Seroepidemiology of Neospora caninum among goats (Capra hircus) in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil / Soroepidemiologia de Neospora caninum em caprinos (Capra hircus) do estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil

Although goat dairy farms in Brazil may have a higher risk of infection by Neospora caninum than beef farms, risk factor evaluation on a representative population remains to be fully established in Brazil. Accordingly, this study aimed to establish the occurrence of anti-N. caninum antibodies and factors associated with exposure in 406 blood samples from five dairy and three beef goat farms in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), with samples considered positive when reacting with dilution ≥ 1:50. A total of 106/406 goats (26.11%; 95% CI: 21.96-30.72%) were seroreactive comprising 2/61 (3.28%), 10/45 (22.22%), 13/50 (26.00%), 17/51 (33.33%) to 29/46 (63.04%) in dairy farms, and from 3/54 (5.56%), 12/50 (24.00%) to 20/49 (40.82%) on the beef farms. No significant associations were found in relation to age, gender, dairy versus beef farms, occurrence of abortions or mummified fetuses, and seroreactivity to N. caninum (P>0.05). In conclusion, goat farms in the state of Paraíba showed the highest occurrence of anti-N. caninum antibodies to date in Brazil.(AU)

Embora as criações caprinas de leite no Brasil possam ter maior probabilidade de risco de infecção por Neospora caninum do que as de carne, a avaliação dos fatores de risco em uma população representativa ainda não está totalmente estabelecida no Brasil. Dessa forma, este estudo teve por objetivo estabelecer a soroprevalência de N. caninum e seus fatores associados à exposição em 406 amostras de sangue de cinco fazendas de leite e três de corte provenientes do estado da Paraíba, região Nordeste do Brasil. A detecção de anticorpos anti-N. caninum foi realizada utilizando-se a reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), com as amostras consideradas positivas na diluição ≥ 1:50. No total, 106/406 (26,11%; IC 95%: 21,96-30,72%) caprinos foram sororreagentes, variando de 2/61 (3,28%), 10/45 (22,22%), 13/50 (26,00%), 17/51 (33,33%) a 29/46 (63,04%) em fazendas de leite, e de 3/54 (5,56%), 12/50 (24,00%) a 20/49 (40,82%) em fazendas de corte. Não foram observadas associações significativas entre idade, sexo, criação de leite e carne, ocorrência de abortamentos ou fetos mumificados e sororreatividade para N. caninum (P>0,05). Em conclusão, fazendas de caprinos da Paraíba mostraram as mais altas ocorrências de anticorpos anti-N. caninum até o momento no Brasil.(AU)

Correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and latitude in Brazilian postmenopausal women: from the Arzoxifene Generations Trial.

SUMMARY: We investigated vitamin D status in Brazilian cities located at different latitudes. Insufficiency (<50 nmol/L) was common (17 %), even in those living in a tropical climate. Vitamin D insufficiency increased as a function of latitude. Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in each site and latitude correlation were very high (r = -0.88; p=0.02). [corrected]. INTRODUCTION: Inadequate vitamin D, determined by low levels of 25(OH)D, has become very common despite the availability of sunlight at some latitudes. National data from a country that spans a wide range of latitudes would help to determine to what extent latitude or other factors are responsible for vitamin D deficiency. We investigated vitamin D status in cities located at different latitudes in Brazil, a large continental country. METHODS: The source is the Brazilian database from the Generations Trial (1,933 osteopenic or osteoporotic postmenopausal women (60 to 85 years old) with 25(OH)D measurements). 25(OH)D below 25 nmol/L (10 ng/mL) was an exclusion criterion. Baseline values were between fall and winter. The sites included Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre. Mean and standard deviation of 25(OH)D, age, spine and femoral neck T-score, calcium, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase were calculated for each city. Pearson correlation was used for 25(OH)D and latitude. RESULTS: Insufficiency (<50 or <20 ng/mL) was common (329 subjects, 17 %). Vitamin D insufficiency increased as a function of latitude, reaching 24.5 % in the southernmost city, Porto Alegre. The correlation between mean 25(OH)D levels in each site and latitude was very high (r = -0.88, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: There is a high percentage of individuals with vitamin D insufficiency in Brazil, even in cities near the equator, and this percentage progressively increases with more southern latitudes.

