REFERENCE : Maufré V. et al. Meloxicam administration in the management of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with caesarean section in beef heifers: Evaluation of reproductive parameters.  Theriogenology 175 (2021) 148-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.09.005 .

BACKGROUND

Suppress, relieve andreplace are the recommendations of the INRAE for the management of pain induced by caesarean section. Various steroidal (ISA) and non-steroidal (NSAID) anti-inflammatory drugs have been the subject of clinical trials aimed at clarifying their effects not only on pain but also indirectly on its possible consequences on milk production and reproductive performance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 127 Charolais heifers (treated group n=67 and control group n=61) from 47 farms. Animals in the experimental group (n=67) were treated IV before the intervention with 0.5 mg/kg meloxicam (Metacam©). A dose of 0.3 mg of clenbuterol (10 ml Planipart©) was injected into the animals of both groups. The data collected were subjected to uni and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Meloxicam administration resulted in a NS reduction in % placental retention (18.2 vs. 25% P 0.35), calving interval (406.6 vs. 417.5 P 0.2), % culling (4.7 vs. 13.3 P 0.09) and a significant increase in % pregnancy (83.1 vs. 67.8% P 0.04).

The average value of the interval between calvings (412 days) corresponds to the values observed for Charolais primiparous and pluriparous cows and is between 396 and 412 days. The high % of gestation is probably due to the fact that it concerns only heifers and only animals that had not presented intraoperative and postoperative complications (uterine infections, peritonitis).

The effects of NSAIDs on reproduction were mixed. Ketoprofen or carprofen had no effect. Flunixin meglumine is reported to increase the frequency of placental retention and uterine infections. It would seem that an NSAID should preferably be injected at the beginning of the surgical procedure.

TO REMEMBER

The administration of 0.5 mg/kg of an NSAID (Meloxicam) by IV before caesarean section to primiparous cows of Charolais breed does not modify the frequency of placental retention or the interval between calvings but improves the percentage of gestation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Laven R et al. Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs around calving: maximizing comfort, productivity and fertility. Vet J 2012;192:8-12.
• Chastant-Maillard S. Anti-inflammatory drugs and reproduction in cows. Le Point Veterinaire 2018;49:120.
• Trimboli et al. Outcomes from Experimental Testing of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Administration during the Transition Period of Dairy Cows. Animals 2020, 10, 1832.