Cloprostenol is a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α). It is a potent luteolytic agent; this means that, within hours of administration, it causes the

corpus luteum The corpus luteum (Latin for "yellow body"; : corpora lutea) is a temporary endocrine structure in female ovaries involved in the production of relatively high levels of progesterone, and moderate levels of estradiol, and inhibin A. It is the ...

to stop production of

progesterone Progesterone (; P4) is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species. It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens and is the ma ...

, and to reduce in size over several days. This effect is used in animals to induce

estrus The estrous cycle (, originally ) is a set of recurring physiological changes induced by reproductive hormones in females of mammalian subclass Theria. Estrous cycles start after sexual maturity in females and are interrupted by anestrous phas ...

and to cause abortion.

References

Veterinary drugs Cyclopentanes {{Veterinary-med-stub