Prostaglandins are lipid compounds derived from fatty acids that are present in various tissues of horses. They are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including the regulation of inflammation, blood flow, and reproductive functions. In equine medicine, prostaglandins are often studied for their role in modulating inflammatory responses and their potential therapeutic applications. These compounds can influence pain perception and are involved in processes such as parturition and the estrous cycle in mares. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the synthesis, function, and clinical applications of prostaglandins in equine health.
Douglas RH, Del Campo MR, Ginther OJ.On the day of ovulation (Day 0), 20 pony mares were randomly assigned to one of five groups (4 mares/group) which were given intracarotid arterial (ICA) and intraovarian arterial (IOA) injections on Day 7 as follows: 1) vehicle ICA, vehicle IOA (control); 2) .125 mg PGF2α ICA, vehicle IOA; 3) vehicle ICA, .125 mg PGF2α IOA; 4) .250 mg PGF2α ICA, vehicle IOA; or 5) vehicle ICA, .250 mg PGF2α IOA. Peripheral plasma progesterone and LH concentrations were determined for 0 (pretreatment) and .1, .25, .50, .75, 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h posttreatment. The intervals (days) from treatment to ...
Eyre P.Systemic anaphylaxis was induced in seven groups of ponies. Systemic hypotension, pulmonary hypotension, and apnea were observed in the control group. Suppression of anaphylaxis was achieved most efficiently with sodium meclofenamate followed by acetylsalicylic acid and diethylcarboamazine. Tripelennamine and methysergide reduced anaphylaxis minimally and burimamide not at all. The findings suggest that histamine and serotonin are of relatively low significance in equine anaphylaxis whereas kinins, prostaglandins and slow reacting substance may be more important.
Nelson AM.Of 275 mares receiving prostaglandin F2alpha-Tham salt for its luteolytic effect upon the corpus luteum, 231 (84 per cent) exhibited signs of oestrus (range 73-95 per cent). Some mares not exhibiting overt oestrus may, nevertheless, ovulate and post-treatment rectal palpation of mares apparently failing to respond is suggested in these cases. Of 210 mares for which subsequent history was available. 104 (49.5 per cent) became pregnant from breeding at the post-treatment oestrus that immediately followed the induced regression of the corpus luteum (range 42.2-55.5 per cent). Fertility is compara...
Douglas RH, Ginther OJ.Prostaglandins F were quantitated by radioimmunoassay in uterine venous plasma of anesthetized mares on day 7 of estrus, days 2, 6, 10, 14 or 18 of diestrus and days 10, 14 or 18 of pregnancy. The PGF concentration was greater (P less than .01) at day 14 of diestrus than at all other days studied. The concentrations at days 10 and 18 of diestrus and at days 10, 14 and 18 of pregnancy were greater (P less than .05) than at day 7 of estrus and days 2 and 6 of diestrus. PGF concentrations at days 10 and 14 were greater (P less than .01) for diestrous than for pregnant mares.
Kooistra LH, Ginther OJ.At day 24 of gestation, pregnant mares were allotted to 1 of 5 treatment groups (3 to 5 mares/group): group A--nontreated controls; group B--intraembryonic injection of 4 mg of colchicine on day 24; group C--removal of embryo on day 24; group D--subcutaneous injection of 1.25 mg of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) on day 32; and group E--removal of embryo on day 24 and subcutaneous injection of PGF2alpha on day 32. In all mares treated with colchicine (group B), the fetal bulge was absent within 2 days. The interval from injection of colchicine to onset of estrus was very short (mean, 4 days)...
Sharma OP.The concentrations of PGF-2alpha in the peripheral blood of five foaling mares were measured by radioimmunoassay. Low levels of PGF-2alpha were detected as early as 1 week before foaling in two of the mares. These levels increased steadily, reaching a peak (1-74 +/- 0-44 ng/ml) during fetal expulsion. A relatively high PGF-2alpha level was found in samples collected 60 min after foaling.
