title: Effect of progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate on pregnancy length and litter size in mink.
abstract: The objective of these studies was to determine the effect of progesterone and medroxyprogesterone injected at varying times post coitum on gestation length and litter size. During a 3-year period mink females of "Standard" strain were given progesterone at a dose 5 mg at 15 and 20 days in the first year and at 17-20 days in the second year, after the last mating. The respective control groups were given the vehicle. Medroxyprogesterone acetate was given in the second year at a dose of 4 mg at 14-19 days following the last mating and in the third year at a dose of 2 mg at 8 days after the last mating. The results on pregnancy length and litter size after progesterone injections in the experimental and respective control groups were as follows: 52.7 days and 4.3 kits, 51.3 days and 4.3 kits, 52.2 days and 5.8 kits, 50.2 days and 4.8 kits, 44.7 days and 5.6 kits, 46.0 days and 6.1 kits. A dose of 4 mg MPA resulted in the blockage of parturition in pregnant females. After administration of MPA at doses of 2 mg at 8 days following the last mating, the pregnancy length and litter size in the experimental group were: 48.0 days and 6.1 kits and in the control: 52.2 days and 4.8 kits.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jarosz
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Dukelow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003307:Copulation; D005260:Female; D008098:Litter Size / Q000187:drug effects*; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D008907:Mink / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone