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The role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in basal and noradrenaline (NA)-stimulated utilization of high density lipoprotein (HDL) as a source of cholesterol for progesterone synthesis was examined. In Experiment 1, a cannula was inserted into the aorta abdominalis through the coccygeal artery (cranial to the origin of the ovarian artery) in mature heifers, to facilitate infusion of NA (4 mg/30 min; n=3) on day 10 of the estrous cycle. Three other heifers were similarly cannulated to serve as control. Before, during, and after NA or saline infusion, blood samples from the vena cava were collected every 5–15 min for analysis of PGE2, progesterone, and cholesterol. Each NA infusion stimulated (P<0.01) secretion of both hormones in heifers. Short-duration increases (P<0.05) in progesterone were observed due to the infusion of NA while cholesterol was not altered significantly. In addition, increases in PGE2 concentrations (P<0.05) compared to controls were seen after NA infusion. Therefore, we used an in vitro model to verify the effect of PGE2 on HDL utilization by luteal cells from day 5 to 10 of the estrous cycle. In the preliminary experiment, 10−6 M of PGE2 out of four different doses examined was selected for further studies, since it evoked the highest release of progesterone. In the next experiment, it was found that HDL increases progesterone secretion by luteal cells and both PGE2 and LH increased (P<0.05) the response to HDL while NA did not. In the last in vitro experiment, progesterone stimulated PGE2 secretion by luteal cells.In conclusion, PGE2 may be directly involved in the utilization of cholesterol from HDL for progesterone synthesis. Furthermore, PGE2 may influence NA-stimulated progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum (CL). It is concluded that there is a positive feedback loop between progesterone and luteal PGE2 during days 5–10 of the estrous cycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previously studied classes of pesticides, including organochlorines, organophosphates and pyrethroids disturb the mechanism that causes bovine myometrial contractions. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carbaryl and thiram, which are representative carbamate pesticides commonly used in global agriculture, on the motor and secretory functions of bovine cervixes. Additionally, the impacts of these pesticides on intra- and intercellular signaling in vitro were estimated. In this study, cervical cells or strips were obtained from cows at days 18-20 of the estrous cycle and were treated with carbaryl or thiram. Neither carbamate (10 or 100 ng/ml) exerted cytotoxic effects. Carbaryl increased the level of mRNA (at a dose of 0.1 ng/ml) and protein (at both doses, 1 and 10 ng/ml) expression for the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), while thiram (at 0.1 and 10 ng/ml or 0.1-10 ng/ml, respectively) caused the opposite effects. Moreover, the level of the second messenger inositol-trisphosphate (IP3) was decreased by carbaryl (10 ng/ml) but increased by thiram (10 ng/ml). Only thiram decreased prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2; 0.1 ng/ml) and aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B1 (AKR1B1; 0.1 ng/ml), and prostaglandin E synthase 2 (PTGES2; 0.1-10 ng/ml) mRNA expression, while thiram (0.1-10 ng/ml) and carbaryl (0.1 and 10 ng/ml) both decreased the release of PGF2α. Carbaryl (10 ng/ml) and thiram (10 ng/ml) also decreased the level of a gap junction protein (GAP). Moreover, carbaryl (10 ng/ml) decreased the level of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). However, the strength of cervical contractions was increased by thiram (1 and 10 ng/ml) but decreased by carbaryl (1 and 10 ng/ml). Carbaryl increased the receptivity of cervical cells to oxytocin (OXT), but inhibited further transduction (IP3) of this signal. Hence, direct inhibition of cervical strip contraction may occur. In contrast, thiram mostly decreased the receptivity of cervical cells to OXT, while it stimulated the contraction of cervical strips. Moreover, compared to carbaryl, thiram more greatly affected the synthesis and release of prostaglandins. These results suggest that carbaryl and thiram disturb OXT signaling, PG secretion and cervical contraction in vitro., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Michal Wrobel reports financial support, administrative support, equipment, drugs, or supplies, and travel were provided by Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn. Jaroslaw Mlynarczuk reports financial support, administrative support, equipment, drugs, or supplies, and travel were provided by Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn. Robert Rekawiecki reports financial support, administrative support, and equipment, drugs, or supplies were provided by Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn. Michal Wrobel reports a relationship with National Science Centre that includes: funding grants., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of pyrethroid insecticides on the regulation of bovine cervical function. Cervical cells or strips obtained from cows during the periovulation period were treated with cypermethrin and fenvalerate (0.1-10 ng/mL). None of the pyrethroids exerted a cytotoxic effect, whereas only fenvalerate increased the cervical contraction force and mRNA expression of receptor of oxytocin and prostaglandin (PG) synthases. Both pyrethroids inhibited PG secretion and decreased the amount of diacylglycerol, which is the second messenger involved in oxytocin signal transmission, and fenvalerate decreased the myosin light-chain kinase level. These findings indicate that fenvalerate induces greater disruption of cervical function than cypermethrin.

Myometrium tissue shows the expression of non-genomic membrane progesterone (P4) receptors, such as progesterone receptor membrane components (PGRMC) 1 and 2 and membrane progestin receptors (mPR) alpha (mPRα), beta (mPRβ), and gamma (mPRγ). Their variable expression in the bovine uterus during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy suggests that ovarian steroids and luteotropic and/or luteolytic factors may regulate the expression of these receptors in the myometrium. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of P4, estradiol (E2), P4 with E2, prostaglandins (PG) E2 and F2α, oxytocin (OT), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) on the gene expression of PGRMC1, PGRMC2, serpine-1 mRNA-binding protein (SERBP1), and mPRα, mPRβ, and mPRγ in bovine myometrial cells from days 6 to 10 and 11 to 16 of the estrous cycle. The PGE2 concentration and mRNA expression were determined by EIA and real-time PCR, respectively. The data indicated that P4 and E2 can affect the mRNA expression of all studied receptors and SERPB1. However, PGE2, OT, and TNFα could only modulate the expression of PGRMC1, PGRMC2, and SERPB1, respectively. Steroids/factors changed the expression of PGRMC and mPR genes depending on the dose, the stage of the estrous cycle, and the types of receptors. This suggests that the local hormonal milieu may influence the activity of these receptors and P4 action in myometrial cells during the estrous cycle.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of synthetic xenobiotics that have been used in many industrial applications. Currently, PCBs are among the most prominent environmental contaminants. Previously we showed that PCBs impair secretion of prostaglandins (PGs) at the oviduct. PGs are involved in the regulation of oviductal contractions and the synthesis of leukemia inhibitory factors LIF. Since oviductal contractions are crucial for gamete and embryo transport, and LIF is essential for embryo implantation, the direct effect of PCBs on oviductal motor activity and LIF mRNA expression were investigated. Oviductal strips and cells were taken from cows during the estrous cycle and were treated with PCBs at concentrations close to their environmental ranges. All the studied PCBs decreased the force of the contractions of the longitudinal and circular muscles of the isthmus. Additionally, these PCBs decreased the amplitude of the longitudinal muscle of the oviduct. Moreover, PCB-30-OH and PCB-153 increased the mRNA expression of LIF. Since PCBs inhibit the motor function of the oviduct and stimulate the synthesis of LIF, it is possible that PCBs can slow gamete or embryo transport and increase the potential for pathological embryo implantation in the oviduct., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We examined the direct effects of toxaphene and endrin, chlorinated insecticides that are widespread in the environment, on myometrial contractions and on the secretion of hormones involved in regulating these contractions. Granulosa, luteal, endometrial and myometrial cells, and myometrial strips from non-pregnant cows were incubated with both insecticides at environmentally relevant doses. Toxaphene inhibited and endrin stimulated the secretion of testosterone and oestradiol from granulosa cells. Toxaphene also inhibited and endrin stimulated the expression of the mRNA encoding the precursor of oxytocin (OT), as well OT secretion in luteal cell cultures. Moreover, endrin increased OT secretion from granulosa cells. Neither insecticide exerted an effect on progesterone secretion from luteal cells. Only toxaphene decreased the secretion of prostaglandins (PGF2 and PGE2) from endometrial cells. Meanwhile, only endrin decreased basal myometrial contractions, which was accompanied by inhibition of PGF2 secretion from the myometrium. Both endrin and toxaphene also decreased the force of the OT-stimulated myometrial contractions, whereas only toxaphene inhibited the stimulatory effect of OT on the force of myometrial contractions. In contrast to endrin, toxaphene decreased synthesis and secretion of one of the primary stimulators of myometrial contractions (OT) and indirectly inhibited OT signal reception in the myometrium