Plasma Prolactin, Growth Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone and Glucocorticoids After Prostaglandin F2 in Heifers

Abstract
Blood plasma PRL, GH and glucocorticoids in heifers increased severalfold within 5-15 min after im injections of 15, 30, or 60 mg PGF or after a single 5 mg iv injection of PGF. Plasma LH increased at least twofold over basal estimates but not until 1.5-6 hr after im PGF. Constant iv infusion of PGF at the rate of 0.5 mg/min for 30 min produced greater plasma concentrations of PRL, GH, glucocorticoids and LH than those found after im injections. Plasma glucose increased 59-67% above pretreatment values between 30 and 60 min after iv administration of PGF. Plasma insulin increased more than twofold over basal estimates at 45 min after PGF administration, but these increases only approached significance (P ≃ 0.10). Free fatty acids did not change significantly (P > 0.05) after PGF administration. While exogenous PGF administration causes marked increases in several plasma hormones and glucose, the mechanism of action is unclear.