The effect of active and passive immunization against oxytocin on ovarian cyclicity in ewes

Active and passive immunization of ewes against oxytocin prolonged the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle, as evaluated by oestrus behaviour and determination of progesterone. Between the animals there was a high variability in response. In general animals with prolonged cycles had lower concentrations of free oxytocin. But in some animals oxytocin antibodies had no effect on cyclicity. Therefore, an individual minimal threshold concentration for oxytocin was presumed. In control or treated animals circulating oxytocin concentrations increased parallel with progesterone concentrations but decreased earlier during the mid luteal phase of the cycle. A new increase in oxytocin concentrations was only observed if a new corpus luteum was formed.