The effect of bromocriptine during early pregnancy in the rat: inhibition of implantation

Abstract

Abstract. The increase in the number of the ovarian LH/hCG-receptors and of serum progesterone concentration during pregnancy in the rat is highly dependent on the presence of prolactin during the luteinization process. Blocking of the hypophyseal prolactin secretion by twice daily injections of 2 μg/g body weight bromocriptine into rats from the first day of pregnancy onwards prevents the increase in ovarian hCG-binding and progesterone production. Similar results are obtained by application of bromocriptine during the first three days only or either at day 1, 3 or 5 after mating. In all bromocriptine treated rats implantation of blastocysts does not occur. The failure to implant is not due to a teratogenic effect of bromocriptine onto preimplantation embryos, but is probably the consequence of changes of the uterine mucosa caused by the lack of progesterone production in the luteal cells.