Mid-gestation pregnancy is not disrupted by a 5-day gastrointestinal mucosal cytoprotectant oral regimen of misoprostol.

The research investigates the effects of a 5-day oral misoprostol regimen on mid-gestation horses, typically used to protect gastrointestinal mucosal during colic. It was found that no adverse effects to the pregnancy, general health, or comfort of the horses were caused by this treatment schedule.

Objective

The main goal of this research was to assess the impact of oral misoprostol, a drug often used as a gastrointestinal mucosal cytoprotectant in horses during colic, on mid-gestation pregnancies. This was done by:

• Monitoring ultrasonographic characteristics of the uterus, cervix and conceptus.
• Observing the general health, behaviour and comfort of the mares during treatment.
• Checking hormone concentrations in their bloodstreams.

Methods

Scientists administered eleven light horse and pony mares with known breeding dates 5 µg/kg body weight of misoprostol orally, twice daily for five days. During this time, the researchers monitored factors such as:

• The general health and pregnancy status of the mares.
• Analysis of the ultrasound of the uterus, cervix, and conceptus.
• Levels of selected hormones in jugular serum during and for five days following treatment.
• Behaviour and comfort of the mares through daily 12-hour video samples.

Results

The results showed no differences in the health, comfort, comportment, or pregnancy status of the horses between the misoprostol and control groups. This includes:

• No changes in the ultrasonographic characteristics of the uterus, cervix, and conceptus.
• The levels of progesterone and oestrone sulphate hormones remained consistent during and after treatment.
• There were no significant behavioral changes amongst the mares.
• No disruption of pregnancy was observed in this study.

Conclusions

This study concludes that using oral misoprostol as a gastrointestinal mucosal cytoprotectant regimen for 5 days in pregnant mares does not adversely affect their health or disrupt their pregnancy. The researchers suggest that further studies should be carried out to assess treatment at earlier and later stages of gestation, for longer-term treatment, as well as evaluating neonates for developmental disturbances. Thus, these results provide some assurance of using a 5-day gastrointestinal mucosal cytoprotectant regimen of oral misprostol in mid-gestation pregnant mares.