Maintenance of pseudopregnancy by prolactin in indomethacin treated rats

1. The effects of bromocriptine and indomethacin on prolactin-induced pseudopregnancy were studied in pituitary grafted rats. 2.Administration of bromocriptine (a prolactin suppressant drug) at a total dose of 3 mg/kg body weight, given in 3 divided doses on day 5 of pseudopregnancy, effectively terminated it within 3 days. However, injection of indomethacin (a prostaglandin inhibitor) at a total dose of 6 mg/kg body weight, given in 3 divided doses, on the same day of pseudopregnancy had no significant effect on its duration. 3. It appears unlikely that the luteotrophic effect of prolactin on the corpus luteum is mediated by the stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis.