Conventional induction protocol (CIP) of calving in buffaloes employs the intramuscular (IM) administration of dexamethasone (40 mg) and cloprostenol sodium (500 μg). If there is no progression in terms of cervical dilatation, then a second dose of cloprostenol sodium (500 μg) is administered intramuscularly. This protocol possesses certain demerits: (1) a wide range of response time intervals, and (2) increased risk of fetal membrane retention. Considering the cervix as a caudal continuation of the myometrium with its own contractile potential, and the limitations of CIP, we developed intracervical (IC) drug administration route in buffaloes. The proposed technique was evaluated for its use in a total of 22 cases of incomplete cervical dilatation in uterine torsion-affected buffaloes (IC-14 and IM-8). In addition to CIP, the IC group received an intracervical injection of cloprostenol sodium (500 μg) at the start of the experiment whereas the IM group received an extra intramuscular dose of cloprostenol sodium (500 μg) either after 24 h or when no progression in cervical dilatation is noticed. Surprisingly, the average response time during the experiment in the IC group was 5.8 h shorter (p < 0.000) than in the IM group (IC-5.7 ± 0.17 h vs. IM-11.9 ± 0.74 h). The duration from calving to fetal membrane expulsion (IC-12.8 ± 0.60 h vs. IM-17.5 ± 1.40 h; p < 0.002) and incidence of retention of fetal membrane were also less in the IC group (57.1% vs. 87.5%). The proposed intracervical drug administration potentiates cervical dilatation and can be regarded as a safe, effective, and feasible technique for attaining reliable results.
Keywords: Buffalo; Calving; Intracervical; ProstaglandinF2α.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.