102 Prealpes du Sud donor ewes were superovulated by a treatment with vaginal sponges impregnated with 40 mg of FGA. When the sponges were withdrawn at 14 days, follicular maturation was stimulated in these ewes with 12 mg of porcine pituitary extract (pFSH). The recipient ewes were treated i.m. with 500 IU of PMSG. Different batches of pFSH (batch pFSH1/Group A; batch pFSH2: groups B and C) we...

BACKGROUND Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure reduces embryo implantations, increases embryonic loss, and decreases fetal body weights. However, whether it is associated with the alteration of luteal function remains unknown. Thus, our aim in this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of DEHP on luteal function in pregnant mice in vivo. METHODS Mice were administered DEHP by g...

The aim of this study was to determine whether endogenous progesterone regulates synthesis and secretion of luteal oxytocin. In Expt 1, mature ewes (n = 5 per group) were assigned randomly to control or mifepristone (RU486) treatment groups. Ewes were injected s.c. twice a day with vehicle or 10 mg RU486 on days 5-7 of the oestrous cycle (oestrus = day 0). On day 8, after an i.v. injection with...

In this study of equids, we investigated the antibody response and the effect on the estrous cycle following a single inoculation of porcine zonae pellucidae (pZP) employing controlled-release methodology. We also investigated the use of two different water-soluble adjuvants as an alternative to oil-based adjuvants. Twenty-seven domestic mares were inoculated with various formulations of pZP an...

Background:Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growthsecretagogue receptor is predominantly produced in the stomach and anexpression of ghrelin has recently been identified in placenta and ovary. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, we decited to measure ovarian ghrelin as quantitative andevaluate the correlation between ghrelin and estrogen during second half ofovine pregnancy. METHODS: The ovarian sample...

CONTEXT The molecular mechanisms of luteolysis and its inhibition during maternal recognition of pregnancy remain unclear. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the differential regulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in human corpora lutea using in vivo and in vitro models. DESIGN Corpora lutea from different stages of the luteal phase and after l...