Efeitos de um implante de acetato de nomegestrol, um derivado de 19-nor-progesterona, na função tireoidiana / Effects of an implant of nomegestrol acetate, a 19-nor-progesterone derivative, on thyroid function

Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar tri-iodotironina (T3), tiroxina (T4), hormônio estimulante da tireóide (TSH), T3 uptake, T3 livre e T4 livre em usuárias do implante de acetato de nomegestrol (Uniplant). Dezoito voluntárias em idade reprodutiva, que desejavam fazer anticoncepção, foram recrutadas para o estudo e investigadas antes do início do tratamento. Amostras de sangue foram obtidas antes da inserção do implante, para análises hormonais. Em seguida, amostras de sangue foram colhidas 3,6,12 e 24 meses após a inserção do Uniplant. Todas as pacientes usaram contraceptivo não hormonal por um período mínimo de 6 meses, antes da inserção do implante. Os resultados observados no estudo mostraram que não houve diferença significante na tri-iodotironina (T3), tiroxina (T4) e hormônio estimulante da tireóide (TSH), durante dois anos de uso do Uniplant. Nenhuma diferença significante foi encontrada nos níveis de T3 livre, durante dois anos de uso do Uniplant. Um decréscimo significante foi abservado no T3 uptake (p<0,05) no 24º mês e no T4 livre (p<0,05) no 3º mês de uso do Uniplant. todas as alterações observadas no estudo foram inconsistentes e todos os níveis estavam dentro dos limites normais.

A randomized, open-label study of conjugated equine estrogens plus medroxyprogesterone acetate versus tibolone: effects on symptom control, bleeding pattern, lipid profile and tolerability.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of continuous combined conjugated equine estrogens plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (CEE/MPA) with those of tibolone on symptom control, bleeding pattern, lipid profile and tolerability in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This was a randomized, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study. Generally healthy postmenopausal women with an intact uterus and no contraindications to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or tibolone were enrolled. Each subject was randomly assigned to receive CEE/MPA 0.625 mg-5.0 mg or tibolone 2.5 mg daily for 13 treatment cycles, each of 28 days. RESULTS: A total of 85 subjects were enrolled and received at least one dose of study medication, of which 76 (89.4%) subjects completed the study (n = 40, CEE/MPA; n = 36, tibolone). The incidence of postmenopausal symptoms decreased significantly over time in both treatment groups, compared with baseline, including significant decreases in the incidence of urogenital and sexual health symptoms. Significant differences in symptom control (other than hot flushes) were observed between treatment groups in a few different cycles for different symptoms, but no consistent or clinically significant trends were observed. No statistically significant differences in the incidence of bleeding were observed between treatment groups after cycle 4. Significant decreases in total cholesterol (5.6%) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (7.5%) were observed at cycle 13, compared with baseline, in the CEE/MPA group, and significant decreases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (8.5%) and triglycerides (13.7%) were observed at cycle 13, compared with baseline, in the tibolone group. Significant weight gain was observed at cycle 13 in the tibolone group (3.05 kg), compared with the CEE/MPA group (0.96 kg). The incidences of adverse events were similar in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Women treated with CEE/MPA or tibolone showed significant improvement of postmenopausal symptoms, including urogenital and sexual health symptoms, and had similar bleeding patterns after four cycles of therapy. CEE/MPA and tibolone each induced a different mix of changes in the lipid profile.

Carbohydrate metabolism in sickle cell patients using a subdermal implant containing nomegestrol acetate (Uniplant).

Uniplant, a second-generation contraceptive implant, has been demonstrated to promote a significant improvement in the overall well-being of women with sickle cell anemia. It has been suggested that the discrete increase in blood glucose levels observed in Uniplant users could be a contributory factor for clinical improvement. Ten healthy sickle cell patients were enrolled in the study. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed prior to implant insertion and at 1, 6, and 12 months of therapy. Blood glucose and insulin were measured before and at 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after a 75-g glucose load. The glucose and insulin areas under the curves were calculated. Fasting glycosylated hemoglobin was also measured. No significant changes were observed in glycosylated hemoglobin, glucose or insulin. We conclude that Uniplant is a safe contraceptive for sickle cell patients.

