Equine Pregnancy Endocrinology

Abstract

This chapter will review the physiology of the mare pregnancy, which hormones can be evaluated to diagnosis pregnancy, which hormones can be administered parentally to aid establishment of the equine pregnancy and to ensure continued viability of the pregnancy. The chapter will also focus on hormones that can be administered in cases where pregnancy needs to be terminated. The chapter will review new studies examining the use of low dose deslorelin in aiding pregnancy establishment, and will review the use of oral vs. injectable progesterone supplimentation for the continued viability of the pregnancy. The chapter will also review the use of prostaglandins and oxytocin adminstration to terminate the pregnancy.