Аннотация
The Kazakh sheep is native to China. The breed has many advantages, including its size, hardiness, and good meat production, it has the economic disadvantage of having a low reproductive rate. Inhibin-α (INHα) regulates the synthesis and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and could feasibly be used to boost reproduction in the Kazakh sheep. However, the current methods of INHα preparation are both costly and time-consuming. Here, we investigated the effects of INHα on Kazakh sheep reproductive performance by immunization with INHα and analyzing the subsequent changes in reproductive hormone levels and blood biochemical indices. An anti-INHα polyclonal antibody was raised in camel. It and a recombinant INHα protein were used to immunize groups of adult Kazakh sheep in anestrus. Reproductive hormones (FSH, luteinizing hormone [LH], progesterone [P4], and estradiol [E2]) were measured by ELISA, together with the measurement of changes in INH levels and blood physiological and biochemical indicators. The blood levels of LH and P4 in the sheep immunized with the camel anti-INHα polyclonal antibody (group A) did not differ significantly from those in the recombinant INHα protein (group B) and the control group (group C) (P ＞0.05). FSH and E2 levels in group A were significantly higher than the controls (P <0.05) and the INH concentrations were significantly lower than those in group C (P <0.05). There were no abnormalities in the blood biochemical indices in groups A, B, and C.In conclusion, immune INHα preparations significantly affected the blood reproductive hormone levels of Kazakh sheep. This technique has potential application for improving the reproductive performance in these sheep and is also relevant for future research into the development of an INHα vaccine. Key words: Inhibinα, Immune, Kazakh sheep, Polyclonal antibody, Reproductive hormones