Efficacy of oxytocin versus fenprostalene for the prevention of retained placenta in the dairy cow

Abstract

Immediately after calving, purebred Holstein cows were injected with either oxytocin (2 ml, i/m) or fenprostalene (2 ml, s/c). Cows with retained placentas (not expelled by 24 h postpartum) were treated with 18 million units of procaine penicillin s/c daily until the placenta was expelled. At 21 days postpartum all cows were given prostoglandin (Lutalyse [dinoprost]) to prevent endometritis. No significant differences were found between the 2 treatments in the proportion of placentas retained, days to placenta shedding, days to first breeding, days to conception or the number of services per conception.