In cattle, embryonic and fetal losses are the
major causes of reproductive failure. Losses associated
with failure in the process of maternal recognition of
pregnancy can amount to as much as 30%. Successful
establishment of pregnancy depends on a delicate
balance between luteolytic mechanisms inherent to the
endometrium at the end of diestrus and antiluteolytic
mechanisms, orchestrated by the conceptus to change
endometrial function and, ultimately, block luteolysis.
Antiluteolytic strategies are pharmacological,
mechanical, nutritional and management manipulations
of the process of maternal recognition of pregnancy that
aim to increase the probability of successful gestations.
Objective of the present paper is to review the recent
literature on antiluteolytic strategies in cattle.
Specifically, we focused on strategies to stimulate
production of progesterone, strategies to reduce
production of estradiol and other strategies. Future
directions for research in this area are proposed.
