = 0 .1 ) . O va r y we i gh t The re w a s a t rend fo r a po s i t i ve do se-­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t o f oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t on o v a r y we i gh t ( T a b le 4 .5 ) bu t th i s w a s no t s i gn i f i c an t (P = 0 .782 ) . The re w a s no do se-­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t on the numbe r o f P = 0 .48 ) ( T ab le 4 .6 ) . No co rpo r a lu te a we re p re sen t in an y o v a r ie s . fo l l i c le s p re sen t in the o v a r ie s ( 24 Con t ro l Low oe s t rad io l Mamma r y we i gh t 201 .3 ± 11 .99 234 .25 ± 27 .79 H i gh oe s t rad iol P-­‐ va lue 243 .00 ± 13 .64 0 .314 ( g ) U te ru s we i gh t ( g ) 28 .3 + 1 .76 36 .3 ± 5 .27 44 .0 ± 7 .33 0 .1 O va r y we i gh t ( g ) 1 .44 ± 0 .22 1 .59 ± 0 .07 1 .64 ± 0 .29 0 .782 Vu l va redne s s ( ° ) 168 .8 ± 19 .97 196 .8 ± 2 .05 184 .2 ± 3 .69 0 .296 Vu l va sa tu ra t ion 48 .0 ± 1 .49 0 .027 53 .2 ± 2 .45 40 .4 ± 3 .73 (% ) Tab le 4. 5 Po s t s l au gh te r mea su remen t s (mean ± s .e .m . ) o f mamma r y we i gh t , u te ru s we i gh t , 1 o va r y we i gh t and vu l va co lou r re co rded on da y 41 o f sheep (n = 4 pe r t rea tmen t ) t rea ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s ( Low oe s t rad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s (H i gh oe s t rad io l ) o r no t t rea ted (Con t ro l ) . 1 – me an s a re c a l cu l a ted f rom the to t a l we i gh t o f the p a i r fo r e a ch sheep Fo l l i c le s > 5mm Con t ro l n = 4 5 Fo l l i c le s > 8mm 3 Low oe s t rad io l H i gh oe s t rad io l n = 4 n = 4 5 4 1 2 Tab le 4. 6 Numbe r o f fo l l i c le s w i th in d i ame te r s i ze ran ge s l i s ted he re re co rded po s t s l au gh te r on da y 41 o f the sheep o f sheep (n = 4 pe r t rea tmen t ) t rea ted w i th 0 .1 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s ( Low oe s t rad io l ) , 1 .0 m g oe s t rad io l e ve r y 3 da y s (H i gh oe s t rad io l ) o r no t t rea ted (Con t ro l ) . 4 .2 .6 Vu l v a co lou r The re w a s no e f fe c t o f oe s tr ad io l t re a tmen t on me an vu l v a redne s s du r in g the pe r iod o f the s tud y ( T ab le 4 .5 ) . Howe ve r , the re w a s an oe s t r ad io l do se -­‐ re l a ted v a r i a t ion in vu l v a co lou r s a tu r a t ion ( see T ab le 4 .5 and Append i x D ) . 25 26 Ch ap te r 5 D i s cu s s ion Th i s s tud y h a s me a su red the s t imu l a to r y e ffe c t s o f oe s t ro gen i c lu ce rne on the m amm a r y g l and s and te a t s o f p re -­‐ pube r t a l sheep in New Ze a l and . I t h a s a t temp ted to re l a te the oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t s re co rded on -­‐ f a rm to tho se p rodu ced b y a p re c i se do se adm in i s t r a t ion o f oe s t r ad io l to sheep . A l so , th i s s tud y h a s demon s t r a ted the u t i l i t y o f a pho to g r aph i c p ro cedu re fo r rep l a c in g the l abo r iou s d i re c t me a su remen t o f m amm a r y and te a t de ve lopmen t bu t h a s ru led ou t the po ten t i a l o f pho to g r aph y to qu an t i f y oe s t ro gen-­‐ indu ced co lou r ch an ge s in e x te rn a l gen i t a l i a . In ve s t i g a t ion o f the e f fe c t s th a t ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s h a ve on the rep rodu c t i ve o r g an s o f sheep i s su r rounded in comp le x i t y . Th i s i s due to the imp a c t th a t a numbe r o f in c iden t a l f a c to r s th a t an an im a l i s e xpo sed to cou ld h a ve on the ou t come . In c iden t a l f a c to r s in c lude p l an t nu t r ien t compo s i t ion , s imu l t aneou