dinoprost and Fetal-Death

This review considers the potential reduction of embryo mortality in vitro and in vivo in ruminants. Data on cytokines provided by different fields of reproductive immunology and biology were collated. Because of the crucial importance of the local interactions between the embryo and its dam, the expression of growth-factor and cytokine genes was analysed in the embryo proper, trophoblast, oviduct and endometrium by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in sheep and in cattle during the pre- and periimplantation periods. Many deleterious cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and beneficial cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-beta, leukaemia inhibiting factor, colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), granulocyte-macrophage CSF, IL-1, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-tau appeared to be involved in embryo survival in ruminants and other species. Their administration is efficient in a murine experimental model (CBA/J x DBA/2) of embryonic and fetal mortality. For instance, recombinant ovine IFN-tau (roIFN-tau) injected at the moment of implantation drastically reduces embryonic mortality in this model. In ruminants, roIFN-tau and recombinant bovine IFN-tau are very efficient in maintaining progesterone luteal secretion in cyclic animals. The involvement of IFN-tau in the mechanisms of maternal pregnancy recognition are particularly detailed in relation to inhibition of 13,14 dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) pulses and oxytocin uterine receptivity. A synthetic model of the anti-luteolytic effects of IFN-tau on the endometrial cell is proposed. Finally, the particular potential of serum pregnancy-specific proteins (PSPs: PSPB, PSP60, pregnancy-associated glycoprotein) for monitoring embryo survival, with examples given for cattle and sheep is underlined.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Cattle; Cloning, Molecular; Corpus Luteum; Cytokines; Dinoprost; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Endometrium; Female; Fetal Death; Genetic Engineering; Growth Substances; Interferon Type I; Molecular Sequence Data; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Pregnancy, Animal; Receptors, Oxytocin; Rodentia; Ruminants; Sheep

Topics: Administration, Intravaginal; Cervix Uteri; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Labor, Induced; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins; Treatment Outcome; Uterine Contraction

Natural PGF administered at a dose of at least 250 micrograms/kg twice daily subcutaneously for at least 4 days starting no earlier than day 5 of cytologic diestrus induces luteolysis and pregnancy termination in the mated bitch. The resulting shortening of the luteal phase is associated with a shortening of the interestrous interval from 1 to 4 months. Bitches treated with PGF show emesis, diarrhea, and panting within 5 minutes and transient hypothermia which lasts 2 to 3 hours but generally have no further reaction. Bitches with cardiac or respiratory dysfunctions are not considered safe patients for early pregnancy termination with PGF because of the cardiovascular effects of this drug. Bitches treated with this regime early in diestrus resorb their conceptuses; those treated after days 35 to 40 show clinical abortion of viable fetuses.

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Estrus; Female; Fetal Death; Muscle, Smooth; Pregnancy

Prostaglandin F2a was used for termination of pregnancy in two groups of patients. The first included eighteen patients with either missed abortion or intrauterine fetal death, and were treated by intrauterine-extraamniotic infusion of 20 mg prostaglandin F2a. The treatment was successful in 14 patients (mean induction-abortion interval 6.7 hours). Four patients, where the above method failed to induce labor, were given intravenously prostaglandin F2a or oxytocin simultaneously or separately; the expulsion time ranged from 12 to 48 hours. The second group included twelve patients who underwent a therapeutic abortion following either a diagnosis of fetal congenital abnormality or because of a maternal indication. The therapeutic abortion was performed using prostaglandin F2a (25-40 mg) via amniocentesis. The treatment was successful in all patients (mean induction-delivery interval 10.6 hours).

Topics: Abortion, Missed; Abortion, Therapeutic; Amniotic Fluid; Dinoprost; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Evaluation; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Labor, Induced; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors

Injection of prostaglandin (PG) F-2 alpha or its analogues has provided a technique to induce parturition after Day 110 of gestation in the sow. The mean interval from PG injection to parturition ranges from 24 to 28 h, but only 50-60% of the sows farrow during an 8-10 h working day, and as many as 20% of sows may begin parturition before the injection of PG or less than 22 h after the injection. The duration of parturition is positively associated with the incidence of stillbirths and perinatal death so that techniques to reduce the duration of parturition may save piglets. Early parturition has been prevented by feeding sows progestagens, PG synthesis inhibitors and hypothalamic function inhibitors. These compounds were detrimental to piglet survival if they delayed parturition too long after the expected time of parturition. Parturition was delayed in sows up to 1.5 days by altrenogest, 1.6 days by meclofenamic acid, 2.7 days by indomethacin, and 3 days by methallibure without increased incidence of stillborn piglets compared with control sows. Injection of PG after administration of altrenogest or meclofenamic acid was successful in experiments with sows; parturition could be confined to a 5-day working week with no increase in stillborn piglets compared with control sows. Relaxin injected at 48 and 24 h before or only 24 h before injection of PG increased the proportion of sows farrowing 22-32 h after PG to 86.2% compared with sows injected only with PG (53.3%, P less than 0.01). Oxytocin injected 20 h after injection of PG increased the proportion of sows farrowing 20-28 h after PG to 90.4% compared with sows injected only with PG (49.2%, P less than 0.005). Injection of 25-60 i.u. ACTH on Day 110 of gestation did not shorten the length of gestation, but did decrease the incidence of still born piglets by 0.2 piglets/litter (P less than 0.05). An injection of the beta-adrenergic antagonist, carazolol, during labour before the birth of the first piglet decreased the duration of parturition and the incidence of stillborn piglets particularly in primiparous sows (P less than 0.05). Carazolol injected with oxytocin 20 h after injection of PG decreased the interval from PG to parturition by 2 h compared with sows injected with only PG and oxytocin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Gestational Age; Indomethacin; Labor, Obstetric; Meclofenamic Acid; Methallibure; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Progesterone Congeners; Propanolamines; Prostaglandins F; Relaxin; Swine; Trenbolone Acetate

To compare the effectiveness of extra-amniotic saline with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2 alpha in inducing labour in pregnancies with intrauterine fetal death.. A randomised controlled trial.. One hundred and twenty-one women in the extra-amniotic saline group and 123 women in the intra-amniotic prostaglandin group, performed at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe during the period October 1994 to February 1996.. The two methods were equally effective in achieving delivery. The number of women not delivering within 48 hours of recruitment was 6% for the extra-amniotic saline group compared with 11% for the intra-amniotic prostaglandin group (relative risk [RR] 0.51, 95% CI 0.21-1.22). The extra-amniotic saline group required augmentation with Syntocinon more frequently than the intra-amniotic prostaglandin group: 22% compared with 7% (RR 3.1, 95% CI 1.5-6.2). There were more complications associated with the intra-amniotic prostaglandin group: five women developed hypertonic contractions compared with none in the extra-amniotic saline group. In addition 23% of women in the intra-amniotic prostaglandin group developed acute vasovagal-like symptoms lasting for about 10 to 15 minutes which were distressing for the women. There was no evidence of any increase in febrile morbidity from extra-amniotic saline (RR 0.8, 95% CI 0.75-1.1).. Extra-amniotic saline infusion in successful in inducing labour in antepartum fetal deaths after 20 weeks of gestation. This method has been shown to be safe and well tolerated by the women and should be considered in areas with limited resources. This method should be evaluated further for inductions of labour with a live fetus.

