Corpus luteum does not contribute to higher progesterone concentration around parturition in buffaloes with uterine torsion

Abstract

Higher progestrone concentration probably from partialy lysed corpus luteum help occurrence of uterine torsion due to abrupt fetal movements in a flaacid uterus. To confirm it, the present study was conducted in 2 parts; firstly plasma progestrone concentration in 37 buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion was evaluated and in second part, the corpus luteum in 5 such buffaloes was studied histomorphologically to check its structural integrity. The plasma progestrone concentration in 5 normally calved buffaloes were also estimated for comparison.Ovaries from 2 buffaloes that died following normal delivery were processed to compare the histomorphological changes in the corpus leuteum with that in uterine torsion affected buffaloes. The plasma progesterone in buffaloes with uterine torsion was significantly higher at presentation than normally calved bufaloes on the day of calving. Though the progesterone concentration declined following uterine detorsion and fetal delivery, these were siginificantly higher than the corresponding control values. Histologically, the structure of corpus leuteum of buffaloes with uterine torsion and those calved normally were identical. Majority of luteal cells (large and small) were irregular in shape and size. Few large luteal cells coalesced to form bigger vacuolated cells with presence of lipid droplets, indicating a non-functional state. Nuclei were pyknotic and karyorrhectic with scanty cytoplasm shoeing cellular regression. Thus the corpus leuteum in uterine torsion-affected buffaloes was degenerated and did not contribute to higher progestrone concentration in such animals as speculated.