Concurrent changes of plasma progesterone, oestradiol-17B, oestrone sulphate, Corticosteroids and a metabolite of pGF2x throughout pregnancy, around parturition and during postpartum in buffalo cows

Concentrations of plasma progesterone, estradiol-17 beta, estrone sulphate, corticosteroids and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostagl and in F2 alpha were measured in 12 buffalo cows during the whole length of gestation, around parturition and 15 days postpartum. From the results obtained, it was concluded that progesterone, in particular 3 alpha-dihydroprogesterone, is essential for maintaining pregnancy in buffalos and that maturational events leading to parturition are linked with both the luteolytic effect of corticosteroids and the estrogen-stimulated increased synthesis and relase of PGF2 alpha