Changes in steroid hormones in plasma and myometrium and uterine activity in ewes during late pregnancy and parturition.
In 7 ewes during late pregnancy, peripheral plasma concentrations of oestrogens were correlated with uterine activity (P less than 0-01; r=+0-47). In myometrial tissue, the concentration of progesterone was similar to that in plasma; it rose to a plateau from Days 115 to 130 of pregnancy and then fell, but was still detectable during parturition. Myometrial oestrogen concentration was much higher than in plasma; from a peak at Days 100-115 it decreased, but rose sharply just before parturition.
D000818:Animals; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014590:Uterine Contraction; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone