INDUCTION OF PARTURITION IN DOMESTIC-ANIM ALS

When labour has to be induced, species differences in the regulation o f parturtition have to be taken into account. In cattle, parturition i s induced with glucocorticoids and with PGF2alpha agonists, the same d rugs are efficient in the goat. In sheep, lambing can be initiated wit h corticoids but not with PGF2alpha or PGF2alpha agonists. Synchronisa tion of lambing has also been achieved with oestradiol benzoate. PGF2a lpha is used in pigs and can be combined with oxytocin. In ruminants a nd pigs, it takes one to three days from induction until the onset of labour. In contrast, in the late pregnant horse mare, parturition can be induced within one hour by use of oxytocin. Prostaglandins and gluk ocorticoids have not gained importance in the horse. An effective and riskless method for induction of parturition in the dog is not availab le but PGF2alpha is effective. In different species under experimental conditions, parturition has been induced effectively with inhibitors of progesterone synthesis and with antigestagens. These substances, ho wever, are not available for clinical use in animals.