The Necessity of the Corpus Luteum for Maintenance of Pregnancy in the Ewe

Abstract

Normal lambs were produced by two of six ewes which were ovariectomized between the 54th and 77th days of gestation and by two (questionably three) of four ewes ovariectomized or subjected to corpora lutea removal between the 99th and 103rd days of gestation. A single ewe whose corpus luteum was removed at the 30th day of gestation aborted two days later. The results establish the fact that in at least some cases the ewe can maintain pregnancy without the presence of corpora lutea after the 55th day of gestation.