Goat flock abortion: a retrospective study at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Small ruminants are the principal component of livestock production in Tigray region, Ethiopia. But their productivity is affected by various factors. According to farmers and expert observation, goat abortion is among the leading causes of production losses in Tanqua-Abergelle district. However, study findings that examine the extent of distribution and economic impact of abortion cases in goats in the district are scarce. This retrospective study investigated the occurrence of abortion and its associated risk factors in three goat breed types at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center goat breeding site over a seven year period. The study included a total of does above one year old, and data were collected from a casebook that was specifically prepared for abortion cases. A thorough follow up was conducted to identify abortion cases. Additionally, a community survey was conducted in selected villages where the research center is located. RESULTS: The overall abortion proportion was 29.8% in the goat farm. Begait goat breeds had the highest abortion proportion (50.9%, CI 0.36-0.64) in 2015/16. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified year, season, age and breed as major risk factors of abortion occurrence at flock level. Accordingly, the likelihood of goats experiencing abortion during the dry season (proportion = 34) was 1.87 times higher compared to those in the wet season (proportion = 22.8). Begait breeds had a higher incidence of abortion (proportion 37.5%, OR 4.87, CI 2.49-10.35) compared to other breeds. Age was negatively associated with abortion, suggesting that older goats (OR = 0.67) had a higher relative risk than younger goats (OR = 0.57). Moreover, the study noted a high incidence of abortion during the years 2014/15 to 2016/17 (proportion = 35.7-39.7). Within-breed analysis revealed that age and season were significant risk factors for Abergelle and Begait breeds, respectively by using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. A community survey indicated that 89.7% households responded their goats experienced abortion. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the high prevalence of goat abortion at Abergelle and identifies important risk factors associated with its occurrence. The findings can inform targeted interventions to reduce abortion rates and improve goat productivity in the district.

Laparoscopic ovariectomy in dogs in late gestation.

BACKGROUND: Surgical sterilization of stray dogs is the most widely used technique to control stray dog population. Although ovariectomy is an effective technique for elective sterilization of female dogs, most stray dog population control programs generally utilize ovariohysterectomy for spaying female dogs. In the context of stray dog sterilization, laparoscopic ovariectomy has been utilized and reported to be cost-effective compared to programs utilizing open surgical approaches. However, when pregnant stray dogs are encountered either conventional ovariohysterectomy is performed or surgery is deferred altogether. It is reported that ovariectomy at any stage during canine pregnancy results in fetal resorption or abortion, however, clinical outcomes following laparoscopic ovariectomy in dogs in late gestation have not been previously reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of laparoscopic ovariectomy with intra-gestational sac injection (IGSI) of potassium chloride (KCl) in dogs in late gestation. RESULTS: Eight client owned dogs in the gestational age range of 40-50 days underwent laparoscopic ovariectomy with IGSI of KCl. Laparoscopic ovariectomy resulted in decreased serum progesterone from 11.6 ± 2.6 ng/ml on day 0 to 1.3 ± 0.4 ng/ml 24 h' post-surgery. IGSI of KCl did not result in immediate fetal death and fetal death temporally closely followed the drop in serum progesterone noted 24 h post-ovariectomy. Viscous brown vulvar discharge preceded fetal expulsion by 12 h and all the fetuses were dead when expelled. Uterine evacuation was documented within 45 ± 20 h (1-3.5 days) in all dogs without any clinically significant complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ovariectomy enables elective termination of pregnancy and simultaneous neutering of dogs in late gestation and has potential applications in high volume stray dog sterilization programs which utilize laparoscopy. Utility of IGSI of KCl in this regard is unclear.

Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii and association with early pregnancy and abortion rates in New Zealand farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus).

This study tested for association between Toxoplasma gondii and pregnancy and abortion to investigate sub-optimal reproduction in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus). Sera from a sub-sample (n = 2304) of pregnant and non-pregnant hinds in early gestation at first pregnancy scan (scan 1) and approximately at the end of second trimester at second pregnancy scan (scan 2) were tested for T. gondii antibodies using a validated ELISA. Foetuses and/or uteri from pregnant, non-pregnant, and aborting hinds at scan 1, scan 2, or weaning were tested for T. gondii DNA by nested PCR. At scan 1, 31.1% of 861 rising two-year-old (R2) and 28.3% of 357 mixed-aged (MA, ≥ 2 years) hinds were sero-positive. There was no association between scan 1 serology and non-pregnancy at animal (R2, p = 0.05 and MA, p = 0.43) or herd level (R2, p = 0.37). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 3/18 placenta and 4/18 foetal brains from aborting R2 hinds and 15/157 R2 and 3/21 MA uteri from non-pregnant hinds at scan 1. At scan 2, sero-prevalence was higher (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.04-2.48) in aborted (34.3% of 268) than in non-aborted (23.5% of 446) R2 hinds (p = 0.03) and 7.9% of abortions between scans were attributable to T. gondii exposure. Within-herd sero-prevalence at scan 2 was positively associated with daily abortion rate in R2 herds with aborted hinds (p < 0.001) but not in MA herds (p = 0.07). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in 27/169 uteri, 2/20 cotyledons, and 1/5 foetal brains from aborted hinds at scan 2 and in uteri from 5/33 hinds not rearing a calf to weaning. Toxoplasma gondii RFLP genotyping of five loci revealed a unique type I/III genotype pattern, TgRDNZ1, in a foetal brain sample, not been previously reported in deer. These findings provide serological and molecular evidence that T. gondii infection is associated with abortion in red deer, possibly in all three trimesters.

Immune response in bovine neosporosis: Protection or contribution to the pathogenesis of abortion.

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite with a preference for cattle and dogs as hosts. When N. caninum infection occurs in cattle it induces abortion, bovine neosporosis being a main cause of abortion worldwide. In dairy cattle, the economic burden of neosporosis-associated abortion is so great that it might results in closure of a farm. However, not all infected cows abort and it is not yet understood why this occurs. At present there is no effective treatment or vaccine. This review provides insights on how immune response against the parasite determines protection or contribution to abortion. Aspects on markers of risk of abortion are also discussed. Humoral immune responses are not protective against N. caninum but seropositivity and antibody level can be good markers for a diagnosis of bovine neosporosis and its associated abortion risk. In addition, humoral mechanisms against N. caninum infection and abortion differ in pure-breed and cross-breed pregnant dairy and beef cattle. Concentrations of Pregnancy Associated glycoprotein -2 (PAG-2) can also be used to predict abortion. A partially protective immune response encompasses increased IFN-γ expression, which has to be counterbalanced by other cytokines such as IL-12 and IL-10, especially towards the end of pregnancy. Although IFN-γ is required to limit parasite proliferation a critical threshold of the IFN-γ response is also required to limit adverse effects on pregnancy. In clinical terms, it may be stated that IFN-γ production and cross-breed pregnancy can protect Neospora-infected dairy cows against abortion.

Interplacental uterine expression of genes involved in prostaglandin synthesis during canine pregnancy and at induced prepartum luteolysis/abortion.

BACKGROUND: In the non-pregnant dog, ovarian cyclicity is independent of a uterine luteolysin. This is in contrast to pregnant animals where a prepartum increase of luteolytic PGF2α occurs, apparently originating in the pregnant uterus. Recently, the placenta as a source of prepartum prostaglandins (PGs) was investigated, indicating fetal trophoblast cells as the likely main source. However, the possible contribution of uterine interplacental tissues to the production of these hormones has not yet been thoroughly examined in the dog. METHODS: Several key factors involved in the production and/or actions of PGs were studied: cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2, PTGS2), PGF2α-synthase (PGFS/AKR1C3), PGE2-synthase (PGES), and the respective receptors FP (PTGFR), EP2 (PTGER2) and EP4 (PGTER4), 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (HPGD), PG-transporter (PGT, SLCO2A1) and progesterone receptor. Their expression and localization patterns were assessed by Real Time PCR and immunohistology in the interplacental uterine sites from pregnant dogs during the pre-implantation period (days 8-12), post-implantation (days 18-25), mid-gestation (days 35-40) and during antigestagen-induced luteolysis/abortion. RESULTS: Whereas only low COX2 expression was observed in uterine samples at all the selected time points, expression of PGFS/AKR1C3 strongly increased post-implantation. A gradual increase in PGES-mRNA expression was noted towards mid-gestation. FP-mRNA expression decreased significantly with the progression of pregnancy until mid-gestation. This was associated with clearly detectable expression of HPGD, which did not change significantly over time. The expression of FP and EP2-mRNA decreased significantly over time while EP4-mRNA expression remained unaffected. The antigestagen-treatment led to a significant increase in expression of COX2, PGES, EP2 and PGT (SLCO2A1) mRNA. COX2 was localized predominantly in the myometrium. The expression of PGFS/AKR1C3, which was unchanged, was localized mostly to the surface luminal epithelium. The expression of EP4, PGT and HPGH did not change during treatment, they were co-localized with PGES and EP2 in all uterine compartments. CONCLUSIONS: The data clearly demonstrate the basic capability of the canine pregnant uterus to produce and respond to PGs and suggests their functions both as local regulatory factors involved in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, as well as potential contributors to the process of parturition, supporting the myometrial contractility associated with fetal expulsion.