Douglas RH, Garcia MC, Ginther OJ.Luteolysis, determined by corpus luteum weight and progesterone concentration in jugular blood, occurred in uterine-intact and in hysterectomized mares after injection of prostaglandin F2alpha or of an antiserum against an equine pituitary fraction. Results indicated that luteolytic effects of exogenous prostaglandin F2alpha and inhibition of the endogenous luteotrophic activity of the hypophysis (pituitary gland) by antiserum did not involve the uterus.
Arthur GH.The effect of intrauterine saline on reproductive function was studied by infusion of mares in anoestrus, dioestrus, oestrus and prolonged dioestrus. Anoestrous mares were unaffected except near the beginning and end of the breeding season when anovulatory heats were induced. Dioestrous mares infused between Days 5 and 9 returned to heat an average of 3-8 days earlier than expected, and infusions during dioestrus were followed by ovulatory heats of normal fertility. Three mares in prolonged dioestrus showed ovulatory heats within 3 to 9 days of infusion. Infusions during oestrus had no appreci...
Douglas RH, Ginther OJ.Several experiments indicated that prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) has luteolytic and abortifacient properties in mares. A single subcutaneous injection of 1-25 mg PGF2alpha on Day 6 of dioestrus was as effective as 10 mg PGF2alpha in inducing luteolysis. Oestrus and ovulation appeared to be synchronized when a single injection of 1-25 mg PGF2alpha was given on Days 7, 10 or 13 after ovulation but not on Days 1 or 4 after ovulation or on Day 2 of oestrus. Intramuscular administration was as effective as subcutaneous administration and 1-25 mg PGF2alpha was the minimal effective systemic dose...
Palmer E, Jousset B.Following an initial observation period of 13 days when plasma progesterone levels were determined, synchronization of oestrus and ovulation was investigated in thirty-three mares treated with a prostaglandin analogue ('Equimate') and HCG. Two courses of treatment were given 8 days apart and each consisted of a single intramuscular injection of Equimate (250 mug) followed 6 days later by an intramuscular injection of HCG (2500 i.u.). The first course was designed to remove all luteal tissue and to induce ovulation of any follicles that developed in response to the withdrawal of progesterone. T...
Alm CC, Sullivan JJ, First NL.Dexamethasone (100 mg/day) injected from Days 318 to 324 of pregnancy induced parturition. Progesterone (500 mg/day) administered daily from Day 318 of pregnancy also shortened gestation while oestrogen (50 mg/day) administered on the same schedule as progesterone had no such effect. Dexamethasone treatment superimposed on the oestrogen or progesterone treatments shortened gestation. Prostaglandin F2alpha alone did not induce parturition, unlike PGF2alpha with dexamethasone, or PGF2alpha given to ovariectomized mares.
Spincemaille J, Coryn M, Vandekerckhove D, Vandeplassche M.Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), administered by untrauterine infusion and intramuscular injection, was used to induce oestrus and ovulation in non-cyclic mares. A satisfactory response rate (80% or more) was obtained and the dose (2-5--7-5 mg) and the time taken for ovulation to occur (up to 9 days) was the same irrespective of the route of administration. Only about one-half of the mares conceived to mating at the induced oestrus but the low conception rate could be attributed to the infertile condition of the mares. Plasma progesterone remained at basal levels after PGF2alpha and oestroge...
Oxender WD, Noden PA, Hafs HD.The luteolytic effect of PGF2alpha, administered by intrauterine infusion or subcutaneous injection during early dioestrus, was observed in mares of mixed breeds. An infusion of 10 mg on Days 7 to 9 after ovulation caused a sharp fall in plasma progesterone levels and induced oestrus and ovulation. Oestrus was significantly longer than in the natural cycle but the time of ovulation in relation to the end of oestrus was normal. The time of return to oestrus following luteolysis was not dependent on the amount of PGF2alpha within the range of doses given. Luteolysis could be induced as early as ...
Kenney RM, Ganjam VK, Cooper WL, Lauderdale JW.Seventy-three Standardbred and Thoroughbred mares in clinical anoestrus during the breeding season were treated with PGF2alpha. The mares were divided into four categories; foaling, barren, maiden and unknown. The response was consistent in all groups. Mares at Days 2 to 4 of dioestrus showed no decrease in plasma progesterone levels, and those at Days 6 to 8 showed a return of progesterone to baseline levels (less than 1 ng/ml) in 24 to 48 hr after treatment. Plasma progesterone levels returned to basal levels in 24 to 48 hr in 93% of mares; progesterone levels had not changed by 96 hr in 7% ...