by reducing E2 secretion. Both insecticides decreased OT-stimulated myometrial contractions; therefore, they may inhibit further transmission of the OT signal. Moreover, endrin inhibited basal myometrial contractions, potentially resulting from reduced PGF2 secretion from the myometrium. Our data indicate the potential of these insecticides to disturb the course of the oestrous cycle or fertilisation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The effect of atrazine and linuron, the popular and widely used chlorinated herbicides, on both myometrial contractions and secretory functions of bovine uterus and ovaries in vitro, was investigated. The pesticides inhibited (P<0.05) the basal and oxytocin (OT)-stimulated myometrial strips contractions, as well as the effect of OT on secretion of prostaglandins (PGs: PGF2α and PGE2) from endometrium. But only linuron inhibits the effect of OT on myometrial contractions. Neither of herbicides affected PGs secretion from myometrium and PGF2α from endometrium. Only the lowest dose of both tested compounds decreased PGE2 secretion from endometrium. The pesticides increased (P<0.05) the OT secretion from granulosa. However, only linuron stimulated (P<0.05) the OT secretion from the luteal cells, and it increased (P<0.05) the expression of mRNA for the OT precursor. Both compounds stimulated (P<0.05) the secretion of testosterone and atrazine increased (P<0.05) also the secretion of estradiol from the granulosa cells. While atrazine and linuron reduced (P<0.05) the progesterone secretion from the luteal cells. The data show that atrazine and linuron altered the secretory functions of ovarian cells and inhibited the myometrial contractions in vitro., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of chlordane, heptachlor and mirex, on hormonal regulation of the force of myometrial contractions. Myometrial, endometrial, granulosa and luteal cells as well as strips of myometrium from non-pregnant cows were incubated with three insecticides at environmentally relevant doses (0.1, 1 or 10ng/ml). None of the insecticides affected the viability of studied cells. Chlordane stimulated, while heptachlor and mirex inhibited, secretion of testosterone and estradiol from granulosa cells as well as secretion of progesterone from luteal cells, respectively. Secretion of oxytocin (OT) from granulosa cells was increased after incubation with all studied insecticides. Only mirex stimulated OT secretion from luteal cells, while heptachlor inhibited this effect. None of them affected synthesis of OT in luteal cells and prostaglandins (PGF2 and PGE2) secretion from uterine cells, except PGE2 secretion from endometrial cells was decreased when the cells were incubated with 0.1ng/ml of chlordane. Basal and OT-stimulated myometrial contractions were increased by mirex and decreased by heptachlor. The data show that the insecticides altered secretory function of ovarian cells. Heptachlor and mirex affected also myometrial contractions in vitro, but uterine secretion of prostaglandins were not involved in the mechanism of that adverse effect of insecticides. The data indicate on potential of these insecticides to disturb fertilisation, blastocyst implantation or even the length of gestation., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aldrin and dieldrin are chloroorganic insecticides which are recognised as endocrine disruptors. The aim of the study was to investigate their effect on the secretory functions of the uterus and ovary and on myometrial contractions. Myometrial strips and uterine and ovarian cells from nonpregnant cows were incubated with the xenobiotics (0.1, 1 or 10 ng/ml) for 24 or 72 h. Next, their effect on viability of myometrial, endometrial, granulosa and luteal cells, myometrial strip contractions, the synthesis and secretion of prostaglandins (PGs: PGF2α and PGE2) from uterine cells, the secretion of oestradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and oxytocin (OT) from granulosa cells and the secretion of progesterone (P4) and OT from luteal cells were determined. Neither of the xenobiotics (10 ng/ml) affected (P>0.05) the viability of the ovarian and uterine cells, while both (0.1-10 ng/ml) decreased (P<0.05) the