Topics: Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; Adult; Amniotic Fluid; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Labor, Induced; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Sodium Chloride

The effects of progesterone (P4) on follicular growth and fertility in ewes were examined. In Experiment 1, 22 ewes received either one or three packets of P4 (5 g/packet) or an empty packet subcutaneously (sc) from Days 5 to 15 of the estrous cycle (estrus = Day 0). On Day 6, P4-treated ewes received 12.5 mg of prostaglandin F2 alpha. Follicles > or = 3 mm in diameter were observed via transrectal ultrasonography daily from Day 4 through estrus, corpora lutea (CL) were observed 5 to 7 d after estrus. Ewes with low (LOW; < or = 1 ng/ml; n = 5), intermediate (MED; >1 and <2 ng/ml; n = 10), or normal (NOR; > or =2 ng/ml; n = 7) P4 in jugular plasma on Days 7 through 15 differed in follicular development. The largest follicle at estrus was larger in ewes with LOW vs. MED and NOR P4 (7.8 +/- 0.3 vs. 6.9 +/- 0.2 mm; P < 0.05). Treatments differed in proportions of multiple-ovulating ewes, in which the oldest ovulatory follicle was first observed before Day 10 (LOW: 3 of 3, MED: 6 of 10, NOR: 0 of 5, respectively; P < 0.05). Estradiol was higher early in the treatment period in LOW ewes than in MED and NOR ewes (day x treatment; P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, ewes received 5 mg of P4 in corn oil (low progesterone [LP]; n = 51) or 2 ml of corn oil (CON; n = 49) sc every 12 hr on Days 6 through 14 of the estrous cycle before mating. LP ewes received 15 mg of prostaglandin F2 alpha on Day 6. Mean serum P4 on Days 7 through 15 was 0.6 +/- 0.1 ng/ml in LP and 1.9 +/- 0.1 ng/ml in CON ewes. Eleven LP and 12 CON ewes were scanned daily from Day 4 through mating, and in all ewes (n = 93), CL were counted 10 d after mating and embryos were counted at 25, 40, and 60 d of gestation. In multiple-ovulating ewes, day of cycle of appearance was earlier for the oldest (Day 6.1 +/- 0.8 vs. 10.4 +/- 0.8) but not second oldest (Day 11.7 +/- 1.0 vs. 12.2 +/- 0.9) ovulatory follicles in LP compared with CON ewes. The conception rate was lower in LP (72%) than in CON ewes (98%; P < 0.01). However, numbers of CL 10 d after mating, and in pregnant ewes, numbers of embryos 25 d after mating and lambs born, did not differ with treatment. In summary, low P4 increased the size of the largest follicles and the age of the oldest ovulatory follicles. Embryos resulting from the ovulation of older and younger follicles in the same ewe did not differ in their ability to survive.

Topics: Animals; Corn Oil; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Estradiol; Estrus; Female; Fertility; Fetal Death; Ovarian Follicle; Ovulation; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Progesterone; Sheep; Ultrasonography

To evaluate the use of a double balloon catheter in the termination of pregnancy with fetal death in the second and third trimesters, in comparison with the administration of extra-amniotic PGF2-alpha.. Twenty cases with IUFD at > 20 weeks of gestation were divided into two groups. Group I was subjected to the double balloon alone, while in Group II extra-amniotic instillation of PGF2-alpha via a Foley's catheter was used.. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to induction-expulsion time, induction-delivery time and failure rate.. The double balloon catheter proved to be an effective non-pharmacological method. The technique was simple and well tolerated by the patients. The side-effects of the prostaglandin and the cost of the medication were avoided.

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Adult; Catheterization; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pregnancy Trimester, Third

We administered indomethacin orally for the treatment of premature labor in a prospective, randomized, double-blind fashion, and all infants were followed up. Indomethacin was significantly more effective than placebo in inhibition of premature labor during a 24-hour course of therapy, with treatment failure during therapy occurring in only one of 15 indomethacin-treated patients compared to nine of 15 placebo-treated patients (p less than 0.01). Mean plasma concentrations of indomethacin were approximately 0.8 micrograms/ml at both 4 and 12 hours after administration. Mean plasma levels of 15-oxo-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) were similar in the two groups before treatment, decreased markedly in the indomethacin group by 4 hours, and were not detected at 12 hours in all but the one indomethacin-treated patient who was delivered within 24 hours. Patients in the placebo group who were delivered prematurely had higher pretreatment PGFM levels (mean +/- SE, 83 +/- 18 pg/ml, n = 9) than the patients who responded to placebo (25 +/- 6 pg/ml, n = 6) (p less than 0.05). There was no difference between the indomethacin and placebo groups with respect to gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and neonatal morbidity and deaths. In particular, we found no evidence of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension, or increase in bleeding problems among the infants exposed to indomethacin in utero. Although no difference in neonatal outcome was observed in this small number of patients, it would seem prudent still to consider indomethacin as an experimental therapy.

Topics: Dinoprost; Double-Blind Method; Drug Evaluation; Estradiol; Female; Fetal Blood; Fetal Death; Humans; Indomethacin; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Male; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Prospective Studies; Prostaglandins F; Random Allocation

Mummification of bovine fetuses is an uncommon condition, and cows do not always respond to treatment with prostaglandin F2alpha. The objective of the present retrospective and descriptive case study was to determine the conception rate and survival time of nonresponsive, prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha)-treated cows (n = 14), following hysterotomy or medical treatment and manual removal. Animal records from 1990 to 2005 from the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire (CHUV) of the Université de Montréal were studied. Inclusion criteria were the nonexpulsion of the mummified fetus following PF2alpha treatment and absence of concomitant conditions upon physical examination. Of the animals included in the study, 36% (n = 5) became pregnant after extraction of the mummified fetus by hysterotomy and 0% conceived after medical treatment and manual extraction. In this study, hysterotomy represented an effective approach for extracting mummified fetuses from cows that did not respond to PF2alpha treatment.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Cattle; Dinoprost; Female; Fertility; Fetal Death; Fetus; Hysterotomy; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies

The present study describes the clinical features and plasma profiles of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 (bPAG1), the main metabolite of prostaglandin F2alpha (PG metabolite) and progesterone (P4) in heifers in which early abortions were induced.. Early abortions were induced in four heifers with cloprostenol and monitored by ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected and the plasma were analyzed for bPAG 1, P4 and PG metabolite.. The foetal heartbeat rates varied from 170-186 beats per minute for all foetuses up to the date of cloprostenol treatment. Foetal death was confirmed within two days after cloprostenol treatment. Prior to cloprostenol injection, blood plasma concentrations of bPAG1, PG metabolite and P4 varied from 8.4-40.0 ng/mL, 158-275 pmol/L and 20.7-46.9 nmol/L, respectively. After the foetus expelled, the plasma level of bPAG1 began to decrease but the decrease was small and gradual. The estimated half-life of bPAG1 was 1.8-6.6 days. The plasma level of the PG metabolite started to have short lasting peaks (above 300 pmol/L) within three hours after cloprostenol treatment. The plasma concentrations of P4 dropped sharply to less than 4 nmol/L after 24 hours of cloprostenol injection.. The current findings indicated that after early closprostenol-induced foetal death, the plasma concentration of bPAG1 decreased gradually and showed a tendency of variation with the stages of pregnancy.

