Effects of clonidine on estrus, estradiol, gonadotropin, graafian follicle, and corpus luteum in rats

Effects of clonidine (Clo) on female reproductive system were studied in rats. Blood FSH, LH, progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol were measured by radioimmunoassay and the development of secondary follicles and corpus luteum in ovary were investigated by morphometry. After Clo po 0.3 mg.kg-1.d-1 x 14 d, the estrus of rats was prolonged; FSH, LH, and progesterone increased significantly; while estradiol reduced. The development of secondary follicles in ovary was blocked at the stage of prematuration and the numerical density of corpus luteum decreased. After clonidine po 28 d, FSH and LH sustained at high levels, but the estrous cycle, estradiol and progesterone recovered.