Progesterone and 15-keto-13, 14-dihydroprostaglandin F2alpha levels in peripheral circulation after intrauterine iodine infusions in cows.

The effect of intrauterine iodine infusion on estrous cycle length was studied in four cows. The infusions were performed at various times of the estrous cycle: early, middle, late, and during luteolysis. Blood samples were drawn every third hour from the jugular vein. Progesterone and 15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F (the main metabolite of PGF) were measured to monitor luteal activity and prostaglandin release. No release of prostaglandins was observed immediately following intrauterine infusion. Infusion in two cows on day 5 of the estrous cycle resulted in prostaglandin release after 54 and 69 hrs., respectively, followed by luteal regression and the occurrence of estrus at approx. five days after infusion. Infusions performed on days 11 or 12 resulted in prostaglandin release after 147 and 120 hrs., respectively, followed by luteolysis and heat after a 19 day estrous cycle. Infusion in two cows at days 16 and 17 resulted in prostaglandin release after 117 hrs. in both animals. One cycle was prolonged whereas the other cycle was normal in duration. One cow infused on day 20 following the occurrence of the first prostaglandin surge had a cycle length of 26 days, whereas another cow infused on day 20 was not affected because luteolysis was essentially complete by the time of infusion. One animal infused on day 5 did not respond to the iodine infusion. In this animal, however, the corpus luteum was not completely developed prior to the infusion. From this study it can be concluded: 1) intrauterine iodine infusions performed after the development of a progesterone secreting corpus luteum result in prostaglandin release within three to six days with the subsequent occurrence of luteolysis; 2) luteolysis was in all cases observed in connection with prostaglandin F release of the same order of magnitude and duration as during normal luteolysis. kw|Keywords|k]prostaglandin release; k]progesterone; k]cow; k]es trous cycle; k]iodine infusion