Uterine Involution, Fluid Accumulation and Ovarian Activity after Injection of Prostaglandin at Different Periods of Buffalo Puerperium

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chloprostenol administration, at early or intermediary puerperium, under uterine involution, intrauterine fluid accumulation and ovarian activity return. 30 Murrah postpartum buffaloes were randomly divided into three groups: CONT (saline, n = 10); CLO2 (chloprostenol at days 2 and 5 postpartum, n = 10) and; CLO15 (chloprostenol at days 15 and 20 postpartum, n = 10). Gynecological exams were performed at days 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 postpartum, when uterine involution degree (1 to 3 scale, by transrectal palpation), intrauterine fluid accumulation (0 to 3 scale, by ultrasound exam) and ovarian activity (B-mode ultrasound exam) were evaluated. CLO2 group presented higher uterine involution (2.00 +/- 0.23, 1.66 +/- 0.23, 1.58 +/- 0.23 for groups CLO2, CONT and CLO15, respectively) and faster ovarian activity return in relation to groups CONT and CLO15 (P < 0.05). Groups CLO2 and CLO15 showed lower intrauterine fluid accumulation compared to CONT group (2.04 +/- 0.20, 1.58 +/- 0.20, 1.92 +/- 0.20 for groups CONT, CLO2 and CLO15, respectively; P < 0.05). Prostaglandin analogue administration in postpartum buffalo benefited uterine involution, lochia expulsion and ovarian activity return, improving reproductive efficiency in this specie.