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Veterinary World, Vol.1, No.3, March 2008
False pregnancy is a clinical phenomenon inwhich the non-pregnant female exhibits maternalbehaviour and physical signs of pregnancy at the endof diestrus (luteal phase). The terms false pregnancyand psudopregnancy are often used interchangeablybut they may not always refer to the same hormonalsituations. The term psudopregnancy refersspecifically to the non pregnant luteal phase, usuallyin reference to an animal that is induced to ovulateby coitus, when serum concentrations ofprogesterone are high. Progesterone causesmammary gland development and weight gain butnot the other behavioral and physical changes of falsepregnancy.In contrast to Pseudopregnancy, falsepregnancy is thought to be caused by the decliningserum progesterone concentrations associated withthe end of the luteal phase, which in turn causes anincrease in serum prolactin concentrations. Prolactincauses lactation and the maternal; behavior of falsepregnancy. Because the bitch ovulatesspontaneously and always enters a long luteal phase,false pregnancy is a common phenomenon in cyclingbitches. It is uncommon in queens because they mustfirst have induced to ovulate but not conceive(i.e. pseudopregnancy) and they have a decline inthe progesterone concentration appropriate tostimulate the prolactin release. False
False pregnancy in bitch
W.A.A. Razzaque*
1
, Kafil Husain
2
, Sanjay Agarwal
3
and Sudarshan Kumar
4
Division of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and ObstetricsF.V.Sc. & A.H., SKUAST-J, R.S. Pura-181 102, Jammu
pregnancy also occurs after the withdrawal ofexogenous progestin’s and after oophorectomyperformed during diestrus.False pregnancy is considered a normalphenomenon in bitches. It is not associated with anyreproductive abnormalities, including pyometra orinfertility. Quite the contrary, the occurrence of theFalse pregnancy provides the evidence that ovulationtook place during preceding cycle and that thehypothalamic-pituitary- gonadal axis is intact. Whysome bitches are more prone to developing clinicalsigns and why the severity of clinical signs variesfrom cycle to cycle are not known. False pregnancyis frequently observed in bitches owing to the factthat the met estrus, luteal or proestrus phase of thecycle is approximately of the same duration aspregnancy i.e. 8 to 9 weeks long and is characterizedby clinical signs such as nesting, weight gain,mammary enlargement and lactation. It typicallyoccurs in non-pregnant bitches about 6 to 12 weeksafter estrus. When the changes result in extremebehavior or atypical mammary activity, or arepresented as clinical problems involving changessimilar to those seen in late pregnancy or the earlypost-partum period (Allen, 1986; Arbieter
et al.,
1988;Jochle
et al.,
1987). The exact incidence of clinicalfalse pregnancy or its distribution among breeds isnot known, although it has been estimated
*Corresponding author: waquar1975@rediffmail.com (W.A.A. Razzaque)1 and 3 Asst. Professor Div. of A.R.G.O., F.V.Sc. & AH, R.S.Pura, Jammu 2. Asst. Professor Div. of V.C.M.,F.V.Sc. & AH, R.S.Pura, Jammu,4 Assoc. Professor Division of A.R.G.O., F.V.Sc. & AH, R.S.Pura, Jammu
Abstract
False pregnancy is the most frequent term used to describe this clinical condition in bitches and simplyrefers to the prolonged luteal phase of non-fertile induced ovulatory cycles. Moreover, in the bitches, thesigns of clinical false pregnancy are comparable not so much to those of pregnancy but to those of theperipartum and postpartum periods and lactation. False pregnancy is easy to diagnose and easy to treatusing dopamine agonists. Although some of the agonists have side effects. The patho-physiology of thecondition is not fully understood but a central etiologic role for prolactin is widely accepted. A short lutealphase with an abrupt decline in progesterone, which would be expected to stimulate prolactin release,has been proposed as the cause of false pregnancy.
Keywords:
False pregnancy, Bitch, estrogen, progesterone, sex steroid, patho-physiology.
REVIEW
Veterinary World, Vol.1(3): 92-95092
 
Veterinary World, Vol.1, No.3, March 2008
to be as high as 50 - 75% (Johnston, 1980). Thepituitary hormone prolactin plays a central role in thepatho-physiology of overt false pregnancy, but itsexact role is not completely understood. Theincidence of clinical false pregnancy may beinfluenced by age, breed, parity and environmentalfactors. Nutritional practices may also have aninfluence on the occurrence of false pregnancy(Lawler
et al.,
1999). The purpose of the presentreview is to examine the most relevant aspects ofthe physiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatmentand prevention of clinical false pregnancy.
