Retrograde and local destination transfer of uterine prostaglandin E 2 in early pregnant sow and its physiological consequences

Abstract

The local destination transfer of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) from the uterine lymph to arterial blood supplying the ovary and its retrograde transfer to arterial blood supplying the uterine horn and the effect of additional delivery of PGE 2 into the ovary on the secretion of steroid hormones was studied in early pregnant gilts. The injection of PGE 2 under the perimetrium caused an increase ( P < 0.001) in PGE 2 concentration in both uterine venous effluent and ovarian and uterine arterial blood. The infusion of PGE 2 into the ovarian artery increased the concentration of progesterone in ovarian venous blood on day 13 of pregnancy during ( P < 0.05) and after ( P < 0.001) infusion, and on day 14 of pregnancy after infusion ( P < 0.01). In conclusion, local destination transfer of PGE 2 from uterine lymph and venous blood to the ovary may affect luteal function, and retrograde transfer of PGE 2 to the arterial blood supplying the uterus may contribute to the prevention of regressive changes of the endometrium in early pregnant gilts.