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Poly I:C accelerates ovum transport in the rabbit by a prostaglandin-mediated mechanism

Summary. Administration of poly I:C (1 mg/kg i.v.) to rabbits 24 h after an ovulating injection of hCG caused accelerated ovum transport; only 30% of the ova were still found in the oviducts 24 h later compared with 79% of ova in control animals. This action of poly I:C was prevented by concomitant administration of indomethacin. Poly I:C (0·5 mg/kg i.v.) given to anaesthetized rabbits produced significantly increased levels of prostaglandins (PGs) E and F in uterine vein blood up to 2 h later. Production of PGs by lung, oviduct and myometrium was unaffected 2 h after poly I:C administration, but production of both PGE and PGF by endometrium was significantly elevated at the same time. Metabolism of PGs by cytosols of lung, oviduct and uterus was inhibited to various degrees at 2 h after poly I:C (1 mg/kg i.v.), but by 4 h after treatment this process was reduced to 70–80% of pretreatment values. It is concluded that poly I:C accelerates ovum transport through the oviduct by a PG-mediated mechanism, and that elevated levels of PGs in oviduct are due to inhibition of metabolism of PGs.