Induction of parturition in the sow with a prostaglandin analogue (I.C.I. 80996)

Summary Parturition was induced in 112 gilts and sows on day 111, 112, and 113 of gestation by means of a single intramuscular injection of 175 mcg of a prostaglandin F2α analogue (Cloprostenol, I.C.I. 80996). No side effects were detected immediately after injection and the course of the induced parturition was normal. The interval between injection and parturition was approximately 28 hours. Induction of parturition on day 113 resulted in a significant shortening of this interval as compared with day 111 and 112. The average weights of the piglets at birth and at 5 weeks were within the normal range. The percentage of stillbirths and the loss of piglets up to weaning did not differ significantly between control and experimental groups. The practical applications of induction of parturition are discussed.     

Induction of parturition in the sow with a prostaglandin analogue (I.C.I. 80996)

Summary

Parturition was induced in 112 gilts and sows on day 111, 112, and 113 of gestation by means of a single intramuscular injection of 175 mcg of a prostaglandin F2α analogue (Cloprostenol, I.C.I. 80996). No side effects were detected immediately after injection and the course of the induced parturition was normal. The interval between injection and parturition was approximately 28 hours. Induction of parturition on day 113 resulted in a significant shortening of this interval as compared with day 111 and 112. The average weights of the piglets at birth and at 5 weeks were within the normal range. The percentage of stillbirths and the loss of piglets up to weaning did not differ significantly between control and experimental groups. The practical applications of induction of parturition are discussed.     

Reproductive efficiency and incidence of MMA after controlled farrowing using a prostaglandin analogue, cloprostenol

In a herd of sows 106 sows having 4.3 litters on aver., were over a period of 10 weeks treated on Thursdays with 0.175 mg of cloprostenol on the 111th to 114th day of gestation; 93--95% of the sows treated on the 112th and 113th day farrowed within 33 hours after treatment, 73% after treatment on the 111th day (Table I); the mean period of gestation after treatment was 113.4 +/- 0.9 days. 8 sows that only farrowed 2--5 days after the treatment, had on 21 previous farrowings proved to have significantly longer mean periods of gestation, 115.6 days, than the 112 sows in the control group, having 3.6 litters on average, that farrowed in the same period and section of the piggery as the sows treated with cloprostenol. In total 32 weekend-farrowings occurred in the observation period including 7 farrowings after a period of gestation of 110--113 days, 6 cases of unsuccessfully induced parturition and 19 farrowings on the 114th to 119th day that could have been programmed to occur on Fridays; the number of weekend-farrowings, which for this herd in connection with the weaning procedure normally accounted for about 40--45% of farrowings, could thus be reduced to 7% of farrowings (Table II). Cloprostenol treatment on the 111th day resulting in farrowing on the 112th day leads to a significantly higher rate of piglet mortality after 3 weeks compared with the results after farrowing for control sows that farrowed on the 112th day (Table III); this category of control sows had on previous farrowings proved to have a significantly shorter mean period of gestation, 112.7 days, than that of the sows in the cloprostenol group farrowing on the 112th day which had been 114.3 days on previous farrowings. Farrowing and weaning results after induced parturition resulting in farrowing on the 113th to 115th day showed no significant differences from the results for control sows farrowing spontaneously on the 112th to 115th day of gestation. The incidence of MMA (Table II) was not influenced by the cloprostenol treatment, nor by the number of litters, the length of the period of gestation, or by the piling of farrowings on Fridays.     