Clinical Signs
All non-pregnant bitches in mid and late metestrus (i.e., diestrus) and between 6 to 20 weeks afterestrus, have mammary development much greaterthan at any other stage of the cycle and peakmammary size is seen at about 14 weeks(Concannon,1986).The false pregnancy-syndrome usually beginswith behavioral signs such as restlessness,decreased activity, nesting, aggression, licking of theabdomen and mothering inanimate objects. Later,pseudopregnant bitches show physical signs suchus weight gain, mammary enlargement, even milksecretion and let-down and sometimes abdominalcontractions that mimic those of parturition (Jochle
et al.,
1987; Lawler
et al.,
1999; Concannon, 1986).Mammary hypertrophy is usually more evident in themost caudal pair of glands although the entiremammary chain can be involved. Milk productionduring false pregnancy apparently results from thedevelopment of not only intra-acinar but also intra-canalicular mammary secretion in predisposedbitches. Lactation is often encouraged by self-nursingor by adoption of unrelated neonates. Vomiting,anorexia, diarrhea, polyuria, polydipsia, andpolyphagia have also been reported by Johnston(1980).Complications of false pregnancy, like mastitisand mammary dermatitis, are not common and,unless these complications appear, signs of falsepregnancy normally cease after 2 to 4 weeks.Susceptible bitches have a high recurrence rate insuccessive estrous cycles (Johnston, 1986). Overtfalse pregnancy has also been observed to beinduced under the following circumstances: duringprolonged progestin treatment; after termination ofprogestin treatment; in response to antiprogestintreatments; and at 3 or 4 days after spaying duringthe luteal phase (Johnston, 1980 & 1986; Gobello
et al.,
2001). These instances of progesterone exposureand subsequent reduction or withdrawal ofprogesterone presumably have the same effects asoccur in response to the decline in progesterone thatnormally occurs in pregnant bitches immediatelybefore parturition. Whether prolactin plays a role inmammary tumor development is unclear however30% of malignant tumors have prolactin receptors.
Patho-physiologyRole of Progesterone
- False pregnancy appearsto be related to and dependent on exposure toelevated levels of progesterone. False pregnancy mayoccur as a result of increased concentrations ofprolactin or an increased sensitivity to prolactininduced by a more rapid than normal decline ofprogesterone levels in the late luteal phase(Concannon and Lein, 1989; Gerres
et al.,
1988; Graf
et al.,
1977; Smith and Mc Donald, 1974). Spayingor ovariectomy during the luteal phase induces falsepregnancy in some bitches (Gobello
et al.,
2001).
Role of Prolactin, Estrogen and Growth hormone
- Prolactin concentrations normally increase slightlyabove basal values between days 60 and 90 of thenon-pregnant estrous cycle (Onclin and Verstegen,1997) with increases often seen as early as day 40.There is also an inverse relationship betweenprogesterone and prolactin concentrations in thenormal non-pregnant cycle between days 40 and 90(De Coster
et al.,
1983). In bitches with falsepregnancy higher serum concentrations of prolactinhad been reported (Okkens
et al.,
1997), whereasprolactin during false pregnancy is variable or notelevated (Lawler
et al.,
1999; Gobello
et al.,
2001;Harvey
et al.,
1997; Hoffman
et al.,
1992). Prolactinappears to be the most important endocrine factor inthe development of the symptoms of false pregnancy;other hormones including estrogen might also play arole (Brugere,1998). A positive correlation betweenprolactin and estrogens has been found in somebitches (Hadley, 1975). The role of growth hormone,which is deeply implicated in the process ofmammogenesis in many mammalian species(Brugere, 1998) is not clear in canine false pregnancy.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of false pregnancy is based on thepresence and extent of the more commonly reportedclinical signs. Because unscheduled mating may beoverlooked by owners, pregnancy should always beconsidered. In case of doubt, ultrasound or
False pregnancy in bitch
093
 
Veterinary World, Vol.1, No.3, March 2008
radiography should be used. Other conditions of theluteal phase, such as pyometra or recent pregnancyand abortion, should be ruled out by abdominalultrasonography or radiography, a complete blood cellcount including vulvar and vaginal examination ishelpful for diagnosis. It is also important to keep inmind that false pregnancy can coexist with otherreproductive or non-reproductive clinical problems,sometimes making diagnosis more difficult.
