Induction of ovulation in the musk shrew Suncus murinus L. by HCG administration
Singh, J.S.; Dominic, C.J.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 20(1): 10-12
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5189 PMID: 7118189 Document Number: 184589
The ability of HCG to induce ovulation in the musk shrew was evaluated by using non-pregnant and non-lactating, pregnant, pregnant and concurrently lactating and lactating females. A single injection of 25 IU of HCG was effective in inducing ovulation in these animals. Ova were recovered from the genital tracts and newly formed everted corpora lutea were present in the ovaries of HCG-treated females. The optimum time for ovulation in HCG-treated shrews was between 16-18 h after administration of the hormone; this closely corresponds with the time taken for ovulation after coitus in this species. In the musk shrew the ovarian follicles retain sustained sensitivity to gonadotropins and the neuroendocrine changes triggered by mating are identical with those induced by administration of HCG.