cloprostenol and Endometritis

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cloprostenol; Dinoprost; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Endometritis; Female; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins; Prostaglandins F; Puerperal Infection; Suppuration

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of (1) administering ceftiofur hydrochloride in dairy cows with calving-related disorders to prevent metritis and (2) a combination of GnRH and PGF2α for the treatment of clinical endometritis, under Argentinean dairy farming conditions. Cows at high risk (HRC) for metritis (dystocia, RFM >12 h postpartum, hypocalcaemia, twins, or stillbirth) were randomly assigned to receive either 1.1 mg/Kg of ceftiofur hydrochloride on three consecutive days (HRC treated group HRCT, n = 110) or remained untreated (HRC control group HRCC, n = 126). Cows with low risk (LRC, no calving-related disorders, n = 868) did not receive any treatment (LRC group, n = 868). All cows were examined for metritis between days 4 and 10 and for clinical endometritis between 24 and 30 days postpartum. The body condition score (BCS) was recorded at both examinations. Cows with endometritis at days 24 to 30 postpartum received either 1.5 mg of D-cloprostenol (PGF; n = 129) or 100 μg of GnRH followed by D-cloprostenol after 7 days (GnRH+PGF, n = 119). There was no overall effect of treatment on the incidence of metritis or on time to pregnancy. Treatment, however, reduced the incidence of metritis in cows with high BCS (HRCT = 24.0 %, HRCC = 38.5 %) but had no effect in cows with low BCS (HRCT = 38.7 %, HRCC = 37.5 %). The proportion of pregnant cows by days in milk was greater (P < 0.01) in LRC group compared with that of the HRCT and HRCC groups. No significant differences were found between groups PG and PG+GNRH. GnRH+PGF treatment, however, tended (P = 0.06) to increase pregnancy rate in cows with a moderate loss of BCS (76.5 vs 65.2 %) but tended to reduce pregnancy rate (54.5 vs 76.0 %) in cows with a more pronounced loss in BCS (>0.75 points).

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Argentina; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cephalosporins; Cloprostenol; Endometritis; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Oxytocics; Pregnancy; Reproduction; Risk Factors

A total of 480 female camels with a history of conception failure were examined through transrectal palpation, ultrasonography, and vaginal exploration. Animals were categorized according to parity (nulliparous n=200 vs. multiparous n=280), and type of uterine infection (endometritis n=360 vs. metritis n=120). They were randomly assigned to receive one of three intrauterine treatments: (i) 100mL acriflavin 0.1% (group 1, n=170), (ii) 100mL lotagen 4% (group 2, n=200), or (iii) 300mg/100mL gentamicin sulphate (group 3, n=110). All groups received 500microg cloprostenol IM at infusion. Animals were exposed for breeding 7 d later and received 5000 IU hCG im at mating. The criteria for efficacy of treatment were 90 days non-return rate (90 d NRR) and calving rate (CR). The results showed that the 90 d NRR and CR were significantly influenced by parity, type of uterine infection, regime of treatment, and their interactions, P<0.05. Treatment regimes were approximately equally efficient in treating females with endometritis (90 d NRR were 64%, 53.1% and 53.3% and CR were 58.9%, 49.3%, and 42.5% for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, P>0.05). In contrast, regimes differed in treating those with metritis (90 d NRR were 55.6%, 75%, and 28.6% and CR were 31.6%, 54.8%, and 12.5% for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, P<0.05). In conclusion, a regime consisted of intrauterine lotagen infusion and administration of PGF(2)alpha at infusion and hCG at mating was more efficient for treating female camels with metritis.

