Evaluation of a needle-free injection system for administration of cloprostenol for luteolysis in lactating dairy cows

Abstract

Luteolytic drugs are critical for managing reproductive success in dairy cows. Currently prostaglandin analogs are only ap­proved for intramuscular injection. The utilization of a needle and syringe for administration of any drug can result in needle-stick injuries to workers. Furthermore, needle-free injection systems have been shown to eliminate transmission of blood­borne pathogens, such as anaplasmosis, in cattle. Data on the efficacy of needle-free injection systems and their application in an estrous synchronization protocol has not been reported. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effective­ness of utilizing a needle-free injection system (Pulse Needle­Free Systems, Lenexa, KS) for the intramuscular delivery of clo­prostenol (Estrumate®, Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ) for the purpose of estrous synchronization in lactating dairy cows.