Impact of Denaverine Hydrochloride and Carbetocin on Parturition Ease and Subsequent Fertility in Suckler Cows

The study evaluated the effects of denaverine hydrochloride (DH) and carbetocin (CT) on calving ease and subsequent fertility in suckler cows. A total of 242 cows were enrolled in a blinded study and assigned to four groups with different treatment protocols: Group A (DH + CT), Group B (DH only), Group C (CT only) and Group D (saline only-control). After the second round of exclusion criteria, 225 animals were allocated into 4 groups A (n = 69), B (n = 59), C (n = 60), D (n = 37) for the further statistical analysis. DH was given (Groups A and B) within 30 min after the noticed appearance of the amniotic sac. Carbetocin was given (Groups A and C) within 30 min of the calf expulsion. Five parameters were analysed: time from appearance of amniotic sac to calf expulsion (Time to expulsion, TTE), incidence of foetal membranes retention (RFM), calf mortality (calves dead within 48 h, CM), number of artificial inseminations until pregnancy (nAI), and days open (DO). Group A exhibited significantly shorter TTE compared to Groups C (p = 0.02) and D (p < 0.001), indicating improved calving performance and reproductive efficiency. Group A also required less nAI compared to Group D (p = 0.01). While no significant differences in TTE or nAI were observed between Groups A and B. Group A had significantly fewer DO compared to Groups C (p = 0.04) and D (p = 0.003), suggesting a potential synergistic benefit of DH and CT. Carbetocin, when administered alone, showed no significant effects on the observed parameters. RFM and CM incidence did not significantly differ across groups. These findings support the beneficial role of DH, particularly when combined with CT, in facilitating parturition, improving welfare and enhancing subsequent fertility.