Oxender WD, Noden PA, Bolenbaugh DL, Hafs HD.To determine the minimal effective dose of prostagiandin (PGF2alpha; tromethamine salt) given subcutaneously (SC), mares of mixed breeding (400 kg av body weight) were given 2-, 3-, 5-, and 10-mg doses from 7 to 9 days after ovulation. In some but not all mares given doses of 2 and 3 mg of PGF2alpha, luteolysis occurred, but doses of 5 or 10 mg of PGF2alpha were luteolytic in all mares. The 10-mg dose of PGF2alpha did not cause luteolysis in mares 1 day after ovulation, and caused luteolysis in only 2 of 5 mares on day 3 after ovulation. The same dose of PGF2alpha, however, caused luteolysis i...
Robinson NE, Dabney JM, Weidner WJ, Jones GA, Scott JB.The digital circulation was isolated in 12 ponies under pentobarbital anesthesia. Blood flow was either controlled by a pump or measured under natural perfusion. The responses to rapid changes and stoppages of blood flow indicated no evidence of autoregulation or reactive hyperemia. Local administration of acetylcholine, histamine, and prostaglandins E1 and E2 decreased prevenous resistance, whereas epinephrine and serotonin caused prevenous constriction. Large doses of epinephrine and serotonin decreased venous caliber. The effects of prostaglandins A1 and F2alpha were variable. The equine di...
Brand A, de Bois CH, Vandenhende R.Parenteral administration of 2.5-5 mg. of prostaglandin F2alpha to horses, 15 mg. to heifers or 25-30 mg to lactating cows and 15 mg. to sheep will induce regression of the corpus luteum (luteolysis) and a fertile oestrus within 48-72 hours. Because of their luteolytic effect prostaglandins may be used in various indications in the field of reproduction. An exception is the pig in which administration of prostaglandins does not induce luteolysis before D12 and therefore fails to induce oestrus. In horses, cattle and sheep, administration of prostaglandins during the first four days of the cycl...
Douglas RH, Ginther OJ.Nine groups of pony mares (3/group) were used in a 3 times 3 factorial experiment. The factors were dose of PGF-2 alpha (0, 0.25 of 1.25 mg and route of administration (im, iu or il). Mares were laparotomized and treated on day 7 postovulation. Jugular blood was collected for progesterone RIA at 0 (pretreatment) and 1,6,12,24,48, and 72 hr posttreatment. In mares given either 0.25 mg or 1.25 mg PGF-2alpha, progesterone concentrations were not significantly different among the three routes at any of the posttreatment times studied except at 6 hr posttreatment. In mares given 0.25 mg, progestero...
Douglas RH, Garcia MC, Ginther OJ.Luteolysis, determined by corpus luteum weight and progesterone concentration in jugular blood, occurred in uterine-intact and in hysterectomized mares after injection of prostaglandin F2alpha or of an antiserum against an equine pituitary fraction. Results indicated that luteolytic effects of exogenous prostaglandin F2alpha and inhibition of the endogenous luteotrophic activity of the hypophysis (pituitary gland) by antiserum did not involve the uterus.
Bergfelt DR, Adams GP.Two experiments were performed to determine the efficacy of ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicle ablation for synchronizing ovarian function in mares. The experiments were initiated at random stages of the oestrous cycle in control (nonablated) and follicle-ablated mares. On day 0, all follicles > or =10 mm in diameter were punctured, aspirated and curettaged in ablated mares, and, on day 4, two doses of PGF2alpha were administered with a 12 h interval between the doses to both ablated and nonablated (control) mares. In Expt 1, hCG was administered to the ablated mares on the first or se...
