Wu M C, Shin W J, Dziuk P J
University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
J Anim Sci. 1988 Jul;66(7):1721-6. doi: 10.2527/jas1988.6671721x.
The influence of embryos on growth of the uterus was determined by comparing uterine length, weight and diameter between gravid and nongravid horns within unilaterally pregnant gilts. Eighty-two prepubertal gilts were ovariectomized unilaterally at 5 mo of age, and the ipsilateral uterine horn was ligated near the junction of the uterine horns. Gilts were mated and were assigned randomly for examination on either d 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24 or 27 of gestation. Absolute differences and ratios in length, weight and diameter between gravid and nongravid horns of unilaterally pregnant gilts were analyzed. The gravid horn was 40% longer than the nongravid horn from d 18 to 27. Uterine horns with embryos increased linearly in weight and diameter (P less than .01) between d 15 and 27. Embryos, or the signals that they might give, apparently caused increases in length, weight and diameter of the uterine horn by d 18, but not before.
