Evidence for a coitally induced 'mnemonic' involved in luteal function in the vole (Microtus agrestis)

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Abstract
The development of luteal function in the vole is dependent on a neuroendocrine reflex which is initially activated by mating. Bromocriptine was used to destroy the corpus luteum [CL] initially induced by mating and fresh CL were induced by hormone treatment [lutropin or luliberin]. Evidently, the luteotropic effect of mating continued for .apprx. 10 days after mating, despite the destruction of the original mating-induced CL. The luteotropic effect of mating seems to be remembered. A study of the fate of hormonally induced CL in females where pregnancy was blocked by exposure to a strange male, suggested that the strange male may cause pregnancy failure by inhibiting or suppressing the luteotropic mnemonic activated by the stud mating.