Richter RA, Freeman DE, Wallig M, Whittem T, Baker GJ.To study the functional and structural responses of the right dorsal colon (RDC) of ponies to phenylbutazone (PBZ) in vitro at a concentration that could be achieved in vivo. Methods: 8 adult ponies. Methods: Short circuit current and conductance were measured in mucosa from the RDC. Tissues incubated with and without HCO3- were exposed to PBZ, bumetanide, or indomethacin. Bidirectional Cl- fluxes were determined. After a baseline flux period, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was added to the serosal surfaces and a second flux period followed. Light and transmission electron microscopy were performed. ...
Chapman DI, Moss MS, Tomlinson PW, Harrison MP, Simmons PJ.1. Following single intramuscular doses of [14C]fluprostenol (0.5--2.4 micrograms/kg) to three female horses and to three gelded male horses, radioactivity was present in the plasma within 5 min; peak concn. (0.32--1.30 ng/ml fluprostenol equiv.) occurred 5 to 90 min after injection. Radioactivity was still present in the plasma of the females after three days. About 88% of fluprostenol is bound to plasma proteins. 2. Radioactivity was present in the parotid saliva of the gelded male horses within 10 min. Peak concn. (45--91 pg/ml fluprostenol equiv.) occurred from 5 min to 1 h after injection...
Ousey JC, Kölling M, Kindahl H, Allen WR.The foal requires an active hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis for organ maturation and post natal survival. Prenatal administration of synthetic glucocorticoids may provide an effective method for inducing fetal maturation safely in the mare. Objective: To determine whether dexamethasone administered to late pregnant mares: 1) will induce fetal maturation and precocious delivery; 2) is safe to use and 3) to identify endocrine responses in the mare and foal. Methods: Pregnant Thoroughbred mares received either 100 mg dexamethasone i.m. (treated n = 5) or 50 ml saline i.m. (control n = 5)...
Pascoe DR, Stabenfeldt GH, Hughes JP, Kindahl H.Thirty mares with normal estrous cycles were allotted equally to 5 groups and infused with 250 ml of saline (NaCl) solution in utero on the seventh day after ovulation to test the effects of temperature, osmolarity, or pH of the saline solution on prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) release and luteolysis. Intrauterine infusion of phosphate-buffered saline solution failed to alter the duration of the luteal phase, compared with the control group. Similarly, increasing the temperature of phosphate-buffered saline solution to 42 C or increasing (600 mosm) or decreasing osmolarity (less than 10 m...
Sönmez C, Eroglu A.The present study was carried out to investigate the pregnancy rate after covering in the foal heat (Group I), in the subsequent spontaneous heat (Group II), and in the induced heat (Group III) after administration of 7.5 mg of the prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue Luprostiol (Reprodin, Bayer) between the 20th and 22nd day post partum. Breeding during foal heat resulted in a pregnancy rate of 43.9% compared to 48.6% in the subsequent spontaneous heat post partum. Of 18 mares in group III, 14 mares had a foal heat, whereas 4 others had not shown a foal heat. 1-8 days after treatment, 14 mares (77...
Watson ED.Corpora lutea were recovered from mares either 4 to 5 days or 12 to 13 days after ovulation. Mixed populations of luteal cells were prepared by collagenase digestion and were incubated for 24 h in the presence or absence of prostaglandin (PG) F-2 alpha (250 ng/ml). PGF-2 alpha significantly (P = 0.03) reduced progesterone secretion by cells from late diestrous corpora lutea and tended (P = 0.06) to reduce secretion by early diestrous cells. PGF-2 alpha had no significant effect on leukotriene B-4 (LTB-4) production by cells from early diestrous corpora lutea, but significantly (P = 0.03) incre...
Watson ED.The ability of equine endometrium to release prostaglandin (PG) F, PGE2, and leukotriene (LT) B4 was studied in vitro, using endometrial tissue from diestrous mares. Because of the high cross-reactivity of the PGF antiserum with PGF1 alpha and with PGF2 alpha, results were quoted as total immunoreactive PGF. Significant concentrations of these arachidonate metabolites were released into tissue culture medium between 1 and 24 hours of incubation. Significantly higher concentrations of PGE, but not of PGE2 or LTB4, were released from endometria of mares with chronic endometritis than from genita...