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Animals; Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; Cattle; Cloprostenol; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Progesterone; Time Factors; Ultrasonography

A higher incidence of fetal losses, especially after the use of artificial reproduction techniques, asks for more intensive monitoring of bovine pregnancies. In this study, a model for fetal death (FD) was created by administering the antiprogesterone aglepristone twice, at Day 47 and 48 of gestation (n=5). Control heifers received the solvent (n=5). The temporal relationships between changes in ultrasonographic appearance of fetal fluids and membranes, fetal heart rate (FHR) and peripheral plasma levels of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) and PGF2alpha-metabolite as determined by radioimmunoassay associated with FD were monitored at eight hour intervals around treatment. For the analysis of plasma levels the period under study was divided into five epochs (T1: before injection of aglepristone/solvent; T2: from first to second injection; T3: from second injection to FD; T4: from diagnosis of FD to 56 h later; T5: from 56 h to 104 h after diagnosis of FD). Control heifers produced healthy calves at term, but in treated heifers, FD occurred on average at 58 (range 48-80) h after first injection of aglepristone. Fetal death was always preceded by a visible reduction of the amount of allantoic fluid and by segregation of the allantochorionic membrane from the endometrium. FHR remained rather constant in both groups, but a (non-significant) drop in FHR around 8h before FD was diagnosed in four of five treated animals. All fetuses were expulsed after FD. Levels of PAG remained constant or even slightly increased in controls, but decreased in treated animals from T2 onward: levels during T4 and T5 significantly differed from those during T1 and from values in controls during T4 and T5 (P<0.01). PGF2alpha-metabolite levels did not change in the controls, but in the treated group they were significantly higher during T3 when compared to T1 (P<0.05). After this increase, a sharp decrease in PGF2alpha-metabolite level occurred, reaching a significantly lower level at T5 when compared to control animals (P=0.01). It is concluded, that FD induced by aglepristone is preceded by ultrasonographic visible changes in fetal membranes and fluids and a rise in PGF2alpha-metabolite and is followed by a drop in PAG and PGF2alpha-metabolite.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Dinoprost; Disease Models, Animal; Estrenes; Female; Fetal Death; Gestational Age; Glycoproteins; Heart Rate, Fetal; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

The purpose of this study was to describe the findings and therapy in 4 cows and 1 heifer with mummified fetus. All animals were admitted at the clinic after several unsuccessful therapies with prostaglandin F2alpha and local uterine infusions. All animals were in good condition. In case 1, diagnosis of mummified fetus could not be confirmed after manual rectal palpation and ultrasonography whereas cases 2, 4, 5 all had mummified fetus. In case 3, the fetus was in maceration. Initial therapy consisted of administration of prostaglandin F2alpha and prostaglandin E2 followed by repeated administration of prostaglandin E2. Mummies (length from apex to rump 13-32 cm) could be taken out within 3 to 6 days per vias naturales in cases 2, 4, 5 and in case 3, bones (maximal length 4 cm) could be unhinged. The structure in the uterus of case 1 could not be mobilised and was consequently removed under sight control using colpotomy followed by hysterotomy. Animals 2, 3, 4 and 5 were pregnant on the occasion of telephone inquiry. On the basis of our results, we recommend the conservative medical therapy with PGE2 for cases of mummified fetus. Colpotomy and hysterotomy are reserved as therapy feasible if the use of prostaglandin E2 is not successful.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Cattle; Colpotomy; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Female; Fetal Death; Fetus; Hysterotomy; Pregnancy

The present study investigated whether the increase of apoptosis in the placenta is associated with intrauterine fetal death in prostaglandin F receptor-deficient mice. Apoptosis was demonstrated within placental and decidual tissue by the TUNEL method. The majority of apoptosis was found in syncytiotrophoblast tissues. Enhanced TUNEL-positive staining in the syncytiotrophoblast layer was scattered in the placental tissues in clusters of apoptotic cells in the death group. Marked TUNEL-positive cells were identified in decidua of both groups. The rate of apoptosis in the placenta and decidua in the death group was higher than that in the survival group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the level of active caspase-3 protein expression in the placenta in the death group was much higher than that in the survival group. The level of Bcl-2 protein expression in the placenta in the death group was much lower than that in the survival group. Western blot analysis demonstrated that increased expression of the active form of caspase-3 was detected in the placenta and decidua in the death group compared with that in the survival group. In contrast, a decrease in the expression of Bcl-2 was detected in the placenta and decidua in the death group compared with that in the survival group. Enhanced expression of Bax:Bcl-2 ratio was detected in placenta and decidua in the death group compared with that in the survival group. Thus, significantly increased apoptosis in the mouse placenta and decidua might be involved in the pathophysiologic mechanism of intrauterine fetal death.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Blotting, Western; Caspase 3; Caspases; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Genes, bcl-2; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Hybridization; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Protein Biosynthesis; Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Receptors, Prostaglandin

Inoculation with Actinomyces pyogenes and administration of prostaglandin (PG)F(2alpha) were used to induce late embryonic mortality (LEM) in heifers (n=8) on Days 30-38 of pregnancy in order to compare the profile for bovine pregnancy associated glycoprotein 1 (PAG1), progesterone and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF(2alpha) (PGFM). Two pregnant heifers were used as controls. Inoculation into the uterine body caused LEM, as established by ultrasonography in each heifer within 24h of treatment. When the inoculum was injected into the first part of the cervix, LEM occurred in one of two heifers (Heifer A) between 48 and 72 h after treatment. Similarly, PGF(2alpha) treatment caused LEM in three of four heifers. In six of eight heifers, PAG1 started to decrease steadily when it was accompanied by the subsequent death of the embryo. Inoculation through the cervix caused luteolysis in three of four heifers within 6-10 days after induction. After induction of LEM, PGFM concentrations showed a two to 3.8 fold increase in three of four heifers during the following six days, and from that time changed within normal ranges. The results of this study indicate that a PAG1 assay may provide an alternative method to ultrasonography for determining LEM in the cow.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Actinomyces; Animals; Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; Biomarkers; Cattle; Diagnosis, Differential; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Pregnancy, Animal