Hysteroscopy and transvaginal sonography in menopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the endometrial cavity of menopausal women with irregular bleeding while receiving hormone replacement therapy. DESIGN: Comparative evaluation of hysteroscopic and biopsy findings. SETTING: A center for reproductive studies. PATIENTS: Forty-one patients receiving different regimens of hormone replacement therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy, and transvaginal sonography were performed in all 41 women. In 10 patients, endometrial polyps were removed with the resectoscope. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Irregular bleeding during hormone replacement therapy was associated with atrophic endometrium whenever transvaginal sonography showed endometrial thickness to be less than 4 mm. In patients who developed increased endometrial thickness after hormone replacement therapy, hysteroscopy revealed the presence of endometrial polyps in the uterine cavity. Histopathologic examination of excised polyps revealed cystic or adenomatous hyperplasia confined to these lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial polyps can appear in menopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy despite the presence of progestins to oppose the action of estrogens.

Temporal relationship between Uniplant insertion and changes in cervical mucus.

This study was undertaken to determine the time required by a single implant containing nomegestrol acetate to affect cervical mucus production and sperm penetration in women. All subjects were investigated and, if necessary, treated for any kind of cervicitis or vaginitis prior to starting cervical mucus study. The subjects had not used hormonal contraception for at least three months prior to investigation. They were counseled to use condoms during this study and also to refrain from intercourse during the period of cervical mucus sampling. Follicular development and endometrial thickness were analyzed by transvaginal sonography. Cervical mucus examination, sperm penetration test, and transvaginal sonography were performed during the control cycle and during the first cycle of Uniplant use. Blood samples were taken for the measurement of estradiol, LH, and progesterone. Cervical mucus and sperm penetration tests were evaluated according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. In the treated cycle, when cervical mucus reached a score of 8-10, Uniplant was inserted, independent of the day of the cycle. Cervical mucus was then collected at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h later until a marked change in volume, consistency, ferning spinnbarkheit, and cellularity was observed. All samples were also used for sperm penetration test. Preovulatory estradiol and LH peak decreased significantly compared to pre-implant insertion. Progesterone levels were within the normal limit. Cervical mucus and sperm penetration tests were not affected by Uniplant in the first 12 h. Twenty-four hours after Uniplant insertion, cervical mucus and sperm penetration tests were affected in 70.6% of the women. Forty-eight hours after implant insertion, the women were affected. Follicular rupture occurred in the majority of the women 48 h after implant insertion. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that Uniplant can affect estradiol and LH preovulatory peaks and disrupt the process of cervical mucus production and sperm penetration, but it was unable to prevent ovulation when inserted in the preovulatory phase.

PIP: In Brazil, physicians inserted one single capsule of the nomegestrol acetate contraceptive implant (Uniplant) subcutaneously in the gluteal region of 17 healthy female volunteers (mean age = 24.62 years) when their cervical mucus score was 8-10. They performed cervical mucus examination, sperm penetration test, and transvaginal sonography during the control cycle and during the first cycle of Uniplant use. They took blood samples to measure estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone. Uniplant contained 55 mg of nomegestrol acetate. The researchers aimed to determine the time between Uniplant insertion and changes in cervical mucus and in the ability of sperm to exhibit forward motility in the cervical mucus. When Uniplant was inserted in the early follicular phase, the preovulatory peaks of estradiol and LH were significantly lower than preinsertion peaks (539.4 vs. 1087.1 pmol/l and 12 vs. 40.4 IU/l, respectively; p 0.01). The lower progesterone levels in the treatment cycle were not significantly different than preinsertion progesterone levels (46.6 vs. 53.8 nmol/l; p = 0.055). Ultrasonography and progesterone levels indicated that 16 of the 17 treatment cycles were ovulatory. Neither cervical mucus nor sperm penetration was affected in the first 12 hours postinsertion. By 24 hours postinsertion, 70.6% of the women exhibited significant changes in both cervical mucus and sperm penetration. At the end of 48 hours, all 17 women had these changes. These findings suggest that Uniplant inserted in the periovulatory phase affects cervical mucus production, sperm penetration, and preovulatory peaks of LH and estradiol but does not affect ovulation.

