Endotoxin-induced and prostaglandin-mediated effects on corpus luteum function in the mare.

Intravenous administration of endotoxin to mares causes synthesis and release of PGF(2alpha); this process affects corpus luteum function, either causing a transient drop in progesterone levels or complete luteolysis with shortening of the estrous cycle. It seems likely that any disease associated with endotoxemia can cause important prostaglandin-mediated effects on reproductive function in the mare.