Preliminary survey of the administration of pgf2α in postpartum dairy cows

This preliminary study was conducted to obtain a first view of the role of PGF2α on placenta expulsion, prevention of postpartum uterine infections, and fertility in dairy cows. Twenty Holstein cows, 3 to 6 years of age, from a commercial dairy farm near Permet’s district were selected for this study. Cows were randomly allocated in two experimental groups: Ten cows were administered intramuscularly with 2 ml PGF2α (Estrumate ) 2 hours after parturition, and the treatment was repeated with the same dose at 8 hours after the first treatment. Ten other cows were treated with physiological solution 2ml via intramuscular and kept in the experiment as a control group to contrast the treatment. Results showed that expulsion of placenta occurred earlier in the experimental group cows (13±2.4 hours after parturition), compared with the control ones (19±4.1 hours) postpartum. Three cows in the control group developed signs of endometritis postpartum; one cow of the experimental group was diagnosed with endometritis. Results also indicated a difference between two groups concerning the days open 92± 12.4 days for the experimental group versus 128±9.6 days for control cows) as well as in the index of insemination (1.2 doses of sperm for the experimental group versus 1.6 doses for the control group). In conclusion, the results of this preliminary study indicate that the use of PGF2α early after parturition may prevent placenta retention with positive effects on the prevention of uterine infections and improvement of the fertility in cows.