Thyroidal and prolactin secretion in agalactic mares

A study was designed to examine serum concentrations of prolactin (PRL) and iodothyronines before and after thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) administration to agalactic (n = 26) and normally (n = 8) lactating mares. Two mg TRH was given intramuscularly (i.m.) twice daily on Day 1 (day of delivery) through Day 5. Jugular venous blood was collected on Days 1 and 5 before TRH (time 0) and at 1 and 3 h post-TRH. Basal serum concentrations of thyroxin (T(4)) were different (P < 0.05) on Day 1 (1.87 vs 1.37 mug/dl) and Day 5 (1.72 vs 1.13 mug/dl) in the normal mares and agalactic mares, respectively. There was no difference in the T(4) response to TRH. While basal serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T(3)) were not different, agalactic mares responded with greater (P < 0.05) serum concentrations T(3) to TRH on Day 1. Following linear regression of the PRL response to TRH, slope of the lines between groups did not differ; however, elevations were significantly (P < 0.05) greater (1.79 vs 1.28 ng/ml) in control mares compared with agalactic mares, respectively, on Day 1.at 1 h post-TRH. A similar difference existed at time 0 and 1 h on Day 5. Consequently, agalactic mares had reduced basal serum T(4) values; the PRL data leads us to suggest that secretion of this hormone may be insufficient in agalactic mares.