Prophylaxis of respiratory distress syndrome in premature calves by administration of dexamethasone or a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue to their dams before parturition.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate effects of preterm induction of calving by administration of flumethasone and dinoprost on the lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid and on neonatal respiratory distress after birth.


METHODS
45 dairy cows and their newborn calves.


METHODS
Amniotic fluid from 45 cows was obtained and tested between days 258 and 270 of gestation. Cows were then given flumethasone (10 mg; n = 15), dinoprost (25 mg; n = 15), or saline solution (n = 15). Thirty hours later, left flank cesarean section was performed, amniotic fluid was collected, and the calf was delivered. Blood for determination of progesterone was withdrawn at amniotic fluid sample collections and before induction of calving. Blood for analysis of pH and base deficit was collected from calves during cesarean section and repeatedly after birth. Phospholipids in amniotic fluid were measured by thin-layer chromatography, and progesterone was determined by radioimmunoassay. Base deficit and pH were measured, using a blood gas analyzer.


RESULTS
Before treatments, a corpus luteum was present in all cows and the lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid did not differ between groups. Thirty hours after injections of flumethasone and dinoprost, progesterone concentration had decreased (P < 0.05) and the lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratio was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than values in controls. In calves delivered after flumethasone or dinoprost treatments, the degree of acidosis was significantly (P < 0.05) less than that in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Flumethasone and dinoprost, given to pregnant cows, accelerate fetal lung maturation and improve respiratory function after birth.
Zaremba
W
W
Clinic for Bovine Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
Grunert
E
E
Aurich
J E
JE
D000138:Acidosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005443:Flumethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000662:veterinary*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins; D011374:Progesterone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D015237:Dinoprost; D005443:Flumethasone