basal and OT-stimulated myometrial contractions. In spite of these effects, neither of the insecticides affected (P>0.05) the synthesis and the secretion of PGs from the myometrial cells. Although they also did not impair the secretion of the PGs from the endometrial cells, they abolished (P<0.05) the stimulatory effect of OT (P<0.05) on the secretion of the PGs and stimulated (P<0.05) the secretion of OT from the granulosa and luteal cells. Moreover, aldrin and dieldrin stimulated secretion of E2 and T from the granulosa cells, while only dieldrin increased (P<0.05) the secretion of P4 from luteal cells. The data show that aldrin and dieldrin stimulated the secretory function of the cultured granulosa and luteal cells and inhibited the myometrial contractions of cows in vitro, which may affect on natural parturition., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The hydroxy-derivatives (OHPCBs) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can accumulate in the tissues of the reproductive tract in animals and humans and may still have estrogen-like properties. Moreover, the "orphan" nuclear receptor Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1) can be the target of PCBs. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect 4OH4CB and 4OH3CB on the secretion of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), and oxytocin (OT) from granulosa cells of follicles <1cm and >1cm in diameter and from luteal cells collected at four stages of the estrous cycle of cows. Furthermore, the possibility that 4OHPCBs have an effect on OT synthesis and secretion via the SF receptor was studied using receptor blocker (F0160). Used OHPCBs increased the secretion of P4 from the granulosa cells of follicles of both sizes and increased the secretion of OT from follicles with a diameter of >1cm. These increases were inhibited by an SF-1 receptor blocker. In luteal cells, 4OH3CB increased the secretion of P4 and OT from luteal cells at all phases of the estrous cycle, while 4OH4CB increased OT secretion during the first half of the estrous cycle. Concomitant with the increase in OT secretion from the cells, an increase in the expression of OT precursor mRNA (NP-I/OT) was observed. This effect was inhibited by SF-1 receptor blocker. These results indicate that 4OHPCBs impair the secretory function of ovarian steroidogenic cells by disrupting steroidogenesis and increasing OT secretion, and the receptor SF-1 appears to be essentially involved in these processes., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane(DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (10 ng/ml) on myometrial motility and the secretory function of the myometrium and corpus luteum (CL) collected from cows on days 8-12 of the estrous cycle. All of the xenobiotics increased (P<0.05) myometrial contractility. Moreover, the xenobiotics stimulated the secretion of the following prostaglandins (PGs) from myometrial strips: PGF2α, PGE2 and PGI2. DDT and DDE also increased (P<0.05) the release of PGF2α from CL strips, and HCH had the same effect (P<0.05) on the secretion of PGE2 and PGI2. The studied xenobiotics did not affect (P>0.05) PG synthesis, but DDT and DDE increased the mRNA expression levels of leukemia inhibitor factor (LIF), which can stimulate PG production. In summary, the xenobiotics affected PG secretion from cow myometrium and CL, which may contribute to the mechanism of uterine contraction disturbance., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cortisol stimulates the synthesis and secretion of oxytocin (OT) from bovine granulosa and luteal cells, but the molecular mechanisms of cortisol action remain unknown. In this study, granulosa cells or luteal cells from days 1-5 and 11-15 of the oestrous cycle were incubated for 4 or 8 h with cortisol (1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-7) M). After testing cell viability and hormone secretion (OT, progesterone, estradiol), we studied the effect of cortisol on mRNA expression for precursor of OT (NP-I/OT) and peptidyl glycine-alpha-amidating mono-oxygenase (PGA). The influence of RU 486 (1 x 10(-5) M), a progesterone receptor blocker and inhibitor of the glucocorticosteroid receptor (GR), on the expression for both genes was tested. Cortisol increased the mRNA expression for NP-I/OT and PGA in granulosa cells and stimulated the expression for NP-I/OT mRNA in luteal cells obtained from days 1-5 and days 11-15 of the oestrous cycle. Expression for PGA mRNA was increased only in luteal cells from days 11-15 of the oestrous cycle. In addition, RU 486 blocked the cortisol-stimulated mRNA expression for NP-I/OT and PGA in both types of cells. These data suggest that cortisol affects OT synthesis and secretion in bovine ovarian cells, by acting on the expression of key genes, that may impair ovary