s e f fe c t o f o the r ho rmone s and po s s ib le in vo l vemen t o f inh ib i to r s and po ten t i a to r s o f oe s t ro gen i c a c t i v i t y (O ld f ie ld e t a l . , 1966 ) . The on-­‐ f a rm e xpe r imen t a l s tud y c a r r ied ou t w a s an in c iden t a l f ind in g on a f a rm th a t showed d r am a t i c e f fe c t s o f an oe s t ro gen i c c rop . The sheep we re g i ven ab l ib i tum a c ce s s to oe s t ro gen i c feed so i t w a s no t po s s ib le to me a su re the feed in t a ke o f an ind i v idu a l an im a l . Th i s l im i t s the ab i l i t y to a s so c i a te an ind i v idu a l re spon se w i th le ve l o f oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re con sumed . An e xpe r imen t a l t r i a l w a s c a r r ied ou t in a t temp t to qu an t i f y the p re c i se amoun t o f oe s t r ad io l th a t mu s t be adm in i s te red to p rodu ce e f fe c t s o f a s im i l a r m a gn i tude to tho se p rodu ced b y the lu ce rne c rop . Th i s w a s e xpe c ted to p ro v ide a mo re a c cu r a te a s se s smen t o f the do s a ge le ve l s e xpe r ien ced b y sheep in the f ie ld . I t i s e v iden t th a t the sheep u sed in the e xpe r imen t a l t r i a l we re mu ch le s s sen s i t i ve to the e f fe c t s o f an e xo genou s oe s t ro gen th an the l amb s i n the f a rm s tud y and th i s l a c k o f re spon s i vene s s w a s p rob ab l y due to the g re a te r de g ree o f m a tu r i t y o f the oe s t r ad io l t re a ted sheep – i .e . the y we re o lde r . On a ve r a ge , the l amb s (25 – 28 wee k s o f a ge ) g r a z in g lu ce rne f rom the sheep f a rm t r i a l we i ghed 45 .4 k g the re fo re we re e a t in g 1 .82 k g DM /d a y (b a sed on in t a ke o f 4% o f bod y we i gh t ) . The oe s t ro gen i c i t y o f the lu ce rne c rop w a s an a l y sed to be be tween 99 .8 – 151 .41 µ g oe s t r ad io l equ i v a len t / k g DM the re fo re the l amb s we re re ce i v in g the equ i v a len t o f 181 .2 – 274 .9 µ g oe s t r ad io l equ i v a len t /d a y . The o lde r sheep (42 -­‐ 44 wee k s o f a ge ) we re t re a ted w i th 0 , 33 .3 , 333 .3 µ g oe s t r ad io l /d a y . A l thou gh , the l amb s re ce i ved a con s ide r ab l y lowe r do se o f oe s t r ad io l th an the o lde r sheep , the y we re mo re sen s i t i ve and re spon s i ve to the oe s t r ad io l do se . O lde r sheep a re le s s re spon s i ve due to c h an ge s th a t o c cu r du r in g pube r t y th a t in f luen ce s the i r sen s i t i v i t y to e xo genou s oe s t ro gen s . Pube r t y i s de f ined a s 27 the f i r s t t ime th a t an an im a l c an se xu a l l y rep rodu ce and m an y re se a r che r s u se f i r s t oe s t rou s a s an ind i c a to r o f pube r t y . Rep rodu c t i ve o r g an s de ve lop re l a t i ve l y s low l y and a re fun c t ion a l l y in a c t i ve in the e a r l y l i fe o f p re -­‐ pube r t a l l amb s (H a fe z , 1952 ). P ro te c t ion a g a in s t e xo genou s oe s t ro gen a f te r pube r t y o c cu r s cou ld be due to endo genou s s te ro id ho rmone s th a t a re p rodu ced du r in g pube r t y in t e r fe r in g w i th re cep to r b ind in g . A r an ge o f ho rmone s te ro id s a re p rodu ced a f te r the on se t o f pube r t y , an y o f wh i ch cou ld be in te r fe r in g w i th oe s t ro gen re cep to r s b y b lo c k in g o r inh ib i t in g re cep to r b ind in g . Pube r t a l ch an ge s m a k in g sheep le s s sen s i t i ve to the e f fe c t s o f e xo genou s oe s t ro gen s i s suppo r ted b y en t i re r am s no t be in g a f fe c ted b y oe s t ro gen s wh i le c a s t r