PROGESTERONE AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF PARTURITION IN THE SHEEP

Abstract

Summary. A flock of thirty ewes was observed through two pregnancies to determine whether parturition could be delayed by the systemic administration of gestagens. In the first season, the four treated groups received daily injections of 2·5 and 10 mg, 6α-methyl-17α-hydroxy-progesterone acetate (6-map) and 10 and 40 mg progesterone for 14 days starting 1 week before the expected date of delivery. The time and course of delivery appeared to be unaffected. The following season the dose levels were increased to 25 and 40 mg 6-map, and 80 and 160 mg progesterone. A high proportion of pregnancies was affected by this treatment. Some sheep delivered to schedule but most of the others had to be subjected to Caesarian section. The mortality of lambs delivered at term was higher than in the control group and in all the cases of delayed parturition the lambs died in utero. The foetal death was not considered to be due to post-maturity. The results are discussed and it is concluded tentatively that placental progesterone in the ewe is not replaceable by systemic progesterone.