Dinoprost

Dinoprost	Last updated: 15/09/2025
(Also known as: prostaglandin F2alpha; dinoprost trometamol ; PGF2 alpha THAM; prostaglandin F2 alpha tromethamine ; amoglandin)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A prostaglandin substance used in veterinary medicine usually formulated as the synthetic analogue dinoprost thromethamine

Examples of veterinary uses

Used for inducing abortion and at low-doses for medically indicated induction of labour at full term

Examples of species treated

Horses; Cattle; Pigs

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Dinoprost exhibits both geometric and optical isomerism due to its double bonds and multiple chiral centres. The molecule contains cis-configured double bonds and five stereocentres, which together define its three-dimensional shape and biological activity. The naturally occurring isomer, with specific (Z)-geometry and (15S)-configuration, is essential for its function in inducing uterine contractions and luteolysis in veterinary and reproductive medicine.

Chemical formula

C₂₀H₃₄O₅

Canonical SMILES

CCCCCC(C=CC1C(CC(C1CC=CCCCC(=O)O)O)O)O

Isomeric SMILES

CCCCC[C@@H](/C=C/[C@H]1[C@@H](C[C@@H]([C@@H]1C/C=C\CCCC(=O)O)O)O)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

PXGPLTODNUVGFL-YNNPMVKQSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C20H34O5/c1-2-3-6-9-15(21)12-13-17-16(18(22)14-19(17)23)10-7-4-5-8-11-20(24)25/h4,7,12-13,15-19,21-23H,2-3,5-6,8-11,14H2,1H3,(H,24,25)/b7-4-,13-12+/t15-,16+,17+,18-,19+/m0/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
Prostaglandin E2	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Abortifacient agent, Reproduction control, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Prostaglandin substance

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Stimulates myometrial contractions in the gravid uterus that are similar to the contractions that occur in the term uterus during labor

Molecular targets

[Prostaglandin F2-alpha receptor, Agonist], [Prostacyclin receptor, Antagonist]

CAS RN

551-11-1

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Genito Urinary system & sex hormones: Other gynecologicals

ATCvet Code

QG02AD

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: All mammalian food producing species)

Molecular mass

354.48

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(Z)-7-[(1R,2R,3R,5S)-3,5-dihydroxy-2-[(E,3S)- 3-hydroxyoct-1-enyl]cyclopentylhept-5-enoic acid

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White to off-white, very hygroscopic, crystalline powder

Related substances & organisms

dinoprost tromethamine

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Circa 1975, introduced

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Eli Lilly and Co.
Plantex Ltd. Iran
Zoetis UK Ltd
Pfizer Animal Health

Example products using this active

Lutalyse
Dinolytic
Enzaprost
Amoglandin

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as solution for injection

Commercial production

Dinoprost is produced through a semi-synthetic process that mimics its natural biosynthesis from arachidonic acid, a fatty acid found in cell membranes. In industrial settings, the synthesis begins with chemical modification of arachidonic acid or related precursors, using cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes to convert it into prostaglandin H2 (PGH₂), an unstable intermediate. PGH2 is then selectively reduced by prostaglandin F synthase to yield dinoprost. The process requires precise control of stereochemistry to ensure the correct configuration at multiple chiral centres, as only the naturally occurring (15S)-isomer is biologically active.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

2.58

Low

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

2.45 X 10⁰⁴

Calculated

Log P

4.39

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

5.01 X 10^-09

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1170

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Low (class I)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1170

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 95 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intramuscular LD₅₀ = 106 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Mostly excreted in the urine, only around 5% lost via the faeces

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Large doses may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

dinoprost

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

dinoprosta

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	15/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242