Eficácia e segurança de um novo sistema matricial para liberaçäo transdérmica de stradiol comparativamente ao sistema clássico de reservatório / An open, randomized assessment of the efficacy and safety of two transdermal estradiol patches for relief of climacteric symptoms

Estudo comparativo, aberto, randomizado, foi conduzido em 10 centros da América Latina (oito no Brasil, um na Argentina e um no Chile), para avaliar a eficácia e segurança de dois sistemas transdérmicos para liberação de estradiol. Um total de 182 pacientes foi aleatoriamente distribuído para receber o sistema matricial (Climaderm-Wyeth-Ayerst) ou sistema clássico do tipo reservatório (Estraderm TTS 50 - Ciba-Geigy). Os sistemas foram aplicados na região inferior do abdome em áreas alternadas, durante seis ciclos consecutivos de 28 dias. Os sistemas liberavam aproximadamente, 50gr de estradiol por dia. Em ambos os grupos houve, em relação ao pré-tratamento, decréscimo significativo do número diário de fogachos nos ciclos de um a seis, porém houve, em relação ao sistema matricial, melhora significativa nos ciclos 4 (p = 0,033) e 6 (p = 0,046). Houve também diferença significativa entre os grupos com relação à fraqueza nos ciclos 2 (p = 0,019) e 3 (p + 0,015), fadiga no ciclo 2 (p = 0,033), interrupções do sono no ciclo 6 (p + 0,048), nervosismo no ciclo 3 (p = 0,045) e escore total nos ciclos 2 (p = 0,030) e 3 (p = 0,041), a favor do sistema matricial e 18 ( 21,2 por cento) do grupo medicado com o sistema reservatório abandonaram o tratamento

Multicenter clinical trial on the efficacy and acceptability of a single contraceptive implant of nomegestrol acetate, Uniplant.

Uniplant, a single Silastic implant containing nomegestrol acetate, provides contraceptive efficacy for one year. Uniplant use for one year was studied in 1,803 healthy women of reproductive age, enrolled from 10 centers in 9 countries, after informed consent. Implants were placed subdermally either in the upper arm or in the gluteal region. Two-hundred-seventy-six subjects discontinued prior to completing one year of study. Cumulative discontinuation rate at 12 months was 15.72%. Medical reasons for discontinuation were principally menstrual-related. Fifteen pregnancies occurred during the one year study period, resulting in a 12-month net cumulative pregnancy rate of 0.94%. Approximately 56% of subjects using Uniplant had bleeding patterns similar to normal menstruation. Results from this study confirm that Uniplant is an efficient, well tolerated, 12-month contraceptive implant, with the advantage of easier insertion and removal of the single implant compared to other multiple implant methods.

Evaluation of the endometrial cavity during menopause.

OBJECTIVE: To compare transvaginal sonography (TVS), hysteroscopy and suction curettage in the evaluation of uterine bleeding during the menopause. METHODS: Forty-seven patients who presented with either postmenopausal bleeding (31 cases) or sonographic endometrial abnormalities at menopause (16 cases) were evaluated using TVS, hysteroscopy, and curettage with a Karman curette. RESULTS: When endometrial thickness measured by TVS was < 4 mm, there was no endometrial pathology. However TVS could not differentiate accurately between hyperplasia, polyps or endometrial carcinoma. In these cases, endometrial thickness was invariably greater than 5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopy proved superior to curettage in the diagnosis of endometrial polyps.

Effects of an implant of nomegestrol acetate, a 19-nor-progesterone derivative, on thyroid function.

