Embryonic stimulation of ovine and bovine corpora lutea

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Abstract
Preimplantation embryos recovered from sheep on Days 13-15 of pregnancy were incubated with luteal tissue from cyclic ewes. Extracts of ovine embryos were incubated with luteal tissue from cyclic Holstein cows. Embryos and embryo extracts significantly increased progesterone production by ovine and bovine luteal tissue in vitro. The embryos themselves did not produce measurable amounts of progesterone. The ovine preimplantation embryo apparently produces a substance with luteotrophic properties which contributes to the maintenance of early pregnancy.