Pham HC, Lasserre B, Tronche P, Couquelet J, Dossou-Gbete V, Palhares de Miranda AL.The effects of 3-dimethylamino 5-(2',6'-dichlorobenzylidene) 6-methyl (4H)-pyridazine (PC 89) on the biosynthesis of PG I2 and TX A2 using horse aorta and horse platelet microsomes as sources of enzymes and arachidonic acid as substrate, were investigated. PC 89 (1.10(-6) M- 1.10(-3) M) dose-dependently - enhanced the biosynthesis of PG I2: the AD50 was 6.8 X 10(-6) M +/- 1.2 X 10(-9) M, the Vmax did not vary significantly with concentrations: PC 89 increased the affinity of enzyme for substrate - but inhibited TX A2 biosynthesis (ID50 = 3.31 X 10(-3) M +/- 4.8 X 10(-7) M): this inhibiting act...
Ginther OJ, Cuervo-Arango J, Beg MA.The role of passage of follicular fluid into the peritoneal cavity during ovulation in the transient disruption in the periovulatory FSH and LH surges was studied in ovulatory mares (n=7) and in mares with blockage of ovulation by treatment with an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis (n=8). Mares were pretreated with hCG when the largest follicle was ≥32 mm (Hour 0). Ultrasonic scanning was done at Hours 24 and 30 and every 2h thereafter until ovulation or ultrasonic signs of anovulation. Blood samples were collected at Hours 24, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 48, and 60. Ovulation in the ovulatory gr...
Emmerich IU.In 2022, one novel pharmaceutical agent was released on the German market for horses or food-producing animals: An injection suspension for horses containing tenogenic primed equine allogeneic peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells as the active ingredient (RenuTend®) is now available. The authorization of one established veterinary active ingredient was extended to an additional species: The synthetic prostaglandin F2α-analogue cloprostenol (Syncroprost®) received approval for goats. Additionally, for 2 active ingredients (paracetamol, suxibuzone), drugs with a higher content of t...
Brand A, de Bois CH, Vandenhende R.Parenteral administration of 2.5-5 mg. of prostaglandin F2alpha to horses, 15 mg. to heifers or 25-30 mg to lactating cows and 15 mg. to sheep will induce regression of the corpus luteum (luteolysis) and a fertile oestrus within 48-72 hours. Because of their luteolytic effect prostaglandins may be used in various indications in the field of reproduction. An exception is the pig in which administration of prostaglandins does not induce luteolysis before D12 and therefore fails to induce oestrus. In horses, cattle and sheep, administration of prostaglandins during the first four days of the cycl...
Inoue OJ, Freeman DE, Wallig MA, Clarkson RB.To determine effects of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), with and without flunixin meglumine, on equine right ventral colon (RVC) in vitro. Methods: 18 healthy horses and ponies. Methods: In 3 groups of 6 animals each, short-circuit current and conductance were measured in RVC mucosa in Ussing chambers. The 3 groups received physiologic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, IV, 10 minutes before euthanasia and tissue incubation in Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate (KRB) solution; flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg, IV) 10 minutes before euthanasia and tissue incubation in KRB solution; or physiologic saline solut...
Booth LC, Oxender WD, Douglas RH, Woodley SL.A gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was injected in mares given prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) to induce luteolysis in an attempt to sunchronize ovulation. Pretreatment with estradiol-17 beta (E2-17 beta) was used to determine whether or not estradiol would enhance the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) after treatment with GnRH. Twelve mares were used in a balanced Latin square crossover design. Mares were injected with PGF2 alpha, treatment A; PGF2 alpha mgnRH, treatment B; or PGF2 alpha me2-17 beta mgnRH, treatment C. The interval +/- SEM from PGF2 alpha injection to estrus was 3....
Donatsch L, Friker B, Sieme H, Kaeser R, Burger D.A potential source of fertility loss in mares is oviductal dysfunction, potentially caused by masses or debris in the lumen, that may prevent either sperm from reaching the fertilization site or the embryo from reaching the uterus. Recently a novel therapeutic method leading to increased pregnancy results was described by infusing misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin E, in the uterus of mares with unexplained fertility problems. In this study, we aimed, after examining the compatibility of misoprostol with semen, to evaluate the pregnancy rate after routine preovulatory deep uterine horn app...
