Luteolytic effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha and two metabolites in ewes.

Twenty-three ewes were used in an experiment to determine the point in metabolism at which prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha loses its luteolytic activity. Ewes exhibited at least one normal estrous cycle (15 to 19 d) and then were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: 1) control, 2) PGF2 alpha, 3) 15-keto-PGF2 alpha, or 4) 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha (PGFM). Each ewe received an i.m. injection of the designated treatment (5 mg in 1 mL of sterile saline) during the midluteal phase of the estrous cycle (d 8, 9, 10, or 11 after estrus). An identical second injection was given to each ewe 3 h after the first injection. Beginning at 9 h after injection, concentrations of progesterone were lower (P < .01) in the PGF2 alpha-treated ewes than in ewes in the other three groups. These differences were maintained throughout the duration of the 48-h sampling period in five of the six ewes that received PGF2 alpha. None of the ewes in the other three treatment groups exhibited any change in concentrations of progesterone. Ewes were classified as completing luteolysis if concentrations of progesterone decreased to less than 1 ng/mL within 48 h after the first injection. Five of the six ewes receiving PGF2 alpha completed luteolysis (P < .05), whereas none of the ewes in the other three groups completed luteolysis. The interestrous interval was reduced by approximately 5 d in the PGF2 alpha-treated group compared with the other three treatment groups (P < .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)