An economic evaluation of estrous synchronization and timed artificial insemination in suckled beef cows.

Partial budget analysis was used to determine the economic outcome of estrus synchronization (ES) and timed artificial insemination (TAI) in commercial cow-calf production. Suckled beef cows (n = 1,197) from 8 locations were assigned randomly within each location to 1 of 2 treatment groups: 1) cows were inseminated artificially after synchronization of ovulation using the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol, which includes a 100-µg injection of GnRH (OvaCyst; TevaAnimal Health, St. Joseph, MO) when a controlled internal drug-releasing device (CIDR; Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY) containing 1.38 g of progesterone was inserted. The CIDR was removed 7 d later, and cows received a 25-mg injection of PGF(2α) (PGF; Lutalyse; Pfizer Animal Health), followed in 66 h with TAI and a second 100-µg injection of GnRH (TAI; n = 582), and 2) cows were exposed to natural service (NS) without estrous synchronization (Control; n = 615). Within each herd, cows from both treatments were maintained together in similar pastures and were exposed to bulls 12 h after the last cow in the TAI treatment was inseminated. Overall, the percentage of cows exposed to treatments that subsequently weaned a calf was greater (P < 0.05) for TAI (84%) than Control (78%) cows. In addition, survival analysis demonstrated that cumulative calving distribution differed (P < 0.05) between the TAI and Control treatments. Weaning weights per cow exposed to treatments were greater (P < 0.01) for cows in the TAI treatment (193.4 ± 4.3 kg) than those cows in the Control treatment (175.9 ± 4.3 kg). Overall, increased returns plus decreased costs ($82.32) minus decreased returns plus increased costs ($33.18) resulted in a $49.14 advantage per exposed cow in the TAI treatment compared with the Control treatment. Location greatly influenced weaned calf weights, which may have been a result of differing management, nutrition, genetic selection, production goals, and environments. We concluded that ES and TAI had a positive economic impact on subsequent weaning weights of exposed cows.

Partial budgeting assessment of the treatment of pyometra, follicular cysts and ovarian inactivity causing postpartum anoestrus in dairy cattle.

A total of 412 multiparous German Holstein cows were screened for postpartum pyometra, follicular cysts and ovarian inactivity to assess economic and productivity losses in relation to pharmaceutical expenditures. Our results show that cows treated for pyometra with prostaglandin f2 alpha (PGF2α) and oxytetracycline had significantly (P<0.05) greater total and net returns than untreated cows or those treated with PGF2α+cephapirin or PGF2α alone. Milk yields from untreated cows affected by follicular cysts were significantly (P<0.05) lower than the yields from cows treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)- and GnRH+PGF2α. In addition, the use of GnRH to treat cows with ovarian inactivity resulted in significantly (P<0.05) lower costs and greater total and net return values compared to untreated controls.

Factors affecting the monetary return from programmes for synchronising oestrus in dairy cows with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and prostaglandin F2alpha.

Synchronisation, using a combination of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and prostaglandin F2alpha injections, is commonly used to control the reproductive cycle of dairy cows. A simple model that could predict the monetary return from synchronisation would be a valuable tool in determining whether it would be worthwhile. This study used data from three controlled clinical trials to investigate the effects of six factors (interval between calving and synchronisation, 21-day submission rate, number of cows synchronised, average age, pregnancy rate of non-synchronised cows and season) on the return from synchronisation. The results suggests that the herd's submission and pregnancy rates, the time between calving and synchronisation, and the number of cows synchronised can all significantly affect the return from synchronisation, but only time since calving significantly affected the return in all three trials. They also suggest that there is no simple linear relationship between these factors and the return from synchronisation.

Prostaglandin analog treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To review available data related to the use of prostaglandin analogs (bimatoprost, latanoprost, travoprost, unoprostone) in the management of ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma. DATA SOURCES: Primary and review articles were identified from a MEDLINE search (1966-May 2001) and requested information from product manufacturers. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All available information, including that published in articles and abstracts, which was deemed relevant was included in this review. Limited data have been published to date. DATA SYNTHESIS: The prostaglandin analogs appear to be effective, well-tolerated agents for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. This drug class offers an alternative for patients who do not achieve control with another topical antiglaucoma agent or for those with a contraindication to first-line therapy with beta-adrenergic antagonists. Based on preliminary clinical data, bimatoprost, latanoprost, and travoprost appear to be at least as effective as timolol, while the effectiveness of unoprostone is similar or slightly less. Prostaglandin analogs may be used in conjunction with other antiglaucoma medications, although further studies must establish the optimal combination. Whether clinical experience will yield outcomes in favor of one of the prostaglandin analogs remains to be determined. Patients should be educated on adverse events associated with prostaglandin analogs, particularly the potential for changes in the pigmentation of the iris and eyelashes. CONCLUSIONS: Bimatoprost, latanoprost, and travoprost appear to be equivalent to the current standard of therapy in the topical treatment of elevated IOP. Further clinical data published in article versus abstract format is required to better assess potential differences among these 3 agents.

Extra-amniotic saline infusion versus extra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha for cervical ripening and induction of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of extra-amniotic saline infusion versus extra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha for cervical ripening, induction of labor and achievement of vaginal delivery in patients with unfavorable cervices. METHOD: A randomized trial of extra-amniotic saline infusion versus extra-amniotic prostaglandin F2alpha performed at Harare Central Hospital Maternity Unit, Zimbabwe. One hundred and sixty-four patients were recruited from those referred to Harare Central Hospital Maternity Unit who required induction of labor for either maternal or fetal indications. RESULTS: 162 patients (extra-amniotic PgF2alpha group, N = 81; extra-amniotic saline infusion group, N = 81) had complete information. Two patients (one from each group) were lost to follow up. The demographic characteristics of the patients and the indications for induction were not statistically different. There was a marginally statistically significant difference in the change of Bishop Score in favor of the extra-amniotic saline infusion (4.0, S.D. = 1.4) as compared to (4.5, S.D. = 1.5) for extra-amniotic PgF2alpha (P value = 0.047). All other parameters showed no statistically significant differences. Maternal and fetal complications were minimal and not significantly different. Extra-amniotic saline infusion was however almost six times cheaper than PgF2alpha. CONCLUSION: Extra-amniotic saline infusion is as effective as PgF2alpha, safe, but much cheaper than PgF2alpha and should be seriously considered as a method of first choice in resource-poor settings.

Effect of exogenous prostaglandin F2 alpha in clinically normal postparturient dairy cows with a palpable corpus luteum.

In 228 clinically normal cows with a palpable corpus luteum 20 to 40 days after parturition and a mean 305-day mature equivalent milk production of 8,970 kg, prostaglandin F2 alpha was administered in a randomized, controlled clinical trial to determine whether such treatment enhanced their subsequent reproductive performance. Although the treatment reduced median time to first breeding by 4.5 days (P = 0.0025) from 57.0 days, median time to conception was not significantly different between the treatment and nontreated control group (87.0 vs 88.5 days) and conception rate by 110 days after parturition was not significantly different (64.7 vs 69.6%). Use of prostaglandin was associated with a significant (P = 0.0459) decrease in conception rate at first breeding from 42.0 to 29.3%. This study suggested that prostaglandin treatment of cows with a normal reproductive tract and a palpable corpus luteum at a median of 25 days after parturition does not enhance their reproductive performance and thus is not cost-effective.