Effect of abdominal vagotomy of the pregnant rat on LH and progesterone concentrations and fetal resorption

Abstract

Abdominal vagotomy on Day 8 of pregnancy in rats decreased the number of live fetuses at Day 16 and increased the number of resorbing fetuses. The activity of Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in the corpus luteum and interstitial gland, LH and progesterone values in plasma and progesterone values in ovarian tissue were all lower in vagotomized rats than in sham-operated controls. Ovarian PGF levels were not affected. The authors suggest that these effects were caused by a direct effect of vagotomy on LH secretioin which in turn lowers β-HSD activity and progesterone levels in ovarian tissue and plasma, leading to fetal resorption.