Abstract:
Embryonic mortality denotes the death of fertilized ova and embryos upto end of implantation. Early embryonic mortality accounts for majority of reproductive failures with a mortality rate upto 40% of fertilized eggs. PGF2α secreted by endometrial cells by activation of specific receptors by oxytocin of luteal origin causes demise of corpus luteum. In bovines embryonic trophoblast secretes interferonι which constitutes major signals for maternal recognition of pregnancy having antiluteolytic effect and luteoprotective agents like PGE2 around day 8-9. Abnormal luteal function can be due to short luteal phase or abnormal luteal phase. Lack of exposure of the uterus to progesterone and estrogen prior to first postpartum ovulation decreases the concentration of progesterone and up regulation of oxytocin receptors which causes premature secretion of PGF2 α from uterus resulting in short luteal phase in most of cows. Milk, plasma and saliva progesterone concentrations, PAG test and ultrasonography can be used as diagnostic tool to know the embryonic mortality. Various treatment regiemes including use of hCG, GnRH, PMSG, interferon and supplementing Omega-3 fatty acids can be tried.
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