Luteolysis and associated interrelationships among circulating PGF2α, progesterone, LH, and estradiol in mares

The changing concentrations and temporal relationships among a PGF2α metabolite (PGFM), progesterone (P4), LH, and estradiol-17β (E2) before, during, and after luteolysis were studied in 10 mares. Blood samples were collected every hour for ≥4 d beginning on day 12 after ovulation. The luteolytic period extended from a decrease in P4 at a common transitional hour (Hour 0) at the end of preluteolysis and beginning of luteolysis to a defined ending when P4 reached 1 ng/mL. The length of luteolysis was 22.9 ± 0.9 h, contrasting with 2 d in published P4 profiles from sampling every 6 to 24 h. In mares with complete data for Hours −40 to −2 (n = 6), PGFM concentrations remained below assay sensitivity (n = 2) or two or three small pulses (peak, 29 ± 4 pg/mL) occurred. During luteolysis, the pulses became more prominent (peak, 193 ± 36 pg/mL). Rhythmicity of PGFM pulses was not detected by a pulsatility program during preluteolysis but was detected in seven of nine mares during luteolysis and postluteolysis combined. The nadir-to-nadir interval for LH pulses and the peak-to-peak interval between adjacent pulses were longer (P < 0.05) during preluteolysis than during luteolysis (nadir to nadir, 5.2 ± 0.3 h vs 3.6 ± 0.4 h; peak to peak, 9.4 ± 1.0 h vs 4.7 ± 0.5 h). Unlike reported findings in cattle, concentrations of P4 decreased linearly within the hours of each PGFM pulse during luteolysis, and a positive effect of an LH pulse on P4 and E2 concentration was not detected. The reported balancing of P4 concentrations between a negative effect of PGF2α and a positive effect of LH in heifers was not detected in mares.