Plasma Prolactin and Progesterone during the Estrous Cycle in the Mouse 1

Abstract

Summary

The concentrations of prolactin and progesterone in plasma of Line C mice during different stages of the estrous cycle were measured by radioimmunoassay. During the afternoon of proestrus, prolactin rose to a peak concentration at 1900 hr. The pattern of progesterone consisted of two major surges, beginning during the late afternoon of proestrus and the morning of metestrus.

The author is indebted to Mr. Jerome J. Cymerman for assistance with the vaginal smears and to Dr. Y. N. Sinha for providing the materials for the radioimmunoassay of mouse prolactin.