We have previously documented synthesis of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in the bovine endometrium and the increased presence of LPA receptor mRNA expression during pregnancy. Therefore, LPA could contribute to early pregnancy establishment in the cow. In the present study, we investigated the effect of intravaginally administered LPA on pregnancy rates and on the plasma levels of progesterone (P4) and prostaglandins (PGs) in heifers. Animals were inseminated and from day 15 to 18 after estrus were treated intravaginally with saline, LPA (1 mg) or LPA receptor blocker (VPC32183; 1 mg). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 6, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 after insemination. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography and per rectum examination on days 30 and 49-50 after insemination. Intravaginal LPA administration increased the plasma P4 and PGE(2) concentrations compared with saline and VPC32183-treated heifers. In the saline and LPA-treated groups, 6 out of 8 heifers were pregnant (75%), whereas the pregnancy rate in the VPC32183-treated heifers was only 37%. We also examined the effects of LPA on PG secretion and PG synthase mRNA expression in stromal and epithelial cells of the bovine endometrium on days 16-18 of pregnancy and the estrous cycle. LPA increased PGE(2) production and PGE(2) synthase (PGES) mRNA expression in stromal cells during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. On Days 16-18 of pregnancy, LPA inhibited PGF(2alpha) production and PGFS mRNA expression in epithelial cells. The results suggest that LPA serves as a luteotropic factor during the estrous cycle and pregnancy, stimulating P4 secretion in vivo and PGE(2) secretion in vitro through activation of PGES mRNA expression in stromal cells. Moreover, during the early pregnancy, LPA decreases PGF(2alpha) synthesis and mRNA expression for PGFS in epithelial cells of the bovine endometrium.