Local Nature of Utero-Ovarian Relationships in the Pseudopregnant Rat

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Abstract
Three experiments were conducted with a total of 190 female Holtzman rats. The first experiment confirmed the reported prolongation of luteal function by bilateral or unilateral hysterectomy of pregnant and pseudopregnant rats. In the 2nd experiment (5 groups of 20 rats) unilateral ovariectomy had no significant effect on the length of pseudopregnancy, while unilateral hysterectomy caused a lengthening of pseudopregnancy to 15. 8 days (p0.05). When the oviduct and mesosalpinx were ligated and cut and the uterine horn retracted (20 rats), pseudopregnancy (16. 6 days) was longer (p< 0. 01) than the pseudopregnancies of the controls and the group with only the oviduct ligated and cut. It is concluded from these studies that the ability of the uterus to limit the life span of the corpora lutea in the rat is dependent upon the proximity of the uterus to the ovary.