Three dairy heifers (A, B and C) were induced to parturition with two prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) injections on day 268 and 269 of pregnancy. Signs of approaching parturition were carefully observed. The following parameters were registered: degrees of calving difficulty, date and time of parturition, calf's birth weight and calf's sex. Body temperature was measured and blood samples were taken every 3 h 3 days before the first PGF(2alpha) injection until 3 days after parturition. The plasma concentrations of the PGF(2alpha) metabolite, progesterone, cortisol, oestrone sulphate and pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) were analysed. Heifers A, B and C delivered 48, 51 and 57 h after the first PGF(2alpha) injection, respectively. Heifer A delivered without any signs of calving difficulty, whereas, the parturition was considered to be slight and moderate difficulty occurred in the delivery of heifers B and C, respectively. The calf of heifer C, without any abnormal gross-evidences, was stillborn. All animals had retained foetal membranes. A slight increase of the PGF(2alpha) metabolite at the time of parturition was found only in heifer C, whereas the levels dramatically increased in all animals 15-24 h after parturition. At the same time, progesterone levels decreased within 3 h after the first PGF(2alpha) injection (P < 0.05) and reached 0.8, 2.7 and 12.4 nmol/l at the time of parturition in heifers A, B and C, respectively. High release of cortisol at the time of parturition was seen in heifer C. Rising levels of oestrone sulphate around the time of parturition were recorded in all heifers, whereas, increasing levels of PAGs were recorded only in heifer A. In conclusion, the patterns of the PGF(2alpha) metabolite, cortisol, progesterone and PAGs were changed in the cases of calving difficulty and stillbirth after PGF(2alpha)-induction of parturition. However, the relationship between oestrone sulphate and PAGs and the status of foetal well being prior to parturition require further elucidation.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Dinoprost; Dystocia; Estrone; Female; Fetal Death; Fetal Monitoring; Gestational Age; Hormones; Hydrocortisone; Kinetics; Labor, Induced; Labor, Obstetric; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Progesterone

This trial was conducted in a farrow-to-finish pig unit from November 1999 to February 2000. Since November 1998 an induction-of-parturition program was applied in gilts and sows with PGF2alpha (2 mL Dinolytic, i.m.) 113 d post service, followed by oxytocin (1 mL Intertocine-S, i.m.) 24 h later. This program resulted in a high proportion of animals farrowing within the working hours of the day. At mid December 1999 splay-legs and edematous swelling and reddening of the vulva started to be observed in newborn piglets. A concurrent decline of parameters related to parturition also was noticed. Mycotoxicological analyses of the feeds revealed a co-occurring contamination with deoxynivalenol and zearalenone. For a 4-week period, sows were divided into two groups: (a) an induction-of-parturition and (b) a non-induction-of-parturition group. Significant differences were found between the two groups relating to prevalence of dystocia (<.05) and pregnancy duration (<.05). Moreover, it was found that prevalence of splay-legs and swelling of the vulva were highly correlated (<.05) with reduction of percentage of sows farrowing within the working day and increase of pre-weaning mortality. It was concluded that such an induction-of-parturition program should be avoided during a Fusarium mycotoxicosis.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Fusarium; Greece; Labor, Induced; Male; Mycotoxicosis; Mycotoxins; Oxytocin; Swine; Swine Diseases

Experiments were performed to test the null hypotheses that embryonic survival is not affected by the presence of regressing corpora lutea in progestogen-supplemented ewes, and that the embryotoxic effects of regressing corpora lutea do not act locally on embryos in the uterine horn adjacent to the regressing corpora lutea. In Expt 1, laparotomies were performed on day 4 after mating, and progestogen supplementation was initiated and continued until pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography on day 25. On day 4 after mating, ewes were lutectomized (n = 17) or sham lutectomized (n = 15), and injected (i.m.) with 5 mg PGF2alpha at 8 h intervals for 2 or 3 days. Controls (n = 14) were sham lutectomized and injected with saline as described above. Pregnancy rates did not differ in ewes treated with PGF2alpha for 2 rather than 3 days. Pregnancy rates were lower in ewes treated with PGF 2a compared with controls (P < 0.01). In ewes treated with PGF2alpha, lutectomy resulted in an increase in pregnancy rates (59%) compared with ewes subjected to sham lutectomy (33%; P < 0.05). In Expt 2, progestogen supplementation was initiated in the morning of day 4 after mating and continued until pregnancy diagnosis on day 25. In the afternoon of day 4, one ovary selected at random was lutectomized in ewes (n = 34) with at least one corpus luteum on each ovary, and the uterine horns were isolated by ligation to impede intraluminal transfer of luteal or uterine products that might initiate embryonic death. On days 5-8 after mating, equal numbers of ewes were injected i.m. with either saline or 5 mg PGF2alpha at 8 h intervals. Pregnancy rates did not differ between isolated uterine horns contralateral and ipsilateral to the regressing corpus luteum; however, pregnancy rates were lower in PGF2alpha-treated ewes than in saline-treated ewes (34 and 77%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, regressing corpora lutea exert an embryotoxic effect; however, there is no evidence that this effect occurs through systemic pathways.

Topics: Animals; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Flurogestone Acetate; Luteolysis; Pregnancy; Progesterone Congeners; Random Allocation; Sheep; Ultrasonography

Experiments were conducted in beef cows without a primary CL, in which pregnancy had been maintained with exogenous progestogen. In preliminary trials, replacement CL induced ipsilateral to the embryo and after, rather than before, d 36 of pregnancy, maintained more pregnancies after withdrawal of exogenous progestogen (13/13 vs 2/6; P < 0.05). In Exp. 1, in cows with replacement CL induced by treatment with hCG on d 28 of pregnancy, treatment with flunixin meglumine on d 31 through 37 did not increase maintenance of pregnancy. Experiment 2 was conducted to evaluate directly the effects of concentrations of PGF2alpha and estradiol-17beta during d 31 through 35 of pregnancy on maintenance of pregnancy by replacement CL induced between d 28 and 31. In cows that maintained pregnancy while progestogen was provided, maintenance of pregnancy after withdrawal of exogenous progestogen tended to be greater with high (5/5) than with low (2/6; P < 0.10) concentrations of PGF2alpha and greater with low (6/7) than with high (2/6; P = 0.10) concentrations of estradiol-17beta. Secretion of progesterone by replacement CL was greater (P < 0.05) in cows with high than in those with low concentrations of PGF2, during d 31 through 35. Prostaglandin F2alpha may facilitate attachment of the bovine embryo (d 30 to 40) in a manner similar to that reported for implantation in other species. Cows that did not form CL in response to hCG on d 28 to 31 responded well when retreated after d 36. Again, maintenance of pregnancy was greater when replacement CL were induced after (9/9) rather than before d 36 (8/16; P < 0.05).

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Progesterone

The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in birth weight and gestation length between Japanese Black calves obtained from transfer of bovine embryos produced in vitro (IVP) and those developed in vivo (IVD). An additional objective was to clarify the sire effect on birth weight and gestation length and to examine the birth rate of heavier calves. Two Japanese Black bulls breed at our experimental station were used as a semen source for production of IVP and IVD embryos. Thirty-eight Japanese Black heifers and cows of various genetic backgrounds were used as embryo donors for IVD embryos. Ovaries for IVP embryos were collected at random at a local slaughterhouse from Japanese Black cattle of various genetic backgrounds. IVP embryos were produced using co-culturing with cumulus cells in 5% CS+TCM 199. Both the IVD and IVP embryos were transferred non-surgically to Holstein recipients on day 7+/-1 of estrous cycle. In this study, the birth weights and gestation lengths of half-sib single calves for bull A and B were analyzed. The numbers of single calves born by transfer of IVP and IVD embryos for bull A and B were 133 and 121, 243 and 465, respectively. The birth weight of the IVP calves was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that of the IVD (bull A: 31.0+/-0.4 kg versus 27.2+/-0.4 kg and bull B: 29.9+/-0.6 kg versus 26.6+/-0.2 kg). Gestation length of the IVP calves for bull A was significantly longer (P<0.01) than that of the IVD (291.9+/-0.9 days versus 283.6+/-0.5 days). However, for bull B, there were no differences in gestation length between the IVP and IVD calves (285.9+/-0.7 days versus 286.2+/-0.3 days). These results clearly indicated that IVP calves had heavier birth weights than IVD calves but that the average gestation length of IVP calves was not always longer than that of IVD calves. Furthermore, the birth rate of heavier calves and the incidence of stillbirth and perinatal mortality up to 48 h post partum in IVP calves (bull A: 11.3%, bull B: 7.8%) were greater (P<0.05) than those in IVD calves from both bulls (bull A: 4.1%, bull B: 3.7%).

