This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by FINN, C. A. Articles by MANTLE, P. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by FINN, C. A. Articles by MANTLE, P. G.

THE INFLUENCE OF AGROCLAVINE ON THE PREPARATION OF THE UTERUS FOR IMPLANTATION IN THE MOUSE

The naturally occurring ergot alkaloid, agroclavine, interrupts pregnancy when administered to mated female mice in the diet at a non-toxic dosage for 2 to 3 days before implantation (Mantle, 1969). A similar action in the rat has also been reported (Edwardson & Macgregor, 1969), and the reversibility of the agroclavine implantation block by daily injections of progesterone suggests that the alkaloid may act either at the hypothalamic or ovarian level.

The investigation reported here was conducted to determine the effect of the alkaloid on the cellular changes in the uterus which precede implantation in the mouse.

During early pregnancy in the mouse, there is an abrupt change in the pattern of cell division in the uterus between the 3rd and 4th days after mating. On the 3rd day, large numbers of the epithelial cells