Changes

* Timing may not be absolutely perfect, there is considerable variation in the timing of drug action and effect.

* Timing may not be absolutely perfect, there is considerable variation in the timing of drug action and effect.

* Premature delivery of small, immature offspring.

* Premature delivery of small, immature offspring.

* Increased incidence of [[Parturition_-_Risks_in_Parturition_- Anatomy & Physiology#Retained_Placenta|retained placenta]].

* Increased incidence of [[Retained_Placenta|retained placenta]].

* Pharmacological induction can only be used commercially in cattle and pigs.  Induction in other species is used only to overcome birth associated problems.

* Pharmacological induction can only be used commercially in cattle and pigs.  Induction in other species is used only to overcome birth associated problems.

* Increased dystocia in cattle

* Increased dystocia in cattle

* Mimic foetal cortisol to remove the progesterone block by upregulating enzymes that will increase the oestrogen:progesterone ratio (for more information see [[Parturition_-_Endocrine_Control_of_Parturition_- Anatomy & Physiology|endocrinology of parturition]]).

* Mimic foetal cortisol to remove the progesterone block by upregulating enzymes that will increase the oestrogen:progesterone ratio (for more information see [[Parturition_-_Endocrine_Control_of_Parturition_- Anatomy & Physiology|endocrinology of parturition]]).

* '''Short Acting''': apply 2-3 days before the due date (270+ days gestation).  Complications include [[Parturition_-_Risks_in_Parturition_- Anatomy & Physiology#Retained_Placenta|retained placenta]] and stillbirth.

* '''Short Acting''': apply 2-3 days before the due date (270+ days gestation).  Complications include [[Retained_Placenta|retained placenta]] and stillbirth.

* '''Medium-Long Acting''': apply 2-3 weeks before the due date.  Administration after 260 days will cause no advance of the calving date. Administration before 260 days will cause neonatal mortality.  Thus use of these corticosteroids is reliant upon accurate record keeping by the farmer so that exact dates are known.

* '''Medium-Long Acting''': apply 2-3 weeks before the due date.  Administration after 260 days will cause no advance of the calving date. Administration before 260 days will cause neonatal mortality.  Thus use of these corticosteroids is reliant upon accurate record keeping by the farmer so that exact dates are known.