Luteoprotective role of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) during pregnancy in the mare

The effects of repeated cloprostenol administration were compared in mares impregnated by horses and mares impregnated by donkeys in order to assess the role of eCG on the development of pregnancy-associated resistance to the luteolytic and abortifacient effects of PGF2α. Eleven mares impregnated by donkey (mule pregnancy) and 9 mares impregnated by horse (horse pregnancy) were used. Six mares with mule pregnancy and four with horse pregnancy were injected with cloprostenol (0.25 mg) when they were between day 65 and day 75 of pregnancy, and the treatment was repeated 48, 72 and 96 h latter. The rest of the mares remained as controls. Concentrations of eCG were 10 times higher (p < 0.001) in mares impregnated by horses than in mares impregnated by donkeys, and they were not affected by cloprostenol treatment. Luteolysis was completed 30 h after the first cloprostenol injection in mule pregnancies, while mares with horse pregnancies required 96 h and three cloprostenol injections to complete luteolysis. Regression analysis revealed significant associations between eCG concentrations at time 0 and the time required for completion of luteolysis (p < 0.001), foetal death (p < 0.01) and foetal expulsion (p < 0.05). It is concluded that high eCG concentrations in mares impregnated by horses protect the corpora lutea of pregnancy against the luteolytic effects of PGF2α. Low eCG concentrations in mares carrying mule foetuses afford them less protection against the luteolytic effect of PGF2α, and this may be a cause of the increased foetal mortality that occurs between days 60 and 90 of pregnancy in these mares.