Progesterone Metabolism by the Liver and Brain During the Estrous Cycle of Heifers

Authors

Jorge Quintal-Franco, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Hector Jimenez-Severiano, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Eraldo Zanella, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Michael Wehrman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Brad Lindsey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Eric Melvin, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jim Kinder, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1-1-1999

Comments

Published in 1999 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Published by Agricultural Research Division & University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension , Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Abstract

Heifers were used to evaluate progesterone metabolism in the liver and brain during the estrous cycle. Blood samples were collected from the carotid artery and jugular, portal and hepatic veins. Progesterone concentrations in the hepatic vein were less than in portal and jugular veins and the carotid artery, but there were no differences between the carotid artery and jugular and portal veins. Progesterone concentrations in the hepatic, portal and jugular veins represented 25, 89 and 86 percent of concentrations in the carotid artery, respectively. During the estrous cycle much of the progesterone in blood is metabolized by the liver.