Uterine activity after induction of hypocalcaemia in the ovariectomized camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in three parous, non-pregnant camels. Intrauterine and intraabdominal pressure changes were recorded using balloon-tipped catheters. Uterine contractions were induced and maintained in the ovariectomized camels by daily intramuscular injections of 5 mg oestradiol benzoate throughout the experimental period. The frequency of uterine contractions varied from 6 to 9 per minute, whereas the amplitude varied from 2 to 3 kPa in all the animals. Inducing hypocalcaemia to a level of 0.5 mmol/L by Na2EDTA reduced the amplitude of the contractions to below 1 kPa (p < 0.001). The frequency of the contractions was not affected.