altrenogest and Abortion--Veterinary

Progesterone production is essential for growth and development of the conceptus during pregnancy. Abnormal development of the corpus luteum (CL) after conception can result in early embryonic loss or fetal abortion. Routine monitoring of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) pregnancy after artificial insemination or natural conception with ultrasonography and serum progesterone determination has allowed for the establishment of expected fetal growth rates and hormone concentrations. Using these monitoring techniques, we revealed four pregnant dolphins (12-24 yr old) with abnormally low progesterone production indicative of luteal insufficiency. Once diagnosed, animals were placed on altrenogest (0.044-0.088 mg/kg once daily) alone or with oral progesterone (50-200 mg twice daily). Doses of hormone were increased or decreased in each animal based on how fetal skull biparietal and thoracic growth rates compared with published normal values. Hormones were withdrawn starting from day 358 of gestation in animals 1 and 2, with labor occurring 6 and 7 days after withdrawal and at 376 and 373 days of gestation, respectively. Both deliveries were dystocic, with each calf requiring manual extraction and fetotomy for calf 1. The fetuses in animals 3 and 4 died at 348 and 390 days of gestation, respectively. Induction of labor was attempted in both animals, after fetal death, by using a combination of rapid progesterone withdrawal and steroid and prostaglandin F2alpha administration. The calf of animal 4 had to be removed with manual cervical dilation and fetotomy All adult females survived the procedures. These data provide the first in vivo evidence that the CL is the primary source of progesterone throughout pregnancy in the bottlenose dolphin. Until further characterization of hormones required during pregnancy and at parturition has been accomplished, the exogenous progestagen supplementation protocol described here cannot be recommended for treatment of progesterone insufficiency in bottlenose dolphins.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Bottle-Nosed Dolphin; Female; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Progesterone; Progestins; Stillbirth; Trenbolone Acetate

Premature luteal demise or luteal insufficiency is not well characterised as a cause of pregnancy loss in domestic species, including horses. In this report, a mare inseminated with cooled-transported semen at our facility returned for a routine pregnancy diagnosis at 15 days post ovulation. Ultrasonography per rectum revealed endometrial oedema and the absence of visual indication of a corpus luteum on either ovary. Nonetheless, an embryonic vesicle small for the gestational age was identified. Daily oral altrenogest treatment was implemented immediately. Serum progesterone concentration was 0.67 ng/ml, which is below the threshold considered adequate for pregnancy maintenance in the mare. Examinations were repeated at 17, 25, 30, 39, 49, 72 and 120 days post ovulation. At 25 days post ovulation the embryonic vesicle presented normal development for the gestational age. In addition, sequential blood samples were collected to measure progesterone, equine chorionic gonadotrophin and oestrone sulphate concentrations. Although progesterone concentration did not exceed 2 ng/ml until 72 days post ovulation, all other results were unremarkable and a healthy filly was born uneventfully at 344 days post ovulation.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Administration, Oral; Animals; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Corpus Luteum Maintenance; Estrone; Female; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Trenbolone Acetate

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Horses; Hydroxyprogesterones; Luteolytic Agents; Medroxyprogesterone; Megestrol; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnenediones; Progesterone; Progesterone Congeners; Random Allocation; Trenbolone Acetate

Fecal progestagen analysis in okapis (Okapia johnstoni) was used for diagnosis of pregnancy and reproductive disorders, including a comparison of urinary and fecal progestagen analysis and endocrine data on the postpartum period. Data were generated on reliability of fecal progestagen analysis in early pregnancy diagnosis, and case reports were compiled involving single animals with missing luteal activity, abortion after twin pregnancy, and abortions due to deficient placental progestagen production. There was approximately 100-200-fold higher progestagen concentration in feces than in urine, thus explaining the high reliability of fecal progestagen evaluations in diagnosing luteal function and pregnancy. The postpartum period was characterized by lactational anestrus of several months duration, and a postpartum estrous cycle about 2-3 wk after parturition was observed in two of eight animals. An animal with five abortions due to deficient placental progestagen production was treated with altrenogest in a subsequent pregnancy and carried the fetus to term.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Estrus; Feces; Female; Male; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Tests; Pregnancy, Animal; Pregnancy, Multiple; Progesterone Congeners; Progestins; Ruminants; Trenbolone Acetate; Twins