The insecticide DDT and its metabolite (DDE), due to their lipolytic nature and resistance to biodegradation, are accumulated in the living tissues. In cows, DDT and DDE were found to affect prostaglandin (PG) secretion from the endometrium and contractions of the myometrium. In this study, the impact of both xenobiotics (0.1, 1, 10 or 100ng/ml) on the function of epithelial cells and muscle strips of bovine oviducts from 1 to 5day of the oestrous cycle was examined. Therefore the concentration of PGE2 and PGFM (a metabolite of PGF2α) in culture media, mRNA expression of genes involved in PGs synthesis in epithelial cells and the force and amplitude of strips contractions were measured after 2 and 24 or 48h of incubation. Neither DDT nor DDE affected the viability of cells after 48h (P>0.05). Both DDT and DDE increased the concentrations of PGFM in culture medium and secretion of PGE2 after only 2h of cell culture (P<0.05). Similar effects were seen for the influence of DDE on amount of PGFM after 48h, while DDT decreased secretion of PGE2 (P<0.05). DDT after 2h increased (P<0.05) mRNA expression of PGF2α synthase (PGFS), while both xenobiotics decreased (P<0.05) mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) after 24h. DTT also increased the force of isthmus contractions after 2h, as did both xenobiotics after 48h (P<0.05). Moreover, after 2 and 48h, DDE stimulated the amplitude of contractions of the isthmus as well as the ampulla, (P<0.05). The effect of both compounds on oviduct contractions was diminished by indomethacin, which blocks PG synthesis. We conclude that oviductal secretion of prostaglandins is affected, by DDT and DDE. The influence of these xenobiotics on PGF2α and PGE2 secretion and ratio may be part of the mechanism by which both DDT and its metabolite disturb the contractions of oviductal muscle., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chloro-organic compounds are persistent environmental pollutants and affect many reproductive processes. Oxytocin (OT) synthesized in luteal cells is a local regulator of ovarian activity and uterine contractions. Therefore the effect of xenobiotics on the OT prohormone synthesis, secretion of OT and progesterone (P4) from luteal cells and on myometrial contractions during early pregnancy in cows was investigated. Luteal cells and myometrial strips from a cow at early pregnancy were treated with polychlorinated biphenyl 77 (PCB 77), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (1 or 10 ng/ml). The mRNA expression of neurophysin-I/oxytocin (NP-I/OT) and peptidyl-glycine-alpha-amidating mono-oxygenase (PGA) and concentration of OT and P4 were determined by RT-PCR and EIA, respectively. Moreover, the effect of xenobiotics given with P4 (12 ng/ml) on the basal and OT (10(-7)M) stimulated contractions of myometrial strips was studied. Xenobiotics increased (P<0.05) OT secretion but DDE only stimulated P4 secretion. The ratio of P4 to OT in culture medium was decreased by all xenobiotics during 9-12 weeks of pregnancy. All xenobiotics, except HCH, increased (P<0.05) mRNA expression of NP-I/OT during all stages of pregnancy and all treatments decreased (P<0.05) expression of mRNA for PGA during 9-12 weeks of pregnancy. Myometrial strips were relaxed (P<0.01) after pre-incubation with P4, while each of the xenobiotics jointly with P4 increased (P<0.01) myometrial contractions. In conclusion, the xenobiotics used increased both expression of mRNA for genes involved in OT synthesis and secretion of OT from luteal cells. This decreases the ratio of P4 to OT and presumably, in this manner, the chloro-organic compounds