氯前列烯醇诱导母猪同步分娩的效果

选择 2～ 4胎龄施格母猪 1 32头 ,分为 2组。对照组 ( 6 5头 )不做任何处理 ,试验组 ( 6 7头 )又分妊娠 1 1 2d组 ( 34头 )、1 1 3d组 ( 33头 )。用氯前列烯醇 ( 0 .1 g/L)分 0 .5m L/头、1 m L/头 2个剂量组分别处理上述各试验组母猪 ,观察母猪的分娩情况。结果 ,处理至分娩开始的间隔 ,1 1 2 d组为 2 8.72 h,1 1 3d组为 2 3.34 h,2组差异极显著 ( P<0 .0 1 ) ;分娩产程 ,1 1 2 d组为 3.0 8h比对照组长 4 .2 min,1 1 3d组为 2 .31 h比对照组短4 2 min,无显著性差异 ( P>0 .0 5) ;而白天分娩率经χ2 检验有显著性差异 ,1 1 2 d、1 1 3d组分别有 6 1 .76 %和78.78%的母猪在白天分娩 ,而对照组仅为 4 6 .1 5% ( P<0 .0 5)。1 1 2 d组、1 1 3d组母猪的生产成绩 ,死胎率分别为 2 .2 7%和 2 .0 8%比对照组低 1 .82 %、2 .0 1 % ( P<0 .0 5) ;初生窝重分别为 1 1 .56、1 0 .55kg,分别比对照组高 0 .0 8kg和低 0 .0 7kg( P>0 .0 5) ;2 0日龄窝重 ,1 1 2 d组平均为 33.56 kg比对照组低 1 .9kg,1 1 3d组为2 9.30 kg比对照组高 1 .77kg( P>0 .0 5) ;断奶个体重 ,1 1 2 d组平均为 8.1 4 kg比对照组低 0 .2 7kg,1 1 3d组平均为 9.2 7kg比对照组高 0 .85kg( P>0 .0 5)。结果表明 ,氯前列烯醇能有效控制母猪分娩时间集     

Effect of dosage of cloprostenol on induction of farrowing and body temperature of sows

In an experiment involving 161 farrowings, cloprostenol was injected on day 112 or 113 of gestation at the recommended dosage (175 μg) or a lower dosage (125 μg). Cloprostenol treatment did not result in abnormally high body temperatures of sows at parturition. Farrowing began within 29 hours of injection in 94% and 88% of the sows treated with 175 μg and 125 μg cloprostenol respectively, as compared to 15% of saline-injected controls. The duration of farrowing and number stillborn were not affected by treatment. Sows farrowing within 19 hours of treatment tended to have a large number of piglets and a higher body temperature postpartum.     

前列腺素诱导母猪分娩时的内分泌状态

选用５头妊娠后期母猪,于妊娠１１１ｄ上午９∶００肌肉注射氯前列烯醇（ＰＧ）０．２０ｍｇ。５头母猪皆于次日白天分娩。从注射前至分娩结束,在整个诱导过程中多次采血,监测了血清中孕酮（Ｐ４）、硫酸雌酮（Ｅ１Ｓ）、催乳素（ＰＲＬ）和皮质醇（ｃｏｒｔｉｓｏｌ）４种激素浓度的变化。结果表明,诱导分娩过程中各种激素的变化和自然分娩基本一样。这就解释了用国产前列腺素诱导母猪分娩,只要处理时间合适（妊娠１１１ｄ或１１２ｄ）,就会有良好效果,不会产生不良副作用。     

Effect of altrenogest and Lutalyse on parturition control, plasma progesterone, unconjugated estrogen and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha in sows

To investigate control of parturition time, 154 sows farrowing 220 litters at three locations were treated with altrenogest and Lutalyse (PG). The four treatment groups were: 1) no treatment (control group); 2) an im injection of 15 mg of PG at 1000 on d 111, 112 or 113 of gestation (d 0 = first day of estrus and gestation); 3) altrenogest (20 mg X sow-1 X d-1) fed twice daily for 4 d starting on d 109, 110 or 111; and 4) altrenogest and an injection of PG at 1000 on the day after the last feeding of altrenogest. Control sows at the University of Delaware (UD), University of Maryland (UM) and USDA, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) had mean gestation lengths of 113.5, 114.2 and 115.7 d and live pigs/litter were 10.5, 11.0 and 7.4, respectively. Altrenogest started by d 110 prevented unscheduled early farrowing and increased (P less than .01) gestation length by 1.7 and 1.1 d, respectively, at UD and UM, but had not effect at BARC. The time from PG to parturition was 24.3, 22.6 and 34.4 h, respectively, at UD, UM and BARC. More sows at UD and UM farrowed between 0700 and 1700 on the expected day of parturition after injection of PG (59.3%) than with no PG (20.7%; P less than .05). The high incidence of small litters (less than six pigs) from sows inseminated with frozen semen at BARC resulted in negative correlations of live pigs/litter with gestation length (r = -.533, P = .0001) and with time from PG injection to birth of first pig (r = -.425, P = .017); these correlations were not significant at UD and UM where only natural service was used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

