Lipid metabolism and in vitro production of progesterone and prostaglandin F during induced regression of porcine corpora lutea.

The effects of Cloprostenol administration on porcine luteal lipid and arachidonic acid accumulation were examined in relation to luteal in vitro progesterone and prostaglandin F synthesis in 18 mature gilts at day 12 of the estrous cycle. Basal and net in vitro release of progesterone from luteal tissue was depressed at 8 hr after treatment whereas net in vitro release of prostaglandin F was elevated at 8 hr. Inclusion of copper dithiothreitol or reduced glutathione in the incubation media resulted in minor alterations of in vitro release of progesterone and prostaglandin F and no changes in composition of luteal lipids or fatty acids. Luteal contents of triglyceride had increased by 8 hr after treatment whereas contents of free and esterified cholesterols had increased by 32 hr after Cloprostenol administration. Luteal contents of phospholipid and free fatty acids were not affected by Cloprostenol administration. At 32 hr after treatment, percentages and content of arachidonic acid had increased in luteal cholesterol esters and triglycerides. Although arachidonic acid percentages increased in luteal free fatty acids and phospholipids, calculated arachidonic acid contents did not change following Cloprostenol administration. Induced luteal regression was associated with decreased in vitro progesterone release, increased in vitro prostaglandin F release, and accelerated lipid and arachidonic acid accumulation within the corpus luteum. The effects of altered lipid metabolism on release of prostaglandin F could not be defined. However, availability of arachidonic acid did not appear to be rate-limiting in relation to luteal in vitro prostaglandin F synthesis.