Medical termination of pregnancy in cynomolgus macaques.

BACKGROUND: Although pregnancy is expected during studies of novel contraceptives in non-human primates, gestation, delivery, and lactation remove females from groups for prolonged intervals. As the macaque cervix does not facilitate transcervical surgical termination of pregnancy, we sought to establish a medical termination protocol. METHODS: A descriptive case series of outcomes of medical termination of pregnancy up to 32 days gestation in cynomolgus monkeys. Efficacy and time to uterine resolution were determined according to medication, dose, and route of administration. RESULTS: Thirty-seven macaques underwent 65 medical terminations. Over 80% of animals terminated after initial treatment with mifepristone 20 mg intramuscularly (IM). Intrafetal methotrexate was effective for salvage treatment. Medical termination regimens were less effective for animals receiving investigational contraceptive agents. CONCLUSIONS: Medical termination for macaques is safe and effective. We recommend a protocol with mifepristone 20 mg IM and misoprostol 200 µg buccally as initial treatment.

Changes in serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein, pregnancy-specific protein B, and progesterone concentrations before and after induction of pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows.

Lactating crossbred dairy cows were synchronized to receive a timed artificial insemination (TAI), and blood samples were collected from all cows from TAI until pregnancy diagnosis 39 d after TAI (period 1), and from pregnant cows from onset of treatment until the end of the experiment (period 2). Cows diagnosed pregnant 39 d after TAI were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments to receive (1) an i.m. injection of saline (CON, n=10); (2) an i.m. injection of PGF(2α) (PGF, n=10); or (3) an intrauterine infusion of 120 mL of hypertonic saline (INF, n=9). During period 1, serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentrations began to increase in pregnant cows by 25 d after TAI and differed from those in nonpregnant cows by 27 d after TAI, whereas serum pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) concentrations in pregnant cows differed from those in nonpregnant cows by 22 d after TAI. During period 2, time from treatment to cessation of the embryonic heartbeat was greater for PGF than for INF cows (36.0±5.7 vs. 0.2±0.1 h, respectively), and time from treatment to conceptus disappearance was greater for INF than for PGF cows (7.1±3.3 vs. 1.9±0.3 d, respectively). Overall, progesterone concentration was greater for CON and INF than for PGF cows (8.7±2.8, 8.2±3.1, and 1.0±2.3 ng/mL, respectively) due to luteal regression for PGF cows and corpus luteum maintenance for CON and INF cows. Serum PAG and PSPB concentrations differed among CON cows and PGF and INF cows beginning 1 and 2.5 d after treatment for PAG and PSPB, respectively. By 9.5 d after treatment, PAG and PSPB concentrations were similar to those of nonpregnant cows. We conclude that although timing of conceptus expulsion occurred 5.2 d later for INF than for PGF cows, serum PAG and PSPB concentrations decreased at a similar rate from the onset of treatment for both models of pregnancy loss evaluated.

Expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases in the uterus of bitches after spontaneous and induced abortion.

