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Role of Eicosanoids in the Regulation of the Periparturient Period in Cattle
Author(s) -
Kankofer Marta,
Hoedemaker Martina
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0531.1993.tb00724.x
Subject(s) - period (music) , zoology , biology , acoustics , physics
Contents: In this review, the role of eicosanoids in regulation of parturition and the postpartum period was described with special emphasis on the bovine species. The metabolism of arachidonic acid and the production of eicosanoids during the peripartum period was discussed. Prostaglandin E 2 and F 2α (PGE 2 , PGF 2α ) play an important role in mechanisms controlling parturition. They are involved in luteolysis, uterine contractions and dilation of the cervix. Eicosanoids also seem to influence the loosening processes of the fetal membranes. However, in the literature, conflicting results were found. Many investigations suggested that retained placental membranes could be related to low PGF 2α production and/ or an imbalance of arachidonic acid metabolism in the uterus. The possible role of the lipoxygenase pathway metabolite 15‐hydroxy‐eicosatetraenoic acid (15‐HETE) in expulsion of the fetal membranes was also discussed. As far as the postpartum period is concerned, a relationship between postpartum PGF 2α release and the involution of the uterus was found. Cows with undisturbed uterine involution had higher PGF 2α production than cows with delayed involution. In contrast to the positive effect of PGF 2α on uterine involution, PGE 2 seems to delay the involution processes. Further experiments are necessary in order to study the function of eicosanoids in mechanisms regulating parturition, release of the fetal placental membranes and involution of the uterus.