can influence uterine contractions and enhance risk of abortions in pregnant females., (2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) markedly stimulate bovine uterine contractions and prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha secreted from both, myometrial and endometrial cells is essentially involved in this process. Since contractions of the oviduct are crucial for gametes and embryo transport, therefore the goal of this study was to investigate the influence of PCBs on PGF2alpha and PGE2 secretion from oviductal epithelium. Epithelial cells of the oviduct, from cows and heifers on days 1-5 of estrous cycle, were treated with PCBs: technical mixture (Aroclor 1248; Ar 1248), individual congeners (PCB 30 and PCB 153) and hydroxylated metabolites (PCB 30-OH and PCB 50-OH). Viability of the cells after treatment with PCBs (10 and 100 ng/ml) was determined after 24, 48 and 72 h. The concentration of PGFM (metabolite of PGF2alpha) and PGE2 in culture medium was determined after 2 and 48 h of incubation with PCBs (0.1, 1 and 10 ng/ml). None of the PCBs affected (P>0.05) cell viability, whereas all of them, except PCB 30 after 48 h of treatment, increased (P<0.05-0.01) PGF2alpha secretion from epithelial cells. All PCBs also stimulated (P<0.05) the PGE2 secretion after 2h of incubation, but this effect was less evident or there was no effect after 48 h of treatment. We conclude that oviductal secretion of PGF2alpha and PGE2 is affected by PCBs and this can be a part of the mechanism by means of which PCBs may affect the contractions of bovine oviduct., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The effect of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners (PCB 77, PCB 126, PCB 153) and their technical mixture-Aroclor (Ar) 1248, as well as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolite-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE; two individual isomers p,p'- and o,p'- or their mixture, 95% and 5%, respectively) at the dose of 10 ng/ml each, on the gene expression of (a) oxytocin (OT) precursor-neurophysin-oxytocin (NP-I/OT) and (b) peptidyl glycine-alpha-amidating mono-oxygenase (PGA), the terminal enzyme in the pathway of OT synthesis, was studied. Granulosa cells from follicles >1cm in diameter, collected on days 19-21 of estrous cycle, and luteal cells from corpora lutea (CL) collected on days 8-12 of the estrous cycle were used. The cells were incubated (6h) with these xenobiotics and the expression of NP-I/OT and PGA genes was determined. All PCBs increased (P<0.05) NP-I/OT gene expression in granulosa cells. Similarly, all PCBs but PCB 126 increased (P<0.05) PGA gene expression in these cells. DDT and DDE increased (P<0.05) gene expression of NP-I/OT in granulosa cells, while gene expression of PGA in these cells was stimulated (P<0.05) by DDE only. The mRNA expression for NP-I/OT and PGA in luteal cells was increased (P<0.05) by PCB 77 and PCB 153. Both DDE isomers and mixture also stimulated (P<0.05) of NP-I/OT mRNA expression, while increase (P<0.05) of PGA mRNA expression was elicited by incubation of these cells with DDE mixture and Ar 1248. Obtained data suggest that PCBs, DDT and DDE can affect the mRNA expression for NP-I/OT and PGA in bovine granulosa and luteal cells.

The influence of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolite (DDE) on the uterine prostaglandin (PGF2alpha and PGE2) and ovarian oxytocin (OT) secretion was investigated. Endometrial, granulosa and luteal cells from cows and heifers on 8-12 days of estrous cycle were treated (24-72h) with DDT, mixture or individual isomer (p,p'-, o,p'-) of DDE (0.1, 1 or 10ng/ml). The viability of cells and the concentrations of hormones in medium were determinted. Neither DDT nor DDE affected (P>0.05) the viability of cells, while they stimulated (P<0.05) PGF2alpha and reduced (P<0.001) PGE2 secretion from endometrial cells. Hence the ratio of PGF2alpha to PGE2 was markedly changed. Used pollutants also increased (P<0.05) OT secretion from ovarian cells. It is concluded that DDT and its metabolite impair PGF2alpha, PGE2 and OT secretion from uterus and ovary, respectively, and this way they can affect the course of estrous cycle in cattle.