诱导妊娠母猪白天分娩及其机理的研究

用氯前列烯醇对妊娠后期母猪作一次性肌注，从注射前至分娩开始，以１２小时为间隔采血，然后用放射免疫法分析血样，发现注射前血浆孕酮含量较高（１５．９５ｎｇ／ｍｌ），以后逐渐显著下降，分娩时降低到最低（５．３９ｎｇ／ｍｌ）。这说明外源性氯前列烯醇对母猪分娩前妊娠黄体有溶解作用，可导致母猪分娩提前发动。实验发现，在妊娠期１１０天、１１１天和１１２天处理母猪的白天分娩率分３１１为９０％（１８／２０）、８８．２４％（１５／１７）和７５％（１２／１６）；不同处理剂量（０．０５ｍｇ。０．１ｍｇ、０．２ｍｇ）的白天分娩率分别为８６．９６％（２０／２３）、８７．５％（１４／１６）和７８．５７％（１１／１４）；实验组的平均白天分娩率（８４．９１％，４５／５３）显著高于对照组（４５．６５％，２１／４６）；处理至分娩间隔时间平均为２４小时２４分钟。     

Incidence and Prevention of Early Parturition in Sows

A retrospective study, based on 60 990 farrowing records from 35 commercial herds, was performed to determine the incidence of early parturition (<114d) and to investigate the relationship between early parturition and total number of piglets born, number of piglets born alive and percentage of stillborn piglets per litter. The mean gestation length was 115.4 ± 1.62d, and early parturition occurred in 10% of all farrowing records. Sows with early parturition had significantly more stillborn piglets and a larger litter size compared to sows with a normal gestation length (114–117d). Sows with a gestation length <114d were 1.2 times (95% CI: 1.19–1.21; p < 0.001) more likely to have an early parturition at the subsequent parity. A second study was performed in four herds (n = 329) to investigate the efficacy of altrenogest administration on 110–112d (T112) or 111–113d (T113) of gestation for preventing early parturition and to investigate the effect of this treatment on the reproductive performance of sows. The interval between the last altrenogest treatment and the onset of parturition was 3.3 ± 1.32 (T112) or 2.0 ± 0.89 (T113) days. The gestation length of sows of the altrenogest group (T112 + T113) (115.3 ± 1.23d) was significantly longer compared to gestation length of the non‐treated sows (114.7 ± 1.69d) (p < 0.01). Altrenogest treatment had no negative effect on the reproductive performances of the sows. In conclusion, the administration of altrenogest in late gestation is an effective and safe method to prevent early parturition and can counteract the reproductive losses because of premature farrowing, which may occur in a substantial part of the farrowing events.     

Control of parturition in swine. 2. Study results of parturition synchronization in swine with the prostaglandin analog cloprostenol (I.C.I. 80.996: Estrumate)

Premature parturition was induced in 115 of 121 sows (95%) that had been given injections of 150 microgram or 200 microgram of "Estrumate", a prostaglandin analogues, on the 112th and 113th days of gestation. The average time that elapsed between injection and parturition of those 115 animals was 27.2 +/- 7.7 hours, with no difference being observed between gilts, on the one hand, and old sows, on the other. The time of gestation of the treated animals was shortened with significance from 114.6 +/- 1.6 days for the controls to 113.2 +/- 0.4 days. The average duration of parturition proper was 3.7 +/- 2.2 hours, the average litter being 11.2 +/- 3.3 piglets. The total number of piglets born was 1,320, with stillbirths accounting for 4.17%. The average weight at birth, 1,330 +/- 210 g, and the weight at weaning did not differ from weight figures recorded from the controls. The courses of parturition and puerperium were in agreement with normal biological standards. The sows treated were tested for their blood counts close to full term and for their endometrial histomorphology after weaning, with no side effects of "Estrumate" treatment being established. The behaviours of progesterone, 17-beta oestradiol, and cortisol in serum of "Estrumate"-treated sows were investigated, and congruence was established between spontaneous and prostaglandin-induced parturitions, which was in agreement with international literature. The conclusion is that 150 micrograms of 'Estrumate", administered to swine, after the 11th day of gestation has very good labour-inducing effects and ensures normal physiological parturition and piglet development.     

