Impact of postpartum PGF۲α treatment on reproductive performance and prevention of specific uterine disorders in dairy cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PGF۲α treatment administered after parturition on key reproductive parameters, the incidence of postpartum pathologies, and the resumption of ovarian cyclicity in dairy cows. The study involved two groups of dairy cows: a control group (C, n=۲۰) and an experimental group (E, n=۲۰) that received the PGF۲α treatment. Postpartum pathologies, ovarian cyclicity, and reproductive performance indicators were compared between the groups. Postpartum pathologies were observed at a higher rate in the control group, with a ۳۰% prevalence of retained placenta, ۲۰% for both delayed uterine involution and clinical endometritis, and ۵% for pyometra. In contrast, the experimental group exhibited a lower incidence, with ۱۰% for retained placenta, ۵% for delayed uterine involution, ۵% for clinical endometritis, and ۰% for pyometra. Although these results suggest a trend toward lower pathology incidence in treated cows, the differences were not statistically significant (p > ۰.۰۵). Regarding the resumption of ovarian cyclicity, the control group showed a resumption rate of only ۱۵%, whereas ۶۵% of the experimental group resumed cyclicity. This yielded an odds ratio of ۱۰.۵۲ and a highly significant p-value (< ۰.۰۱), indicating that PGF۲α treatment effectively hastened the return to normal ovarian function. Reproductive performance also improved in the experimental group, with first insemination (AI۱) success rates of ۴۵% compared to ۳۰% in the control group (OR = ۱.۹۳). The waiting period was significantly shorter in the experimental group (۷۳ vs. ۹۸ days, p < ۰.۰۰۱), and calving-to-fertilization and calving-to-calving intervals were reduced by approximately ۳۱ days (p < ۰.۰۰۱). However, the overall reduction in the breeding period remained inconclusive. While PGF۲α treatment did not significantly reduce postpartum pathologies, it markedly enhanced the resumption of ovarian cyclicity and improved reproductive intervals in dairy cows, leading to enhanced reproductive efficiency.

Keywords:

PGF۲α , postpartum treatment , Reproductive , cyclicity , dairy cows