Resumen de Effects of prostaglandin F2a and its analogs on plasma estradiol 17-β and progesterone levels in doe rabbits
Z. Negatu, J.I. McNitt, G. Simon, K.E. Mellad
To assess the effect of prostaglandin F2a and two of its analogs on plasma estradiol-17β and progesterone levels in the immediate post partum period, 19 primiparous New Zealand White does were injected on day 29 of pregnancy with prostaglandin F2a (Lutalyse: ®Upjohn; 4 does), cloprostenol (Estrumate: ®Mobay Corp.; 5 does), fenprostalene (Bovilene: ®Syntex Animal Health; 4 does), or sterile saline as a control (6 does). Treatment with prostaglandin F2a and the two analogs shortened the gestation period by more than one day when compared to the saline treated group (p<0.05) but there were no effects of treatment on the number of kits bom, number of kits bom alive or the mean birth weight of the kits. Treatment with prostaglandin F2a and analogs lowered the plasma estradiol-17β and progesterone levels immediately following treatment. Afler kindling, the prostaglandin-treated does had a dramatic increase in plasma estradiol peaking at three days and retuming to post-treatment levels about day five. The treated does had low plasma progesterone levels with minor fluctuations until about six days post-partum when a slow rise began. lt is speculated that the elevated estradiol and lowered progesterone levels could might have beneficial effects on prolactin related activities in the immediate post-partum period.
