Ability of indomethacin to alter prostaglandin metabolite concentrations and to enhance the function of corpora lutea induced in postpartum suckled beef cows.

Fourteen anovulatory postpartum (38.0 +/- 1.9 d) beef cows that ovulated after an injection of 250 micrograms gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) in saline were used to examine the influence of indomethacin on luteal function. Beginning the d after GnRH, 6 cows were given intrauterine infusions of indomethacin for 14 d and the other eight cows received vehicle. After GnRH treatment, concentrations of progesterone in serum were elevated longer (P less than .01) for indometacin-treated cows than for vehicle-treated cows. At the same time prostaglandin metabolite (PGFM) concentrations were lower (P less than .01) in indomethacin-treated cows than in vehicle-treated cows. In summary, indomethacin suppressed PGFM concentrations and enhanced function of corpora lutea induced in postpartum suckled beef cows.