Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PGF2α treatment administered after parturition on key reproductive parameters, the incidence of postpartum pathologies, and the resumption of ovarian cyclicity in dairy cows. The study involved two groups of dairy cows: a control group (C, n=20) and an experimental group (E, n=20) that received PGF2α treatment. Postpartum pathologies, ovarian cyclicity, and reproductive performance indicators were compared between the two groups. Postpartum pathologies were observed at a higher rate in the control group, with a 30% prevalence of retained placenta, 20% for both delayed uterine involution and clinical endometritis, and 5% for pyometra. In contrast, the experimental group exhibited a lower incidence: 10% for retained placenta, 5% for delayed uterine involution, 5% for clinical endometritis and 0% for pyometra. Although these results suggest a trend toward a lower incidence of postpartum pathologies in treated cows, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Regarding the resumption of ovarian cyclicity, the control group showed a resumption rate of only 15%, whereas 65% of the experimental group resumed cyclicity. This yielded an odds ratio of 10.52 and a highly significant p-value (<0.01), indicating that PGF2α treatment effectively hastened the return to normal ovarian function. Reproductive performance was also improved in the experimental group, with first insemination (AI1) success rate of 45% compared to 30% in the control group (OR = 1.93). The waiting period was significantly shorter in the experimental group (73 vs. 98 days, p< 0.001), and both calving-to-fertilization and calving-to-calving intervals were reduced by approximately 31 days (p<0.001). However, the overall reduction in the breeding period remained inconclusive. While PGF2α treatment did not significantly reduce postpartum pathologies, it markedly enhanced the resumption of ovarian cyclicity and improved reproductive intervals in dairy cows, leading to enhanced reproductive efficiency.