The oestrous cycle of the ewe after active immunization against prostaglandin F-2

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Six ewes were immunized against a prostaglandin (PG) F-2.alpha.-protein conjugate. Between 24 and 82 days after immunization the regular cyclic occurrence of estrus was abolished in all 6 ewes. Further investigations of the immunized animals revealed that the blockade of estrus was due to a persistence of the corpus luteum (CL) and the constantly elevated (> 2 ng/ml) blood levels of progesterone. Surgical enucleation of the persistent CL was promptly followed by a fall in progesterone concentrations (< 0.5 ng/ml), normal estrus and a subsequent return to a state of constantly elevated blood progesterone levels. Neutralization of the biological activity of PGF by active immunization against PGF-2.alpha. results in a failure of luteal regression and provides evidence that endogenous PGF is involved in normal luteal regression in this species.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: