CENTRIFUGATION EFFECTS ON ESTROUS CYCLING, MATING SUCCESSAND PREGNANCY OUTCOME IN RATS

摘要

We analyzed the effects of 2-g centrifugation on estrousrncycling, mating success and pregnancy outcome in rats.rnSexually mature female and male rats were assigned torneither 2-g centrifuge or non-centrifuge conditions, and tornnon-breeding or breeding conditions. In non-breedingrnfemales, estrous cycles were analyzed by examiningrnvaginal cytology before and for 35 days duringrncentrifugation. Breeding females were time-matedrnfollowing 7 days of adaptation to centrifugation.rnFollowing adaptation to centrifugation, estrous cyclernduration over a five-cycle period was similar inrncentrifuged and non-centrifuged females. Identicalrnnumbers of centrifuged and non-centrifuged femalesrnconceived, however centrifuged females took four-timesrnlonger than controls to achieve conception. Birthsrnoccurred at the normal gestational length. Pup birthrnweight and postnatal survival were p<0.05 reduced inrncentrifuged as compared to non-centrifuged groups. Inrnconclusion, 2-g centrifugation had no effect on estrusrncycle length or the probably of becoming pregnant butrndelayed conception and diminished pregnancy outcome.