INHIBITION OF CORTICOID-INDUCED PARTURITION BY PROGESTERONE IN CATTLE: EFFECT ON DELIVERY AND CALF VIABILITY

Abstract

Summary. Progesterone (100 mg) applied 3 days before and 5 days after a single administration of 10 mg flumethasone on Day 270 of pregnancy in sixteen cows and thirteen heifers, successfully prevented premature parturition which was otherwise promptly induced by the corticoid. At this dose level and timing, progesterone interfered significantly with the sequence of events preceding, accompanying and following parturition. As a result, preparation of presentation of the fetus for parturition was either delayed or prevented, dystocia was frequent, the percentage of stillborn calves was significantly elevated, calf viability was impaired and placental retention, which occurs in about 80% of corticoid-induced parturitions, was not influenced.