Glucocorticoid therapy during pregnancy in domestic animals

Glucocorticoids are widely used in veterinary medicine for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects; however, their administration during pregnancy requires careful consideration because of potential effects on the dam, placenta, fetus, and neonate. Endogenous glucocorticoids are essential for fetal growth, organ maturation, and the initiation of parturition, particularly through activation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis near term. In contrast, exogenous glucocorticoids can cross the placenta and affect fetal development in a species-, dose-, timing-, and drug-dependent manner. Prolonged treatment or inappropriate glucocorticoid administration may also affect maternal metabolism and milk production. The available evidence is frequently indirect or derived from small experimental and historical studies, limiting the formulation of firm species-specific treatment recommendations. Overall, glucocorticoid therapy in pregnant animals should be guided by a careful risk-benefit assessment. This narrative review provides an overview of glucocorticoid administration during pregnancy in domestic animals, emphasizing potential fetal effects and species-specific risks relevant to veterinary clinical practice.