Skip to main content
Download PDF

Effects of a single administration of prostaglandin F2alpha, or a combination of prostaglandin F2alpha and prostaglandin E2, or placebo on fertility variables in dairy cows 3–5 weeks post partum, a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology volume 4, Article number: 65 (2006) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Delayed uterine involution has negative effects on the fertility of cows; use of prostaglandin F2alpha alone as a single treatment has not been shown to consistently improve fertility. Combined administration of PGF2alpha and PGE2 increased uterine pressure in healthy cows. We hypothesized, that the combination of both prostaglandins would accelerate uterine involution and have, therefore, a positive effect on fertility variables. In commercial dairy farming, the benefit of a single post partum combined prostaglandin treatment should be demonstrated.

Methods

383 cows from commercial dairy farms were included in this study. Uterine size and secretion were evaluated at treatment 21–35 days post partum and 14 days later. Cows were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups: PGF2alpha and PGE2, PGF2alpha or placebo. For every animal participating in the study, the following reproduction variables were recorded: Interval from calving to first insemination, days open, number of artificial inseminations (AI) to conception; subsequent treatment of uterus, subsequent treatment of ovaries. Plasma progesterone level at time of treatment was used as a covariable. For continuous measurements, analysis of variance was performed. Fisher's exact test for categorical non-ordered data and exact Kruskal-Wallis test for ordered data were used; pairwise group comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment of significance level were performed.

Results

There was no significant difference among treatment groups in uterine size. Furthermore, there was no significant difference among treatments concerning days open, number of AI, and subsequent treatment of uterus and ovaries. Days from calving to first insemination tended to be shorter for cows with low progesterone level given PGF2alpha and PGE2 in combination than for the placebo-group (P = 0.024).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that the administration of PGF2alpha or a combination of PGF2alpha and PGE2 21 to 35 days post partum had no beneficial effect upon measured fertility variables. The exception was a tendency for a shorter interval from calving to first insemination after administration of the combination of PGF2alpha and PGE2, as compared to the placebo group. Further research should be done in herds with reduced fertility and/or an increased incidence of postpartum vaginal discharge.

Background

Delayed uterine involution causes economic losses to dairy farmers. Uterine involution is normally completed between 26 to 52 days post partum, but changes after 20–25 days are often imperceptible [1]. Puerperal controls are often done between 20–33 days post partum [2, 3]. This period overlaps with the period for normal postpartum involution, but this window of time corresponds to the period when post partum controls were described in German [4] and Canadian studies [5]. First visit criteria include evaluation of condition and involution of the uterus and type of vaginal discharge [6, 7]. Reevaluation can be done 14 days later [2, 8, 9].

Inadequate production of endogenous prostaglandin has been associated with delay in uterine involution post partum [10, 11]. Repeated administration of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) twice daily from days 3 to 13 after calving shortened the time needed for uterine involution by 6 days [12]. In the early post partum period, even single administration of PGF2α does accelerate uterine involution and hasten a return to fertile ovarian cyclicity [10, 12–14]. Single administrations of PGF2α 14 to 28 days post partum resulted in an enhanced first service conception rate (68% as compared to 43% in control cows) [15]. The advantages of this therapy, though, were restricted to herds with below average conception rates (< 50% to first insemination) [13]. Improved conception rate after single administration of dinoprost in cows 14 to 28 days post partum was particularly seen in cows with a serum progesterone value less than 0.5 ng/ml [15]. This fact demonstrated that the benefit of a prostaglandin therapy was not the consequence of luteolysis [15, 16], but the beneficial effect of PGF2α administered post partum is rather the result of myometrial contraction and thereby accelerated uterine involution [17, 18].