Induced Parturition in Swine Herds

Intramuscular injections of various levels of prostaglandin F(2alpha) were administered to 116 pregnant swine in three commercial herds and the University research unit on Day 111, 112 or 113 of gestation. Sixty-three percent of the treated animals farrowed during the working day immediately following treatment. The parturition time, birth weight, litter size, number of piglets weaned, growth of the piglets to weaning and subsequent rebreeding of the dams were comparable with the expected performance in the herds. The results indicated that prostaglandin F(2alpha) in doses ranging from 5 to 12.5 mg per animal were effective for induction of parturition in a substantial proportion of the treated animals. Successful induction of parturition could reduce the farrowing interval for batches, allow more supervision of farrowing, facilitate transfer of piglets from large to small litters and generally increase efficiency in the farrowing unit. This technique could have practical application in intensive swine production units.     

Induction of parturition in swine with the prostaglandin analogue fenprostalene

Ninety-one to 100 per cent of pregnant sows injected with 0.25, 0.5 or 1 mg of fenprostalene on days 112, 113 or 114 of gestation began to farrow within 30 hours of treatment, the majority during working hours on the day after injection. Induction of farrowing had no significant effect on the piglets' viability, the litter weight or the subsequent sow or litter performance. Treatment of sows with fenprostalene and oxytocin on day 114 of pregnancy resulted in a reduction in duration of farrowing compared with fenprostalene alone.     

OC13Induction of Parturition in Canary Goats with Luprostiol

Twenty-two pregnant goats of the Canarian breed were administered 10 mg of the prostaglandin analogue luprostiol intramuscular (IM) on day 145 of pregnancy; seventeen pregnant goats were injected IM with saline solution the same day. Twenty hours after luprostiol application, goats were continuously observed in order to record the following parameters: parturition, dystocia incidence, placental delivery and live births. Parturition was successfully induced in all goats; the mean interval to parturition (first kid delivery) was of 32.9 ± 1.0 (SEM) hours (h) and the range varied from 21 to 41 h; in addition, no significant differences (p > 0.1) were detected between nuliparous and multiparous goats (31.3 ± 1.3 h and 34.7 ± 1.2 h, respectively). In the control group, the interval from saline injection to parturition was 75.9 ± 12.5 h (mean ± SEM), showing a range between 34 and 138 h. All the goats expelled the fetal membranes in the first 6 h after the induced or natural parturition. The incidence of dystocia due to fetal maldisposition was not significantly different between induced and control goats (9.0% and 11.8%, respectively). In addition, the percentage of live kids was practically similar between both groups (90.7% and 88.0%, induced vs control goats). This study confirms the effectiveness of the luprostiol to induce the parturition in goats, showing a narrow range (30–37 h) in most of the induced females (86.3%; 19/22 goats). The administration of prostaglandin analogue is a basic tool to plan kidding, allowing a effective concentration of effort and resources at the time of parturition.     

Control of swine parturition. 1. Results of clinical, histological and hematological studies of parturition induction in swine using prostaglandin F2 alpha

Parturition was induced to 23 sows on the 112th day of pregnancy by intramuscular injection of 7.5 mg PGF2 alpha (Dinoprost-Upjohn Co.). Onset of parturition was achieved within 27 hours and 52 minutes +/- four hours and 54 minutes in 21 animals (91.3 per cent). Average litter size was 11.33 piglets, with parturition time per litter having been five hours and 45 minutes +/- two hours and 39 minutes. Stillbirths accounted for 6.3 per cent. The average birth weight, 1.245 g +/- 264 g did not differ with significance from that of the controls. The physiological process accompanying parturition is described in greater detail. Unobstructed re-intergration with further reproduction of animals which had received PGF2 alpha treatment is established with hard evidence on the basis of clinical examination of oestrus, ovulation, conception, and farrowing rates as well as by histological examination of the endometrium. Alterations in the blood state recorded from animals with PGF2 alpha treatment close to full term were identical with those recorded from untreated animals.     

