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Progesterone in Corpora Lutea, Ovaries and Adrenals of Pregnant Sows and its Relationship to Number of Implants¹

Washington Agricultural Experiment Station, Pullman⁵

Abstract

Ovarian progesterone was determined in 67 sows pregnant 17 to 105 days. Sows pregnant 24–35 days had more total progesterone (P<.005) in higher concentration (P<.05) than sows pregnant 36–46 days. Using regression on the linear scale the average decline in ovarian progesterone was –8.0 mcg./day and the decline in concentration was –.46 meg./day from day-24 through day-46 of pregnancy. Ovarian weight and progesterone concentration were not significantly correlated.

More extensive data were available for 36 gilts pregnant 36–46 days at slaughter. The luteal tissue, ovaries less luteal tissue and adrenals, respectively, contained an average of 304.5, 19.9 and 31.8 mcg. of progesterone. Similarly the average concentration of progesterone was 39.3, 2.4, and 3.8 mcg./gm. of tissue. The correlation between corpora lutea in the right and in the left ovary was –.32 (P<.05). Though the number of implants in the right horn of the uterus was correlated with the number of implants in the left horn (r=.072; P<.01), the numbers of corpora lutea in the right and left ovaries were not significantly correlated with the number of implants in the respective horns.

There was a highly significant correlation between number of implants and weight of luteal tissue (r=0.46) and concentration of porgesterone in the ovaries freed of their luteal tissue (r=0.41). Correlations between numbers of implants and progesterone content and concentration in luteal tissue and adrenals were not significant. The present study does not reveal the relative effects of tissue levels of progesterone on numbers of corpora lutea and implants. It is suggested that blood levels of progesterone leaving tissues producing progesterone will need to be determined.

¹ Scientific Paper No. 2188, Washington Agricultural Experiment Station, Projects 1359 and 1511.

² Present address: Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana.

³ Present address: P.O. 1082, Canoga Park, California.

⁴ Present address: Department of Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. 5 Departments of Dairy and Animal Science cooperating.

⁵ Departments of Dairy and Animal Science cooperating.