Treatment
Considering that false pregnancy is typically aself-limiting state, mild cases are usually consideredto need no treatment other than discouragingmaternal behavior. Sometimes placing Elizabethancollars to prevent licking of the mammary glands isrecommended. Licking, milking, or use of compressesare potential stimuli for lactation and need to beavoided. Water removal overnight for 5 to 7 nightspromotes fluid conservation and also helps toterminate lactation. When behavioral signs aresignificant, light tranquilization with non-phenothiazinedrugs can be useful. However phenothiazines are notrecommended in pseudopregnant bitches becausethey stimulate prolactin secretion.
Sex Steroid Therapy
Sex steroids are necessary for mammarydevelopment but high doses appear to exert anegative effect, either by suppressing pituitaryprolactin or decreasing sensitivity to prolactin (Allen,1986; Johnston, 1980).
Estrogens
- Estrogens such as diethylstilbestrol,estradiol benzoate or estradiol cipionate have beenused. They may cause signs of proestrus or estrus,uterine disease such as pyometra, and bone marrowdepression resulting in anemia.
Androgens
- Androgens including testosterone andsynthetic androgens can suppress lactation. Sideeffects can include clitoral hypertrophy, other formsof virilization, and epiphora. The synthetic androgenmilbolerone has been shown to reduce the durationof false pregnancy.
Progestin
- Progestin such as megestrol acetate andmedroxyprogesterone acetate, administered orally,have been used to suppress the symptoms of overtfalse pregnancy. This involves suppression ofprolactin secretion or reduction of tissue sensitivityto prolactin. However progestins can cause cysticendometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex andinsulin resistance, as well as mammary glandnodules, mammary tumors, and acromegaly(Feldmen and Nelson, 1987).
Prolactin-Suppression Therapy
Dopamine Agonists
- Inhibition of prolactin secretionby ergot alkaloid drugs has produced a revolution inthe treatment of canine false pregnancy. Thisinhibition can be modulated indirectly by serotonin,which suppresses dopamine release and increasesprolactin (Thorner
et al.,
1998). The most commonergot compounds used clinically to inhibit prolactinsecretion are the dopamine agonists bromocriptineand cabergoline. Another ergot alkaloid, is a serotoninantagonist, and thus has a dopaminergic effect andthus reduces prolactin secretion when administeredat high doses (Janssens, 1986; Jochle
et al.,
1989;Hammon
et al.,
1981).
Bromocriptine
- A large number of therapeuticprotocols have been proposed, using oral doses ofbromocriptine ranging from 10 to 100 mg/kg/day for10 to 14 days (Jenssens, 1986). Due to short half-life it should be administered at least twice a day forgreatest efficacy. To prevent the incidence of emesis,bromocriptine can be administered along withatropine. Bromocriptine 2.5 mg tablets fractionationis necessary to achieve dosages of 10 to 30 mg/kgtypically administered to pseudopregnant bitches(Voith, 1980).
Cabergoline
- It can be effectively administered oncea day. Cabergoline crosses the blood brain barrieronly slightly and consequently has much less centralemetic effects than some other dopamine agonists(Arbieter
et al.,
1998; Jochle
et al.,
1987 ; Harvey
et al.,
1997). Cabergoline is marketed with an indicationfor use in pseudopregnant bitches at a dose of 5 mg/ kg/day for 5 to 10 days, orally
Metergoline
- Metergoline is an anti-serotonergicveterinary drug marketed for the treatment of falsepregnancy in bitches. It has a short half-life so it hasto be administered twice a day. The recommendeddose is 0.1 mg/kg, orally, twice a day, for 8 to 10 days.Anxiety, aggressiveness, hyper excitation andwhining are the most frequent side effects ofmetergoline, which are due to its central anti-serotonergic effect (Hamon
et al 
., 1981).
Ovariectomy
-
Predisposed bitches not intended forbreeding should be spayed. Ovariectomy is the onlypermanent preventive measure (Johnston, 1980;Jochle
et al.,
1989). This should preferably be doneduring anestrus. Ovariectomy during lactation canlead to an extended false pregnancy (Allen,
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