Estradiol-17 beta cyclopentylpropionate and prostaglandin F for induction of abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy in feedlot heifers.

The ability of estradiol-17 beta cyclopentylpropionate (ECP, 20 mg) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha; 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg) to induce abortion during early gestation (days 40 to 90, as estimated by palpation per rectum) in pregnant feedlot heifers was compared. All treatments were given by IM injection. All heifers treated with 20 and 40 mg of PGF2 alpha aborted within 7 days after treatment. Six of 10 heifers aborted in the same period after ECP treatment; 1 additional heifer aborted by day 13. Abortions did not occur by day 13 in 10 placebo-treated heifers. Five and 10 mg of PGF2 alpha aborted 2 of 3 and 8 of 10 heifers, respectively, within 7 days of treatment. Quantitation of serum progesterone by specific radioimmunoassay showed that a luteolytic effect was evident in aborting heifers. Complications were not detected in any heifers after treatment or abortion. Ten of the 20 heifers that aborted in response to the 20- and 40-mg doses of PCF2 alpha developed a new corpora lutea by day 20 after treatment. However, none of the heifers that aborted after ECP treatment had a corpus luteum by day 20. It was concluded that PGF2 alpha is a more effective compound than ECP for induction of abortion during the 1st trimester of pregnancy in feedlot heifers, that a wide range of PGF2 alpha doses are capable of inducing abortion in at least some animals treated, and that heifers are likely to resume ovarian activity sooner if aborted with PGF2 alpha than with ECP.