Biology of Reproduction, Vol 24, 519-522, Copyright © 1981 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

Effect of Arachidonic Acid on Oviductal Pressure in the Domestic Hen

¹ Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, University of Antwerp, State University Centre, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium

In anesthetized hens the influence of intra-aortically injected arachidonic acid (AA) and indomethacin (IND) on arterial blood pressure and on pressure in all oviductal parts (infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina) was studied. AA (250-1000 µg/kg) predominantly resulted in an abrupt hypotension (48.4 ± 3.3 mm Hg). Infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, and uterus responded to AA with a pressure increase (4.20-7.00 mm Hg) and the vagina with a pressure decrease (1.54 mm Hg). The observed effects resemble prostaglandin (PG) action. The abrupt fall in blood pressure and the decrease in vaginal pressure could be provoked by PGE-like material. An administration of IND (250-1000 µg/kg), 30 min before AA, inhibited the AA effect on blood and oviductal pressure, but was without influence on the actions of the prostaglandin F₂ or E₂. The results suggest the presence of the PG synthetase system in the oviduct of the hen.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This work was supported by a grant from the Belgian F.G.W.O. foundation. We wish to thank C. De Schepper-Van Hoecke, G. Drubbel, R. Hens-Sleeckx, and P. Staes for technical assistance. The prostaglandins were kindly supplied by Drs. R. Vandenhende and J. Vanhemelrijk, Upjohn, Puurs (Belgium). Indomethacin was a gift from Dr. Deboeck, Merck, Sharp and Dohme, Brussels.