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Birth Rate; Birth Weight; Cattle; Cryopreservation; Dinoprost; Embryo Transfer; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Fetal Death; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Gestational Age; Male; Oocytes; Pregnancy

Two groups of ewes were fed to provide 1.70 x (high energy group; n = 15) or 0.56 x (low energy group; n = 15) energy requirements for maintenance of liveweight from 14 d before a synchronized mating in November until slaughter at 9 or 15 d after mating. We investigated the effects on interferon-tau (IFN tau) secretion by the conceptuses, prostaglandin F2 alpha (PG) production in vitro by endometrial tissue, and associated rates of embryo mortality, endometrial progesterone content and progesterone production by luteal tissue. No differences between groups in pregnancy rate were detected on Day 9 between the 2 groups. Proportionately (6/6 vs 2/5), there were more pregnant ewes in the high energy group on Day 15, although this difference did not reach significance (P = 0.06). The proportion of corpora lutea represented by embryos was significantly lower in undernourished ewes (P < 0.05). Secretion in vitro of PG was lower in the 2 pregnant ewes of the low energy group on Day 15, and it was accompanied by higher IFN tau secretion by conceptuses recovered from these ewes. However, the limited number of pregnant ewes recorded on Day 15 prevented any statistical comparison. Neither mean endometrial content of progesterone nor ovarian venous progesterone concentrations and production of progesterone by luteal were affected by nutrition. The provisional results of the present experiment indicate that undernutrition may induce a reduction in the rate of secretion of IFN tau and can therefore increase production of PG from the endometrium. This could initiate luteolysis. The lower pregnancy rates observed in underfed ewes could be mediated through this alteration in the signal of maternal recognition of pregnancy. However, these findings remain to be shown in further experiments including a larger number of animals, as they only represent data from 2 undernourished animals.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Endometrium; Energy Metabolism; Female; Fetal Death; Gestational Age; Interferon Type I; Ovulation; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Pregnancy, Animal; Progesterone; Sheep; Sheep Diseases

The response to Claviceps purpurea sclerotia administration in pregnant goats was examined in terms of changes in the levels of plasma hormones, the development of pregnancy and kid production. Six treated goats were each given 15 mg milled sclerotia (i.e. 0.105 mg ergotamine) per kilogram live weight twice daily via a stomach tube from days 98 +/- 2 to 107 +/- 2 of gestation. Seven control goats were given water twice daily via a stomach tube during the same period of gestation. The goats were observed for clinical signs of disease, rectal temperatures and live weights were recorded and the condition of the foetuses was monitored by real-time ultrasonography. All control goats delivered live kids. In the treated group two goats aborted 33 and 47 days, respectively, after the start of the administration period, two goats each delivered one normal and one weak kid, and the two remaining goats delivered apparently normal kids. All six treated goats became depressed and had poor appetite during the period of sclerotia administration. Rectal temperatures were significantly increased and live weight changes significantly decreased in the animals in the treated group compared to the control group during the period of C. purpurea administration. Ultrasound examination revealed that foetal deaths occurred between 1 and 42 days before abortion or birth. The appearance of the aborted foetuses varied from fresh to mummified, depending on the number of days between foetal death and expulsion. Microbiological and serological investigations revealed no infectious causes of reproductive failure. The level of 15-ketodihydro-PGF2 alpha was high in goats that aborted following administration of C. purpurea compared with the level in control goats. The oestrone sulphate level did not increase before abortion in the treated goats as in the controls before parturition. There were also changes in these hormones in the four treated goats that delivered live kids, but the changes were considerably smaller. These findings indicate that the endocrine foetal-placental function was disturbed, probably due to injury caused by the C. purpurea toxin ergotamine in the placenta and foetus.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; Animals; Body Weight; Claviceps; Dinoprost; Endocrine Glands; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Ergotamine; Estrone; Female; Fetal Death; Goats; Heart Rate, Fetal; Placenta; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Progesterone; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis, Animal

An experiment was performed to determine the effect of elevated prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on pregnancy rates of progestogen-treated bred cows in the presence or absence of luteal tissue. Ninety-one beef cows were bred (Day 0) and assigned randomly to receive either 3 mL saline (CON), 15 mg PGF2 alpha, or 15 mg PGF2 alpha + lutectomy (P + L) administered intramuscularly (i.m.) at 8 h intervals on either Days 5-8, 10-13, or 15-18 postbreeding. Lutectomies were performed by transrectal digital pressure before initiation of treatment on Day 5, 10, or 15 for the respective treatment groups. All cows were fed 4 mg/day of melengesterol acetate from two days prior to initiation of treatment until Day 30 postbreeding. Mean concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha (PGFM) were increased in cows administered PGF2 alpha and P + L treatments (398 +/- 23 and 413 +/- 22 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.01) compared to the CON group (80 +/- 29 pg/ml) regardless of treatment group. Mean concentrations of oxytocin (OT) were increased in cows given PGF2 alpha on Day 10 and 15 (p < or = 0.0001) and tended to be increased on d 5 when compared to CON and P + L treatment groups on Day 5. Pregnancy rates were reduced (p < or = 0.03) in the PGF2 alpha treatment group (23%) and by Day 5-8 compared to CON (72%). Lutectomy tended to improve pregnancy rate in P + L (5-8; 55%) compared to PGF2 alpha (5-8; p = 0.1). Pregnancy rates tended (p < or = 0.07) to increase in the PGF2 alpha treatment groups on Days 5-8 treatment (23%, 50%, and 60% for Days 5-8, 10-13, and 15-18, respectively). The later the treatments were initiated pregnancy rates did not differ between treatments given on Days 10-13 and 15-18. In conclusion, the most susceptible period of embryonic growth to the negative effects of PGF2 alpha was during morula to blastocyst development. Removal of luteal tissue diminishes the negative effects of PGF2 alpha through interruption of the luteal oxytocin-uterine PGF2 alpha feedback loop.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Cattle; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Drug Administration Schedule; Estradiol; Female; Fetal Death; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Progesterone; Progestins; Time Factors

An original route of prostaglandin F2alpha administration for uterine evacuation in a case of a midtrimester intrauterine death is presented. The ultrasonographic study revealed a hydropic fetus with a massive nuchal cystic hygroma and oligohydramnios. Given our previous experience with intrafetal prostaglandin administration in a similar case but with a living fetus, we injected prostaglandin F2alpha into the nuchal cysts under continuous ultrasonographic guidance in order to induce uterine evacuation. The pregnancy was successfully terminated 16 h later.

