Plasma prostaglandin F2 alpha and reproduction in the female Triturus carnifex (Laur.).

Plasma patterns of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and sex hormones (progesterone, androgens and 17 beta-estradiol) have been studied in the female crested newt, Triturus carnifex (Laur.), during the annual sexual cycle. The effects of exogenous PGF2 alpha on sex hormones were determined. In addition, the effects of one week's captivity on plasma PGF2 alpha and sex hormones were reported. PGF2 alpha plasma level peaked in April, was low in summer, and progressively increased during the autumn to peak again in December. The April PGF2 alpha coincided with a 17 beta-estradiol rise, and with a progesterone drop. The autumn PGF2 alpha increase was coupled to a 17 beta-estradiol rise, and therefore it has been tentatively related to ovary and oviduct development. In newts collected in April, moreover, a PGF2 alpha-dependent 17 beta-estradiol synthesis could occur, since PGF2 alpha injection induced a significant 17 beta-estradiol plasma increase. These findings led us to suppose that PGF2 alpha intervenes in spring breeding season termination through the induction of a 17 beta-estradiol synthesis as in other amphibian species. PGF2 alpha injection caused a progesterone decrease, probably by inducing corpora lutea lysis. The patterns of plasma sex hormones were consistent with the results reported for the same newt species.