Effect of Indomethacin on Luteal Function in Ewes and Heifers

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Abstract
The effects of intrauterine injections of indomethacin on corpus luteum (CL) function were studied in crossbred ewes and Holstein heifers. In ewes, indomethacin, 20 mg twice daily, or indomethacin vehicle was injected via an indwelling cannula into the uterine horn adjacent to the existing CL on days 12 through 17 of the estrous cycle. Indomethacin treatment prevented normal luteal regression based on the mean weight of CL (P<.01) removed on day 18 of the estrous cycle. Plasma levels of progesterone were maintained (P<.05) at luteal phase levels in the indomethacin-treated ewes. Four of eight control ewes had re-ovulated by day 18 compared to 0 of eight indomethacin-treated ewes. In heifers indomethacin, 40 mg twice daily, or indomethacin vehicle was injected on days 14 through 21 of the estrous cycle in the same manner as described for the ewes. Luteal weight (P<.01) and plasma concentrations of progesterone (P<.05) were maintained until day 22 by indomethacin treatment. Four of seven control heifers were either observed in estrus (2) or showed mucus discharge (2) prior to day 22 as compared to 0 of seven treated heifers. These results show that indomethacin injected into the uterine horn adjacent to the CL as late as day 12 (ewe) or day 14 (heifer) of the estrous cycle prevented normal luteal regression. Copyright © 1977. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1977 by American Society of Animal Science.

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