Foetal and maternal plasma concentrations of 13, 14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F in the mare during late pregnancy and at parturition.

The concentrations of 13, 14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F(PGFM), the stable metabolite of prostaglandin F, were measured in the plasma of catheterized mares and foetuses and non-catheterized thoroughbred mares and ponies during the last months of gestation. The plasma concentration of PGFM increased gradually towards term in all groups of animals. During the operation for insertion of catheters, maternal and foetal concentrations of PGFM were high, but the values fell to basal levels 24--48 h after the operation. It was found the preoperative starvation (24 h) led to a rise in the concentration of PGFM in the maternal plasma. The raised concentrations of PGFM during the operation were associated with low progestogen and high oestrogen concentrations in umbilical venous plasma. The subsequent survival period of the catheterized foal was inversely related to the maximum concentration of PGFM were studied during normal parturition in thoroughbred mares, during oxytocin-induced delivery in non-catheterized ponies and during premature delivery or abortion in the catheterized animals. The greatest increase in the concentration of PGFM was seen in the thoroughbred animals during second-stage labour; oxytocin also resulted in a very rapid rise in the level of PGFM, which remained high until delivery. In the catheterized animals, the birth of live foetuses was associated with a rise in the concentration of PGFM in both foetal and maternal plasma during the last 2 h before delivery. Less consistent changes were found during abortion.