Effects of meloxicam and flunixin meglumine on oxidative stress and pregnancy factors in Awassi sheep
Tuğra Akkuş, Ömer Yaprakcı, İsmail Günal, Mehmet Ekici, Birten Emre, Ömer Korkmaz, Abuzer K. ZonturluAbstract
Background
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of administering flunixin meglumine (FM) and meloxicam (M) on specific days post‐mating on progesterone (P4), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), pregnancy‐specific protein B (PSPB), pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentrations and fertility parameters in Awassi sheep.
Methods
Seventy‐five Awassi sheep were divided into three groups of 25: control, M and FM. On days 9 and 10 post‐mating, the control group received saline, the M group received 0.5 mg/kg M and the FM group received 2.2 mg/kg FM. Blood samples were collected on days 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 17 post‐mating.
Results
Statistically significant time‐dependent differences in P4, TAS, TOS, OSI, PSPB and PAG concentrations were found between the groups (p < 0.001). TAS was highest in the M group and lowest in the control group (p < 0.001). TOS was higher in the control group and lower in the M group (p < 0.001). PSPB and PAG were highest in the control group and lowest in the M group (p < 0.05).
Limitation
Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the findings.
Conclusion
FM and M significantly affected oxidative stress parameters and early pregnancy factors but not fertility parameters.