15 Disorders of the Ovaries
I. OVARIAN CYSTS
E. TREATMENT
In reproductively valuable bitches, follicular cysts are treated by administration of either gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which causes release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the bitch’s pituitary gland and luteinization or ovulation of the follicle, or of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which acts as LH in the bitch’s body, again causing luteinization or ovulation of the follicle. Luteal cysts are treated by administration of the hormone prostaglandin F2α, which causes breakdown of luteal tissue and cessation of progesterone production. All bitches treated medically should be carefully evaluated for cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra, which are more likely to occur after excessive or prolonged exposure of the uterus to estrogen and/or progesterone (see Chapter 16).