Arginine vasotocin receptor binding in the hen uterus (shell gland) before and after oviposition

The binding affinity and capacity of arginine vasotocin (AVT) receptor in the hen uterus changed during a period before and after oviposition. Three hours before oviposition, the binding capacity of the AVT receptor increased. An injection of prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha caused an increase in the AVT receptor Bmax in the uterus, and indomethacin blocked the normal rise in the AVT receptor Bmax and PGF content prior to oviposition. However, just prior to oviposition, the binding affinity increased with a decrease in the binding capacity. A progesterone injection caused an increase in binding affinity and a decrease in binding capacity of the AVT receptor. The specific binding of the progesterone receptor in the uterus increased 2 h before oviposition and remained high until oviposition. Serum AVT levels increased at oviposition. An injection of AVT caused an increase in the affinity of the AVT receptor with a decrease in the capacity. The change in the affinity and capacity of AVT receptor at oviposition may result from the action of progesterone via increased progesterone receptor binding, and the action of AVT on its own receptors.