Abstract
Summary
The capacitating ability of the oviduct and uterus in the ovariectomized rabbit with and without estrogen treatment was compared. There was a significant decrease in the ability of the uterus and oviduct to capacitate sperm within 3 days after ovariectomy. Both the uterus and oviduct showed a biphasic response to estrogen. Optimum capacitation occurred when ovariectomized rabbits were given 0.5-1.0 μg ECP/kg/day.
The ability of the uterus to recover after inhibition by progesterone was studied. The uterus requires about 10 days to return to its nontreated ovariectomized capacitating state after progesterone treatment is stopped. If estrogen is given when progesterone is stopped, the uterine capacitating ability is restored to the nontreated ovariectomized state in 24 hr. However, only after 10 days of estrogen treatment is optimum capacitating ability regained by the uterus.
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