Effect of Different Treatment Protocols on the Incidence of Retained Placenta and Post-partum Reproductive Health of Cross Bred Cows upon Induction of Parturition

Cross-bred cows (n=45) were strategically induced to calve on day 280 of gestation. They received pre and post-partum vitamin mineral mixture & calcium supplement (VMC), intravenous cloprostenol and methyl-ergometrine in Ringer’s Lactate (CMR) just after expulsion of fetus, intrauterine infusion of metronidazole and furazolidone bolus with 80 ml 3% hydrogen peroxide after the expulsion of fetus (MF+HP) and oral methyl ergometrine as ecbolic (ME) for 6 days post-partum. They were then divided into three groups viz. Group 1 (n=15), Group 2 (n=15) and Group 3 (n=15) receiving VMC + CMR + (MF+HP) + ME, CMR + (MF+HP) + ME and MF respectively. Group 4 (n=15) constituted cows without retention of placenta (ROP). Induction of parturition resulted in ROP in 80% of cows in group 3. VMC treatment resulted in significant reduction in ROP. CMR + HP + ME significantly reduced ROP in group 2 compared to group 3. Mean days open first service (DOFS) and mean days open pregnancy were smallest while first service conception rate (FSCR) was greatest in group 1. The results indicate that parturition can be induced on day 280 of gestation and infusion of uterus with hydrogen peroxide along with slow i.v. administration of methyl-ergometrine after fetal expulsion greatly reduces ROP.