Influence of estradiol on duration of anestrus and incidence of short estrous cycles in postpartum cows

The influence of exposure to exogenous estradiol on the interval from parturition to first ovulation, luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and luteal function was examined in cows. Cows were assigned at parturition to one of three treatments. Cows received either a 3.0 (1-E; n = 30) or .75 cm (1/4-E; n = 28) implant containing 17 beta-estradiol or served as untreated control animals (C; n = 33). Implants were administered within 2 days following parturition and removed on day 40 postpartum (day 0 = day of parturition). Single blood samples were collected twice weekly and analyzed for progesterone to determine length of postpartum anestrus and duration of the initial increase in progesterone. Sequential blood samples were collected on day 35 +/- .1 postpartum (15 min intervals for 18 hrs) from 5 cows in each treatment and analyzed for LH. Concentrations of estradiol were higher (P less than .01) in the 1-E (5.3 +/- .24) than in C (3.9 +/- .23) or 1/4 E (3.9 +/- .25) cows on day 35 postpartum. The interval from parturition to the first estrous cycle of normal duration was similar for cows in the C and 1-E treatment (53 +/- 2.4 and 56 +/- 2.4 days, respectively). Cows in the 1/4-E treatment had a longer (P less than .05) interval (68 +/- 2.5 days). Secretion of LH was similar among treatments on day 35 postpartum. The first normal luteal phase after parturition was preceded by a transient rise in progesterone in 81, 64 and 85% of the cows in the C, 1-E and 1/4-E treatments, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of repeated administration of carbetocin (Depotocin, Spofa) in the first days postpartum on levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone and on fertilization]

Application of new procedures in the sphere of the control of sexual functions requires an extension of present knowledge of postparturient endocrinium or endogenic factors comprised in postparturient physiology of sexual activity. According to recent data, oxytocin, besides its uterotonic and luteolytic activity, acts as an ovarian factor in the local intrafollicular regulation of stereidogenesis and as a modulator of uterine secretion of prostaglandines. Based on present knowledge of oxytocin effects, this study was aimed at investigation of the influence of repeated carbetocin (Depotocin inj. Spofa) administration on the dynamics of changes in thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) concentrations and their mutual correlations from the 36th hour till the 51st day after parturition. Simultaneous study of a possible delayed influence of applied carbetocin on conception of ewes after oestrus evocation on day 51 after lambing was carried out. Nineteen ewes of the Slovak Merino breed, lambed in the first decade of February, were assigned to the experimental (n = 9) and to the control group (n = 10). Experimental ewes were subjected to repeated postparturient carbetocin treatment at the dose 0.07 mg per animal. The first dose was applied i. m. in 24 hours, and the second in 72 hours after parturition. On day 51 oestrus was induced in nine ewes of each group by combined treatment with chlorsuperlutin (Agelin, vaginal pessaries, Spofa) and PMSG (500 I.U./animal). On the day of PMSG application ewes were housed together with rams for the period of the next six days. Samples of blood were taken 24 hours before parturition (-1st day), up to 36 h after parturition and on days 4, 7, 14, 17, 21, 25, 34, 42 and 51 after parturition. Concentrations of T4, T3, E2 and P4 were determined by commercial kits RIA-test-T4; RIA-test-T3; RIA-test-ESTRA and RIA-test-PROG (URVJT Kosice). Animal of the control group showed variations of T4 concentrations (Tab. I, Fig. 1) at the level of original values (59.4 +/- 9.69 nmol.l-1) up to the 21st day with the exception of temporary drop on day 4 and rise on day 7, insignificant compared to the -1st day. T4 concentrations of the control group displayed an intermittent increasing trend with the statistically insignificant peak after 36 h and on day 17, compared to the -1st day. After the 21st day controls revealed a sustained moderate increase while the experimental ewes displayed a decline of its concentrations until the 51st day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The isolation of a cytopathogenic agent resembling the virus of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis from an outbreak of pustular vulvovaginitis in cattle

Two hundred and twenty seven dairy cows and heifers which had conceived at least 245 days previously were treated with dexamethasone alone (20 mg i/m), cloprostenol alone (500 µg s/c) or both drugs at different time-combinations in order to study the effect in terms of induction of parturition.

