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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reproduction / Role of prostaglandins in intrauterine migration of the equi...
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)2001; 121(5); 771-775;

Role of prostaglandins in intrauterine migration of the equine conceptus.

Abstract: Between at least day 9 and day 16 after ovulation the spherical equine conceptus migrates continuously throughout the uterine lumen, propelled by peristaltic myometrial contractions. This unusually long period of intrauterine movement ensures that the conceptus delivers its anti-luteolytic signal to the entire endometrium to achieve luteostasis. The present experiment tested the hypothesis that prostaglandins stimulate the myometrial contractions that result in the migration of the conceptus. Serial ultrasonographic examinations of the uteri of eight mares performed during 2 h periods between day 10 and day 18 of gestation recorded the pattern of conceptus migration before and after treatment with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor flunixin meglumine. Conceptus mobility was high between day 10 and day 14 after ovulation (4.3 +/- 0.8, 4.7 +/- 0.8 and 4.3 +/- 0.9 changes of location per h on day 10, day 12 and day 14, respectively), but was reduced immediately and markedly by an i.v. injection of flunixin meglumine (3.8 +/- 1.5, 1.8 +/- 0.8 and 0.7 +/- 0.2 location changes per h), thereby implicating prostaglandins as the primary stimulus for the myometrial contractions that drive migration of the conceptus.
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Publication Date: 2001-06-28 PubMed ID: 11427165
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the role of prostaglandins in the movement of an equine embryo within the uterus. The study finds that these chemicals stimulate the contractions that cause the embryo to move, which is important for hormone signaling that allows pregnancy to continue.

Background

  • The study focuses on the movement of an equine (horse) embryo, or conceptus, within the uterus from day 9 to day 16 after ovulation.
  • Throughout this period, the conceptus moves extensively, a movement powered by contractions in the myometrium, the muscle layer of the uterus.
  • This period of intrauterine movement is crucial as it allows the conceptus to deliver anti-luteolytic signals across the entire endometrium, resulting in luteostasis, which is the maintenance of the corpus luteum that is necessary for pregnancy to continue.

Hypothesis and Methodology

  • The researchers hypothesized that prostaglandins, a group of physiologically active lipid compounds, cause the myometrial contractions leading to the migration of the conceptus.
  • To test this, they used flunixin meglumine, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor that blocks the production of prostaglandins, and monitored the pattern of conceptus movement with ultrasonography in eight mares at different stages of gestation.

Findings

  • Before treatment with flunixin meglumine, the conceptus moved frequently between day 10 and day 14 after ovulation, changing location 4.3, 4.7, and 4.3 times per hour respectively on the 10th, 12th, and 14th day.
  • However, after the administration of flunixin meglumine, the mobility of the conceptus decreased significantly, implicating prostaglandins as the primary stimulus for the myometrial contractions driving the migration.
  • The mobility decreased notably post-treatment to 3.8, 1.8, and 0.7 location changes per hour respectively, thereby highlighting the importance of prostaglandins in this process.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that prostaglandins are vital for stimulating the uterine contractions that allow the conceptus to move within the uterus. This movement is crucial to pregnancy maintenance in horses as it facilitates broad delivery of anti-luteolytic signals to prevent luteolysis and prolong the life of the corpus luteum.

Cite This Article

APA
Stout TA, Allen WR. (2001). Role of prostaglandins in intrauterine migration of the equine conceptus. Reproduction, 121(5), 771-775.

Publication

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
ISSN: 1470-1626
NlmUniqueID: 100966036
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 121
Issue: 5
Pages: 771-775

Researcher Affiliations

Stout, T A
  • University of Cambridge Equine Fertility Unit, Mertoun Paddocks, Woodditton Road, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9BH, UK. T.A.E.Stout@vet.uu.nl
Allen, W R

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Clonixin / analogs & derivatives
    • Clonixin / pharmacology
    • Corpus Luteum / physiology
    • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology
    • Embryo, Mammalian / drug effects
    • Embryo, Mammalian / physiology
    • Endometrium / physiology
    • Female
    • Gestational Age
    • Horses / embryology
    • Pregnancy
    • Prostaglandins / physiology
    • Ultrasonography, Prenatal
    • Uterine Contraction
    • Uterus / physiology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 21 times.
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