Modification of the embryo-maternal relationship in ewes by progesterone treatment early in the oestrous cycle.
When 25 mg progesterone/day were injected into ewes on Days 0-3 of the oestrous cycle, (i) the subsequent cycle was shortened by 4 days and (ii) on Day 6 such ewes provided an acceptable uterine environment for the survival of 10-day-old embryos. We suggest that exposure of the non-pregnant uterus to approximately 8 days of normal luteal concentrations of progesterone may be necessary to initiate luteolysis.
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology*
D011374:Progesterone