a ted m a le s a re . Benne t t s e t a l . (1946 ) showed th a t en t i re r am s a re no t in f luen ced b y ‘ c lo ve r d i se a se ’ and o the r s tud ie s h a ve shown th a t the re i s no oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t on pube r t y , l i ve we i gh t o r rep rodu c t i ve t r a i t s on en t i re r am s (Geo r ge and Tu rnbu l l , 1966 ) . C a s t r a ted m a le s , howe ve r , e xh ib i t m an y e f fe c t s in c lud in g ch an ge in te a t len g th (Mone y e t a l . , 1967 ) and ‘ c lo ve r d i se a se ’ , wh i ch in c lude s en l a r gemen t o f the bu lbou re th r a l g l and s and de a th (Ad am s , 1995 ) . C a s t r a ted m a le sheep a l so h a ve mo re o f a re spon se to oe s t ro gen s th an en t i re ho g ge t s . C a s t r a ted m a le s showed a n in c re a sed o f 11 .4 mm in te a t len g th when do sed oe s t ro gen comp a red to a 4 .8 mm in c re a se ob se r ved in en t i re ho g ge t s (Mone y e t a l . , 1967 ) , show in g th a t when sheep a re no t p rodu c in g the i r own ho rmone s ( c a s t r a ted , p re-­‐ pube r t a l , o v a r ie c tom i zed ) the y a re mo re sen s i t i ve and re spon s i ve to the e f fe c t s o f oe s t ro gen s . Mo re o f an e f fe c t on te a t s i ze w a s ob se r ved in p re-­‐ pube r t a l l amb s th an pube r t a l sheep . L amb s g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c lu ce rne h ad b i g ge r te a t s th an tho se g r a z in g g r a s s (4 .6 mm w ide r and 2 .1 mm lon ge r ) . Th i s i s in a c co rd an ce w i th p re v iou s re se a r ch (O ld f ie ld e t a l . , 1966 ; Ad am s , 1995 ) . The re w a s 2 =0 .00) and l i ve we i gh t l i t t le to no co r re l a t ion o f l i ve we i gh t w i th te a t len g th and te a t w id th ( r co r re c ted d a t a s t i l l h ad a po s i t i ve e f fe c t o f oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu r e s. Fou r wee k s a f te r the sheep we re remo ved f rom the lu ce rne c rop to a r ye -­‐ g r a s s /wh i te c lo ve r p a s tu re , mo re me a su remen t s we re t a ken and the re w a s no d i f fe ren ce be tween the l amb s th a t we re p re v iou s l y g r a z in g lu ce rne and tho se g r a z in g g r a s s . Th i s i s con s i s te n t w i th p re v iou s re se a r ch b y Nw annenn a e t a l . (1995 ) who no t i ced th a t i t too k 25 d a y s fo r te a t s i ze to re tu rn b a c k to no rm a l a f te r remo v a l f rom oe s t ro gen i c red c lo ve r . The sheep in the e xpe r imen t a l t r i a l e xpe r ien ced a s l i gh t in c re a se in te a t len g th (3 .97 ± 2 .21 mm ) when g i ven h i gh do se s o f oe s t r ad io l and no ch an ge in te a t w id th . Te a t len g th and te a t w id th we re bo th = 0 .33 and 0 .72 , re spe c t i ve l y ) and mo s t o f the ch an ge s in mode r a te l y co r re l a ted w i th l i ve we i gh t ( r2 the s tud y cou ld be e xp l a ined b y l i ve we i gh t d i f fe ren ce s . Te a t g row th i s a l lome t r i c and oe s t ro gen s c au se a s t imu l a to r y e f fe c t th a t c au se s i t to g row mo re th an i t wou ld w i th l ine a r g row th o f an an im a l . The re w a s d a i l y v a r i a t ion in te a t len g th and w id th , wh i ch i s pu t down to the en v i ronmen t a l e f fe c t on te a t s i ze . 