Induced prostaglandin release alters steroid concentrations but not pregnancy survival in cows

Abstract Embryonic mortality (EM) is a major factor limiting reproductive efficiency in cattle, and despite negative connotations related to performance, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) capable of being released by the uterus Day 30 gestation. Therefore, objective was evaluate differences PGF2α release after an oxytocin challenge between cows with high circulating concentrations pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) vs low PAG because association increased pregnancy success. At gestation, pregnant were divided into treatment (OT; n = 13) control (CON; 12) groups. Treatment further subdivided concentration (high PAG, 7; 6). Blood samples collected every 30 min beginning 1 h before administration continuing for 4 h. Prostaglandin metabolite (PGFM), progesterone, estradiol-17β (E2), quantified. The peak PGFM occurred 2 h injection animals returned baseline levels No correlations observed PGFM, or E2 (P > 0.05). There no difference initial final groups Progesterone decreased