Gene expression profiling of the canine placenta during normal and antigestagen-induced luteolysis.

Next-generation sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed on canine placenta Placental samples collected at natural prepartum luteolysis were compared with those samples obtained from dogs at mid-pregnancy stage. Furthermore, in order to better understand the involvement of P4 and PGR-dependent downstream regulatory mechanisms during initiation of parturition in the dog, samples derived from dogs in which prepartum luteolysis/abortion was induced with the antigestagen aglepristone at mid-pregnancy, were included. With this approach the aim was to acquire new information that could be translated to clinical and breeding practice for more accurate patient management. The sample set derived from antigestagen-treated dogs was compared with mid-pregnant non-treated group that served as non-treated control. Finally, to identify differences in molecular events occurring in the placenta prior to natural parturition and/or abortion, placental transcriptomes of both groups were compared.