The Postpartum Reproductive Status of Dairy Cows in Two Areas in Iceland*

The paper describes the postpartum (pp) reproductive performance of 252 dairy cows in 2 areas in Iceland, in the north (Eyjafjörður) and in the south (Skeið), during a 12 months period.First pp ovulation occurred significantly earlier in primiparous cows, in cows in Skeið and in cows that calved in September—November.The average time of first pp artificial insemination (ai) was 72 days in both areas. Conception rate to first ai in these cows was 58 % in Eyjafjörður and 53 % in Skeið and the number of ai per conception was 1.6 and 1.8, respectively. In Eyjafjörður, 23 % of the cows were inseminated at the time of first pp ovulation. Sixtytwo percent of these cows conceived. In Skeið, 20 cows were inseminated at the time of first pp ovulation, and 9 or 45 % of these cows conceived. The interval from calving to conception was, on the average, 92 days in Eyjafjörður and 100 days in Skeið.Comparison of results from individual farms showed increase in number of conceptions to first pp ai (35–72 %) and decrease in number of services per conception (2.0–1.3) with increased mean number of days from calving to first ai (62–82 days).     

Clinical Trial: Marine Lipid Suppositories as Laxatives

Cod-liver oil and other marine products containing polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects and may be useful in the treatment of various inflammatory and infectious diseases. We developed suppositories and ointment with 30% free fatty acid (FFA) extract from omega-3 fish oil. Our purpose was to evaluate the safety of marine lipid suppositories and ointment in healthy volunteers and to explore the laxative effect of the suppositories. Thirty healthy volunteers were randomized either to a study group administrating 30% FFA suppositories and applying 30% FFA ointment to the perianal region twice per day for two weeks, or to a control group using placebo suppositories and ointment in a double blinded manner. Results: No serious toxic effects or irritation were observed. In the study group 93% felt the urge to defecate after administration of the suppositories as compared to 37% in the control group (P = 0.001). Subsequently 90% in the study group defecated, compared to 33% in the control group (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The marine lipid suppositories and ointment were well tolerated with no significant toxic side effects observed during the study period. The suppositories have a distinct laxative effect and we aim to explore this effect in further clinical trials.