Postpartum corpus luteum in a cow
Keywords: cow, bovine, postpartum, ovary, corpus luteum, CL
Image size: 1044 x 778px
Corpora lutea (CLs) in the ovary of a cow approximately one week after she had given birth to twins. The cow was euthanized because she had injured herself during calving. This image shows that corpora luteal are still present within the ovary for at least a week after calving; this despite the fact that they are not required for the maintenance of pregnancy for the last four months of gestation. These corpora lutea would have been producing little if any progesterone. In fact, cows can be ovariectomized after the first month of gestation and will maintain pregnancy and can calve normally. Therefore, the role of the ovaries (and corpora luteal in this case) during late gestation cattle is uncertain.
