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

•Placental transcriptome during luteolysis shows apoptosis and local immune response.•Prepartum luteolysis leads to impairment of local vascular function.•Antigestagen-mediated and normal luteolysis share similar transcriptome patterns.•Placental P4-regulated genes relate to immune system and cortisol metabolism.