The use of fast acting antioxidants for the reduction of cow placental retention and subsequent endometritis

Vitamin E either with selenium or vit. A as antioxidants was administered t o reduce incidence of retained placenta and uterine infections that could d elay subsequent conception, Pregnant multiparous crossbred cows (70) were g rouped into 3: animals in group I (n=30) injected with 400 mg vit. E and 12 lakh IU vit. A, group 2 (n=20) with 500 mg vit. E and 15 mg selenium at 4 weeks before expected calving and group 3 (n=20) an untreated control. The serum levels of different biochemical parameters were also estimated at pre parturn stage. These animals were observed for occurrence of placental rete ntion following parturition. The placental retention 24hr after parturition was 25% in control and reduced to 10 and 15% in treated groups I and 2 res pectively. Endometritis occurred in 100% of the animals following placental retention as compared to 10.17% of those with normal expulsion of the feta l membranes. A comparison of reproductive indices showed no significant imp rovement in fertility of treated cows. The results revealed that serum leve ls of alkaline phosphatase and progesterone, were higher at 250 +/- 10 days of gestation in cows which experienced placental retention following calvi ng.