EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE WITHDRAWAL IN SHEEP DURING LATE PREGNANCY

Abstract

The concentration of progesterone in the peripheral plasma of seven sheep during late pregnancy was reduced by injection of an inhibitor of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Concentrations of progesterone were 10·0± 1·0(s.e.m.) ng/ml (n = 6) before injection of the inhibitor, fell to 1·39 ± 0·40 ng/ml (n = 6) 30 min after injection, and remained within this lowered range for 6 h after injection. By 20–24 h and 30–35 h after injection progesterone concentrations had recovered to 4·63±0·94 and 14·07 ±4·17 ng/ml respectively (n = 6). Six out of seven ewes delivered prematurely 32·5± 2·9 h after injection. Delivery appeared to be normal, and was associated with increasing concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo prostaglandin F2α in peripheral plasma. Concentrations of oestradiol-17β17β in peripheral plasma were slightly raised immediately before delivery, at which time progesterone concentrations were within the preinjection range. These data suggest that progesterone withdrawal is one mechanism that initiates increased prostaglandin F2α secretion in the pregnant sheep.