The Effect of Ligating the Ovarian and Uterine Arteries on Ovarian Function in Cyclic Rhesus Monkeys’

The ovarian or uterine arteries in rhesus monkeys were selectively ligated on Days 5-6 of the luteal phase to determine the relative contribution these vessels have in supplying blood to the ovaries. Ligation of the uterine artery caused an immediate decline in peripheral progesterone concentrations and premature menses in 3 of 4 animals whereas ligation of the ovarian artery caused a transient decline in progesterone concentrations but failed to alter the duration of the luteal phase. These results confirm our previous conclusion that the uterine artery is the major source of ovarian blood flow in cyclic monkeys. In subsequent menstrual cycles, significantly fewer ovulations occurred in the ovary with the ligated vessel regardless of the vessel ligated, than in the ovary on the vascular intact side. These results indicate that, although the uterine artery is the major source of ovarian blood flow for maintenance of the corpus luteum, both the ovarian and uterine arteries are required for normal ovarian function on a chronic basis