title: Evaluation of clinical and luteolytic effects of a novel prostaglandin analogue in normal and problem mares.
abstract: Alfaprostal (K 11941), a novel prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue was clinically tested in 24 dioestrous mares, 40 anoestrous mares and 31 postpartum mares, all being given 2 or 3 mg intramuscularly. Blood samples were taken for the determination of plasma progesterone levels and the objective confirmation of luteolytic drug effects. Two hundred and thirty-six mares at the same location were used for comparisons of the rates of pregnancy, early embryonic loss and foaling. Alfaprostol was found to act as a potent luteolytic agent with good oestrus induction, follicular development and normal conception (72.6%) and foaling rate (65.3%). No side effects were observed. Treatments commenced early in the season (October), when only 35% of the anoestrous mares showed elevated progesterone levels, but in 80% of anoestrous mares with baseline progesterone levels, alfaprostol initiated heat and ovulation followed by normal fertility.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006736:Horses; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000662:veterinary*; D008186:Luteolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D008186:Luteolytic Agents; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D011374:Progesterone; C038354:alfaprostol