Effect of prostaglandin F2α on release of progesterone and leukotriene B-4 by cells from corpora lutes or mares

Abstract Corpora lutca were recovered from mares either 4 to 5 days or 12 to 13 days after ovulation. Mixed populations of luteal cells were prepared by collagenase digestion and were incubated for 24 h in the presence or absence of prostaglandin (PG) F-2 α (250 ng/ml). PGF-2 α significantly ( P = 0.03) reduced progesterone secretion by cells from late diestrous corpora lutea and tended ( P = 0.06) to reduce secretion by early diestrous cells. PGF-2 α had no significant effect on leukotriene B-4 (LTB-4) production by cells from early diestrous corpora lutea, but significantly ( P = 0.03) increased LTB-4 production by late diestrous luteal cells. It seems possible that LTB-4 could play a role as an intermediary in the action of PGF-2 α in luteolysis in the mare.