Fenprostalene-induced abortion in bitches.

A long-acting prostaglandin F2 α analogue, fenprostalene, was subcutaneously administered singly at doses of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 or 150 μg on day 25 after ovulation during pregnancy in bitches (n=4 for each dosage), and maintenance of pregnancy, changes in plasma progesterone concentration, interval between the treatment and subsequent estrus and conception rate at that estrus were studied. Abortion was associated with a decrease in the plasma progesterone concentration below about 2 ng/ml, and the abortifacient effect was dose-dependent. Administration of 50 μg or more of fenprostalene induced abortion in all dogs 3 to 13 days after the treatment. The interval between administration and subsequent estrus was markedly shorter in the aborted bitches than in the non-aborted ones (P<0.01). The conception rate at the estrus in the aborted dogs was 50%, whereas all of the bitches who had not aborted became pregnant. The results indicate that a single administration of fenprostalene could induce abortion during mid-pregnancy in bitches, and the subsequent estrus may come early with a low conception rate.