Concentration of minerals in corpus luteum of goats during oestrous cycle and pregnancy

Abstract

Goat ovaries were collected from the local slaughterhouse and corpora lutea (CL) were dissected, cut find classified according to the stages of oestrous cycle and pregnancy. A small piece of the CL was fixed for microscopic examination to confirm the stage of cycle and another small piece was weighed, homogenized and further processed for determining the concentration of Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Na by spectrophotometry. Concentration of trace elements and Mg decreased in mature CL and further in regressing CL. Concentration of these elements did not differ in mature CL and CL of pregnancy. Maximum concentration of Na and K was observed in CL ofpregnancy and lowest in regressing CL with little difference in corpus luteum haemorrhagicum and mature CL although concentrations declined in developing CL. The studies suggest the possible involvenlent of these minerals in luteal secretion in view of their observed profile in different stages of CL function.