Graduation date: 1994

The purpose of the present study was to test the acute effects of a dietary supplement, having as its major ingredient an extract of ginseng, on grip strength, lower body power output, cardiovascular markers, metabolic markers, hormones, and mood state. Twelve experienced resistance-trained men (28.3 ± 5.7 yrs) were randomly administered placebo (P), single dose (SD) and double dose (DD) of the supplement on separate days. Diet and activity levels were kept constant across testing days. On each day, subjects began with the Profile of Mood States (POMSpre1), blood draws (BDpre1), blood pressure (BPpre1), and heart rate (HRpre1) assessments, then ingested the drink and sat quietly for 30 minutes. BDpre2, BPpre2, and HR pre1 were then taken. Subjects performed the grip strength and cycle ergometer tests followed immediately by BDpost, HRpost, and BPpost and POMSpost. The testing session ended with blood draws, heart rates, and blood pressures being taken 30 (post30), 60 (post60), 120 (post120) and 180 (post180) minutes post exercise. Grip strength did not differ between P, SD, or DD treatments. Cycle ergometry peak power (PP), average power (AP) and total work (TW) were significantly higher for the SD and DD than P; however, no significant difference existed between SD and DD treatments. For LH and T significant differences were found among all treatment conditions. There were no significant treatment effects for HR, BP, glucose, insulin, lactate, GH or PRL or for the POMS. There was a significant treatment*time interaction for ACTH (p < .05). Post hoc analysis indicated that at Tpost ACTH was significantly lower for D treatment vs P or S treatments (p < .05) and at Tpost60 ACTH was significantly lower for S and D treatments vs P treatment (p < .05). There was significant differences in C between the D treatment (260.45 ± 15.58 nmol•L-1) and the P (336.08 ± 27.59 nmol•L-1) and S (311.14 ± 21.01 nmol•L-1) treatments (p < .001). There was a significant difference for T:C ratio values among P (0.0810 ± 0.0090), S (0.0960 ± 0.0130) and D (0.1410 ± 0.0190) treatments (p < .001). Acute ingestion of a polynutrient supplement containing a standardized ginseng tract, was able to increase PP, AP, TW LH, and testosterone and decrease ACTH and cortisol. No significant effects were found for GH, PRL, insulin, glucose, lactate, HR, BP or POMS scores. Acute ingestion of a polynutrient supplement was able to increase performance and the anabolic environment in resistance trained men.

Graduation date: 1995

Two trials were conducted to quantify the effects of GnRH and prostaglandin in conjunction with a 7-d CIDR on estrus and on pregnancy rate in comparison with a traditional synchronization protocol. In trial 1, ewes (n=12) were randomly allotted to one of three treatments: CIDR (7 d) with administration of GnRH (Cystorelin®, 50μg, im) at CIDR insertion and PGF2α (Lutalyse®, 20 mg, im) on d 6.5 (GnRH1); the GnRH1 protocol with a second injection of GnRH 30 h after CIDR removal (GnRH2); and CIDR (11 d) with administration of PGF2α at CIDR insertion and PMSG (400 iu) at CIDR removal (PMSG). A blood sample was obtained every 2 h for 42 h after CIDR removal for serum LH analysis. On d 8 after CIDR removal, blood samples were obtained at 12 h intervals for 36 h for serum P4 analysis. One ewe in the GnRH1 group did not retain the CIDR device and was excluded from the analysis. Mean LH concentration did not differ (P = 0.48) among groups. Time and time x treatment affected (P < 0.001) mean LH concentration. Mean P4 concentration was not affected (P = 0.26) by time, treatment or their interaction. In trial 2, ewes (n=72) were randomly allotted to one of the three treatments described in trial 1. At CIDR removal, three ewes per treatment were joined with a single ram fitted with a marking harness in each of 8 pens. Ewes were monitored every hour for estrus activity and ultrasounded transabdominally 60 d after CIDR removal for pregnancy. Estrus activity did not differ (P > 0.05) among the groups. Marking frequency was 92 percent, 75 percent, and 88 percent for GnRH1, GnRH2, and PMSG groups, respectively. Mean interval to estrus was shorter (P < 0.05) for the GnRH2 than for the PMSG group and tended to be reduced (P < 0.10) compared with the GnRH1 group. Pregnancy rate differed (P < 0.05) among treatments (79 percent, 58 percent and 38 percent for GnRH1, GnRH2, and PMSG groups, respectively). These results indicate that synchrony of estrus and pregnancy rate to natural service can be increased in response to a CIDR protocol when combined with administration of GnRH rather than PMSG.

Thesis (Honors)--College of William and Mary, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 31-35). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 71 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-70).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, December 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 16, 2009). "School of Molecular Biosciences." Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Zoology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Zoology / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Zoology / Master / Master of Philosophy