Aim of this study was to determine the intrauterine activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 after cessation of the local effect of progesterone. For this purpose, pregnancy was terminated in 10 bitches at mid-gestation with the progesterone receptor antagonist aglepristone (10 mg/kg body weight, sc, Alizine®; Virbac, France) at two subsequent days (group IRA = induced resorption/abortion). The IRA group was divided into two subgroups (Group I, n = 5, days 25-35 of pregnancy; group II, n = 5, days 36-45). Five further bitches were introduced with beginning abortion (group SRA = spontaneous resorption/abortion). Seven healthy bitches between day 25 and 45 of gestation served as controls. After ovariohysterectomy at the end of abortion and between days 25 and 45 of gestation, respectively, the distribution and activity of collagenases were investigated by immunohistochemistry and gelatin zymography. At placental sites, MMP-2 activity in the endometrium was significantly lower in IRA groups than in the SRA group (33.7 ± 11.8% and 39.3 ± 5.4% vs 52.2 ± 10.2%, p < 0.05); however, MMP-2 expression was lowest in the control group (control: 21.4 ± 6.3%; p < 0.01) and similarly in the myometrium (controls: 13.1 ± 2.5%; p < 0.05). MMP-9 activity was also lower in the endometrium and myometrium of the control group in comparison to SRA and IRA groups (11.8 ± 3.2%; p < 0.01 and 28.4 ± 32.8%; p < 0.05). At interplacental sites, the amount of active collagenases in the myometrium was significantly lower in the control group. It is concluded that the blockade of the biological progesterone effect was associated with an increase in activity of both collagenases.

Direct economic losses of Toxoplasma gondii abortion outbreaks in two Spanish sheep flocks.

This study estimates the economic losses due to outbreaks of toxoplasma abortions in a dairy (1928 sheep) and a meat (700 sheep) flock in Spain raised under intensive and semi-extensive management conditions, respectively. In both flocks, sheep were divided into multiple groups to synchronise reproduction. The outbreaks resulted in abortion rates in individual lots of 12.6% (30/239) in the dairy flock and 33.3% (70/210) in the meat flock. Toxoplasma gondii was definitively diagnosed in most submitted cases and the only abortifacient pathogen identified despite extensive investigation. Upon completion of lambing and lactation, veterinarians and farmers completed a questionnaire to gather the data to determine the direct economic impact. The calculated total direct economic losses were €5154.5 (€171.8/abortion) in the dairy flock and €4456 (€63.6/abortion) in the meat flock. Results suggest that flock size, production system, abortion rate and control measures are the key factors influencing economic losses, which vary greatly between individual flocks.

[Vigilance for veterinary medicinal products: declarations of adverse reactions in the year 2009]. / Vigilance der Tierarzneimittel: Gemeldete unerwünschte Wirkungen im Jahr 2009.

During the year 2009, 134 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) were received (106 in the year 2008). The distribution according to species and drug classes remained in line with previous years. Companion animals were involved in most of the reports (46 % dogs, 19 % cats), followed by cattle or calves (22 %). Antiparasitic drugs made the biggest part with 30 % of the reports, followed by antiinfectives (19 %) and hormones (13 %). Some reactions following their use are specifically discussed. 95 additional enquiries about ADRs of VMPs were received by the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre in Zürich. Most of them concerned dogs or cats and antiparasitics or anti-inflammatory drugs. In the vaccinovigilance program, a total of 1020 reports were received, of which 1000 were related to the vaccination against blue tongue disease. The most frequently reported adverse reactions were aborts, mastitis or alterations of milk quality and they are specifically discussed.

Experimental evaluation of tulathromycin as a treatment for Campylobacter jejuni abortion in pregnant ewes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of tulathromycin for prevention of abortion in pregnant ewes when administered within 24 hours after experimental inoculation with Campylobacter jejuni. ANIMALS: 20 pregnant ewes between 72 and 92 days of gestation. PROCEDURES: All ewes were inoculated with a field strain of C jejuni (8.5 × 108 to 10.6 × 108 CFUs, IV). Eighteen hours later, ewes received either tulathromycin (1.1 mL/45 kg [2.4 mg/kg], SC; n = 10) or sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (1.1 mL/45 kg, SC; sham; 10). Ewes were euthanized immediately after observation of vaginal bleeding, abortion, or completion of a 21-day observation period. Necropsy was performed on all ewes, and tissue specimens were obtained for bacterial culture and histologic examination. RESULTS: 1 sham-treated ewe and 1 tulathromycin-treated ewe developed signs of severe endotoxemia and were euthanized within 24 hours after C jejuni inoculation. Seven sham-treated and 2 tulathromycin-treated ewes developed vaginal bleeding or aborted and were euthanized between 4 and 21 days after C jejuni inoculation. The proportion of tulathromycin-treated ewes that developed vaginal bleeding or aborted during the 21 days after C jejuni inoculation (2/9) was significantly less than that for the sham-treated ewes (7/9). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that administration of tulathromycin to pregnant ewes following exposure to C jejuni was effective in decreasing the number of C jejuni-induced abortions. Because of concerns regarding the development of macrolide resistance among Campylobacter strains, prophylactic use of tulathromycin in sheep is not recommended.

