[Metaphylaxis of puerperal disorders in cattle].

The effects of metaphylactic measures in cattle herds with the aim of diminishing puerperal disturbances and ensurement of high reproductive performance were studied. About 5000 cows in more than 30 groups (experimental and controls) were included into the clinical investigations. Dietary supplementation by sodium propionic acid over a period of 4 weeks, oxytocin or parasympathomimetics administered during the first 3 days post partum had a certain metaphylactic effect, only when the therapeutic principle met the prevalent cause of the given puerperal disturbance. In herds with high incidence of noninfectious retention of fetal membranes the metaphylactic application of Se and Vitamin E (10 days ante partum) can be taken into account. Stimulation of the ovarian activity by GnRH is recommended in animals which fail to have developed follicular activity by the 12th-15th day post partum.