The effect of PGF-2 alpha on reproductive performance of naturally bred dairy cows with or without pyometra

• Published in: Theriogenology Vol. 21; no. 6; pp. 869 - 874
• Main Authors: Mortimer, R.G, Ball, L, Olson, J.D, Huffman, E.M, Farin, P.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.01.1984
• Subjects: animal reproduction; bovine fertility; pregnancy rate; Prostaglandin; pyometra; pyometra; Prostaglandin; pregnancy rate; bovine fertility
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/0093-691X(84)90380-7

Five hundred thirty-four naturally bred Holstein dairy cows from two Colorado dairies were examined per rectum between 21 and 36 days after calving. Alternate cows in each herd received either 25 mg PGF-2 alpha or no treatment at the time of initial examination. No differences were found in days open or pregnancy rates between groups (P>0.25). Days open in 23 cows with pyometra were 98.7 ± 9.4, and 77.0 ± 2.2 in 493 herdmates without pyometra. The large inequalities in numbers precluded valid statistical comparisons between these groups. No overall difference (P>0.25) in reproductive performance was found in cows with pyometra treated at the initial examination compared to those not treated until two to four weeks after the initial examination. Contributing to the lack of significance were a number of cows with pyometra that had spontaneous cures before treatment was considered. Untreated cows that recovered spontaneously had better (P<0.05) reproductive performance than herdmates that required later treatments to initiate uterine evacuation. No overall advantage in reproductive performance was obtained by the routine treatment of postpartum dairy cows with PGF-2 alpha but treatment of cows with pyometra should not be delayed.