Effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha on the bovine fetal ruminal wall in vitro.

Strips of rumen wall from bovine fetuses were incubated in an organ bath with prostaglandin F2 alpha (0.13 to 33.76 microgram/ml). The highest reactivity with a submaximal dose (17.03 microgram/ml) was observed in the period between 3.0 and 7.9 months of fetal age. A smaller response, but higher than in 1.0 to 2.9 months old fetuses, was observed in the 8.0 to 8.9 months fetuses. The period of the highest reactivity to prostaglandin F2 alpha coincides with the age of onset of papillary morphogenesis and the period of highest reactivity to autonomic and putative transmitter drugs.