28 Oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t and oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s c au se s m amm a r y de ve lopmen t to o ccu r in bo th p re -­‐ pube r t a l l amb s and pube r t a l sheep ; in c lud in g m amm a r y g l and we i gh t o f pube r t a l sheep . Th i s i s in a g reemen t w i th o the r s tud ie s and the in c re a se in m a mm a r y de ve lopmen t ob se r ved i s due to a g re a te r de ve lopmen t o f g l andu l a r t i s sue and le s s conne c t i ve t i s sue de ve lopmen t (Ad am s , 1977 ; V a lde r r ab ano e t a l . , 1988 ) . P ro l i fe r a t ion o f m amm a r y ep i the l i a l i s d r i ven b y the se x s te ro id s in c lud in g oe s t ro gen s . Oe s t ro gen s e xe r t an e f fe c t on the m amm a r y g l and and the b io lo g i c a l re spon se s a re p redom in an t l y med i a ted b y re cep to r s , m a in l y oe s t ro gen re cep to r ( ERα ) . Th i s oe s t ro gen re cep to r med i a ted s i gn a l l in g i s e s sen t i a l fo r du c t a l de ve lopmen t . De ve lopmen t o f the m amm a r y g l and i s m in im a l and i some t r i c un t i l the on se t o f pube r t y , when m ammo gene s i s r ap id and a l lome t r i c ( L amo te e t a l . , 2004 ) . The re w a s a mode r a te co r re l a t ion be tween l i ve we i gh t and m amm a r y g l and we i gh t o f 2 = 0 .29 ) and th i s c an be e xp l a ined b y m amm a r y g l and g row th be in g the e xpe r imen t a l sheep (R a l lome t r i c . When d a t a w a s l i ve -­‐ we i gh t co r re c ted the re w a s s t i l l a po s i t i ve do se-­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t o f oe s t r ad io l . I t i s no t su rp r i s in g th a t the te a t s and the m amm a r y g l and re sponded to oe s t r ad io l a t d i f fe ren t t ime s . The udde r i s comp r i sed o f two d i f fe ren t o r g an s : the g l andu l a r t i s sue (m amm a r y g l and ) and the m amm a r y s k in ( te a t ) . The re a re d i f fe ren t ce l l s in the two o r g an s and l i ke l y re spond to oe s t ro gen s d i f fe ren t l y . In the e xpe r imen t a l s tud y , i t appe a r s th a t the g l andu l a r t i s sue re sp ond s be fo re the m amm a r y s k in to e xo genou s oe s t ro gen . The re w a s a po s i t i ve do se re l a ted e f fe c t o f oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t on l i ve-­‐ we i gh t in the e xpe r imen t a l s tud y . H i gh oe s t r ad io l sheep g rew 10 g /d a y f a s te r th an low oe s t r ad io l sheep and 33 g /d a y f a s te r t h an con t ro l sheep . Oe s t ro gen s h a ve w ide l y been u sed a s g row th p romo te r s in sheep a s the y re su l t in imp ro ved g row th r a te s and imp ro ved feed u t i l i s a t ion due to a sm a l l in c re a se in feed in t a ke . The y in c re a se le an t i s sue depo s i t ion (mu s c le , bone and conne c t i ve t i s sue ) and de c re a se sub cu t aneou s and in t r amu s cu l a r f a t depo s i t ion (H an co c k e t a l . , 1991 ) . In the sheep f a rm s tud y , the re w a s a l so an oe s t ro gen i c e f fe c t w i th ewe l amb s g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c lu ce rne h a v in g h i ghe r g row th r a te s th an ewe l amb s g r a z in g r ye g r a s s . Lu ce rne i s a h i gh qu a l i t y feed sou r ce w i th a h i gh c rude p ro te in con ten t and g r a z in g an im a l s e xpe r ien ce he i gh tened l i ve we i gh t g a in re l a t i ve to o the r fo r a ge s su ch a s g r a s s spe c ie s , wh i ch e i the r don ’ t con t a in ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen o r h a ve a ve r y low con cen t r a t ion. L amb s and sheep a re o f ten g r a zed on lu ce rne to in c re a se l i ve we i gh t fo r e i the r s l au gh te r o r to f lu sh ewe s on p r io r to m a t in g due to he i gh tened l i ve we i gh t in c re a s in g o vu l a t ion ( Sm i th e t a l . , 1979 ; R a t t r a y e t a l . , 1980 ; M i l l s e t a l . , 2008 ) . Endo genou s oe s t ro gen s c au se swe l l in g and in c re a sed redne s s o f the vu l v a and i t i s repo r ted th a t coume s t an s and i so f l a vone s con sump t ion m a y e xe r t s im i l a r e f fe c t s . When sheep g r a ze oe s t ro gen i c 29 p a s tu re s o r a re t re a ted w i th oe s t r ad io l-­‐ 17β , the vu l v a unde r goe s ph y s i c a l ch ange s su ch a s swe l l in g up and ch an g in g in co lou r . Th i s ch an ge m a y be indu ced b y the in c re a sed b lood f low th a t a c comp an ie s h ype r t roph i c and h ype rp l a s t i c en l a r gemen t o f the rep rodu c t i ve o r g an s (Nw annenn a e t a l . , 1995 ) . The re w a s no c le a r e f fe c t o f oe s t r ad io l tre a tmen t o r g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s on the s a tu r a t ion and redne s s o f the vu l v a in bo th the sheep f a rm s tud y and the e xpe r imen t a l t r i a l . The re w a s a s i gn i f i c an t e f fe c t o f oe s t r ad io l t re a tmen t on vu l v a s a tu r a t ion , w i th the vu l v a s o f Low oe s t r ad io l t re a t men t sheep be in g le s s s a tu r a ted ( vu l v a s a tu r a t ion v a lue s we re 53 .15% ± 2 .45 , 40 .4% ± 3 .73 and 48 .0% ± 1 .49 fo r Con t ro l sheep , Low oe s t r ad io l sheep and H i gh oe s t r ad io l sheep , re spe c t i ve l y ) . Howe ve r , h a v in g su ch a sm a l l s amp le s i ze me an s th a t s i gn i f i c an t v a lue s h appen b y ch an ce and in tu i t i ve l y the s i gn i f i c an ce in vu l v a s a tu r a t ion i s un l i ke l y to h a ve an y me an in g due to the ch an ge be in g ob se r ved in the Low oe s t r ad io l g roup . The d i s c rep an c ie s be tween the se re su l t s and o the r p re v iou s s tud ie s i s due to a l l o f the t r i a l s h a v in g sm a l l s amp le s i ze the re fo re ch an ge s in the co lou r o f the vu l v a a s so c i a ted w i th oe s t ro gen con cen t r a t ion c an no be con f i rmed . En v i ronmen t a l e f fe c t s su ch a s l i gh ten in g m a y a l so c au se d i f fe ren ce in vu l v a red and co lou r s a tu r a t ion . Pho to g r aph i c im a ge s we re t a ken to see i f the re w a s a r ap id , e a s y w a y fo r f a rme r s to me a su re the te a t s i ze o f sheep . I t i s e xpe c ted th a t the re wou ld be good re l a t ion sh ip be tween te a t s i ze t a ken u s in g c a l ipe r s and te a t s i ze t a ken o f f a pho to g r aph w i th a ru le r in p re sen t v iew . The re i s e r ro r in bo th me thod s o f me a su r in g and the pho to g r aph t a ken w i th a re l a xed te a t and a ru le r cou ld be con s ide red mo re re l i ab le due to the c a l ipe r me a su remen t depend in g on whe re you tou ch i t and whe re you squee ze the c a l ipe r to . I n the sheep f a rm s tud y the re w a s no s i gn i f i c an t d i f fe ren ce s be tween the two me a su remen t s fo r te a t len g th and udde r w id th (me an d i f fe ren ce s o f 0 .61mm ± 0 .42 and 0 .37mm ± 1 .66 , re spe c t i ve l y ) . The re w a s a s i gn i f i c an t d i f fe ren ce be tween the two d i f fe ren t me a su remen t s fo r 2 v a lue s o f 0 .09 , 0 .41 te a t w id th (me an d i f fe ren ce o f 2 .50mm ± 0 .39 ) . Re g re s s ion mode l l in g g a ve R and 0 .22 fo r te a t w id th , te a t len g th and udde r w id th , re spe c t i ve l y . The e xpe r imen t a l t r i a l showed th a t the re w a s no s i gn i f i c an t d i f fe ren ce be tween the c a l ipe r me a su remen t and the pho to g r aph s w i th a ru le r in p re sen t v iew me a su remen t fo r te a t w id th and udde r w id th w id th (me an d i f fe ren ce s o f 0 .02 ± 0 .23 and 1 .99 ± 1 .39 , re spe c t i ve l y ) . The re w a s a s i gn i f i c an t d i f fe ren ce be tween the two 2 me a su remen t s fo r te a t len g th (me an d i f fe ren ce o f 1 .43mm ± 0 .29 . Re g re s s ion mode l l in g g a ve R v a lue s o f 0 .14 , 0 .36 and 0 .36 fo r te a t w id th , te a t len g th and udde r w id th , re spe c t i ve l y . Fo r bo th s tud ie s , te a t len g th and udde r w id th g a ve mode r a te co r re l a t ion s be tween the two m e a su remen t s wh i le te a t w id th w a s poo r l y co r re l a t ion . The two me thod s o f me a su remen t s a re no t h i gh l y co r re l a ted and i s due to an g le o f the te a t in the pho to g r aph in f luen c in g the pho to g r aph i c me a su remen t . When the pho to g r aph h ad a c le a r p i c tu re o f the te a t a nd l i gh t w a s no t in te r fe r in g w i th i t , then the re w a s a good re l a t ion sh ip be tween the two me a su remen t s . T a k in g pho to g r aph s w i th a ru le r in p l a in v iew c an 30 be con s ide red a good enou gh ind i c a to r o f the c a l ipe r me a su remen t p ro v ided th a t the pho to s a re t a ken a t a good an g le . Oe s t r ad io l-­‐ 17β s t imu l a ted u te r ine g row th in t re a ted sheep when comp a red w i th the i r con t ro l s . The re i s a re l a t ion sh ip be tween the l i ve we i gh t o f a sheep and i t s u te ru s s i ze and re g re s s ion v a lue o f 0 .51 . When d a t a w a s co r re c ted fo r l i ve mode l l in g showed i t to be h i gh l y co r re l a ted w i th a R2 we i gh t (e xp re s sed a s g u te ru s / k g l i ve we i gh t ) the re w a s s t i l l a po s i t i ve do se-­‐ re l a ted e f fe c t me an in g th a t no t a l l o f the d i f fe ren ce s ob se r ved in l i ve we i gh t c an be a t t r ibu ted to l i ve we i gh t . In the e xpe r imen ta l s tud y , H i gh oe s t r ad io l sheep h ad a u te r ine s i ze o f 0 .78 g u te ru s / k g o f l i ve we i gh t , Low oe s t r ad io l do se sheep h ad a u te r ine s i ze o f 0 .65 g u te ru s / k g o f l i ve we i gh t and Con t ro l sheep h ad a u te r ine s i ze o f 0 .51 g u te ru s / k g . Th i s in c re a se in u te r ine we i gh t h a s been a c c red i ted to re a l g row th o f the u te ru s r a the r th an w a te r a c cumu l a t ion (New some and K i t t s , 1980 ) . U te r ine g row th i s in re spon se to the u te ru s be com in g mo re sen s i t i ve to oe s t ro gen s t imu l a t ion , wh i ch in c re a se s u te r ine b lood f low c au s in g the u te ru s to g row , ce l l p ro l i fe r a t ion to o c cu r and h ype rem i a (Re yno ld s e t a l . , 1998 ) . A s tud y done b y New some and K i t t s (1980 ) showed th a t the m a x imum u te r ine re spon se i s when l amb s a re g i ven 10 m g o f oe s t r ad io l pe r d a y . L amb s g i ven th i s do se h ad u te ru s we i gh t s o f 0.6 g u te ru s / k g o f l i ve we i gh t comp a red to con t ro l sheep who h ad u te ru s we i gh t s o f 0 .37 g u te ru s / k g o f l i ve we i gh t . Th i s s tud y a l so loo ked a t the re spon se o f u te ru s in l amb s who we re t re a ted w i th 132 µ g coume s t ro l /d a y (0 .132 m g /d a y ) and i t showed th a t a l tho u gh coume s t ro l-­‐ t re a ted ewe s re ce i ved a con s ide r ab l y sm a l le r con cen t r a t ion th an the o the r g roup s , i t s t i l l e xe r ted an e f fe c t o f 0 .46 g u te ru s / k g o f l i ve we i gh t . Th i s re spon se w a s s im i l a r to th a t o f l amb s who re ce i ved 2 .5 m g /d a y (2500 µ g /d a y ) o f oe s t r ad io l , show in g th a t ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s e xe r t mo re o f an e f fe c t th an oe s t r ad io l m a k in g p re-­‐ pube r t a l l amb s mo re sen s i t i ve to them . I t i s s t i l l no t known i f ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s in f luen ce u te r ine g row th in a po s i t i ve m anne r o r de l a y s pube r t y a s an an t a gon i s t . P re v iou s rese a r ch ind i c a te s th a t oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re s and oe s t r ad io l supp re s s o v a r i an a c t i v i t y , t a l . , 1988 ; Sm i th e v iden t in a redu c t ion in o v a r i an we i gh t (New some and K i t t s , 1980 ; V a lde r r ab ano e e t a l . , 1990 ) . G r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re a l so re su l t s in sheep de ve lop in g h i gh numbe r s o f sm a l l and med ium fo l l i c le , howe ve r , th i s abno rm a l de ve lopmen t i s a c comp an ied w i th e a r l y a t re s i a (Ad am s , 1977 ) . Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s h a ve an inh ib i to r y e f fe c t on o v a r i an fun c t ion , howe ve r , no t a l l ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s h a ve an equ a l e f fe c t on o va r i an a c t i v i t y and coume s t an s a re thou gh t to h a ve the b i g ge s t in f luen ce . Ewe s in ge s t in g ph y to -­‐ oe s t ro gen s f a i l to o vu l a te and the i r fo l l i c le s a re h i s to lo g i c a l l y abno rm a l and s im i l a r to the fo l l i c le s o f ewe s th a t don ’ t d i sp l a y oe s t rou s . Inh ib i t ion o f oe s t rou s i s due to the o v a r y f a i l in g to se c re te endo genou s oe s t ro gen s , wh i ch a re wh a t c au se s sheep to d i sp l a y oe s t rou s . Ph y to-­‐ oe s t ro gen s c au se an abno rm a l re l a t ion sh ip be tween the p i tu i t a r y and o v a r ie s 31 re su l t in g in de c re a se endo genou s oe s t ro gen p rodu c t ion (Ad am s e t a l . , 1979 ; Ke l l y e t a l . , 1976 ). Th i s s tud y i s in d i s a g reemen t w i th p re v iou s re se a r ch . The re w a s no d i f fe ren ce ob se r ved in fo l l i c le numbe r s then wh a t w a s e xpe c ted and no co rpu s lu teum we re p re sen t in an y o f the o v a r ie s . Sheep g i ven oe s t r ad io l e xpe r ien ced an in c re a se in o v a r y we i gh t r a the r th an a de c re a se . E ven thou gh the re 2 = 0 .08 ) , when o v a r y we i gh t w a s i s a we a k co r re l a t ion be tween l i ve we i gh t and o v a r y we i gh t (R co r re c ted fo r l i ve we i gh t the re w a s no d i f fe ren ce s in o v a r y s i ze a c ro s s the t re a tmen t s . De t e c t ion o f the ch an ge s in o v a r i an we i gh t s h a s l a r ge l y bee n s tud ied in p re-­‐ pube r t a l l amb s ; in t a c t adu l t sheep cou ld be l a r ge l y p ro te c ted f rom the e f fe c t s o f oe s t r ad io l so the re a re no t the d r am a t i c ch an ge s th a t a re ob se r ved in p re -­‐ pube r t a l sheep . Howe ve r , o lde r in t a c t sheep a re no t en t i re l y p ro te c ted e v iden t b y the ch an ge s ob se r ved in o v a r y we i gh t . Con c lu s ion The pu rpo se o f th i s d i s se r t a t ion w a s to me a su re the e f fe c t s th a t oe s t ro gen i c lu ce rne h ad on p re-­‐ pube r t a l l amb s and to qu an t i f y the e x a c t amoun t o f oe s t rad io l th a t mu s t be adm in i s te red to p rodu ce e f fe c t s o f a s im i l a r m a gn i tude to tho se p rodu ced b y the lu ce rne c rop . Re su l t s showed th a t oe s t ro gen i c lu ce rne re su l ted in m amm a r y g l and de ve lopmen t and an in c re a se in te a t w id th