Effects of topical application of misoprostol on cervical relaxation in mares.
Abstract: Mares who have not delivered a foal early in life may experience limitations in cervical relaxation, primarily during oestrus. A closed cervix prevents intrauterine deposition of semen during natural breeding, may delay uterine clearance after insemination leading to intrauterine fluid accumulation in, and subsequent infertility. Therefore, a reliable pharmacological method of dilating the equine cervix would have practical application in veterinary medicine. The goal of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of topically applied, synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue (PGE1 ) for stimulating dilation of the equine cervix. Ten mares in dioestrus were randomly assigned to one of two treatments in a single-blind crossover study: (treatment) PGE1 gel (1000 mcg compounded misoprostol cream) applied topically to the external cervical os (n = 5), and (control) a vehicle cream applied topically to the external cervical os (n = 5). Transrectal palpation and ultrasonographic measurements of the cervix were performed prior to, six and 24 h post-treatment. Digital measurements were taken, per vagina, at six and 24 h post-treatment. Mares were monitored through the subsequent oestrous cycle for ovulation. Mares were assigned to the opposite treatment group such that each mare served as her own control (crossover). Data were analysed using parametric (split-plot anova), as well as nonparametric (Kruskal-Wallis anova, Wilcoxon's rank-sum test) methods. At six and 24 h there were no significant differences for tone, length, height, degree of relaxation or echotexture between control and PGE1 treated groups at the measured time points (p > 0.05). Topical cervical application of PGE1 did not induce a measurable degree of cervical relaxation under the conditions of this experiment.
© 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2014-11-01 PubMed ID: 25363694DOI: 10.1111/rda.12435Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigated the effectiveness of a topical application of Misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue, in inducing cervical relaxation in mares, but found no significant effect.
Objective of the Research
- The study aimed to explore the role of a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analogue, Misoprostol, in enhancing cervical relaxation in mares. This is primarily targeted at mares who struggle with cervical relaxation, particularly during oestrus.
Research Methodology
- The study engaged a double-blind crossover design using ten mares in dioestrus. The mares were randomly assigned to either receive the prostaglandin E1 gel in a topical application or a vehicle cream as a control.
- The mares’ cervical status was monitored through transrectal palpation and ultrasonographic measurements both before the treatment and at two follow-up intervals, six and twenty four hours after the treatment. Additionally, digital measurements were procured through per vagina at the same follow-up intervals.
- Each mare served as her own control in the crossover design, being assigned to the opposite treatment category in the next session. The data collected was analyzed using parametric and nonparametric methods.
Research Findings
- The findings indicated no significant differences between the control and prostaglandin E1 treated groups in terms of tone, length, height, degree of relaxation, or echotexture in the post-treatment data.
- The conclusion therefore drawn from these findings was that topical cervical application of prostaglandin E1, under the experimental conditions, did not trigger a significant degree of cervical relaxation.
Implications of the Research
- The lack of significant impact of Misoprostol indicates the need for further research to develop reliable pharmacological methods of inducing cervical relaxation in mares, which has significant implications in veterinary practice in terms of facilitating natural breeding and minimizing the risk of infertility.
Cite This Article
APA
McNaughten J, Pozor M, Macpherson M, Kelleman A, Woodward E, Troedsson M.
(2014).
Effects of topical application of misoprostol on cervical relaxation in mares.
Reprod Domest Anim, 49(6), 1057-1062.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12435 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Topical
- Animals
- Cervix Uteri / drug effects
- Cloprostenol / pharmacology
- Cross-Over Studies
- Estrus Synchronization / methods
- Female
- Horses
- Misoprostol / pharmacology
- Oxytocics / pharmacology
- Progesterone / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
- Ay SS, Aslan S, Önyay F, Kaya D, Koldaş E, Arslan S, Fındık M. Effect of oral misoprostol, alone or in combination with aglepristone, on mid-term pregnancy termination in cats. J Feline Med Surg 2019 Aug;21(8):714-722.
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