Prostaglandin (PGF2 alpha)-induced parturition in red deer (Cervus elaphus L.)

Prostaglandin PGF2 alpha seems to act satisfactorily as a birth inducing agent in red deer (Cervus elaphus). The progress of actual delivery and lactation in the experiments of induced parturition corresponds with observations from natural conditions. The pattern of response time to the birth inducing agent agrees with experience from domesticated species, being longest in females with the least developed fetuses. Complications such as those reported from practice with induced parturition in domestic species were not experienced in the three experiments on red deer. Applications of prostaglandin PGF2 alpha prior to approximately 18-20 days preterm probably reduce chances for the offspring to survive. This seemingly being due to ontogenetical immaturity in the fetus, and deficient hormonal development in the mother, necessary for normal lactogenesis.