Gastal MO, Gastal EL, Torres CA, Ginther OJ.The effects of oxytocin, prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), and clenbuterol on uterine contractility and tone during anestrus and diestrus, and during mobility and postfixation of the embryonic vesicle were studied in 51 pony mares. Contractility was assessed by scoring real-time ultrasound images, and tone was assessed by transrectal digital compression. Scoring was done by an operator who had no knowledge of treatment assignments. In anovulatory mares primed with progesterone for 16 d, oxytocin did not significantly alter contractility but did stimulate an increase in tone, whereas clenbut...
Landoni MF, Foot R, Frean S, Lees P.The objective of this study was to analyse the effects of 4 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the production of beta-glucuronidase (beta-glu), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated equine synoviocytes. The agents studied were flunixin, tolfenamic acid, S(+)ketoprofen (KTP) and R(-)ketoprofen. LPS-induced release of beta-glu from synoviocytes was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by all 4 compounds, tolfenamic acid being the most potent. Of the 2 KTP enant...
Owens JG, Kamerling SG, Keowen ML.The eicosanoids are a family of lipid-derived autocoids that are released in response to a variety of physical and hormonal stimuli. In this study, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were measured in the digital veins of clinically normal horses and horses with chronic laminitis to determine whether these arachidonic acid metabolites have a role in mediating signs of hoof pain and lesions associated with chronic laminitis. Horses were evaluated at rest and after a brief exercise period, to determine whether eicosanoids are released into the circulation after mild concussion. Dig...
Martínez-Boví R, Cuervo-Arango J.The objectives were to determine: (i) whether intrafollicular administration of PGE2 and PGF2α to mares would hasten follicle collapse and (ii) the differences in reproductive hormone characteristics in mares with spontaneous and prostaglandin-induced follicle collapses. Six mares were followed for two oestrous cycles each: when the mares reached a follicle diameter of 30-35 mm and showed mild-to-moderate endometrial oedema, mares were administered a single 0.5 ml dose containing 500 μg PGE2 and 125 μg PGF2α (treatment cycle) or a placebo (0.5 ml of water for injection; control cycle) into...
Kindahl H, Daels P, Odensvik K, Daunt D, Fredricksson G, Stabenfeldt G, Hughes JP.Three different routes of administering Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin to mimic naturally occurring endotoxaemia were tried in the mare. Bolus injection, repeated bolus injections and continuous low-dose infusion were compared with prostaglandin F2 alpha release, leucocyte count and clinical response. A biphasic prostaglandin release and a pronounced leucopenia of almost identical patterns were seen in all models. Repeated bolus injections showed that the second injection initiated only a small prostaglandin release indicating the development of refractoriness to the treatment. A similar ref...
Neely DP, Stabenfeldt GH, Kindahl H, Hughes JP, Kendrick JW.The intrauterine infusion of 500 ml of warm sterile saline solution into mares on days 12, 13, or 14 after ovulation failed to alter the ovulatory interval, although intervals were shorter for days 12 and 13 (20.6 days) when compared with those in control mares (21.6 days). The IU fusion shortened luteal-life-span on days 12 (12.0 vs 13.8 days) and 13 (13.0 vs 14.4 days) (P is less than 0.05), but not day 14 (14.0 vs 13.5 days), when comparing the effects of IU infusion with an average of before and after base-line data. There was no effect on the interval from corpus luteum regression to ovul...
Watson ED, Zanecosky HG.Immunosuppressive substances which interfere with lymphocyte blastogenesis are released in vitro by embryos and endometrium from mares in early pregnancy. Immunosuppression was not evident when tissues were cultured in the presence of indomethacin (a prostaglandin-synthesis inhibitor). Various prostaglandins (PGs) were added to equine lymphocytes and lymphocyte proliferation was measured after the addition of concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohaemagglutinin A (PHA). PGE2 and PGF2 alpha inhibited Con A-induced blastogenesis down to final concentrations of 1.8 x 10(-9) M and 1.3 x 10(-6) M, respect...
