Does any one have information, published or unpublished, on possible
effects of treatment of ruminants with the prostaglandin F2 alpha 
analogue cloprostenol on the development and function of the corpus 
luteum formed from the subsequent ovulation ?

Similarly, does any one have thoughts on possible mechanisms by which 
treatment of ruminants with cloprostenol can affect the development 
and function of the subsequent corpus luteum ?

This is unlikely to be due to the direct action of cloprostenol due to 
its half-life and removal of tissue residues within 72 hours - cows 
(Reeves, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 1978, 26, 152-
155).
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Background
During an immunohistological study of the development of the luteal 
extracellular matrix of cows (slaughterhouse - presumed natural 
cycles) and ewes (cloprostenol synchronized), differences were noted 
regarding the pattern of collagen type I accumulation. On the basis 
of another study on cows treated with cloprostenol it was felt that 
the differences were not species differences and were due to the 
treatment.

I know of three papers noting reduced progesterone levels in Brahman, 
Brown Swiss and Simmental cows:
Cardenas et al, Animal Reproduction Science, 1991, 26, 211-218 
Hansen et al, Journal of Animal Science, 1987, 65,524-533 
Hardin and Randel, Theriogenology, 1982, 17, 669-675

Any thoughts ?

Regards

Mr Leigh Silvester
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Department of Physiology &                           tel: 0115 951 5151
Environmental Science                                ext: 8725/8736    
University of Nottingham                             fax: 0115 951 6302
Sutton Bonington Campus                                             
Loughborough                           Leigh.Silvester@nottingham.ac.uk
LEICS   LE12 5RD                                                    
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