Investigating abortions in small ruminants.

This focus article was prepared by Amanda Carson and colleagues of the APHA Small Ruminant Expert Group.

Aglepristone and cloprostenol combination in the termination of late-term pregnancy in queens.

OBJECTIVES: Termination rates for the highly recommended aglepristone (AGL) treatment are low in late-term pregnancy in queens. We studied the effects of an AGL and cloprostenol (CLO) combination in the termination of late-term pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnant queens were assigned to two groups. Queens in the AGL group (n = 10) received AGL 10 mg/kg, twice, 24 h apart. Queens in the AGL-CLO group (n = 9) were additionally injected with a single dose of CLO (5 µg/kg) 24 h after the second dose of AGL. Progesterone, 17beta(ß)-oestradiol, cortisol, oxytocin and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2α) metabolite were measured in sera obtained at days 0, 1 and 2, and on the day of abortion. RESULTS: Average gestational age in both groups was similar (AGL 38.61 ± 0.91 days vs AGL-CLO 39.39 ± 1.35 days; P >0.05). Termination rates were 80% and 100% in the AGL and AGL-CLO groups, respectively (P <0.05). Fetal expulsion time was significantly longer (P <0.001) in the AGL group (96.9 ± 6 h) compared with the AGL-CLO group (69.8 ± 3.3 h). Duration of abortion was 19.8 ± 2.6 h and 12.6 ± 1.4 h in the AGL and AGL-CLO groups, respectively (P <0.05). Both treatments were well tolerated. Significantly (P <0.05) lower serum progesterone concentrations were observed in both groups at the day of abortion and concentrations in the AGL-CLO group (4.19 ± 0.80 ng/ml) were lower than in the AGL group (9.89 ± 2.21 ng/ml; P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: AGL and CLO combination increases pregnancy termination rate in late-term pregnant queens. In addition, CLO contributes to a decrease in luteal function in AGL-treated late-term pregnant queens.

Machine learning algorithms, bull genetic information, and imbalanced datasets used in abortion incidence prediction models for Iranian Holstein dairy cattle.

The ability to predict abortion incidence, especially in regions with high abortion rates (e.g., Iran), helps improve reproductive performance and, thereby, dairy farm profitability. The objective of this study was to predict pregnancy loss in Iranian dairy herds. For this purpose, the cow history records and bull genetic information available at 6 large commercial dairy farms with cows calved between 2005 and 2014 were extracted from an on-farm record-keeping software. Using WEKA, 12 commonly used machine learning (ML) algorithms were applied to the dataset. The algorithms belonged to 5 classifier groups which were Bayes, meta, functions, rules, and trees. The original dataset including herd-cow factors was randomly divided into 2 subsets: a training dataset and a test one (at a ratio of 60:40). The original dataset was combined with the bull genetic information to create a full dataset. The average abortion rate was 15.4 %, which represented an imbalanced dataset. Therefore, 2 down- and up-sampling techniques were additionally implemented on the original dataset (more specifically on the training one) to create 2 balanced datasets. This ultimately yielded 4 datasets; original, full, down-sampling, and up-sampling. Different algorithms and models were evaluated based on F-measure and area under the curve (AUC). Based on the results obtained, ML algorithms exhibited a high performance in predicting abortion when applied to the balanced dataset. However, their performance varied from 32.3 % (poor) to 69.2 % (medium upward) when applied to the imbalanced original dataset. In addition to the imbalance in the original dataset, the reason for these poor results were attributed to the high proportion of unknown risk factors underlying abortion incidence. Even when including the bull genetic information, it did not lead to any significant improvements in the prediction model. From among the datasets used, the Bayes algorithms outperformed the others in predicting pregnancy losses while rules had the worst performance. Furthermore, while the Bayes algorithms were not affected by the type of dataset (balanced or imbalanced), substantial increases in F-measure and AUC were observed for rules, trees, and functions with balanced datasets. Overall, the balanced models outperformed the others, with the down-sampling method exhibiting the highest performance. Despite the fact that the prediction models used in this study did not perform as expected, it was shown that they can be beneficially used to predict and reduce pregnancy losses, despite their moderate accuracy, especially when used for herds with high abortion rates and low reproductive performances.

