Abstract
Summary
Nulliparous rabbits were bred, ovariectomized and salpingectomized bilaterally at 3 1/2 days post coitum, injected daily with 4 mg of progesterone and autopsied at 6 days post coitum. The blastocysts were recovered, examined for their normality and their diameters measured. Some salpingectomized-ovariectomized animals that were allowed to term were laparotomized at 9 days post coitum, to count and measure implantation swellings. Control groups were subjected to sham operations. The percentage of viable blastocysts to the total number of corpora lutea varied from 52 to 90. The percentage of viable blastocysts varied from 89 to 100. The viability of blastocysts was not affected by ovariectomy with or without salpingectomy. Ovariectomy with or without salpingectomy reduced the percentage of viable blastocysts expressed to number of corpora lutea. Groups did not differ significantly in the outer diameter of blastocysts and in the diameter of embryonic disc. There was great variability within group and within the same litter in the size of blastocysts and their survival. Implantation and normal gestation in the rabbit could be maintained, after ovariectomy and salpingectomy, by injection of exogenous progesterone.
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