Uterine motility during the estrous cycle: studies in healthy bitches

Natural and drug-induced uterine motilities (UM) were recorded via uterine-implanted catheter-tip pressure transducers in 5 bitches during proestrus and estrus and in 6 bitches during early (30 days) and late (60 days) diestrus. The UM was monitored in unanesthetized bitches for 2 days after the estrous-cycle stage had been determined by vaginal cytologic findings. Natural UM, expressed as Alexandria units (pressure X frequency X duration of contractions), was greatest during estrus, moderate during proestrus, and appreciably decreased or lacking during early and late diestrus. During proestrus and estrus, prostaglandin F2 alpha (5 micrograms/kg of body weight, IV) induced intrauterine pressures of 107 and 115 mm of Hg, respectively, and oxytocin (0.05 USP units/kg, IV) induced pressures of 106 and 116 mm of Hg, respectively. In contrast, the intrauterine pressure values induced by prostaglandin F2 alpha given IV during early and late diestrus were 61 and 58 mm of Hg, respectively, and for oxytocin, were 61 and 51 mm of Hg, respectively. Prostaglandin F2 alpha given IM (50 micrograms/kg) also induced a greater intrauterine pressure during proestrus and estrus than during diestrus. We concluded that in the bitch, natural and drug-induced UM are decreased during early and late diestrus.