Morphological examination of the corpora lutea from pregnant bitches treated with different abortifacient regimes.

Different abortifacient regimes in dogs were analysed for their effect on the pregnancy corpora lutea (CL), namely, prostaglandin F2a analogue cloprostenol (CLO) combined with dopamine agonist cabergoline (CAB), or progesterone (P4) receptor antagonist aglepristone (AGL). Ovaries were collected after 6-10 days of treatment during first trimester. The CL of the control-group showed strong expression of relaxin (RLX), its receptor RXFP1 and enzymes of steroid biosynthesis (HSD) with high peripheral P4-levels. Whereas RXL, RXFP1 and HSD were lowest expressed in the CLO/CAB-group with a massive degeneration of CL and their blood vessels combined with low peripheral P4-level. The AGL-group showed less extensive CL degeneration and more intensive staining of the examined factors than CLO/CAB. In summary, all examined factors are associated with normal luteal function and are useful tools to stage luteolysis. Although both treatments have the same abortive action, their sequence of events on the CL is different.

Comparison of two doses of the GnRH antagonist, acyline, for pregnancy termination in bitches.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are particularly useful when a rapid inhibitory effect on the gonadal axis is required. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy and clinical safety of a low and high dose of the third generation GnRH antagonist, acyline, on pregnancy termination in female dogs. The effect of the antagonist on the progesterone (P(4)) serum concentration was also described. Twenty-one mid-pregnant bitches were randomly assigned to a single subcutaneous (SC) dose of a placebo (PLACE; n = 7), a low (ACY-L; 110 microg/kg; n = 6) or high (ACY-H; 330 microg/kg; n = 8) dose of acyline. The animals were followed up for 15 days. All ACY treated but no placebo-treated animals terminated their pregnancy by abortion (p < 0.01). The ACY-L and ACY-H groups interrupted their pregnancy 7 +/- 1.9 and 6.4 +/- 1.3 days after treatment, respectively (p = 0.7). A significant interaction between treatment and day was found (p < 0.01) for P(4) serum concentrations when PLACE was compared with both ACY groups. No difference was found for this hormone between both ACY groups (p > 0.05) where P(4) diminished throughout the study. The decreasing rate varied among animals and was closely related to the time of abortion when P(4) reached basal concentrations. In PLACE animals, gestation progressed normally and P(4) did not change throughout the study (p > 0.05). None of the bitches presented side effects. It was concluded that acyline safely terminated mid-pregnancy by permanently decreasing P(4) serum concentrations.

An experimental model to study resistance index and systolic/diastolic ratio of uterine arteries in adverse canine pregnancy outcome.

The aim of this study was to describe the changes in the resistance index (RI) and systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) of the uterine arteries during mid-pregnancy abortion induction in the dog. Sixteen 30-35 day pregnant bitches were randomly assigned to either a pharmacological protocol to interrupt gestation (n = 8) or were used as untreated control group (n = 8). Doppler assessments of uterine arteries blood flow were carried out before the initiation of the protocol and then every other day up to abortion (treated group) or parturition (control group). All treated bitches aborted 6 +/- 1.2 days after initiation of the treatment (while none of the non-treated bitches aborted). Pre-treatment RI and S/D did not differ between groups (p > 0.2) while average post-treatment indexes were (mean +/- SD): 0.62 +/- 0.1 vs 0.53 +/- 0.1 (p < 0.01) and 2.96 +/- 0.9 vs 2.23 +/- 0.3 (p = 0.01), for the treated and non-treated group respectively. Correlations between days to abortion and RI or S/D were 0.75 (p < 0.01) and 0.79 (p < 0.01) and, -0.78 (p < 0.01) and -0.73 (p < 0.01) for the treated and non-treated groups respectively. In the treated group, correlations between serum progesterone (P(4)) concentrations and RI and S/D were -0.76 (p < 0.01) and -0.59 (p < 0.01) respectively. It is concluded that, during induction of abortion, RI and S/D of uterine arteries progressively increased while P(4) decreased.

Influence of progesterone withdrawal on pregnancy-related parameters during post-implantation early pregnancy loss.