This study was undertaken to assess tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T3 uptake, free T3 and free T4 in nomegestrol acetate implant (Uniplant) users. A total of eighteen volunteers of reproductive age who wanted to avoid conception were enrolled in the study. All subjects were investigated before starting treatment. Blood samples for hormonal analysis were taken prior to insertion of the implant. Thereafter, blood samples were drawn at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of Uniplant use. All subjects had used non-hormonal contraceptives for at least 6 months prior to insertion of the implant. The results observed in this study showed that there was no significant difference in tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) during two years of Uniplant use. No significant difference was found in free T3 levels during two years of Uniplant use. A significant decrease was observed in T3 uptake (p < 0.05) in month 24 and in free T4 (p < 0.05) in month 3 of Uniplant use. All changes observed in this study were inconsistent and all levels were within the normal range.

Comparative study on intermittent versus continuous use of a contraceptive pill administered by vaginal route.

A multicenter, international, randomized, comparative trial was conducted to assess the acceptability, efficacy and safety of two different schedules of a contraceptive pill, containing 250 micrograms levonorgestrel and 50 micrograms ethinyl estradiol, administered by the vaginal route. One schedule of daily administration for 21 days with a seven-day interruption to allow withdrawal bleeding was compared to daily administration without interruption for bleeding. A total of 900 women were recruited in three countries, Brazil, Egypt and China; 7,090 women-months of vaginal pill use were recorded (3,364 using the pills intermittently and 3,726 continuously). Four undesired pregnancies occurred, one in Egypt and three in China, all four in women using the pills intermittently. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.486) in pregnancy rate between the two groups. There were no other significant differences in discontinuation rates despite marked differences in bleeding patterns, amenorrhea predominating in the continuous use group. Hemoglobin levels increased significantly in the two groups but hematocrit was significantly higher in the continuous use group.

PIP: 900 healthy women 16-42 years old were recruited in Brazil, China, and Egypt for a multicenter, randomized, comparative clinical trial to determine the acceptability, efficacy, and safety of two different schedules of a contraceptive pill with 250 mcg levonorgestrel and 50 mcg ethinyl estradiol administered vaginally. The two schedules were: 1) daily vaginal use of the pill for 21 days, followed by withdrawal for regular bleeding, and restarted 7 days later, and 2) use of the pill by the vaginal route nonstop for one year. There were no significant difference in cumulative discontinuation rates between the two groups (total, 15.5 for intermittent group and 14.64 for continuous group), except for unwanted pregnancy. The only unwanted pregnancies occurred to 4 women in the intermittent group (1.04%) (p = 0.0486). Women in the continuous use group were more likely than those in the intermittent group to have spotting at least once (20.6% vs. 4.4%; p 0.001). Women in the continuous group were more likely than those in the intermittent group to have amenorrhea. For example, the mean number of bleeding/spotting days during all time intervals was lower for the continuous group than for the intermittent group (p 0.001; last interval, 0.97 vs. 12.83). Hemoglobin levels increased considerably in both groups between baseline and one year of use (11.61 vs. 11.9 g/dl for intermittent group and 11.54 vs. 11.81 g/dl for continuous use; p 0.001). The mean value of hematocrit at 12 months for the continuous group was higher than that at baseline (38.8% vs. 38.2%; p = 0.011). It did not increase in the intermittent group, however. Women in both groups gained weight during the 12 months of pill use. The weight gain was significant for the continuous group only. These findings suggest that continuous use of vaginal contraceptive pills may be more advantageous than intermittent use oral contraceptives and may benefit anemic women and those who bleed heavily during menstruation.

Induction of ovulation with clomiphene citrate followed by LH-RH in women.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) was used to induce ovulation following clomiphene priming to stimulate follicular growth. Ovulation was assumed to have occurred following LH-RH injection when progesterone levels started to rise within 48 h following treatment and LH pretreatment levels were below 8 mIU/ml. Ovulation occurred in eight of 10 patients following the administration of LH-RH and six pregnancies were achieved in the first 4 months of treatment.

Ovulation suppression in women following vaginal administration of oral contraceptive tablets.