Kojima AY, Kobayashi S, Acosta TJ, Kudo M, Miyamoto A, Takagi M, Miyazawa K, Sato K.Microdialysis System (MDS) is a novel technique used for investigation of molecule secretion between different cell populations. Local hormonal secretion at follicular wall has been still unclear. This MDS study was used to determine progesterone (P4), androstenedione (A4), estradiol-17beta (E2) and Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) release in mare pre-ovulatory follicles. Follicles larger than 30 mm were isolated from the ovary and follicular fluid aspirated for hormone assay. Follicular fluid collected from small, middle and large follicles were analyzed by EIA. The concentrations of P4 and ...
Solti L, Eulenberger K, Kurth D, Schöne L.Anoestrous mares were treated with prostaglandin (n = 43) and those that did not respond to prostaglandin (n = 29) with a synthetic progestagen, allyloestrenol, at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg body mass for 12 days. After the cessation of the long-term per os gestagen blockade the animals were checked for heat and, if a preovulatory follicle could be palpated, 2000 IU hCG was administered to induce ovulation. In some animals the plasma 17 beta-oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels were also followed up throughout the gestagen treatment and for 10-14 days thereafter. As the favourable oestrus ra...
Morris DD, Henry MM, Moore JN, Fischer K.In laboratory animals, the incorporation of alpha linolenic acid or other n-3 series fatty acids into the diet results in marked changes in cell membrane composition as well as arachidonic acid metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether endotoxin-induced thromboxane A2 (TxA2) and/or prostacyclin (PGI2) production by equine peritoneal macrophages was altered by feeding horses a diet containing 8% linseed oil as a source of alpha linolenic acid for 8 weeks. Peritoneal macrophages were cultured in vitro in the presence of endotoxin (LPS) (0.5-500 ng/ml) or calcium ionop...
Vanderwall DK, Betschart RW, Squires EL.The objective of this study was to determine if the primary circulating metabolite of PGF2alpha, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2alpha (PGFM), is biologically active and would induce luteolysis in nonpregnant mares. On Day 9 after ovulation, mares (n = 7/group) were randomly assigned to receive: 1) saline control, 2) 10 mg PGF2alpha or 3) 10 mg PGFM in 5 mL 0.9% sterile saline i.m. On Days 0 through 16, blood was collected for progesterone analysis. In addition, blood was collected immediately prior to treatment, hourly for 6 h, and then at 12 and 24 h after treatment for progesterone and PGFM analy...
Taylor TB, Pemstein R, Loy RG.Two trials were conducted to (1) determine the degree of control of ovulation achieved by treating mares in late winter with progesterone and oestradiol-17 beta combined after prior exposure to an artificially increased photoperiod, and (2) to examine the effectiveness of such a procedure incorporated into equine breeding farm management systems. Following a 15-day treatment of 150 mg progesterone and 10 mg oestradiol-17 beta daily with 10 mg PGF-2 alpha on the last day of steroid treatment, 27 of 31 mares ovulated on Days 8-14 after the last injection in one trial. Conception rate for mares m...
Rigby S, Love C, Carpenter K, Varner D, Blanchard T.Eleven light-breed pregnant mares (335 to 347 d gestaton) were used to evaluate the use of prostaglandin E2 as a cervical ripening agent prior to induction of parturition during the months of April and May. Six hours prior to induction, each mare's cervix was examined per vagina for softness and dilation. Each mare was then assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: Group PGE mares (n = 7) received 2.0 to 2.5 mg prostaglandin E2 deposited intracervically; Group SAL mares (n = 4) received 0.5 mL of sterile NaCl deposited intracervically. Six hours later, the mares were readied for parturition by wrap...
Driancourt MA, Palmer E.An experiment was carried out on pony mares to establish the time of the oestrous cycle at which ovarian follicles are recruited for ovulation. In one group (n=7), the cycle was interrupted at the preovulatory stage by removing the preovulatory follicle; in another group (n=13) the cycle was interrupted at day 6 of the luteal phase by inducing luteolysis with a prostaglandin injection (PG). In a subgroup (n=7) of those given PG, the ovary not bearing the corpus luteum was removed at the time of injection. A further group (n=6) served as surgical controls. The interval to the next ovulation and...