Effects of bromocriptine at parturition in the tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii

Abstract

Female tammar wallabies were treated with the dopamine agonist bromocriptine at the end of pregnancy to suppress the peripartum pulse of plasma prolactin. The animais were subsequently observed, and а series of biood samples taken to define the hormonal profiles before and immediately after parturition. Birth was observed in 4/5 control animais and occurred in 8/9 bromocriptine-treated animais. The peripartum peak in plasma PGFM concentrations was not affeeted by bromocriptine although the pulse of prolactin normally seen at parturition was completely abolished. The timing of luteolysis was apparently unaffeeted, as plasma progesterone concentrations feil similarly in both treated and contro..