Results showed that cloprostenol alone, or 8–11 days after dexamethasone, caused 81% and 96% of animals respectively to calve within 1–4 days of the cloprostenol treatment.

Dexamethasone alone or injected on the same day as cloprostenol also advanced the day of calving but both spread and delay were longer than with the othertreatments.

Animals treated with cloprostenol alone, or cloprostenol 8–11 days after dexamethasone, showed oestrous behaviour 24 hours before calving, though without adverse results. Calf survival was similar for all treated groups. Cloprostenol treatments were associated with a higher incidence of retained foetal membranes (28.2–5.7%) but also with a shorter interval from parturition to resumption of cyclicity.     

The induction of parturition in sows using prostaglandin F2auml;

Intramuscular injections (10mg) of prostaglandin F2ä were administered to 19 pregnant sows in one herd on either the 112th or 113th day of gestation and a similar number of untreated sows served as controls. Induced sows for up to 6h after injection generally showed/more walking, drinking defaceating and postural changes. Over the last 20h prepartum they spent more time lying and urinated more frequently. Mean interval from injection to onset of parturition in treated sows was 24.5h and 16 of them commenced farrowing during the working day, compared with 6 in the control group. Induction of parturition did not influence litter size at birth, piglet bodyweights at birth or 14 days of age, the incidence of the mastitis, metrititis agalactae syndrome, re-breeding interval of the sow or size of the subsequent litter at birth. Farrowing time was significantly longer (6.48h v 4.08h) for treated sows and litter pre-weaning mortality was higher but not significantly so. Most piglet deaths in each group resulted from overlaying or starvation but mortality from anaemia and septicaemia occurred only in the treated group. It is considered that the technique could have practical application on well-managed intensive pig units.     

The induction of parturition in sows using prostaglandin F2alpha

Intramuscular injections (10 mg) of prostaglandin F2alpha were administered to 19 pregnant sows in one herd on either the 112th or 113th day of gestation and a similar number of untreated sows served as controls. Induced sows for up to 6h after injection generally showed more walking, drinking defaceating and postural changes. Over the last 20 h prepartum they spent more time lying and urinated more frequently. Mean interval from injection to onset of parturition in treated sows was 24.5 h and 16 of them commenced farrowing during the working day, compared with 6 in the control group. Induction of parturition did not influence litter size at birth, piglet body-weights at birth or 14 days of age, the incidence of the mastitis, metrititis agalactae syndrome, re-breeding interval of the sow or size of the subsequent litter at birth. Farrowing time was significantly longer (6.48 h v 4.08 h) for treated sows and litter pre-weaning mortality was higher but not significantly so. Most piglet deaths in each group resulted from overlaying or starvation but mortality from anaemia and septicaemia occurred only in the treated group. It is considered that the technique could have practical application on well-managed intensive pig units.     

Efficacy of 1 alpha hydroxyvitamin D3 in the prevention of bovine parturient paresis

One hundred and seventeen Israeli-Friesian cows from herds with a milk fever incidence of more than 15 per cent were injected intramuscularly with either 350 micrograms 1 alpha hydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha OHD3) in propylene glycol or with the vehicle alone, close to calving. If parturition had not occurred within 72 hours a second injection was administered; parturition was induced two days after the second injection if necessary. There were 10 cases of milk fever among 57 control cows as opposed to two cases among the 60 animals treated with 1 alpha OHD3. In an attempt to prolong the effect of the drug, Israeli-Friesian cows were injected intramuscularly with 350 micrograms 1 alpha OHD3 in either 10 ml propylene glycol or arachis oil. 1 alpha OHD3 in arachis oil did not prolong the effect of the drug. 1 alpha OHD3 in propylene glycol increased plasma calcium concentrations more rapidly than when the drug was administered in oil. Additional cows of the same breed and age were injected intramuscularly with 350 micrograms 1 alpha OHD3 in propylene glycol. Five of the animals received a second dose four days, and five received a second dose five days after the first injection. Five animals served as uninjected controls. The plasma calcium levels of the injected cows were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than those of the controls from the second until the 14th day after the first injection. Based on these results 451 Israeli-Friesian cows from herds with a milk fever incidence of more than 15 per cent were injected intramuscularly with 1 alpha OHD3 close to calving.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)