Resumo

FREITAS-DE-MELO, Aline  e  UNGERFELD, Rodolfo. Progesterone and stress response: mechanisms of action and its impact in domestic ruminants. Review. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.2, pp.185-199. ISSN 2448-6698.

In rodents, progesterone (P4) administration reduces stress responses or anxiety through the action of some metabolites of P4 (allopregnanolone and pregnanolone). Although, there are few studies on these effects in ruminants, P4 administration has a great potential for practical application in animal production. The aim of this review was to summarize the information about the stress response and the main mechanisms studied in rodents by which P4 administration reduces this response. We also include information on the effects of P4 treatment on reactive behavior and stress response in ruminants. We show that P4 administration decreases the stress response of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs, and also affects the response to tests of assessment of temperament in female beef calves. We also present information about the stress response of shearing in pregnant ewes, therefore ewes with high serum concentrations of P4. In summary, high serum concentrations of P4 reduces the stress response and provokes changes on the reactive behavior in ruminants. However, more studies are needed to include P4 in practical managements or to consider it in the selection of animals according to their temperament.

Palavras-chave : Abrupt weaning; Temperament; Shearing; Neurosteroids; Ungulates.

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