Use of a beta 2-adrenergic stimulant (clenbuterol) for eliminating night-time calving.

To determine whether beta 2-adrenergic stimulant (clenbuterol) would exhibit beneficial effects upon the elimination of night-time calving, 42 Holstein Friesian cows and heifers at the first stage of labour were injected intramuscularly twice with clenbuterol; 300 micrograms at 18:00 and 210 micrograms at 22:00. Other 26 cows and heifers of the same breed at the first stage of labour at 18:00 were not treated and served as controls. All of the treated animals, but one, calved after 5:00 in the next morning, showing a peak of parturition between 5:00 and 10:00. In contrast to this, 42% of the control animals calved at night between 22:00 and 5:00. Thus, the double administrations of clenbuterol were shown to be effective for eliminating night-time calving. The cows treated with clenbuterol tended to show lower incidences of dystocia and retained placenta and a higher first insemination conception rate than the control animals. No adverse effects of the treatment on the viability of newborn calves and milk yields were observed.