Effect of phenylbutazone (PBZ) on luteolysis in the mare induced by uterine biopsy

Uterine biopsy in the mare on day 4 post-ovulation causes an acute inflammatory reaction which results in premature luteolysis. In this study, seven mares (4 to 6 years of age) were used in a switchback experimental design to test the hypothesis that in the mare parenterally administered PBZ will block luteolysis induced by uterine biopsy on day 4 post-ovulation. All mares were allowed two normal estrous cycles (range 18 to 24 days). On the first day of estrus of the third estrous cycle each mare was intravenously given 2 grams PBZ (treatment) or 10 ml 0.9% saline (control) daily until signs of estrus were exhibited. The day of ovulation (day 0) was determined by rectal palpation and subsequently verified by peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations. On day 4 following ovulation all mares were subjected to uterine biopsy, and subsequent estrus detection was performed daily using an andro-genized gelding. A total of 19 estrous cycles (ten for PBZ treatment and nine for controls) were evaluated. Mean number of days (+/-SE) from uterine biopsy to induced estrus was 5.00+/-0.16 for control cycles and was significantly different (P<0.025) when compared with 9.20+/-0.34 days for treatment cycles. Results of this study suggest that PBZ can block luteolysis in the mare induced by uterine biopsy on day 4 post-ovulation, possibly as a result of accumulating PBZ in acutely inflamed uterine tissue and inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.