Effect of a 10 day postpartum administration of a PGF2 alpha analog at different concentrations on the course of the puerperium and fertility in dairy cows

In this double-blind Study 72 dairy cows were treated with injections of Luprostiol (Reprodin). 32 cows served as control. Gynaecological examinations in 10-day intervals up to day 40 post partum and determination of progesterone levels in milk samples taken in 3-day intervals up to day 73 p. p. were performed. The administration of PGF2 alpha did not improve the early onset of ovarian activity in cows with uncomplicated or complicated delivery. Ovaries without detectable function up to day 73 p. p. only occurred in the placebo group, representing a significant (p < 0.05) difference to the control group. In cows after uncomplicated as well as in animals after complicated delivery involution of the uterus up to day 20 p. p. progressed faster in the verum group compared to the control group. Cervical diameters were highest in the placebo group up to day 20 p. p. Until day 40 p. p. the cervical diameters of the probands equaled those of the control animals. In contrary to cows after uncomplicated delivery the injection of PGF2 alpha after complicated parturition lead to a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of puerperal endometritis. Neither in cows with uncomplicated nor complicated delivery the administration of PGF2 alpha resulted in an improved conception rate. There were no significant positive effects on fertility parameters to be detected in general. Partial results observed were not dose dependent.