Topics: Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; Abortion, Induced; Adult; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Pregnancy

Failure of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha to induce labor for intrauterine fetal death is infrequent. The factors contributing to these failures remain unclear. We describe a case of failed induction with the use of a combination of vaginal prostaglandin E2 and systemic prostaglandin F2 alpha in a 24-week intrauterine fetal death in association with a noncommunicating rudimentary uterine horn. The implications of this müllerian abnormality for theories of parturition are discussed.

Topics: Adult; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Female; Fetal Death; Gestational Age; Humans; Labor, Induced; Mullerian Ducts; Pregnancy; Uterus

The efficacy of extraovular prostaglandin E2 and intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2 alpha for pregnancy termination in midtrimester was compared. A retrospective review of pregnancy termination in midtrimester using intra-amniotic instillation of 40 mg of prostaglandin F2 alpha (n = 133) or extraovular instillation of prostaglandin E2 at a rate of 500 micrograms/hour (n = 81) was performed. Both groups had a similar mean induction-to-abortion interval (19.5 +/- 19.9 and 20.9 +/- 18.2 hours for extraovular PGE2 and intra-amniotic PGF2 alpha, respectively) and a similar success rate of abortion within the first 24 hours of initial treatment (84.0% for extraovular PGE2 and 76.7% for intra-amniotic PGF2 alpha). The two groups had a similar and low (9.8%) incidence of complications. It is concluded that either of the methods used in the study (i.e. extraovular PGE2 or intra-amniotic PGF2 alpha) can be used safely and effectively for pregnancy termination in midtrimester.. A comparison was made of midtrimester induction of abortion by extraocular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and intraamniotic prostaglandin F2alpha (Pgf2alpha) in a recent series of patients at Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel. Pgf2alpha 40 mg was instilled intraamniotically in 133 women from July 1988-December 1990. PGE2 was instilled at 500 mcg/hour in 81 women treated from January 1991-June 1992. The abortion interval was 20.9 hours for Pgf2alpha and 19.5 hours for PGE2. 76.7% of women given Pgf2alpha and 84% of those given PGE2 aborted within 24 hours. If abortion did not occur within 24 hours, oxytocin or a repeat dose of Pgf2alpha was administered. Complication rates were 3.7 and 2.5% for hemorrhage requiring transfusion, 3.0 and 3.7% fever for 2 days, 0.7 and 1.2% for PG side effects, and 2.2 and 1.2% for curettage, with - Pgf2alpha and PGE2, respectively. One woman given PGE2 extraamniotically fibroids. In contrast with comparative studies of these 2 methods published in the 1970s, where extraamniotic PGE2 often produced more infection and intraamniotic Pgf2alpha often caused gastrointestinal side effects, this study found comparable complication rates for the 2 methods.

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Adult; Amnion; Chi-Square Distribution; Curettage; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Instillation, Drug; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome

For the effects of voltages on health and reproduction, 40 cows in second to fifth lactation were divided into four groups of 10. These included a control group that was not subjected to voltages and three treatment groups that were given either 1, 2, or 4 V at the water bowl. Cows in the treatment groups were exposed during the entire lactation to voltage whenever they drank. Voltages did not sufficiently affect milk yield. General health parameters studied were mastitis, hoof problems, and changes in body weight. Reproductive and calving parameters examined were days to first breeding, days open, services per conception, response to PGF2 alpha, calving intervals, visible abortion, and calves born dead. Voltages did not significantly influence cow health or reproductive performance.

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Body Weight; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Dinoprost; Electricity; Female; Fetal Death; Foot Diseases; Hoof and Claw; Lactation; Mastitis, Bovine; Pregnancy; Reproduction

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate effect of age of the conceptus at death on subsequent interval to estrus and to determine whether prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) treatment after induced conceptus death would reduce interval to estrus. Sixty-four beef cows were diagnosed pregnant by ultrasonography between 24 and 50 d of gestation. Nine pregnancy groups were identified; each encompassed a 3-d interval from d 24 through 50 of gestation. Cows were allocated at random within pregnancy group to be treated with colchicine to induce conceptus death. Forty-eight hours after colchicine treatment, conceptus death was verified by ultrasonography and each animal received either saline or PGF. There was no evidence of an effect of age of conceptus at death on the subsequent interval to estrus after either saline or PGF. Interval to estrus after saline was 13.5 +/- .8 d, which was greater (P less than .01) than the 6.2 +/- .8 d after PGF. After saline, the estimate for the linear effect of time on serum progesterone (P4) was -1.32 +/- .36 ng/d and was less (P less than .05) than -2.83 +/- .36 ng/d for cows given PGF. Cows were exposed to fertile bulls at the first postabortion estrus. Pregnancy rates were 37.5% for cows given saline vs 31.3% for those given PGF. These results indicate that interval to estrus after conceptus death between 24 and 50 d of gestation is not affected by the age of the conceptus and can be reduced by PGF treatment.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Colchicine; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Estrus; Female; Fertility; Fetal Death; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Random Allocation

The role of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in embryonic loss following induced endotoxemia was studied in mares that were 21 to 44 days pregnant. Thirteen pregnant mares were treated with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, flunixin meglumine, to inhibit the synthesis of PGF2 alpha caused by Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin given IV. Flunixin meglumine was administered either before injection of the endotoxin (group 1, -10 min; n = 7), or after endotoxin injection into the mares (group 2, 1 hour, n = 3; group 3, 2 hours, n = 3); 12 pregnant mares (group 4) were given only S typhimurium endotoxin. In group 4, the secretion of PGF2 alpha, as determined by plasma 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha concentrations, was biphasic, initially peaking at 30 minutes followed by a second, larger peak approximately 105 minutes after the endotoxin was given IV. When flunixin meglumine was administered at -10 minutes, synthesis of PGF2 alpha was inhibited for several hours, after administration of flunixin meglumine at 1 hour, the second secretory surge of PGF2 alpha was blocked, and administration of the drug at 2 hours did not substantially modify the secretion of PGF2 alpha. Plasma progesterone concentrations were unchanged after endotoxin injections were given in group 1. In group 2, progesterone values decreased less than 2 ng/ml and remained low for several days. In group 3 and group 4, progesterone concentrations decreased to values less than 0.5 ng/ml by 48 hours after endotoxin injections were given.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Clonixin; Dinoprost; Endotoxins; Female; Fetal Death; Horses; Injections, Intravenous; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Salmonella typhimurium; Shock, Septic; Time Factors

The role of decreased luteal activity in embryonic loss after induced endotoxemia was studied in mares 21 to 35 days pregnant. Fourteen pregnant mares were treated daily with 44 mg of altrenogest to compensate for the loss of endogenous progesterone secretion caused by prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) synthesis and release following intravenous administration of Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin. Altrenogest was administered daily from the day of endotoxin injection until day 40 of gestation (group 1; n = 7), until day 70 (group 2; n = 5), or until day 50 (group 3; n = 2). In all mares, secretion of PGF2 alpha, as determined by the plasma 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha concentrations, followed a biphasic pattern, with an initial peak at 30 minutes followed by a second, larger peak at 105 minutes after endotoxin injection. Plasma progesterone concentrations decreased in all mares to values less than 1 ng/ml within 24 hours after endotoxin injection. In group 1, progesterone concentrations for all mares were less than 1 ng/ml until the final day of altrenogest treatment. In 6 of 7 mares in group 1, the fetuses died within 4 days after the end of treatment, with progesterone concentrations less than 1 ng/ml at that time. In the mare that remained pregnant after the end of treatment, plasma progesterone concentration was 1.6 ng/ml on day 41 and increased to 4.4 ng/ml on day 44. In group 2, all mares remained pregnant, even though plasma progesterone concentrations were less than 1 ng/ml in 4 of 5 mares from the day after endotoxin injection until after the end of altrenogest treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Dinoprost; Endotoxins; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Fetal Death; Horse Diseases; Horses; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Maintenance; Progesterone; Salmonella typhimurium; Shock, Septic; Trenbolone Acetate

Guinea-pigs treated by gavage with a total dose of 100 mg polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB: Clophen A50) during Days 17-61 of gestation had higher plasma concentrations of 15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F-2 alpha, oestrone sulphate and oestradiol-17 beta during the later stages of gestation than did vehicle-treated guinea-pigs. No changes were observed in plasma progesterone concentrations. Our results provide no support for the hypothesis that an enzyme-induced decrease in progesterone concentrations is the main cause of the fetal death observed in PCB-treated guinea-pigs.

Topics: Animals; Dinoprost; Environmental Pollutants; Estradiol; Estrogens; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); Estrone; Female; Fetal Death; Guinea Pigs; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Pregnancy; Progesterone

Ultrasonography was performed to determine the fate of the conceptus and the corpus luteum after induced embryonic loss in heifers. When embryonic loss was induced by administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha (25 mg, IM) on day 28 (n = 10) or day 42 (n = 10), embryonic death occurred 2.3 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SEM) and 2.6 +/- 0.2 days, respectively, after treatment, and subsequent ovulation occurred 2.4 +/- 0.3 and 2.7 +/- 0.2 days, respectively, after embryonic death. Administration of a mitotic inhibitor (1 mg of colchicine, intrauterine; n = 4) on day 42 resulted in embryonic death in 1.2 +/- 0.2 days and ovulation in 20.8 +/- 3.1 days after embryonic death. Rupture of the amnion on day 42 (n = 3) resulted in immediate death of the embryo and ovulation in 35 +/- 3.5 days. In prostaglandin-treated heifers, area of the corpus luteum decreased (P less than 0.01) between days -2 and -1, relative to day of embryonic death. Volume of uterine contents remained approximately constant for 2 or 3 days after treatment, then decreased greater than 75% between examinations on consecutive days. Embryonic death apparently resulted from luteolysis and was characterized by rapid loss of the conceptus with minimal conceptus degeneration; an intact conceptus was recovered from the vagina of 3 heifers treated on day 42. In heifers treated with colchicine or in which the amnion was ruptured, embryonic death was associated with maintenance of the corpus luteum and prolonged retention of the conceptus, which underwent extensive degeneration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Colchicine; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography

Serum and urinary estrone sulfate concentrations were determined in 7 pregnant mares before and after prostaglandin-induced abortion (n = 4) or surgical removal of the fetus (n = 3) to determine the source of estrogen during early pregnancy (gestation days [GD] 44 to 89). Estrone sulfate concentrations also were determined in serum samples (stored frozen for 2 years) from 3 mares that had been ovariectomized between GD 51 and 58. Estrone sulfate concentrations decreased in serum and urine after expulsion or removal of the fetus (urinary patterns were more definitive than were patterns for serum), whereas a transient decrease in serum estrone sulfate concentration was observed after ovariectomy. Seemingly, products of conception are the major source of estrone sulfate during early pregnancy, although there appears to be some ovarian contribution. Serum or urinary estrone sulfate measurements provide a simple and accurate test for fetal viability after GD 44 in the mare.

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Dinoprost; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); Estrone; Female; Fetal Death; Horse Diseases; Horses; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F

Concentrations of the enzymes creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT/GOT) were determined in plasma of 100 gilts and 175 sows at the 112. day of pregnancy and one day after parturition. Gilts and sows were divided into a stress resistant (n = 146) and a stress susceptible group (n = 129) following the creatine-kinase-test carried out after the performance test period at a body weight of 90 kg (CK-90). Stress susceptible gilts and sows showed higher CK-values before and especially after parturition than stress resistant ones. Significant correlations were demonstrable between CK-90 and the CK values before and after parturition (r = 0.5). Regarding body temperature, respiration rate and heart frequency as well as the percentage of stillborn piglets, the two groups of sows did not differ from each other. The increase of enzyme activities after parturition was not influenced by prophylactic treatment with prostaglandin-F2-alpha or beta receptor blocking agent. The beta blocking agent Carazolol, however, caused a transient depression of heart rate after parturition.

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Body Temperature; Creatine Kinase; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Heart Rate; Malignant Hyperthermia; Obstetric Labor Complications; Pregnancy; Propanolamines; Prostaglandins F; Respiration; Swine; Swine Diseases

The infusion of Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin into pregnant mares resulted in a biphasic release pattern of PGF-2 alpha as determined by 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF-2 alpha concentrations. The initial phase of 1 h duration was followed by accentuated release by 2 h after infusion; concentrations reached basal levels by 6 h. In 7 mares at 23, 26, 29, 33, 36, 53 and 55 days of gestation, fetal death occurred between 36 and 120 h after infusion; 12 mares at 46, 51, 56, 59, 65, 71, 73, 85, 103, 138, 283 and 318 days of gestation did not abort after endotoxin infusion. Luteal activity was compromised in all mares by 9 h after infusion. Progesterone concentrations were consistently lower in mares that aborted (1-2 ng/ml) than in those that did not abort. Mares therefore appear to be vulnerable to fetal loss by a clinical syndrome induced by Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin until about 50-60 days of gestation.

Topics: Animals; Dinoprost; Endotoxins; Female; Fetal Death; Horse Diseases; Horses; Lipopolysaccharides; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Prostaglandins F; Salmonella typhimurium

Pregnancy was terminated in 4 cows by manual rupture of the amniotic vesicle on day 41 (n = 1) and day 46 (n = 3) after insemination. Each cow was necropsied 36 days after vesicle rupture, by which time only one cow had come into estrus. Luteal activity, monitored daily by plasma progesterone assay, was still evident in 2 cows 35 days after fetal death; in the remaining 2 cows, regression of the corpus luteum (CL) was achieved at 28 and 32 days, respectively. Uterine release of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), measured as the 15-keto metabolite (PGFM) PGF2 alpha, was monitored by a plasma sampling schedule; specimens were obtained every 4 hours. There were no appreciable releases of PGF2 alpha associated with fetal death. The first appreciable PGF2 alpha release in episodic form was seen only in conjunction with CL regression. In all cows, a palpable membrane slip was evident for 18 days after rupture of the amniotic vesicle, although at that time, uterine resilience was diminished in the 2 cows in which the CL subsequently regressed. After 18 days, the uterus was noticeably edematous and fluid-filled in all cows; in 1 of the cows with a regressed CL, the uterus had returned to prepregnancy size and tone by day 33.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Estrus; Female; Fetal Death; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Tests; Progesterone; Prostaglandins F; Uterus

Topics: Abortion, Missed; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Labor, Induced; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F

In 42 patients with intrauterine fetal death between the 29th and 43rd week of gestation, a standard, 2-step procedure was employed to deliver the dead fetus. After priming with an intracervical application of PGF2 alpha- or PGE2-gel, labor was induced by extra-amniotic prostaglandin (PG) gel or oxytocin infusion while under epidural anesthesia. Intracervical PG application led to a significant improvement in the modified Bishop score from 1.3 to 7.6 after a mean of 8 h. In 20 patients labor and progressive dilatation of the cervix occurred after intracervical PG gel application alone. The average total therapy time was 18.1 h in patients treated with PGF2 alpha and 13.7 h in the PGE2-treated group. The average induction of labor to delivery intervals were 8.8 h in the PGF2 alpha- and 7.1 h in the PGE2-group. Gastrointestinal side effects were observed in only 5 patients. The combination of cervical ripening with intracervical PG gel application and induction of labor by extra-amniotic PG gel under epidural anesthesia is an efficient and safe method for treatment of intrauterine fetal death.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cervix Uteri; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Female; Fetal Death; Gels; Humans; Labor, Induced; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins; Prostaglandins E; Prostaglandins F; Time Factors

Serum bilirubin concentrations were investigated in neonatal rats. High concentrations were found on day 1 falling to adult values by day 4. Oxytocin (500 IU/kg) given subcutaneously to the dams on day 22 of pregnancy increased bilirubin concentrations in neonatal rats. This dose of oxytocin shortened gestational length but increased the neonatal death rate. Oxytocin (500 IU/kg) also increased uterine contractions on day 22 of pregnancy, measured using intrauterine balloons inserted on day 19 of pregnancy. Rats delivered by Caesarian section at the same gestational age as the oxytocin-treated group did not exhibit hyperbilirubinaemia. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (300 micrograms/kg) administered intramuscularly on day 20 of pregnancy was found to advance parturition and produced a small rise in serum bilirubin concentrations in neonatal rats. The rat could serve as a model for investigating the mechanisms of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia which has been suggested to occur after the use of oxytocin or prostaglandins in the human.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Bilirubin; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Gestational Age; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Spectrophotometry

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Abortion, Missed; Adult; Amnion; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Injections; Labor, Induced; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Prostaglandins F

A neuropathological examination was carried out on the brains of 58 foals. Forty-two were pony foals induced at various periods of gestation from 200 days onwards. Two were pre-viable pony foals delivered by caesarean section and 14 were Thoroughbred foals (one set of twins, two stillborn, five premature, two dysmature, two convulsive and one induced). The only significant pathological change involved intracranial haemorrhage. Subarachnoid haemorrhage occurred in all of 10 pony foals induced before 301 days of gestation and in two pony foals born by caesarean section at 270 and 280 days gestation. Subarachnoid haemorrhage was also present in some pony and Thoroughbred foals born after 301 days gestation; the incidence usually appeared greater in those pony foals which survived for the shortest periods. Haemorrhage also occurred elsewhere in the brains, including the cerebral white matter, the molecular layer of the cerebellum and the medulla, but the intensity could not be related to either length of gestation or duration of survival. No other neuropathological changes were found that could account for the functional state of the animals, whether they were pre-viable, premature, dysmature or convulsive.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Brain; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Horse Diseases; Horses; Labor, Induced; Luteolytic Agents; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic

Topics: Adult; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Labor, Induced; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Prostaglandins F; Uterine Rupture

Topics: Adult; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Labor, Induced; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F

DIPA [5,6-bis(dibenzyloxy)-1-oxo-2-propyl-2-indanpropionic acid] was evaluated for its antiabortifacient action in mice. PGF2 alpha administered intramuscularly twice daily at 525 micrograms/kg per dose starting on day-17 of gestation resulted in premature delivery (prior to day-19 of gestation) in 55% of the animals. This constituted an ED50 abortifacient dosage schedule of PGF2 alpha. Intramuscular administration of DIPA at a dose of 50 mg/kg twice daily, starting on day-15 of gestation, protected the mice against the premature delivery induced by the ED50 dosage schedule of PGF2 alpha in that only 20% of the animals delivered prematurely. In saline-treated controls, none of the animals delivered prior to day-19 of gestation. Thus, DIPA appears to be an effective antiabortifacient agent.

Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Biometry; Body Weight; Dinoprost; Embryo Implantation; Embryo, Mammalian; Female; Fetal Death; Indans; Indenes; Male; Mice; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Prostaglandins F; Sex Ratio

Topics: Abortion, Missed; Abortion, Therapeutic; Adult; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Labor, Induced; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Anencephaly; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Gels; Humans; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Congenital Abnormalities; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Labor, Induced; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F

Prostaglandin F2 alpha was administered extraamniotically for termination of pregnancy in 15 cases of intrauterine fetal death between 18 and 39 wk gestation and in 10 cases of fetal abnormality or hydatidiform mole between 16 and 28 wk gestation. Although delivery was achieved with minimal side effects in all cases, the best results were obtained in patients with intrauterine fetal death. It is concluded that discontinuous extraamniotic prostaglandin therapy constitutes a safe and effective approach for the active management of intrauterine fetal death.. Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) was administered extraamniotically for pregnancy termination in 15 cases of intrauterine fetal death between 18-39 weeks gestation and in 10 cases of fetal abnormality or hydatidiform mole between 16-28 weeks gestation. After thorough cleansing of the cervix a No. 16 Foley catheter was inserted and retained in the extraamniotic space by means of the balloon, inflated with 10 ml of saline. PGF2alpha tromethamine salt (Prostin F2alpha, Upjohn Netherland, was diluted to an aqueous solution of 0.25 mg PGF2alpha/ml and administered via the catheter at 1 hour intervals. Treatment was started with 0.5 mg (2 ml) and the initial dosage was increased by increments of 0.25 mg to a maximum of 1 mg/hour if uterine contractility did not ensue. Temperature, pulse rate, and blood pressure were checked regularly. Antibiotherapy (ampicillin) was routinely given at the beginning of the study but later abandoned. Pethidine was used as an analgesic whenever required. Abortion or delivery was achieved in all 25 cases studied. In all but 1 of the patients with intrauterine fetal death, delivery occurred within 24 hours and the placenta was delivered spontaneously and complete in 11 of the 15 patients (73%). There was no relationship between the duration of fetal death and induction delivery interval. In cases with an abnormal but living fetus or hydatidiform mole, abortion was frequently incomplete and the mean induction abortion interval (24.4 hours) was 10 hours longer than that observed in cases of intrauterine fetal death (14.5 hours). 5 of the 10 patients required intravenous oxytocin from a cervical dilatation of 3-6 cm onwards and from 14-30 hours after the start of PGF2alpha administration. In these cases abortion always followed within 3 hours of starting the oxytocin infusion. Side effects were moderate in both groups of patients and pyrexia of 38 degrees Centigrade or more was never encountered. None of the patients showed any signs of intrauterine infection. Blood loss exceeded 500 ml in 4 of the 25 patients studied (16%), but only 1 patient, with a molar pregnancy, lost as much as 1000 ml. Discontinuous extraamniotic prostaglandin therapy constitutes a safe and effective approach for the active management of intrauterine fetal death.

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Congenital Abnormalities; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Labor, Induced; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Prostaglandins F