Objectives: Early embryonic mortality is a major cause of reproductive failure in dairy cattle. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had been used in this regard to inhibit prostaglandin F2α synthesis at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy. The effects of two NSAIDs (flunixin meglumine [FM] and meloxicam [M]) on pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) and pregnancy loss until 60 days after artificial insemination in repeat breeder Holstein dairy cows were evaluated in this study. Materials & Methods: All cows (n=180) were assigned randomly to one of three groups: FM, M and control. Animals received flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg; IM) on days 16, 17 and 18 post insemination (in FM group) and meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg; SC) on day 16 post insemination (in M group). Cows in control group did not receive any treatment. Results & Conclusion: Pregnancy per AI on days 28-34 was not significantly different (P>0.05) among FM (17/60; 28.33%), M (18/60; 30.00%) and control (19/60; 31.67%) groups. There was also no significant difference in the rate of pregnancy losses until 60 days after AI among three groups (11.76%, 16.67% and 10.53% in, FM, M and control groups, respectively). The results of the present study indicate that administration of flunixin meglumine and meloxicam at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy have no effect on P/AI and rate of pregnancy loss in repeat breeder dairy cows.

Keywords