The Effect of Several Vasoactive Drugs on Ovarian Blood Flow in the Near-Term Sheep 1

Summary

The effects of various vasoactive agents on ovarian blood flows were measured using radioactive microspheres. Norepinephrine and angiotensin II decreased blood flow and increased vascular resistance significantly in the CL ovary with no significant changes in the ovary without CL. Pretreatment of the animal with prostaglandin E₂ caused a twofold decrease in the response of the CL ovary to norepinephrine with no change in the response of the ovary without CL. Pretreatment with indomethacin did not affect the ovarian responses to norepinephrine. The only significant response of the ovary without CL was an increase in vascular resistance after indomethacin. The data suggest that prostaglandins are not responsible for maintaining vascular homeostasis in the corpus luteum of the near-term ovine ovary.