Ovarian oxytocin and neurophysin concentrations in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

The neurohypophysial hormone oxytocin has previously been found in the ovaries of several animal species. In ruminants ovarian oxytocin is postulated to have a luteolytic function, because of its high concentrations in the corpus luteum. In primates the role of ovarian oxytocin is not known. In the present study we measured the immunoreactive oxytocin and oxytocin-neurophysin content in paired ovaries removed from cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) during the late luteal phase of the cycle (Days 12-14 of the luteal phase or Days 26-28 of a menstrual cycle). Each animal was pulsed with synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone to maintain normal menstrual cyclicity. The concentration of oxytocin and its neurophysin during the late luteal phase was greater in the non-corpus luteum than corpus luteum-bearing ovary. By high pressure liquid chromatography and bioassay the oxytocin in both the corpus luteal and non-corpus luteal ovaries was similar to synthetic and posterior pituitary oxytocin. The finding of high concentrations of immunoreactive oxytocin in the non-corpus luteum-bearing ovary suggests that the function of ovarian oxytocin in primates may not be confined specifically to the corpus luteum.