Pharmacologically-induced luteolysis or treatment with an antiprogestin in early post-implantation pregnancy in dogs results in asynchronous death and resorption of conceptuses, indicating variable rates of response of individual conceptuses towards progesterone deficiency. This variability also seems to occur in bitches showing pregnancy failure in response to spontaneous luteal deficiency. In a total of 10 beagle pregnancies (two consecutive pregnancies of five bitches), abortifacient treatments beginning on day 24 after ovulation (ov) involved either administration of a progestin antagonist (total of six pregnancies, in three bitches) or a luteolytic regimen of prostaglandin F(2alpha)-analogue together with a dopamine agonist (total of four pregnancies, in two bitches). The outcomes were evaluated in relation to four control pregnancies in two bitches by assay of serum progesterone, prolactin and relaxin at selected time points or within selected time periods, by ultrasound of conceptuses including measurement of uterine blood flow, and parameters of the blood fibrinolytic system including plasma fibrinogen and plasminogen. The process of embryonic death and conceptus resorption was variable in onset and duration both in bitches that received the progesterone antagonist aglepristone (AGLE) and in those under the luteolytic treatment (cloprostenol combined with cabergoline). Pregnancy termination (death of all embryos or foetuses, respectively) occurred as early as day 29 and as late as day 41 after ov in AGLE-treated bitches, and not earlier than day 37 after ov in luteolytic-treatment bitches. Impending embryonic death was not predicted by changes in relaxin concentration, parameters of the fibrinolytic system, or in the perfusion of small uteroplacental vessels.

Effect of oral misoprostol, alone or in combination with aglepristone, on mid-term pregnancy termination in cats.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of oral misoprostol (MIS) administration in the induction of mid-term pregnancy termination in cats. METHODS: Twenty-eight cats that were pregnant for 30-40 days were allocated to four groups. The aglepristone (AGL) group (n = 7) received 10 mg/kg SC aglepristone q24h for two consecutive days. In the AGL+MIS group (n = 7), AGL (as administered in the AGL group) and MIS (200 µg/cat PO q12h until the start of abortion) were administered. The MIS200 (n = 7) and MIS400 groups (n = 7) received MIS (200 or 400 µg/cat misoprostol, respectively) alone PO q12h until the start of abortion. Blood samples were collected at the start of treatment (d0), 4 days after the start of treatment (d4) and on the day of complete abortion/end of administration (dA/d7). RESULTS: The efficacy of the treatment was 71.4% in the AGL group, 100% in the AGL+MIS group, 0% in MIS200 group and 57.4% in MIS400 group (P = 0.004). No significance was found in relation to the interval from treatment to the start/end of abortion and the duration of abortion in all groups. The most observed side effect was vomiting in both groups administered MIS, particularly in the MIS400 group (56.7%). Progesterone (P4) concentrations were reduced during the abortion, but not to basal levels, in all groups. P4 concentrations were significantly lower at dA/d7 in the MIS400 group compared with the AGL and AGL+MIS groups (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results obtained from this study showed that low doses of MIS do not induce abortions in cats but increase the effect of AGL. Although higher doses could terminate pregnancies, this also causes intense unwanted side effects. Therefore, the use of MIS alone as an abortifacient in cats is not recommended. For mid-term pregnancy termination in cats, the combination of misoprostol and aglepristone provides a more effective abortifacient than using either of them alone.

CXCL12 expression in aborted mouse uteri induced by IFN-γ: Potential anti-inflammatory effect involves in endometrial restoration after abortion in mice.

Anti-inflammation is a key process to restore tissue integrity and function. CXCL12 is a homeostasis chemokine, which plays a coordinating role in organogenesis, tumorigenesis and regeneration. In the present study we found that the uterus of abortion mice showed different histo-morphological changes with the development of abortion. The expression of chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 in abortion uterus showed a time-dependent pattern. Compared with normal pregnancy, the expression of CXCL12 and CXCR4 did not change in the uterus of GD7 abortion mice, but increased significantly in the uterus of GD8 and GD10 abortion mice. However, the expression of IFN-γ increased significantly in the uterus of GD7 abortion mice, while there was no significant change detected in GD8 aborted mice uterus. Our further data show that the expression of CXCL12 is not regulated by IFN-γ in endometrial stromal cell culture system in vitro. The treatment of CXCL12 significantly inhibits the expression of IFN-γ in in vitro cultured stromal cells and splenic monocytes. This suggests that CXCL12 may play an anti-inflammatory role in the uterus of abortion mice to promote the process of endometrial restoration after abortion, rather than participate in the process of abortion as a response molecule of IFN-γ.