and te a t len g th o f p re -­‐ pube r t a l l amb s . T re a tmen t w i th oe s t r ad io l d id no t a ch ie ve e f fe c t s o f the s ame m a gn i tude a s tho se p rodu ced b y the lu ce rne c rop due to u s in g o lde r , pube r t a l sheep . The pube r t a l sheep in the e xpe r imen t a l s tud y we re re ce i v in g mo re oe s t r ad io l th an the p re-­‐ pube r t a l l amb s i n the sheep f a rm s tud y (333 .3 µ g oe s t r ad io l /d a y v s 98 .6 – 149 .6 µ g oe s t r ad io l equ i v a len t /d a y ) ye t we re le s s sen s i t i ve to the oe s t r ad io l e f fe c t e v iden t b y the sm a l le r ch an ge s in te a t s i ze th an the l amb s . The re we re sm a l l e f fe c t s in the pube r t a l sheep bu t the y we re no t o f the s ame m a gn i tude a s in the p re -­‐ pube r t a l l amb s g r a z in g lu ce rne . The sheep we re mo s t l i ke l y le s s re spon s i ve to e xo genou s oe s t ro gen due to oe s t ro gen re cep to r sen s i t i v i t y and sen s i t i v i t y ch an ge s w i th the on se t o f pube r t y due to p rodu c t ion o f the i r own ho rmone s p ro te c t in g them a g a in s t e xo genou s ho rmone s . The u se o f pho to g r aph s to me a su re m amm a r y and te a t de ve lopmen t , c an be a good me a su remen t p ro v ided th a t the pho to i s t a ken a t su ch an an g le th a t the fu l l te a t len g th and w id th c an e a s i l y be di s t in gu i shed and l i gh t doe sn ’ t no t in te r fe re w i th m amm a r y and te a t bound a r ie s . Pho to g r aph s a re no t a u se fu l u t i l i t y in qu an t i f y oe s t ro gen-­‐ indu ced co lou r ch an ge s in e x te rn a l gen i t a l i a . Fu r the r re se a r ch oppo r tun i t ie s Fu r the r re se a r ch i s requ i red on the me ch an i sm th a t m a ke en t i re sheep le s s sen s i t i ve th an p re -­‐ pube r t a l l amb s and sheep th a t a ren ’ t p rodu c in g the i r own s te ro id s ( gon ade c tom i sed , 32 o v a r ie c tom i zed ) . The re i s l im i ted l i te r a tu re su r round in g oe s t ro gen re cep to r sen s i t i v i t y and the e f fe c t s th a t e xo genou s oe s t ro gen s h a ve on re spon s i vene s s . 33 Re fe ren ce s Ad am s , N . R . (1977 ) . Mo rpho lo g i c a l ch an ge s in the o r g an s o f ewe s g r a z in g oe s t ro gen i c sub te r r ane an c lo ve r . R e s ea r ch in v e t e r ina r y s c i en c e, 22(2 ) , 216 -­‐ 221 . Ad am s , N . R . , O ldh am , C . M . , & He ydon , R . A . (1979 ) . O vu l a t ion r a te and oo c y te numbe r s in ewe s a f te r p ro lon ged e xpo su re to oe s t ro gen i c p a s tu re . Jou rna l o f r ep rodu c t ion and f e r t i l i t y , 55(1 ) , 87 -­‐ 89 . Ad am s , N . R . (1986 ) . Me a su remen t o f h i s to lo g i c a l ch an ge s in the ce r v i x o f ewe s a f te r p ro lon ged e xpo su re to oe s t ro gen i c c lo ve r o r oe s t r ad io l-­‐ 17β . Au s t ra l ian v e t e r ina r y jou rna l, 63(9 ) , 279 -­‐ 282 . Ad am s , N . R . 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N ew Z ea land Jou rna l o f Ag r i cu l tu ra l R e s ea r ch , 14(3 ) , 639 -­‐ 645 . 38 42 M amm a r y g l and pho tog r aph o f a Con t ro l sheep ( see te x t ) show in g the ch an ge in m amm a r y g l and s i ze f rom d a y 1 ( le f t ) to d a y 40 ( r i gh t ) 44 Append i x D Vu l v a pho tog r aph s f rom e xpe r imen t a l s tud y Vu l v a pho to g r aph t yp i c a l o f a Con t ro l sheep ( see te x t ) . Vu l v a pho to g r aph t yp i c a l o f a Low oe s t r ad io l sheep ( see te x t ) . 45 Vu l v a pho to g r aph t yp i c a l o f a H i gh oe s t r ad io l sheep ( see te x t ) 46