In healthy experimental cows, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increased uterine pressure in a dose-dependent manner if administered intravenously [19]. Furthermore, there was a cumulative effect related to uterine pressure, if PGF2α and PGE2 were given in combination [20]. In humans, the potency of prostaglandin E2 in stimulating smooth muscle contractility exceeded that of PGF2α [21], whereas the two substances were equally potent as to myometrial contractility in cows near parturition [22]. In experimental cows, increased uterine pressure of PGE2 compared to PGF2α was only measurable within the first 15 min after administration [20]. Obviously, there are two different receptors for PGE2 and PGF2α, but they also seem to be able to bind to the same receptor with different affinities [21, 23]. PGE2 may even bind to the PGF2α – receptor with higher affinity than PGF2α itself [21] and furthermore, PGE2 is degraded via PGF2α [24]. In humans, it was, furthermore, suggested that a greater number of PGE receptors was responsible for the greater potency for PGE's in stimulating uterine contractions compared to that of PGF2α [25]. We decided to use a d-cloprostenol (as to PGF2α : there are copies of the natural PGF2α and synthetic more potent cloprostenols which are racemic or in the d-form), as it can be used in a lower dose than the dl-cloprostenol, and it has an equal effect on myometrial contractility [26].

It was the purpose of our study to evaluate the effect of a single administration of PGF2α, or PGF2α and PGE2 in combination (= PGF2α + E2), or placebo in dairy cows 21 to 35 days post partum. Our hypothesis was, that the combination of both PG's had a beneficial effect on measured fertility variables based on accelerated uterine involution and cycle induction.

Materials and methods

Animals and including criteria

Data from 80 herds (10 – 50 cows per herd) participating in the Fertility Service of the Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Berne were evaluated (biweekly herd visits). Dairy cows undergoing routine puerperal control 21 to 35 days post partum were included, except for cows treated for puerperal endometritis, cows with preceding caesarean section, retained foetal membranes, dystocia, systemic antibiotic treatment and systemic illnesses such as ketosis, displacement of the abomasum, or acute mastitis. Furthermore, cows under suspicion of not being healthy by the farmer were excluded of the study because in these cases, the farmers had called their veterinarian before our herd health visit to treat these cows.

Study design

All trials were performed as double blind trials by informed consent of the farmer (neither investigators nor cows' owners were informed as to the group of treatment used). Before drug administration, a blood sample was taken for progesterone analysis later. Plasma progesterone analysis was performed using an enzymeimmunoassay with the second antibody technique. [27, 28]. Every farm was an entity starting systematically with treatment "A" for the first cow, followed by "B", "C", "A", "B" and so on.

Treatment

Three groups of treatments were used: A = combination of PGF2α (Genestran®, Dr. E. Gräub AG, Berne Switzerland, 150 μg d-cloprostenol IV) and PGE2 (2.5 mg dinoprostone IV), both substances administered in a volume of 2 ml each; B = placebo (NaCl 0.9% IV) in 2 portions of 2 ml; C = PGF2α (Genestran®, 150 μg d-cloprostenol IV) and placebo (NaCl 0.9% IV), both substances in 2 portions of 2 ml.

Clinical variables

Cows were clinically examined by rectal and vaginal exploration and vaginoscopy by one of four different trained investigators working in herd health management. All investigators received standard instructions before starting work in the Fertility Service. Uterine size and location, texture of uterine wall, symmetry of uterine horns, cervical diameter, structures on ovaries and quantity and quality of uterine secretion were recorded in a routine manner. Within this study only uterine size and secretion were analyzed for this study.

Uterine size

During rectal palpation, uterine size was scored as "under 1 examinators' hand", "pelvic", "abdominal-delimitable" or "abdominal-not delimitable" [29].

Uterine secretion

Uterine secretion scored during vaginoscopy was categorized as "normal", including clear mucus with some flakes of pus or "purulent" meaning more than 50% of pus or "lochiae" (reddish, brown, not malodorous) as reported in previous studies [2, 5, 6, 30].

Clinical reevaluation, side effects

All animals included in the study were clinically reevaluated by vaginal and rectal palpation and vaginoscopy 14 days after the first clinical examination and treatment by the same investigator. The same clinical variables were evaluated and recorded similar to the first examination.

Owners were requested for recording any adverse side effects following treatment and the injection site was monitored during reevaluation.

Definitions

The changing of uterine size from first to second evaluation was categorized as physiologic, healed or delayed (Table 1).

Table 1 Definition of progress from first examination of uterine size by rectal palpation 21 to 35 days post partum to second examination 14 days later.
Full size table

The changing of uterine secretion was scored as physiologic, healed or pathologic (Table 2).

Table 2 Definition of progress from first examination 21 to 35 days post partum to second examination 14 days later of uterine secretion.
Full size table

Fertility variables

Reproductive management in the herds included insemination on the first oestrus observed after a voluntary waiting period of 42 days.

For every animal participating in the study, the following variables were recorded: Interval from calving to first insemination, days open, number of AI to conception, subsequent treatment of uterus (local administration of antibiotics or disinfectants); subsequent treatment of ovaries (PGF2α, progesterone-releasing intravaginal devices, GnRH for the following reasons: cysts, not showing heat, persistent corpus luteum (CL)).

Covariables

Plasma progesterone level on the day of drug administration was used as a covariable. Definition of "with CL" was a palpable corpus luteum and a serum progesterone value > 2 ng/ml.

Statistical analyses

Statistical analyses were performed with StatXact 6.0 (Cytel Inc., Cambridge MA, USA). For continuous measurements, analysis of variance was performed. Fisher's exact test for categorical non-ordered data and exact Kruskal-Wallis test for ordered data were used; pairwise group comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment of significance level were performed. Level of significance was p = 0.050 and with Bonferroni adjustment p < 0.017. All data were calculated irrespective of progesterone value and grouped in "with corpus luteum" or "without corpus luteum".

Results

Animals

Data of 383 dairy cows from 80 farms were included in this study. All Swiss dairy breeds were represented (Holstein Friesian, Simmental, Red Holstein, Swiss Braunvieh and their crosses), though, primarily Simmental × Red Holstein crosses were present. Data of 163 animals were excluded (total n = 546 cows) because of puerperal endometritis, preceding caesarean section, retained foetal membranes, birth problems and systemic illnesses. Data were collected between May 2001 and April 2002 (12 months).

Drugs and study design

Cows were distributed to treatment groups A (n = 143), B (n = 127) and C (n = 113).

Clinical reevaluation

From the 383 cows controlled in the first examination, 61 cows could not be reevaluated. Reasons were insemination in the meantime (9/14/10), selling (1/3/2) or cows were on pasture (8/8/6) allocated in treatment groups A/B/C respectively.

As to side effects reported by owners, there were 2 cows dripping milk for 5 minutes after injection (treatment group A, C) and 1 cow shivering for a couple of minutes in treatment group A.

Clinical variables

Uterine size

Uterine size before drug administration and 14 days later is specified in Table 3.

Table 3 Number of cows at first examination 21 to 35 days post partum and 14 days later with uterine size (under 1 hand/pelvic/abdominal-delimitable/abdominal-not delimitable) of treatment groups A, B and C. A is (PGF2α + E2), B is placebo and C is PGF2α alone.
Full size table

The progress from first to second evaluation was "physiologic" in A = 38%, B = 30% and C = 37% of the cows. There were A = 22%, B = 25% and C = 30% of the cows "healed". The progress was considered "delayed" in A = 40%, B = 45% and C = 33% of the cows. There were no significant differences found among treatment groups, neither all over (p = 0.377) nor divided in "with" or "without corpus luteum".

Uterine secretion

Scoring of uterine secretion before drug administration and 14 days later is specified in Table 4.

Table 4 Number of cows at first examination 21 to 35 days post partum and 14 days later with uterine secretion (normal/purulent/lochiae) of treatment groups A, B and C. A is (PGF2α + E2), B is placebo and C is PGF2α alone.
Full size table

The progress from first to second evaluation was "physiologic" in A = 91%, B = 88% and C = 76% of the cows. In the group of the healed cows there were A = 7%, B = 10% and C = 20%. "Pathologic" were A = 2%, B = 2% and C = 4% of the cows. There was a significant difference all over (P = 0.019), but only A versus C was significant (P = 0.005). If tests were performed in cows "with" or "without corpus luteum", the result was only significant in "without corpus luteum" (all over P = 0.002; A versus C, P = 0.001).

Fertility variables (Table 5)

Table 5 Number of days from calving to first insemination, number of days open and number of AI until conception for all cows in treatment groups A, B and C.
Full size table

Interval from calving to first insemination was (mean ± standard deviation) 65 ± 24 in treatment group A, 68 ± 23 in group B and 64 ± 19 in group C. No significant differences were found among treatment groups all over (p = 0.306). In "without corpus luteum", days open were significantly different (p = 0.034) and 10 days shorter for A than for B (p = 0.024).

Days open were (mean ± standard deviation) 95 ± 46 in treatment group A, 97 ± 49 in group B and 100 ± 53 in group C. No significant differences were found among treatment groups, neither all over (p = 0.947) nor divided in "with" or "without corpus luteum".

Number of AI until conception (mean ± standard deviation) was 1.8 ± 1 in treatment groups A and B and 1.9 ± 1.2 in group C. No significant differences were found among treatment groups, neither all over (p = 0.582) nor divided in "with" or "without corpus luteum".

Subsequent treatment of the uterus was performed in 6/3/4 cows in treatment group A, B, C respectively. No significant differences were found among treatment groups, neither all over (p = 0.613) nor divided in "with" or "without corpus luteum".

Subsequent treatment of the ovaries was done in 59/42/40 cows in treatment group A, B, and C, respectively. No significant differences were found among treatment groups, neither all over (p = 0.676) nor divided in "with" or "without corpus luteum".

Covariables

Plasma progesterone level on the day of drug administration was (mean ± SD) 3.6 ± 1.3 ng/ml, 3.9 ± 1.8 ng/ml and 3.9 ± 1.6 ng/ml in treatment groups A, B and C "with corpus luteum". Plasma progesterone level on the day of drug administration was (mean ± SD) 0.8 ± 0.4 ng/ml, 0.9 ± 0.4 ng/ml and 0.8 ± 0.3 ng/ml in treatment groups A, B and C without corpus luteum.

Discussion

We could not corroborate our hypothesis: There was but modest benefit from the use of PGF2α, or (PGF2α + E2) on the fertility variables examined. There was a significant difference among the 3 treatment groups in cows without CL, but after Bonferroni adjustment, only a tendency for a shorter interval from calving to first insemination for (PGF2α + E2) as compared to placebo could be demonstrated. No significant effect on the interval from calving to first insemination was found for the cows in the PGF2α – group as compared to placebo. This is in contrast to a study by Gay and Upham, where a single injection of PGF2α at a median of 25 days post partum reduced median time to first breeding by 4.5 days, but not median time to conception or conception rate in clinically normal cows with a palpable corpus luteum [31]. This fact might be induced by the selection of cows: Gay and Upham only chose cows with a palpable corpus luteum, where PGF2α influenced oestrus induction [31]. In our study, the modest benefit of (PGF2α + E2) in cows without a corpus luteum could be explained by a favourable effect on myometrial contractility, which is intensified for (PGF2α + E2) as compared to PGF2α alone as shown in experimental diestrus cows [20]. A positive effect of PGF2α on cows without corpus luteum as found in our study was already described [32]. Increased uterine contraction and favourable factors involved in uterine defence mechanisms were induced [8, 32, 33]. In another study, prostaglandin therapy at day 26 and/or 40 independent of cycle state and uterine health provoked a decreased calving to conception interval as compared to saline treated control cows by 19 and 16 days, respectively [34].

Though the cows in our study were judged "healthy" by their owners, there might have been cases of clinical and subclinical endometritis. Rectal palpation and evaluation of vaginal discharge are the basis for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis and possible treatment of most cows in the field [35]. In the cow, a moderate amount of purulent discharge at oestrus or during uterine involution may be part of the self-cleaning process [18]. It is, therefore, difficult to decide whether cows in good general condition but suffering from purulent discharge are healthy (physiologic self-cleaning) or suffering from endometritis. The incidence of post partum uterine infections in clinically healthy cows has been assessed as reducing by self-cure from 92% in the first week to 64% in week 4 and to 25% in week 7 [13]. In a meta-analysis of the prostaglandin effect administered post partum including 4052 cows described in 10 papers, days open were shorter in treated cows as compared to untreated cows (2.6 days) and this difference tended to be greater for cows with an abnormal puerperium (3.3 days) [36].

As the results of our study indicate that the administration of PGF2α or (PGF2α + E2) in healthy dairy cows 21 to 35 days post partum had no beneficial effect upon fertility variables, further research will be directed towards the treatment of cows diagnosed with clinical endometritis later than 50 days post partum with PGF2αand PGE2 and its effect on reproductive variables.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that the administration of PGF2α or a combination of PGF2α and PGE2 21 to 35 days post partum had no beneficial effect upon fertility variables measured. This fact is supporting the theory, that blanket treatments in healthy post partum cows should not be performed. A tendency for a shorter interval from calving to first insemination after administration of the combination of PGF2α and PGE2, as compared to the placebo group does not justify this therapy. Contrarily, further research should be done in herds with reduced fertility and/or an increased incidence of postpartum vaginal discharge, as the combined prostaglandin treatment may have a positive effect on cycle induction and emptying the uterus of pathological contents.

Abbreviations

.:

AI = artificial insemination

.:

GnRH = Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

.:

IV = intravenously

.:

PGE2 = prostaglandin E2

.:

PGF2α= prostaglandin F2α

.:

(PGF2α+ E2) = the combination of PGF2αand PGE2

.:

CL = corpus luteum

References

  1. Arthur GH, Noakes DE, Pearson H: Veterinary reproduction and obstetrics. 1989, London, Philadelphia, Toronto, Sydney, Tokyo: Baillière Tindall, 161-162.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Drillich M, Bergmann J, Falkenberg U, Kurth A, Heuwieser W: Einfluss der Intensität der Puerperalkontrolle auf die Fruchtbarkeitsleistung von Hochleistungskühen. Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift. 2002, 109: 386-390.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kasimanickam R, Duffield TF, Foster RA, Gartley CJ, Leslie KE, Walton JS, Johnson WH: The effect of a single administration of cephapirin or cloprostenol on the reproductive performance of dairy cows with subclinical endometritis. Theriogenology. 2005, 63: 818-830. 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.05.002.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Tenhagen B-A, Heuwieser W: Comparison of a conventional reproductive management programme based on rectal palpation and uterine treatment of endometritis with a strategic prostaglandine F2α programme. Journal of Veterinary Medicine A. 1999, 46: 167-176. 10.1046/j.1439-0442.1999.00205.x.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. LeBlanc SJ, Duffield TF, Leslie KE, Bateman KG, Keefe GP, Walton JS, Johnson BJ: Defining and diagnosing postpartum clinical endometritis and its impact on reproductive performance in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2002, 85: 2223-2236.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Pepper RT, Dobson H: Preliminary results of treatment and endocrinology of chronic endometritis in the dairy cow. The Veterinary Record. 1987, 120: 53-56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Studer E, Morrow DA: Postpartum evaluation of bovine reproductive potential: Comparison of findings from genital tract examination per rectum, uterine culture, and endometrial biopsy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1978, 172: 489-494.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Mortimer RG, Ball L, Olson JD, Huffman EM, Farin PW: The effect of PGF-2alpha on reproductive performance of naturally bred dairy cows with or without pyometra. Theriogenology. 1984, 21: 869-874. 10.1016/0093-691X(84)90380-7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Brooks G: Comparison of two intrauterine treatments for bovine endometritis. The Veterinary Record. 2000, 146: 25-

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kindahl H, Frederickson G, Madej A, Edqvist LE: Role of prostaglandins in uterine involution. Proceedings of the Xth Int. Cong. Anim Reprod and AI: 1984; Urbana-Champaign. 1984, 9-24.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Madej A, Kindahl H, Woyno W, Edqvist LE, Stupnicki R: Blood levels of 15-keto-13, 14-dihydroprostaglandin F(2alpha) during the postpartum period in primiparous cows. Theriogenology. 1984, 21: 279-287. 10.1016/0093-691X(84)90413-8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lindell JO, Kindahl H: Exogenous Prostaglandin F2α promotes uterine involution in the cow. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. 1983, 24: 269-274.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Young IM: Responses to dinoprost in the bovine early post partum period. The Veterinary Record. 1989, 124: 511-512.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Gustaffson B, Bäckström G, Edqvist LE: Treatment of bovine pyometra with Prostaglandin F2α: An evaluation of a field study. Theriogenology. 1976, 6: 45-50. 10.1016/0093-691X(76)90187-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Young IM, Anderson DB, Plenderleith RWJ: Increased conception rate in dairy cows after early post partum administration of prostaglandin F2α THAM. The Veterinary Record. 1984, 115: 429-431.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Young IM, Anderson DB: First service conception rate in dairy cows treated with dinoprost tromethamine early post partum. The Veterinary Record. 1986, 118: 212-213.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Garcia-Villar R, Marnet PG, Laurentie MP, Toutain PL: Fenprostalene in cattle: Evaluation of oxytocic effects in ovariectomized cows and abortion potential in a 100-day pregnant cow. Theriogenology. 1987, 28: 467-480. 10.1016/0093-691X(87)90251-2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Gustafsson B: Therapeutic strategies involving antimicrobial treatment of the uterus in large animals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1984, 185: 1194-1198.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hirsbrunner G, Eicher R, Küpfer U, Burkhardt H, Steiner A: Effect of different doses of prostaglandinE2 on intrauterine pressure and uterine motility during diestrus in experimental cows. Theriogenology. 2000, 54: 291-303. 10.1016/S0093-691X(00)00349-6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Hirsbrunner G, Knutti B, Küpfer U, Burkhardt H, Steiner A: Effect of Prostaglandin E2, dl-cloprostenol and PGE2 in combination with d-cloprostenol on uterine motility during diestrus in experimental cows. Animal Reproduction Science. 2003, 79: 17-32. 10.1016/S0378-4320(03)00085-X.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Giannopoulos G, Jackson K, Kredentser J, Tulchinsky D: Prostaglandin E and F2α receptors in human myometrium during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy and labor. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1985, 153: 904-910.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Zerobin K, Jöchle W, Steingruber Ch: Termination of pregnancy with prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and F2α (PGF2α) in cattle. Prostaglandins. 1973, 4: 891-901. 10.1016/0090-6980(73)90124-X.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Bauknecht T, Krahe B, Rechenbach U, Zahradnik HP, Breckwoldt M: Distribution of prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2α receptors in human myometrium. Acta endocrinologica. 1981, 98: 446-450.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Canete Soler R, Lopez Bernal A, Turnbull AC: Conversion of prostaglandin E2 to prostaglandin F2α by human myometrium. Hormone and Metabolic Research. 1987, 19: 515-516.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Hofmann GE, Rao ChV, Barrows GH, Sanfilippo JS: Topography of human uterine prostaglandin E and F2α Receptors and their profiles during pathological states. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 1983, 57: 360-366.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Hirsbrunner G, Küpfer U, Burkhardt H, Steiner A: Effect of different prostaglandins on intrauterine pressure and uterine motility during diestrus in experimental cows. Theriogenology. 1998, 50: 445-455. 10.1016/S0093-691X(98)00151-4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Prakash BS, Meyer HHD, Schallenberger E, Van de Wiel DFM: Development of a sensitive enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) for progesterone determination in unextracted bovine plasma using the second antibody technique. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry. 1987, 28: 623-627. 10.1016/0022-4731(87)90389-X.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Van de Wiel DFM, Koops W: Development and validation of an enzyme immunoassay for progesterone in bovine milk or blood plasma. Animal Reproduction Science. 1986, 10: 201-213. 10.1016/0378-4320(86)90031-X.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Grunert E: Untersuchungen im Rahmen der Fertilitätskontrolle. Die gynäkologische Untersuchung. Fertilitätsstörungen beim weiblichen Rind. Edited by: Grunert E, Berchtold M. 1999, Berlin: Paul Parey Verlag, 29-59. 3

    Google Scholar 

  30. Knutti B, Küpfer U, Busato A: Reproductive efficiency of cows with endometritis after treatment with intrauterine infusions or injections, or no treatment. Journal of Veterinary Medicine A. 2000, 47: 609-616. 10.1046/j.1439-0442.2000.00324.x.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Gay JM, Upham GL: Effect of exogenous prostaglandinF2α in clinically normal postparturient dairy cows with a palpable corpus luteum. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1994, 205: 870-873.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Bonnett BM, Etherington WD, Martin SW: The effect of prostaglandin administration to Holstein-Friesian cows at day 26 post-partum on clinical findings, and histological and bacteriological results of endometrial biopsies at day 40. Theriogenology. 1990, 33: 877-890. 10.1016/0093-691X(90)90823-C.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. McClary DG, Putnam MR, Wright JC, jun JL Sartin: Effect of early postpartum treatment with prostaglandin F2α on subsequent fertility in the dairy cow. Theriogenology. 1989, 31: 565-570. 10.1016/0093-691X(89)90241-0.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Etherington WG, Martin SW, Bonnett B, Johnson WH, Miller RB, Savage NC, Walton JS, Montgomery ME: Reproductive performance of dairy cows following treatment with cloprostenol 26 and/or 40 days postpartum: A field trial. Theriogenology. 1988, 29: 565-575. 10.1016/S0093-691X(88)80005-0.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Gilbert RO: The burden of proof. Cornell Vet. 1992, 82: 11-14.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Burton NR, Lean IJ: Investigation by meta-analysis of the effect of prostaglandin F2α administered post partum on the reproductive performance of dairy cattle. Veterinary Record. 1995, 136: 90-94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Tania Aeberhard, Ursula Domann, Thomas Kaufmann, Urs Küpfer, Erika Rutishauser, Brigitte Stuber-Eicher, and Léonie von Tavel for their tireless work in the field and in the laboratory.

Furthermore, we thank Dr. E. Gräub AG, Berne, Switzerland for supporting this study.

Finally, we thank Prof. Juerg Hüsler, Head of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Berne, Switzerland for statistical analyses.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Berne, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012, Berne, Switzerland

    Gaby Hirsbrunner & Adrian Steiner

  2. Dr. E. Gräub AG, 3018, Berne, Switzerland

    Heinz W Burkhardt

Authors
  1. Gaby Hirsbrunner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Heinz W Burkhardt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adrian Steiner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gaby Hirsbrunner.

Additional information

Competing interests

This study was financially supported by Dr.E. Gräub AG, Berne. Before the beginning of the study, publication of data was bound by contract whatever the results would prove.

Authors' contributions

GH made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data.

HWB helped with the design and organized financial support of the study.

AS revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content; and gave final approval of the version to be published.

Rights and permissions

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hirsbrunner, G., Burkhardt, H.W. & Steiner, A. Effects of a single administration of prostaglandin F2alpha, or a combination of prostaglandin F2alpha and prostaglandin E2, or placebo on fertility variables in dairy cows 3–5 weeks post partum, a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 4, 65 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-4-65

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-4-65

Keywords

  • Corpus Luteum
  • Artificial Insemination
  • Post Partum
  • Endometritis
  • Fertility Variable

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

ISSN: 1477-7827

Contact us