Cloprostenol for termination of pregnancy in cattle. B) The induction of abortion

Authors: Day AM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 25, Issue 6, pp 139-144, Jun 1977
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Endocrine/autocrine/paracrine, Parturition, Parturition - induced, Reproduction, Reproduction - female, Reproduction - hormones
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: One hundred and eight cows and 65 maiden heifers which were pregnant from 32 to 250 days were treated with 500 mcg cloprostenol. Abortions occurred in 53 (49%) cows and 47 (72%) heifers, with 62% of aborted foetuses being expelled within 5 days of treatment. Of 96 pregnancies treated before 150 days, 86 (89.5%) were terminated. Luteolysis, followed by oestrus and ovulation occurred in both those which aborted and those which did not, although serum progesterone levels and ovarian palpations suggest that luteolysis was not complete in those animals which maintained pregnancy. Abortions occurred in only 2 of 51 cows at 151-250 days pregnancy, while 12 of 26 similar pregnancies were terminated in heifers. Reasons for this difference are discussed, as are possible methods for improving the success rate in aborting pregnancies between 151-250 days.

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