Effects of prostaglandin and prolactin on luteolysis and parturient behaviour in the non-pregnant tammar, Macropus eugenii

Abstract

In Exp. 1 non-pregnant female tammars were injected, on Day 26 (the day parturition would normally occur) after removal of pouch young, with saline, 200 μg ovine prolactin or 5 mg PG and changes in plasma concentrations of progesterone, prolactin, PGF-2α metabolite (PGFM), oestradiol-17β and LH were determined. Luteolysis occurred in females treated with prolactin alone, while treatment with PG first induced a rapid rise in prolactin and subsequently a significant decrease in plasma progesterone. After prolactin treatment the oestradiol peak, oestrus and the LH surge were advanced significantly compared to the saline-treated females. In Exp. 2 the effects of the same treatments as used in Ex..