PIP: A preliminary trial was conducted to test the possibility of using intravaginally a contraceptive tablet manufactured for oral use to achieve ovulation suppression. 12 women who could not continue with oral contraceptives (OCs) because of gastrointestinal complaints and/or nausea volunteered to participate. All subjects discontinued oral use of tablets for at least 2 months prior to the vaginal administration. Condoms were provided for use during the interim period. Patients were instructed to manually place in the vagina either 1 (4 subjects) or 2 tablets (8 subjects) daily for 21 days. Progesterone blood levels remained at preovulatory levels, below 2 ng/ml, throughout the treatment period, indicating that ovulation was suppressed in all subjects. Levels of 17beta-estradiol (32) which showed considerable variation during the control cycle remained low during the treatment cycle. Withdrawal bleeding occurred 2-5 days following the last tablet and lasted 3-5 days, as in normal menstruation. In patients inserting 1 tablet, intermenstrual spotting was common, but in those inserting 2 tablets daily no spotting occurred. 5 of 6 subjects who complained of nausea during OC use reported no nausea during the period of vaginal administration. These patients requested vaginal administration as a regular contraceptive method.^ieng

Long-lasting ovulation inhibition with a new injectable progestagen ORG-2154.

A new long-acting injectable progestagen was tested in 15 women who volunteered for the study. The occurrence of ovulation was assumed by the elevation of progesterone levels above 2ng/ml following a pre-ovulatory estradiol peak. Following a 200mg injection, ovulation was inhibited in all 15 women for five to ten months. In four subjects the interval between the injection and the first progesterone peak was five months. For eight, the interval was six to eight months. In the other three women, ovulation occurred more than eight months following injection. Bleeding episodes, similar to menstruation, occurred in most patients. Bleeding intervals lasting longer than 45 days occurred in nine subjects but more prolonged amenorrhea lasting longer than 60 days was reported by only five subjects. Blood chemistry which included blood cell counts, cholesterol, glucose, alkaline phosphatase, transaminases, urea nitrogen and creatinine remained within normal limits throughout the treatment.

Mid-cycle contraception with LHRH in women.

PIP: The antifertility effects of LHRH in several species have been demonstrated. In women, LHRH has been shown to exert a partial luteolytic effect when administered during the luteal phase. This study examines the sensitivity of the corpus luteum to LHRH in 12 regularly menstruating women. The women were investigaged for 1 complete menstrual cycle before starting treatment (control cycle) and were found to have normal corpus luteum function. In the 2nd cycle, LHRH was subcutaneously injected once daily for 5 days, the doses ranging from 400-800 mcg; there was no difference in the magnitude of LH response in the dose range given. In 4 patients, treatment was started 4-5 days after the preovulatory estradiol peak when progesterone levels were above 4 ng/ml. In the other 8 patients, treatment started either 1-2 days before or immediately after the preovulatory estradiol peak. All patients experienced increased LH concentrations within 1 hour after LHRH injection; there was no marked decrease during treatment. LH levels consistently returned to basal values within 24 hours after injection. No effect on corpus luteum was observed when treatment was started 4 to 5 days after the preovulatory estradiol peak, suggesting that LHRH is not effective in suppressing progesterone production when administered late in the luteal phase. LHRH treatment 1-2 days before or immediately after the preovulatory estradiol peak resulted in abnormal corpus luteum function in all 8 patients and suppression of progesterone production by more than 80%; this suggests that the optimal time for administering LHRH treatment is around the time for ovulation. The effect of LHRH on progesterone production by corpus luteum in vitro remains speculative.^ieng

Effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha on oviduct contractility in marmoset monkeys.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) increased oviductal contractility under different hormonal conditions. Changes in the response of the oviduct to PGF2 alpha were observed during the reproductive cycle. The response to PGF2 alpha was reduced during the follicular phase, but it increased markedly following both spontaneous and human chorionic gonadotropin-induced ovulation. During the luteal phase the effect of PGF2 alpha on the oviduct was significantly greater than during the follicular phase. The spontaneous motility of the oviduct also increased significantly following ovulation. This increase in motility occurred when progesterone blood levels reached values higher than 1.5 ng/ml, and it was not suppressed by indomethacin, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis.