Estrogen-induced luteolysis in the rhesus monkey: reversal with indomethacin

Normally cycling Rhesus monkeys were treated with diethylstilbestrol (25 mg/day) alone or in combination with indomethacin (25 mg/day) for five consecutive days beginning in the early luteal and mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Blood specimens were obtained daily to monitor corpus luteum function (progesterone), and the length of each menstrual cycle was recorded. Diethylstilbestrol alone cause premature luteolysis as indicated by decreasing plasma progesterone and shortened menstrual cycle, and indomethacin effectively blocked the luteolytic action of diethylstilbestrol. These results suggest that the probable mechanism of diethylstilbestrol action in causing luteolysis is mediated via the prostaglandins.