title: Induction of parturition in dairy cattle and its effects on health and subsequent lactation and reproductive performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of induction of parturition on health, milk production and reproductive performance of dairy cows.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study in 62 dairy herds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Health, milk production and fertility indices were documented for 1449 dairy cows treated with dexamethasone trimethylacetate, with or without prostaglandin to induce calving. Equivalent data was collected for 603 untreated herd mates that calved at approximately the same time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median interval from initial treatment to calving was 11 days. Induction was associated with a substantially lower calf survival and commercial value of surviving calves. Calf viability and value was lower when induced cows were at an earlier stage of pregnancy. Retained foetal membranes, photosensitisation and other problems were significantly more frequent in the induced group compared to the untreated group. Milk production of induced cows was approximately 4% lower than untreated ones, but the majority of reproductive indices were not significantly different between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The practice of induction of parturition in seasonal calving dairy herds is a reliable way of shortening the gestation period of cows. Costs associated with morbidity and mortality of induced cows and losses in lactation and calf production are offset by benefits of improved reproductive performance and more efficient management of the herd. The welfare aspects of induction on calf survival must be considered.
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne, Rural Veterinary Unit, 10 Johnson Street, Maffra VIC 3860, Australia.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Mansell
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malmo
mesh_terms: D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D036801:Parturition / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D011453:Prostaglandins; D003907:Dexamethasone; C022090:dexamethasone trimethyl acetate