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Hormonal variation in bitches after early or mid-pregnancy termination with aglepristone (RU534)
F Fieni1, J Martal, P G Marnet
1Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pathology of Reproduction, National Veterinary School, BP 40706, 44307 Nantes, France.
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement
|January 15, 2002
Summary
Aglepristone effectively terminates pregnancy in dogs by causing embryonic death or fetal expulsion. This abortifacient treatment also shortened the interoestrous interval in treated animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary medicine
- Reproductive endocrinology
- Animal reproduction
Background:
- Aglepristone is a synthetic steroid hormone antagonist used for pregnancy termination in animals.
- Understanding its precise mechanism of action and effects on reproductive hormones is crucial for veterinary practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy and hormonal effects of aglepristone for pregnancy termination in early and mid-pregnant dogs.
- To determine if aglepristone has direct luteolytic properties.
Main Methods:
- Seven early-pregnant and seven mid-pregnant dogs were administered two doses of aglepristone (0.10 mg/kg).
- Control groups received a placebo.
- Plasma concentrations of progesterone, PGFM, oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol were monitored.
Main Results:
- All aglepristone-treated dogs aborted, with embryonic death in early pregnancy and fetal expulsion in mid-pregnancy.
- Pregnancy termination occurred despite high plasma progesterone levels, indicating a lack of immediate luteolytic effect.
- Aglepristone induced prolactin release in mid-pregnant dogs and increased PGFM during fetal expulsion.
Conclusions:
- Aglepristone acts as an abortifacient in dogs by affecting the uterus, not through direct luteolysis.
- Pregnancy termination with aglepristone is associated with hormonal changes including prolactin and PGFM release.
- The interoestrous interval was significantly reduced following aglepristone treatment.