Topics: Acriflavine; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Camelus; Cloprostenol; Cresols; Drug Combinations; Endometritis; Female; Formaldehyde; Gentamicins; Infections; Infertility, Female; Parity; Pregnancy; Treatment Outcome; Uterine Diseases; Uterus

The objective of the study was to compare the systemic antibiotic treatment of clinical endometritis in dairy cows with ceftiofur with a treatment protocol consisting of two doses of prostaglandin F(2alpha) analogue cloprostenol in a 14-d interval. On 2 commercial dairy farms, housing a total of 1900 Holstein cows, all cows that calved between June 2008 and January 2009 were examined 21-27d in milk (DIM) by vaginoscopy. Cows with clinical signs of endometritis, i.e. vaginal discharge containing flecks of pus, mucopurulent material or purulent mucus, were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Cows in group CEF (n=141) received 1 mg/kg BW of ceftiofur (i.m.) on 3 consecutive days. Cows in group CLP (n=140) received 0.5 mg of cloprostenol (i.m.) at the day of enrolment and 14d later. All cows were re-examined by vaginoscopy 42-48 DIM. Proportion of cows cured, i.e. cows with clear, translucent or no mucus, 42-48 DIM (74.2 and 80.2% in groups CEF and CLP, respectively) was not affected by treatment group (P=0.09). The voluntary waiting period was set at 40 DIM. Artificial insemination (AI) submission rate, days to first service, first service conception rate, days open and proportion of cows pregnant did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, the systemic treatment with 1.0 mg/kg BW of ceftiofur on 3 consecutive days in cows with signs of clinical endometritis 21-27 DIM was equivalent to an intervention protocol consisting of two doses of cloprostenol in a 14-d interval.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cephalosporins; Cloprostenol; Dairying; Drug Administration Schedule; Endometritis; Female; Injections, Intramuscular; Insemination, Artificial; Luteolytic Agents; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Reproduction

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of aglepristone (10 mg/kg on days 1, 2 and 8) for the treatment of metritis or pyometra in bitches (n = 67) either alone for cases of metritis (n = 15), or in cases of pyometra (n = 52) with (n = 32) or without (n = 20) the addition of low doses (1 microg/kg) of cloprostenol for 5 days (days 3-7). Examinations performed on day 90, in addition to days 8, 14 and 28, determined that treatments had been curative in the long term in 54/67 bitches (80.6%). Bitches in whom pyometra did not resolve, were given additional aglepristone on day 14 (n = 38) and day 28 (n = 20). Aglepristone alone was curative in 15/15 bitches with metritis. In 17/17 bitches with closed pyometra, cervical opening occurred within 48 h of aglepristone administration. Amongst the 52 bitches with open (n = 35) or closed (n = 17) pyometra, the additional treatment with cloprostenol from days 3 to 7, significantly improved the overall success rate at day 90, which was 27/32 (84.4%), compared to 12/20 (60.0%) in bitches without cloprostenol (P < 0.05). The leucocyte count and plasma progesterone concentrations significantly decreased over the course of treatment. Thirteen of 15 bitches in whom plasma progesterone concentrations were initially low (< 3.18 nmol/L) were cured. The recurrence rate after 12 and 24 months was 13.0% (3/23) and 19.0% (4/21), respectively.

Topics: Animals; Cloprostenol; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endometrial Hyperplasia; Endometritis; Estrenes; Female; Leukocyte Count; Progesterone; Uterine Diseases

This study examined the effect of a single administration of cephapirin iu or cloprostenol im on the reproductive performance of dairy cows with subclinical endometritis. Cows (n = 228) at 20-33 days in milk (DIM) from two commercial dairy farms, determined to be normal for clinical endometritis (based on absence of abnormal uterine discharge on vaginoscopic examination) were enrolled. At enrollment, a thorough reproductive examination was performed, including rectal palpation, ultrasonography (US) and endometrial cytology (EC). The case definition for subclinical endometritis was the presence of >18% neutrophils on EC examination or fluid in uterus (FIU) on US examination. All cows were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: 500 mg benzathine cephapirin iu, 500 microg cloprostenol im, or control (no treatment). Reproductive performance was monitored for a minimum of 8 months after treatment. Cows with subclinical endometritis treated with cephapirin or cloprostenol had a significantly increased relative pregnancy rate compared to control [hazard ratios 1.89 (P = 0.01) and 1.70 (P = 0.05), respectively]. In conclusion, a single treatment with cephapirin or cloprostenol at 20-33 DIM significantly improved the reproductive performance of cows with subclinical endometritis.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cephapirin; Cloprostenol; Endometritis; Female; Pregnancy; Reproduction

The use of proteolytic enzymes has been established in the non-antibiotic treatment of mastitis in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate, if enzymes are efficacious in the treatment of chronic endometritis. In a controlled field trial, cows with vaginal discharge 21-27 days in milk (DIM) were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Endometritis was classified into three categories, depending on the type of vaginal discharge: clear mucus with flakes of pus (E1), mucopurulent discharge or fluctuating contents in the uterus (E2), and purulent discharge (E3). In group ENZYMES (n=191), cows received an intrauterine treatment with a salve containing the enzymes trypsin (16 mg), chymotrypsin (16 mg), and papain (8 mg). Cows in group PGF (n=225) were treated with 0.5mg of cloprostenol. Cows that did not show any clinical signs of chronic endometritis were regarded as healthy control group (HC, n=699). In groups ENZYMES and PGF, all cows were re-examined 35-41 DIM. In group ENZYMES, cows were re-treated with enzymes if signs of endometritis were found, while in group PGF all cows received a second dose of cloprostenol, regardless of their clinical findings. Cure rate after the first treatment, defined as the absence of vaginal discharge at the re-examinations, was 59.7 and 68.0% in groups ENZYMES and PGF, respectively (P>0.05). Reproductive performance measures showed no significant differences between the two treatment groups. Service rate was significantly lower for ENZYMES and PGF, respectively, compared to HC. Conception rates to all services and percentages of cows pregnant by 250 DIM were significantly lower in group ENZYMES compared to HC, while no further differences were found between PGF and HC. In both treatment groups, cure rate and reproductive performance measures were better for cows categorized E1 or E2, than for cows categorized E3, respectively. Conception rate to all services for cows with endometritis category E1 was higher in group PGF than in group ENZYMES (P<0.05). The results of this field trial suggest that prostaglandin F(2alpha) is still the treatment of choice for chronic endometritis in dairy cattle.

Topics: Administration, Intravaginal; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Chronic Disease; Cloprostenol; Endometritis; Female; Fertility; Injections, Subcutaneous; Insemination, Artificial; Lactation; Peptide Hydrolases; Pregnancy; Vaginal Discharge

The objective of this field trial was to compare the effect of intrauterine (i.u.) antibiotic or intramuscular (i.m.) prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on time to pregnancy in dairy cows diagnosed with clinical endometritis between 20 and 33 days in milk (DIM). The case definition of endometritis was the presence of purulent uterine discharge or cervical diameter > 7.5 cm, or the presence of muco-purulent discharge after 26 DIM. There were 316 cows with endometritis from 27 farms assigned randomly within herd to receive 500 mg of cephapirin benzathine intrauterine (i.u.), 500 micrograms of cloprostenol i.m., or no treatment. The rate of resolution of clinical signs 14 d after treatment was 77% and was not affected by treatment. Reproductive performance was monitored for a minimum of 7 mo after treatment. Survival analysis (multivariable proportional hazards regression) was used to measure the effect of treatment on time to pregnancy. There was no benefit of treatment of endometritis before 4 wk postpartum. Administration of PGF2 alpha between 20 and 26 DIM to cows with endometritis that did not have a palpable corpus luteum was associated with a significant reduction in pregnancy rate. Between 27 and 33 DIM, cows with endometritis treated with cephapirin i.u. had a significantly shorter time to pregnancy than untreated cows (hazard ratio = 1.63). In this time period, there was no difference in pregnancy rate between PGF2 alpha and untreated cows, but the difference in pregnancy rate between cows treated with cephapirin i.u. and with PGF2 alpha was not statistically significant. Treatment of postpartum endometritis should be reserved for cases diagnosed after 26 DIM, based on criteria that are associated with subsequent pregnancy rate.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Birth Intervals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cephapirin; Cloprostenol; Endometritis; Female; Lactation; Pregnancy; Puerperal Disorders; Reproduction; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

Postpartum endometritis is considered as one of the diseases that lead to a potential profit reduction in dairy cows. The aims of the present study were to promote follicle growth by a previously used controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device and to evaluate its effect on the likelihood of recovery and the reproductive performance of clinical endometritis (CE) cows. Endometritis was diagnosed using ultrasonographic examination at 31 ± 3 (Day 0 of the experiment) days in milk, and CE cows were included in one of the three experimental groups according to the presence of a CL on their ovaries. Cows without CL on their ovaries received a reused CIDR device, which was previously used for 14 days (CIDR-14, n = 108), or PGF2α (PG-1, n = 112) on Day 0. In the third group, those with CL on their ovaries received PGF2α (PG-2, n = 107) at the same time. Ovarian structures, serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured on Days 0, 7, and 14. Controlled internal drug release devices were removed, and response to treatment was evaluated in all treated cows on Day 14. Diameters of ovarian follicles were 11.61 ± 0.50, 12.46 ± 0.25, and 18.36 ± 0.60 mm on Day 7 and 11.63 ± 0.58, 14.35 ± 0.40, and 21.96 ± 0.77 mm on Day 14 in PG-1, PG-2, and CIDR-14 cows, respectively (P < 0.05). Serum estradiol concentrations were higher in CIDR-14 cows (141.17 ± 1.04 pg/mL) than in PG-1 (116.85 ± 1.05 pg/mL) and PG-2 (119.10 ± 1.05 pg/mL) cows on Day 7 (P < 0.05). Higher progesterone concentrations were observed in PG-2 cows than in PG-1 and CIDR-14 cows on Days 0, 7, and 14 (P < 0.001). The likelihood of clinical cure was 54.46%, 62.61%, and 64.81% in PG-1, PG-2, and CIDR-14 cows, respectively (P = 0.11). First-service conception risk, days to the first service, calving to conception interval, proportion of cows bred and pregnant by 120 days in milk did not differ among the treated groups (P > 0.05). The cumulative pregnancy risk was lower in PG-1 (77.67%) cows than in CIDR-14 (87.07%) and PG-2 (87.85%) cows (P = 0.02). In conclusion, reused CIDR would be contributed to the treatment of CE by promotion of follicle growth and induction of sustainable sources of endogenic estrogen secreted by the dominant follicle.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cloprostenol; Delayed-Action Preparations; Dinoprost; Endometritis; Estradiol; Female; Logistic Models; Luteolytic Agents; Ovarian Follicle; Progesterone; Ultrasonography

The objective of this study was to compare 2 surrogate vaginal examination methods (i.e., gloved hand and a vaginal device) with vaginoscopy as a reference method for diagnosing clinical endometritis in dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 1,002) in 2 commercial dairy herds in Germany were examined for endometritis at 21 to 27 d in milk (DIM) by using 1 of 3 vaginal diagnostic methods. Vaginal examinations were performed either with a speculum (reference method), a vaginal device (Metricheck, Simcro, New Zealand), or a gloved hand. Vaginal discharge adhering to the diagnostic tool was classified according to a vaginal discharge score ranging from 0 to 3 (where 0 = translucent mucus, 1 = mucus containing flecks of white or off-white pus, 2 = less than 50% white or off-white mucopurulent material, and 3 = greater than 50% white or yellow pus that may be sanguineous). Cows with vaginal discharge scores of 1 to 3 received 500 microg of cloprostenol after examination and again 14 d later (35 to 41 DIM). The prevalence of endometritis in both herds was 40.6 and 40.3%, respectively. With the Metricheck device, significantly more cows were diagnosed as affected with endometritis than by examination with a speculum or a gloved hand (47.5 vs. 36.9 and 36.8%). Binary logistic regression for the risk of conception after first AI as an outcome variable, with vaginal discharge score, diagnostic method, and farm as covariates, revealed a significant effect of degree of endometritis, but not of the diagnostic methods. Survival analyses for the hazard of insemination and pregnancy within 200 DIM, respectively, revealed a significant effect of degree of endometritis, herd, and parity, but not of the diagnostic tool. It can be concluded that any one of the 3 vaginal examination methods can be used interchangeably, without a negative effect on reproductive performance.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cloprostenol; Dairying; Endometritis; Female; Fertilization; Gloves, Protective; Logistic Models; Luteolytic Agents; Pregnancy; Random Allocation

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra (CEH-P) complex is a progesterone-dependent disease that requires medical treatment in bitches intended for breeding. To test the efficacy and safety of a combined protocol and to assess the effect of age, stage of cycle, previous steroid hormone administration and parity on treatment, 29 bitches diagnosed with CEH-P complex were treated daily with cabergoline 5 microg/kg PO and cloprostenol 1 microg/kg SC for 7-14 days, along with supportive antibiotic and hydration therapies. Before treatment, and on Days 3, 7 and 14, all bitches were evaluated clinically and uterine horn diameter measured during trans-abdominal ultrasonography. Twenty-four of 29 bitches were cured by either Day 7 or 14. Nine bitches had mild digestive side effects. Clinical signs related to pyometra began to improve markedly as early as Day 2 of treatment. Uterine diameters decreased (P < 0.05) by Day 3 of treatment, and continued to gradually decrease, reaching normal size by Day 14. Relapses occurred in 6 of 29 cases. Pregnancy was achieved in one of the two young bitches bred after treatment. No significant relationships were found between success rate and age, stage of the estrous cycle, previous hormone administration or parity. Although no variables affecting treatment results could be identified, this combination of compounds was found to be an efficient and safe for treatment of CEH-P.

Topics: Animals; Cabergoline; Cloprostenol; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Dopamine Agonists; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endometrial Hyperplasia; Endometritis; Ergolines; Female; Prostaglandins, Synthetic; Ultrasonography; Uterine Diseases

A field trial was conducted to elucidate the effect of the time of initiation of a repeated PGF2alpha-application in a 14 day interval for treatment of endometritis in dairy cows. On a commercial dairy farm in Brandenburg, Germany, a total of 494 dairy cows were examined by rectal palpation and adspection for signs of endometritis (vaginal discharge, enlarged uterus) between day 20 to 26 post partum (dpp). We performed two further examinations by rectal palpation and external adspection to monitor the puerperal phase (34.-40. dpp, 55.-61. dpp). All cows with symptoms of an endometritis were treated with PGF2alpha (0.15 mg R-Cloprostenol, Preloban, Intervet Deutschland GmbH Unterschleissheim) twice in a 14-day interval. In the group "Early" (n = 146) the first injection of Cloprostenol was administered at time of the 1st examination. In the group "Late" (n = 129) an identical treatment was administered in cows with endometritis, however it was started 14 days later (34.-40. dpp). The incidence of endometritis was 57.7% in the group "Early" and 53.5% in the group "Late" at the first time of examination. The 1st service conception rates for treated cows were 34% in the group "Early" vs. 37% in the group "Late". In the group "Early" differences were found in days open between treated cows with endometritis and untreated controls without symptoms of endometritis (99.1 d vs. 110.8 d, p > 0.05). In the group "Late", days open for treated (106.8 d) and untreated cows (108.0 d) were similar. The severity of endometritis influenced the percentage of cows pregnant at 200 dpp. Regarding cows with a severe endometritis (E2 and E3) the percentage of pregnant cows 200 dpp was higher in the group treated early (E2: 78.4%; E3: 80.0%) than in the group with the late initiation of the treatment (E2: 68.6%; E3: 54.5%, p < 0.05). Cows with a moderate endometritis (E1) had a similar percentage of pregnant cows (200 dpp) as the untreated cows without endometritis. It is concluded that application of PGF2alpha in the 4th and 6th week post partum in a 14 day interval in cases of severe endometritis is more effective than the application of the same treatment two weeks later.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cloprostenol; Dinoprost; Drug Administration Schedule; Endometritis; Female; Palpation; Postpartum Period; Reproduction

The investigations were carried out on a total of 70 cows with puerperal endometritis. In addition to intrauterine antibiotic treatment, 30 experimental animals were administered 20 microg GnRH analogue, buserelin, between days 10 and 12 post-partum followed by 500 microg PGF2alpha analogue, cloprostenol, 10 days later. Forty control cows were treated only with intrauterine antibiotics. Blood samples for progesterone determination were collected from the tail vein twice weekly until day 70 post-partum. The first rise in progesterone level above 3.18 nmol/l occurred significantly earlier in the experimental than in control cows (21.6 +/- 9.2 versus 27.8 +/- 12.3 days; p < or = 0.05). The duration of the first cycle post-partum was 15.0 +/- 4.3 days in experimental and 19.7 +/- 7.3 days in control animals (p < or = 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the occurrence of first oestrus post-partum. The involution of the uterus was improved after hormone treatment. At day 42 post-partum, completion of uterine involution was found in 93.3% of hormone-treated cows and in 82.5% of those treated with antibiotic only (p < or = 0.05). Clinical recovery was 96.6% in the experimental and 82.5% in the control group (p < or = 0.05). First service pregnancy rate was significantly better in hormone-treated than control cows (51.7 versus 36.4%; p < or = 0.05). Total pregnancy rate and insemination index values were not significantly improved following GnRH and PGF2alpha treatment. The average service period was 89.8 +/- 21.2 days in cows after hormone treatment, and 112.6 +/- 24.5 days in control cows. The difference was statistically significant (p < or = 0.05). These results indicate, that the sequential GnRH and PGF2alpha application in cows with puerperal endometritis positively affected ovarian function and uterine involution, resulting in improved fertility performance.

Topics: Animals; Buserelin; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cloprostenol; Dairying; Dinoprost; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endometritis; Erythromycin; Female; Fertility; Fertility Agents, Female; Progesterone; Puerperal Disorders; Tetracycline

Reproductive management programmes based on strategic use of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) to induce and synchronize oestrus in post-partum dairy cows are widespread. Repeated shortening of the oestrous cycle during early lactation in high-yielding dairy cows, however, could impair corpus luteum function and thus decrease fertility. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of repeated treatments with the prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue D (+) cloprostenol sodium on progesterone concentrations indicative of a functional corpus luteum in post-partum dairy cows. Furthermore, the influence of milk production, parity and endometritis on progesterone concentrations under these circumstances were studied. Eighty-four cows of a commercial dairy operation were treated three to four times with D (+) cloprostenol sodium (Preloban; Hoechst Roussel Vet, Wiesbaden, Germany) at 14-day intervals, starting 22-28 days post-partum. Blood samples were collected prior to treatment 1 (sample 1) and 14 days after treatments 1, 2 and 3 (samples 2-4) and serum progesterone (P4) levels were determined. The percentage of cows with P4 levels < 1 ng/ml decreased from 51% in sample 1 to 23% in samples 3 and 4. More primiparous cows had low P4 levels 14 days after the second treatment than older cows (P < 0.05). Cows with low progesterone levels in sample 3 or 4 had lower protein contents in milk on the second milk test day post-partum and in their cumulative milk yield of the first 100 days of lactation. Clinical endometritis at post-partum examination did not influence progesterone levels after treatment with PGF2 alpha. Repeated application of PGF2 alpha (more than twice) in the post-partum period does not influence serum progesterone levels 14 days after treatment. Failure to develop luteal tissue after treatment contributed to the conception failures after first service.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cloprostenol; Endometritis; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Germany; Injections, Intramuscular; Lactation; Milk; Milk Proteins; Parity; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Radioimmunoassay; Statistics, Nonparametric

Two reproductive management programmes were implemented on a dairy farm with 780 cows in milk to compare their effects on reproductive efficiency and endometritis. The herd was divided into two groups. All cows in Group 1 received 0.15 mg of D-cloprostenol (Preloban, Hoechst Roussel Vet, Wiesbaden) intramuscularly (i.m.) at 14-day intervals starting at 22-28 days postpartum (pp) until breeding. Group 2 was examined by rectal palpation twice during the third and fifth weeks pp, respectively. Cows that showed signs of endometritis were treated with a uterine infusion of 720 mg polycondensated m-cresolsulphuric acid-formaldehyd (14:1) in 150 ml of water (Lotagen, 2%, Essex Tierarznei, München). For both groups, the voluntary waiting period was set at 50 days pp. Cows were bred on observed oestrus. Cows not bred until day 71 pp were examined by rectal palpation and treated according to a predefined protocol. Group 1 had a higher service rate, and reduced days to first service (P < 0.05) and days open (7.6 days, P = 0.08). First service conception rate and total conception rate were lower than in Group 2 (P < 0.05) and first service conception rate was considerably lower than second service conception rate in Group 1 (P < 0.01). Days open were 4.5 days higher and conception rates were lower in cows with endometritis than in cows without endometritis at post-partum examination (P > 0.05). Results indicate that reproductive management programmes based on strategic use of prostaglandin F2 alpha present an alternative to conventional reproductive management programmes based on rectal palpation and uterine infusions in large dairy herds.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cloprostenol; Dairying; Dinoprost; Endometritis; Female; Lactation; Palpation; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Rectum; Reproduction

