Surgical separation of the uterus and ovaries with simultaneous cannulation of the uterine vein extends luteal function in sheep.

The insertion of a glass cannula into the uterine branch of the utero-ovarian vein, followed by disconnection of all other tissues between the uterus and the ovary containing the luteal tissue in non-pregnant sheep, was followed by a prolongation of luteal function. A pathway involving uterine venous blood alone is therefore insufficient to explain the transfer of PGF-2 alpha from the uterus to the ipsilateral ovary. We suggest that lymph is also involved.