SUCCINIC DEHYDROGENASE AND ADENOSINETRIPHOSPHATASE ACTIVITIES OF CORPORA LUTEA, OVARIAN INTERSTITIAL TISSUE AND ENDOMETRIUM FROM PSEUDOPREGNANT RABBITS AND RABBITS TREATED WITH GONADOTROPHIC HORMONES

Abstract

SUMMARY: The succinic dehydrogenase (SDHase) and adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activities were determined in the corpora lutea, ovarian interstitial tissue and endometria of pseudopregnant (PP) rabbits and rabbits in which superovulation was produced by treatment with pituitary gonadotrophins (SO). Statistical analysis of the results showed that the weight, SDHase, ATPase and percentage solids of the corpora lutea, and the SDHase of the endometria of each of the two groups varied significantly (P<0·01) between days. The day values for the SDHase of the endometria, however, were particularly high in SO rabbits at the 2-day stage and low in the 12- to 16-day stages as compared with the PP group. Other differences found were of less statistical significance. The results are considered in relation to the poor survival of embryos formed from eggs of SO rabbits. The lesser weight of the corpora lutea and the lesser SDHase activity of the endometria of the SO group, as compared with the PP group during the latter half of the experimental period, may be significant in relation to the poorer survival of embryos.