The effect of flunixin meglumine, firocoxib and meloxicam on the uterine mobility of equine embryos.
Abstract: Embryo mobility occurs as a result of prostaglandin production by the embryo and endometrium, promoting uterine smooth muscle contractions, which propels the embryonic vesicle through the lumen. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as flunixin meglumine, are routinely used in equine medicine and can alter the conceptus mobility if applied in early pregnancy, which may impair maternal recognition of pregnancy. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of flunixin meglumine (FM; 1.1 mg/kg IV), firocoxib (FIRO; 0.2 mg/kg PO), and meloxicam (ML; 0.6 mg/kg, IV), on the embryo mobility. Thirty mares were divided into three groups (n = 10 per treatment). After the pregnancy diagnosis on day 12 after ovulation, the embryo mobility was evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography every 5 min for 1 h in order to visualize the location of the embryo. In all mares, three evaluations were performed: immediately before treatment (pre-treatment), after NSAID administration and 24 h after treatment. In group FM, embryo mobility decreased, from 5.8 ± 0.3 movements/hour (m/h) to 2.3 ± 0.5 m/h (p < 0.05) and, after 24 h the values were similar to the pre-treatment evaluation (5.9 ± 0.2 m/h). Likewise, ML treatment caused a decrease of embryo movements, from 5.9 ± 0.3 to 1.9 ± 0.3 m/h (p < 0.05), 24 h after treatment values were 5.7 ± 0.4 m/h. Treatment with FIRO did not interfere with embryo mobility (5.7 ± 0.4; 5.8 ± 0.3 and 5.6 ± 0.3 embryo movements in the first, second and third evaluation, respectively). In conclusion, FIRO was the only NSAID that did not alter the embryo mobility and may be the safest NSAID for use in early pregnant mares.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-09-25 PubMed ID: 30300810DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.09.026Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Veterinary
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article discusses the impact of different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the movement of embryos in the uterus of pregnant horses. The study found that certain NSAIDs like flunixin meglumine and meloxicam can significantly reduce embryo mobility, whereas firocoxib does not cause such a reduction, suggesting it might be safer to use in early pregnancy.
About the Research
- This study aimed to investigate the effects of three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – flunixin meglumine, firocoxib, and meloxicam – on the mobility of embryos in the uterus of horses.
- These NSAIDs are often used in equine medicine and have the potential to alter the movement of the embryos if used during early pregnancy, which could influence the mother horse’s ability to recognize the pregnancy.
- The research comprised 30 mares divided into three groups, each group given a different NSAID, and their embryonic movement was tracked before and after treatment.
Methodology
- Embryo mobility was evaluated using transrectal ultrasonography every 5 minutes for an hour after the 12th day post ovulation to determine the location of the embryo.
- Three rounds of evaluation were performed: before treatment, immediately following NSAIDs administration, and 24 hours after treatment.
Results
- In the group treated with flunixin meglumine, the average number of embryo movements per hour dropped significantly after treatment, but returned to pre-treatment levels 24 hours after treatment.
- Similarly, the group treated with meloxicam saw a significant decrease in embryo movements following treatment with levels returning to normal after 24 hours.
- In contrast, the group treated with firocoxib did not experience a significant change in embryo mobility following treatment.
Conclusion
- These results suggest that firocoxib is the only NSAID of the ones tested that does not affect embryo mobility, indicating it might be the safest NSAID to use during early pregnancy in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Okada CTC, Andrade VP, Freitas-Dell'Aqua CP, Nichi M, Fernandes CB, Papa FO, Alvarenga MA.
(2018).
The effect of flunixin meglumine, firocoxib and meloxicam on the uterine mobility of equine embryos.
Theriogenology, 123, 132-138.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.09.026 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
- São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
- São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
- University of São Paulo, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- University of São Paulo, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
- São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: malvarenga@fmvz.unesp.br.
MeSH Terms
- 4-Butyrolactone / analogs & derivatives
- 4-Butyrolactone / pharmacology
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
- Clonixin / analogs & derivatives
- Clonixin / pharmacology
- Embryo, Mammalian / drug effects
- Embryo, Mammalian / physiology
- Female
- Horses / embryology
- Horses / physiology
- Meloxicam / pharmacology
- Pregnancy
- Prostaglandins / metabolism
- Sulfones / pharmacology
- Ultrasonography, Prenatal / veterinary
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