Low doses of oxytocin can induce foaling at term.

The research paper discusses that small doses of oxytocin can effectively induce childbirth (foaling) in pregnant horses without adverse side-effects, suggesting higher doses previously used may not be necessary and are potentially risky.

Overview of the Research

• This study explores the effect of administering small doses of oxytocin (2.5-10 iu) intravenously on inducing foaling or parturition in horses.
• The researchers measured the levels of 13, 14 dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGFM), a major circulating metabolite of prostaglandin F-2 alpha, upon the administration of oxytocin. Prostaglandin F-2 alpha is an important hormone responsible for the initiation of labour and childbirth.

Findings of the Research

• PGFM levels were found to surge within 15 minutes of oxytocin injection in all the horses, associated with the typical signs of the second stage of labour.
• The successful triggering of parturition by small doses of oxytocin suggests that the higher doses (40-120 iu) used in previous studies to induce birth might be unnecessary.

Implications of the Findings

• The effectiveness of small oxytocin doses in inducing labour challenges the practice of using higher oxytocin doses. The study implies that smaller doses are sufficient and safer for both the mare and the foetal foal.
• The higher doses are potentially dangerous to the foetal foal, suggesting a need for revision in the practice of administering oxytocin to pregnant horses. This can lead to improved practices in veterinary medicine, particularly with equines.
• Furthermore, the rapid rise in PGFM levels could be used as an indicator of successful oxytocin-induced foaling.