Three commercial preparations for the treatment of bovine endometritis were compared: an intrauterine infusion of 1500 mg oxtytetracycline hydrochloride solution, an intramuscular injection of 500 micrograms cloprostenol (a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin F2 alpha), and an intramuscular injection of 3 mg oestradiol benzoate/500 kg estimated bodyweight. A total of 300 cases of endometritis were treated, of which 225 involved first, 67 involved second, and eight involved third or subsequent treatments. The overall success rate of treatment was 68 per cent. Oxytetracycline was successful in 73 per cent of cases, cloprostenol in 67 per cent and oestradiol in 63 per cent of cases. There was no significant difference between the success rates of the treatments, except for cows with mild endometritis in which oxytetracycline was more successful than oestradol (86 v 66 per cent, P < 0.05). Mild cases were treated more successfully than moderate cases (78 v 61 per cent, P < 0.01), and more successfully than severe cases (78 v 44 per cent, P < 0.001). Prostaglandin F2 alpha was more successful if the milk progesterone concentration was > 7 ng/ml at the time of treatment (P < 0.05). The presence of a smelly discharge at the time of treatment reduced the success rate by 17 per cent (P < 0.02). The treatment to conception interval for all successful treatments of endometritis by prostaglandin F2 alpha was 18.1 days shorter than for oestradiol (68.3 v 86.4 days, P < 0.02), and the interval for oxytetracycline was 16.2 days shorter than for oestradiol (70.2 v 86.4 days, P < 0.05).

Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cloprostenol; Endometritis; Estradiol; Female; Fertility; Oxytetracycline; Prostaglandins F; Treatment Outcome

Path analysis was used to determine the interrelationships between postpartum administration of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and cloprostenol and the occurrence of reproductive disease and reproductive performance in dairy cows. The data analysed were those collected on 226 Holstein-Friesian cows calving in a commercial dairy herd during a 17 month period (May 1, 1981 to October 1, 1982). Cows administered gonadotrophin releasing hormone at day 15 postpartum experienced an improved rate of uterine involution as determined by rectal palpation nine days later. Although this improved rate of uterine involution reduced the risk of pyometritis, it actually directly delayed conception. Also, gonadotrophin releasing hormone therapy directly resulted in an increased incidence of pyometritis which in turn resulted in an increase incidence of cystic ovarian disease and anestrus. The occurrence of these abnormalities resulted in increased intervals from calving to first observed estrus, first service and conception. In addition to this effect, the administration of gonadotrophin releasing hormone was also associated with increased plasma progesterone concentrations at days 24 and 28 postpartum which delayed conception. Cloprostenol therapy at day 24 postpartum resulted in a decreased plasma progesterone concentration at day 28 postpartum which was directly and indirectly associated with a decrease in the calving to conception interval. The indirect effects were mediated by a reduction in days to first estrus. Cloprostenol therapy also directly resulted in a decreased calving to first observed estrus interval for reasons not attributable to the level of progesterone at day 28.

Topics: Anestrus; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cloprostenol; Endometritis; Estrus; Female; Insemination; Models, Biological; Ovarian Cysts; Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Puerperal Disorders; Reproduction; Suppuration

Details are given of clinical management and disease problems associated with the routine induction of parturition on a herd basis, as well as the veterinary costs involved. A review of the economic performance of cows calved by this method is made and some guidelines laid down as to the conditions under which such a technique could be used as a management tool.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cloprostenol; Dairying; Dexamethasone; Endometritis; Female; Labor, Induced; Lactation; Lameness, Animal; Male; Mastitis, Bovine; Obstetric Labor Complications; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic

Topics: Abortion, Missed; Abortion, Therapeutic; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cloprostenol; Endometritis; Female; Infertility, Female; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic