Release of Uterine Contraction-Inducing Factor from Preovulatory Follicle

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Abstract
Mechanisms for induction of the preovulatory peak of uterine contractions (UC) were studied by recording the uterine electrical activity of the chicken. Since the largest preovulatory (F1) follicle appears to possess a UC-inducing factor, the time of release of this factor was determined by ligating the stalk of the F1 follicle at various intervals before the expected preovulatory UC peak. The results indicate that release of the UC-inducing factor might occur between 1 and 0.5 h before the expected UC peak or between 2 and 1.5 h before the ovulation. It remains obscure whether the factor directly stimulates the uterine muscle or is involved in triggering the release of the neurohypophyseal hormones.