Use of progesterone in microspheres for maintenance of pregnancy in mares

Administration of progesterone in poly(d-,l-lactide) microspheres was used to maintain pregnancy in mares after luteolysis was induced by treatment with prostaglandin F2 alpha at day 14 of pregnancy. Mares were given vehicle only (control, n = 6) or 0.75 g (n = 7), 1.5 g (n = 8), or 2.25 g (n = 5) of microencapsulated progesterone at days 12 and 22 of pregnancy. Serum progesterone concentrations were determined daily, and pregnancy was evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography on alternate days. Significantly (P less than 0.05) more mares given 1.5 or 2.25 g of progesterone (6 of 8 and 4 of 5 mares, respectively), but not those given 0.75 g (3 of 7 mares), maintained pregnancy through day 32, compared with control mares (0 of 6). Progesterone concentrations decreased significantly (P less than 0.025) in all groups after administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha at day 14, and significant (P less than 0.05) effects of time and treatment on progesterone concentrations were found between days 12 and 22, and 22 and 32. Although treatment with 1.5-g and 2.25-g doses of microencapsulated progesterone improved maintenance of pregnancy, compared with that of vehicle-treated controls, administration of 2.25 g of microencapsulated progesterone appeared to be most efficacious in maintenance of pregnancy during the study interval.