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Luteal oxytocin and monoestry in the roe deer Capreolus capreolus

The relationship between the corpus luteum and the uterus in terms of the secretion of oxytocin and PGF₂ was investigated in free-living and captive roe deer Capreolus capreolus. During the breeding season the corpus luteum contained oxytocin and oxytocin–neurophysin mRNA, and secreted oxytocin in response to administration of the PGF₂ analogue cloprostenol. The oxytocin receptor was present in the uterus during the breeding season and during delayed implantation; however, in contrast to the situation observed in other ruminants in which it has been studied, administered oxytocin did not stimulate uterine secretion of PGF₂. Trophoblast interferon was undetectable at any stage of conceptus development. The absence of the mechanism underlying episodic uterine secretion of PGF₂ during luteolysis, which may account for the monoestry of roe deer, is consistent with the previously observed luteolytic effect of the PGF₂ analogue.