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Induction of Parturition in Swine and Rabbits with the Corticosteroid Dexamethasone¹

University of Wisconsin,^,4 Madison 53706

Abstract

The effect of the corticosteroid dexamethasone on gestation length and the birth weights and adrenal weights of the young was studied in 28 pregnant swine and 24 pregnant rabbits.

Dexamethasone induced parturition in swine when injected into the mother at days 101 to 103 or the piglets at day 102 of gestation. It failed to induce parturition in rabbits when administered to the doe on days 25 to 27. Fetal sham injection and fetal injection both shortened gestation length compared to sham treatment of the does.

Dexamethasone or early parturition caused decreased birth weights in swine and rabbits. It caused reduced adrenal gland weight of rabbit pups when injected into the mother or the pups and lowered piglet adrenal weights when injected into the piglets.

¹ Research supported by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706 and by Public Health Service Training Grant No. 2-TO1-HD-00104-06 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and by Grant No. 630-0505A from the Ford Foundation.

² Present address: Sheboygan County Sheriffs Department, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53081.

³ The advice of L. E. Casida is gratefully acknowledged.

⁴ Department of Meat and Animal Science Paper No. 620.