Abstract
The role of estrogen and PRL in luteal cell function in early pregnancy (between days 6–8) was examined. On day 6 post coitum, rats were injected sc with LH antiserum or were hypophysectomized and hysterectomized and treated with PRL (250 or 500 μg/day), estradiol (100 μg/day), PRL and estradiol together, or the appropriate vehicle. Within 48 h after injection of LH antiserum, intraluteal concentrations of estradiol decreased to 1.1 ± 0.2 pg/mg (compared to 3.3 ± 0.3 pg/mg in control animals treated with normal horse serum), while serum progesterone decreased by only 22%. The rats remained pregnant. Within 24 h after hypophysectomy-hysterectomy, serum progesterone was 43 ± 9 ng/ml and the total luteal content of estradiol receptor (cytosolic plus nuclear) decreased by 75% compared with control sham-operated animals. Treatment with estradiol alone (100 μg/day) further decreased serum progesterone and the concentration of estradiol receptor in the corpora lutea. PRL partially maintained progesterone secreti...
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