JUGULAR AND OVARIAN VENOUS PROFILES OF PROGESTERONE AND ASSOCIATED ENDOMETRIAL PROGESTERONE CONCENTRATIONS IN PREGNANT AND NONPREGNANT EWES

Jugular and ovarian venous profiles of progesterone and endometrial pr ogesterone concentrations were measured in pregnant and non-pregnant e wes. Mean jugular concentrations were Mot significantly different (3.1 2 v. 2.39 mu g/l) The incidence of progesterone concentrations above a chosen threshold was significantly greater in the ovarian vein than i n the jugular vein (P < 0.05) and was greater (P > 0.05) in the ovaria n venous plasma of pregnant than of non-pregnant ewes. Mean endometria l progesterone concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant th an in non-pregnant ewes (P < 0.05). It is suggested that the lower pro gesterone concentrations in the ovarian veins of non-pregnant ewes may have a role in pregnancy failure and that ovarian venous concentratio ns may influence endometrial progesterone concentrations.