Effects of Abdominal Vagotomy on the Estrous Cycle of the Rat and the Induction of Pseudopregnancy

Abstract

Abdominal vagotomy of estrus or proestrus rats resulted in disruptions of the estrous cycle which was characterized by prolonged periods of diestrus (10-12 days in length). In contrast, vagotomy on metestrus or diestrus did not disrupt the estrous cycle. The induction of pseudopregnancy, in response to cervical stimulation on the morning of estrus, was also interrupted by abdominal vagotomy. The nocturnal and diurnal prolactin surges and elevations in serum progesterone, characteristic of pseudopregnancy, were prevented by vagotomy. Vagotomy, also, largely prevented the formation of deciduoma in response to traumatization of the uterus in cervically stimulated rats.