Effects of reserpine on the ovulation

Abstract

A study of ovulation was carried out in order to provide data about adrencrgic mcchanisms that influence on the ovarían cycle of the rat, by administering a single dosis of reserpine at different times of the cycle. Oocyte counting ¡n the tubes and histological study of the ovaries were pcrformed by seriated sections. Inhibition of ovulation was observed when reserpine (2 mg/kg) was administered at the 8 hour of the day of dioestrus (0.05 > P > 0.01) at the 16 hour of the day of dioestrus (2 mg/kg), (0.05 > P > 0.01); and when it was administered at the 8 hour of the day of proestrus (4 mg/kg), (0.01 > P > 0.001). Ovulation was not significantly inhibited when it was administered (2 mg/kg) at the 16 hour of the day of proestrus. Oocytes were not found in the tubes of most of the animáis injected with 4 mg/kg on the day of proestrus, instead they presented many mature follicles not ruptured and diffuse luteinization of the ovaries. These results indícate that the ovulation took place on the second half of the day of proestrus, and that it is in cióse relationship with the level of catecholamines in the hypothalamus. It is inferred that the luteinization of the ovary by higher dosis of reserpine is occasioned by a greater secretion of prolactine, dependent on the decrease of the level of catecholamines in the hypothalamus.