The effects of a post partum injection of prostaglandin F2 alpha on return to oestrus and pregnancy rates in dairy cows.
The interval from calving to conception is unnecessarily long in dairy cows. Post partum administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha can reduce the calving to conception interval, but it is not known whether this is due to advanced return to oestrus, increased oestrus intensity and/or increased pregnancy rates. In two experiments, the treatment of dairy cows with prostaglandin F2 alpha 21 days post partum reduced the interval to first oestrus and first service by about 10 days. The intensity of oestrus was not affected. Pregnancy rates to first service were increased from (on average) 60 to 80%, and the number of services/conception was reduced from 2.0 to 1.3.
Schofield
S A
SA
School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK.
Kitwood
S E
SE
Phillips
C J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D015237:Dinoprost