The objectives of the present study were to compare the effects of a protracted and a conventional induction of parturition on the incidence of retained placenta, and to evaluate the suitability of transrectal Doppler sonography of the uterine arteries as a noninvasive method for the assessment of placental maturation. Protracted induction of labor (PIP) was precipitated in 13 cows by the admin...

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of inducing premature parturition on the composition of colostrum and milk and the effects of dietary fat supplementation on colostrum and milk composition from premature and delayed farrowing sows. In Trial 1, eight sows were allowed to farrow naturally (d 114, NF sows) and eight sows were induced to farrow (IF sows) prematurely by injecti...

negative energy balance in pregnant ewes during last two month of gestation could result in fatal pregnancy toxemia and affects ewe and lamb health. the understanding of variations of energy related metabolites during this critical period may cast light upon to a better management of the situation. this study describes the variations of serum energy related biochemical metabolites at a period o...

Prostaglandins (PGs) have been recently proven essential for parturition in mice. To dissect the contributions of the two cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms to the synthesis of PGs during pregnancy, we have characterized the parturition phenotype of COX-1-deficient mice. We find that mice with targeted disruption of the COX-1 gene have delayed parturition resulting in neonatal death. Results of mati...

Sometimes it is necessary to induce abortion/ parturition in cattle. The most common methods are by injections of either PGF2α (or an analogue) or dexamethasone/ flumethasone. If the induction is performed too early in pregnancy the likelihood of achieving parturition or abortion is low. In an experiment where dexamethasone was used to induce parturition in heifers (Kask et al. 2000 ab, Königss...