Uses and abuses of hormones and their analogs in estrus synchronization, control of parturition, prophylaxis and therapy of infertility

Abstract

Hormones are an increasing important part of the veterinarian’s armatory in battling infertility, maintaining fertility and controlling cycle and parturition. Therapeutic, prophylactic and biotechnical aspects of their use can often no longer be separated: Cycle control methods have become tools to treat or prevent certain aspects of infertility; methods to control parturition as a management tool are of importance to terminate pathological gestations or alleviate dystocia and enable obstetrical procedures.

Drug laws worldwide assure use or dispensation of these hormones by veterinarians only.

The rowing of issues in the title of this presentation, to be discussed in this introductory review, does not reflect a ranking of their present importance. But it may well reflect its future importance. The order of discussion chosen here follows the biological and biotechnical sequence of events in the life on an animal of the bovine species and the chances to be subjected to hormonal treatments.