Miscarriage Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Miscarriage, including details on signs, symptoms, recurrent, pregnancy.

Decrease of body temperature after aglepristone treatment in bitches.

Corrada Y, García P, de la Sota PE, Huzman M, Landoni MF, Gobello C

Clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata CC 296, Argentina.

Body temperature responses and the timing of abortions were evaluated in pregnant bitches with the anti-progestin aglepristone. Fifteen purebred and crossbred, 25-45 days pregnant, were included in this study and seven untreated bitches at the same stage of pregnancy served as controls. Treated bitches were administered two applications of aglepristone (10 mg/kg SC) 24 h apart for pregnancy termination. Pregnancy termination was confirmed by ultrasonographic assessment. Body temperature was rectally measured three times a day for 6 days beginning 24 h before treatment or pregnancy diagnosis in the treated and control bitches, respectively. Additionally, serum progesterone concentrations were assessed at time points during the study in the treated bitches. Pregnancy was terminated in 14 treated bitches in a mean+/-S.E.M. of 4.3+/-0.7 days after treatment. Control bitches remained pregnant. In the treated bitches, but not in the controls, body temperature significantly decreased 24 h after the beginning of the treatments (P < 0.01) and then gradually returned to pre-treatment values. Correlation between the day of mean minimum body temperature and the day of pregnancy termination was low (0.07; > 0.05). Progesterone did not show significant change throughout the study. Body temperature does not seem to be a suitable variable to clinically monitor the aborting effect of aglepristone. Decrease of body temperature after aglepristone treatment could represent further evidence of its hypothalamic effects.

Published 24 May 2005 in Anim Reprod Sci, 87(3): 295-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Miscarriage Research Today. All Rights Reserved.