Effect of estradiol and cloprostenol combination therapy on expulsion of mummified fetus and subsequent fertility in four crossbred cows

Four crossbred cows with mummified fetus were utilized for the study. The cows were subjected to gynecological examination and based on the findings the cases were diagnosed as mummified fetus. The cows were treated with ۲ mg estradiol valerate and ۵۰۰ µg cloprostenol and were examined every ۱۲ hr after ۲۴ hr of the treatment for cervical dilatation and other signs related to fetal expulsion. The time duration between treatment and starting of cervical dilatation ranged from ۴۸ to ۵۸h (۵۳.۰۰ ± ۲.۰۸ hr). Complete dilatation of cervix was observed after ۷۰.۰۰ ± ۲.۹۴ hr post treatment (Range = ۶۴-۷۶ hr). The mean fetal crown-rump length (CRL) was ۳۱.۵ cm, which ranged from ۲۷.۵ to ۳۸ cm. The number of cotyledons in pregnant horn also showed wide variation (Range ۲۴-۳۸ numbers) with mean ± SE of ۳۰.۳ ± ۳.۰۷ numbers. In the placenta of three animals irregular shaped large adventitious cotyledons were observed in the inter-cotyledonary areas. Out of the four animals treated, three animals were conceived within three estrous cycles and one animal had cystic ovary in the next cycle and was not conceived even after four cycles. It was concluded that the estradiol and prostaglandin F۲α (PGF۲α) combination therapy was effective for expulsion of mummified fetus in crossbred cows without affecting much on future fertility.