Effects of prostaglandin administration after farrowing on milk output, vaginal discharge, and mastitis during the early postpartum period in sows under field conditions

The present study evaluates the clinical effects of early post-partum prostaglandin administration on milk output, vaginal discharge and mastitis in sow. Two groups of sows were used: sows (n = 25) treated with prostaglandin F-2alpha (PGF-2α) intramuscularly 36 h after farrowing and a control group (n = 48) that did not receive any treatment. Seventy-two hours after farrowing, all animals were scored for rectal temperature, respiratory rate, feed ingestion, milk output, vaginal discharge and mastitis. Rectal temperature, feed intake, and milk output did not differ between the groups (P = 0.43). Regarding the clinical data, vaginal discharge was detected in 11/25 (40%) sows treated with PGF-2α (all in Class 2) and in 18/48 (35%) in control sows (all in Class 2). There were no significant differences between the groups (P = 0.27). Mastitis was detected in 8/25 (32%) treated sows (all in Class 2) and in 22/48 (45%) control sows, with 14/22 (63%) sows in Class 2 and 8/22 (36%) in Class 3. There were no significant differences between the groups (P = 0.32). In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that administration of PGF-2α 36 h after farrowing does not reduce the incidence and severity of vaginal discharge and mastitis during the early postpartum period.