Spontaneous and oxytocin induced uterine motility during the oestrous cycle in goats

Spontaneous uterine motility and reactivity to intravenously administered oxytocin were recorded through the oestrous cycle in a group of goats. Contractions during oestrus were of significantly greater amplitude than in dioestrus and both the sensitivity and degree of response to oxytocin were greater in the oestrous phase. Evidence from a previous study suggests that the depressed spontaneous and oxytocin-induced motility in dioestrus is due to the predominating influence of progesterone during this stage of the cycle.