Effect of Prostaglandin F2 Inhibitor (Meloxicam) on the

Dominant Follicle and Ovulation in Nili Ravi Buffalos

Abdul Waheed1, Muhammad Umair1, Muhammad Rafi Ullah1, Sajjad Haider1
1

Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore Pakistan

Abstract: This study was conducted to observe the effect of PGF2 inhibitor (meloxicam) on
the growth of dominant follicle and its ovulation in Nili Ravi buffalo. Four buffalos were initially
scanned ultrasonographically for the presence or absence of follicle or CL. Two buffaloes having
a follicle of approximately 8 mm, with no CL were selected and scanned on daily basis. For six
consecutive days, both animals were given 15 ml meloxicam each I/M s.i.d. Ovaries were scanned
daily to observe possible ovulation, or persistence of follicle up to next 6 days from first day of
treatment. The results revealed that the growth of dominant follicles became stagnant and they
failed to ovulate at the expected days of ovulation. It is concluded that the PG inhibitor
(Meloxicam) has inhibitory effects on the growth of dominant follicle which ultimately leads to
anovulation.

Key words: PGF2 inhibitor, Meloxicam, Nili Ravi Buffalo, Persistent Follicle, Anovulation
______________________________________________________________________________

Prostaglandins are involved in many

reproductive processes in different animals
including luteolysis, ovulation, implantation,
pregnancy, parturition, and postpartum
physiology (Weems et al., 2006). Secretion
of PGF2 by the endometrium on
approximately Day 17 of the cycle (Day 0 =
ovulation) is well known for its fundamental
role in luteolysis (Ginther et al., 2007). Assay
of the concentration of a PGF2 metabolite
(PGFM) is often used to represent PGF2
concentration in the systemic circulation
(Kindahl et al., 1976).

et al., 2007; Fortune et al., 2009). Ovulation

involves the collapse of a preovulatory
follicle with fluid evacuation and oocyte
release into the oviductal infundibulum. The
preovulatory surge of LH initiates ovulation
by triggering a complex series of events
involving different hormones and enzymes.
Prostaglandins (PGs) play an essential role
during the process of follicular rupture and
ovulation. Concentrations of PGF2 and
PGE2 in follicular fluid increase between 24
and 30 h after the peak of the endogenous LH
surge and at about the time of ovulation in
buffalo (Acosta et al., 2000; Bridges et al.,
2006).

The secretion of prostaglandins

increases late in the preovulatory period and
plays a role in the ovulatory process (Bridges

Ovulation is blocked by the treatment

with prostaglandin inhibitors (indomethacin),
in the doe rabbit, sow, ewe, woman and by

1. INTRODUCTION:

treatment with flunixin meglumine (FM) in

the mare (OGrady et al., 1972; Ainsworth et
al., 1979; Downey et al., 1980; Murdoch et
al., 1986; Killick et al., 1987; Watson et al.,
1991; Cuervo-Arango et al., 2011; Ginther et
al., 2011). In the cow, ovulation is effectively
blocked by intraovarian treatment with
indomethacin (De Silva et al., 1985) and
intrafollicular treatment with a selective
prostaglandin. In Pakistan, mostly farmers
choose meloxicam to use as an NSAID due
to its cost effectiveness. This study was
designed to check the effects of prostaglandin
inhibitor (meloxicam) on growth of dominant
follicle and ovulation in buffaloes. The
purpose of the current experiment in buffalo
was to test the following hypothesis:
systemic administration of meloxicam
interferes with ovulation. Consideration was
also given to the effects of inhibition of
prostaglandin synthesis by systemic
administration of meloxiam on the growth of
the dominant follicle.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This study was carried out at University
Animal
Sheds
of
Theriogenology
Department, University of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences Lahore.
a) Selection of Animal:
For the experiment, we
selected four Nili Ravi Buffaloes
available at animal sheds of
University of Veterinary and Animal
Sciences, Lahore. All the animals
were in good body condition (BCS=
3.5) and approximately having weight
in range of 350-400 kg. Animals did
not show any apparent abnormality.

b) Ultrasonography:
Trans-rectal
B-mode
ultrasonographic examinations of the
ovaries and measurement of follicles
were performed daily using a realtime ultrasound scanner (HS1500,
Honda, Japan). On ultrasonographic
examination, two animals were found
with
abnormalities
in
the
reproductive tract; adhesions of the
tract in one buffalo and flat ovaries in
the other one. So these two buffaloes
were excluded from the study. In
other two buffaloes, medium size
follicles (8 mm) were present. These
two
buffaloes
were
scanned
continuously on daily basis to check
the growth of the follicle.
c) Experimental
Design
and
Treatments:
The animals were scanned
daily and the growth of follicles was
monitored. When the follicle reached
near the size of ovulation (9 mm),
meloxicam () was administered
systemically. Buffaloes were treated
with meloxicam at the dose rate of
1ml/25 kg (12-15 ml) IM, SID as
prescribed by the manufacturer. The
treatment was continued for 6
consecutive days and ultrasound was
performed after 24 h interval for
consecutive 6 days. Treatment was
given to check its effects on the
growth of dominant follicle and any
change on ovulation size of the
follicle.

Scanning
No.

Date of
Scanning

Animal Tag No.

113

134

Right
Ovary

Left
Ovary
3 follicles
(5*7 mm)
max.

27-04-15

Flat

29-04-15

Flat

Right
Ovary

1 follicle
(5*6
mm),
CL (8*9
mm)
1 follicle
1 follicle
(8*12 mm) (5*3 mm)

Left
Ovary
1 follicle
(7*8 mm)

1 follicle
(9*7 mm)

Table 1: Ultrasonographic Ovaries Status of Buffaloes before Meloxicam

Administration
3. RESULTS:
Animals
were
monitored
ultrasonographically to check the effect of
PG inhibitor (Meloxicam) on dominant
follicle and ovulation. It was found that after
the systemic administration of Meloxicam, it
inhibited the normal growth of dominant
follicle during pre-ovulatory phase.
During the treatment, there was no
marked changes in the size of dominant
follicle and a static trend in the growth was
observed. Dominant follicle did not show any

increase in its size and it ultimately delayed

the ovulation. In one buffalo, an irregular
trend in the size of the dominant follicle was
observed. Ultrasound was performed daily
during treatment and it was found that the
dominant follicle stayed there with its static
size even 2 days after cessation of the
treatment.
In this experiment, after systemic
administration of meloxicam in Nili Ravi
buffaloes, anovulation was found which was
in agreement with previous studies.

Serial
No.

Treatment
Date

Animal Tag No.

113

134

Actual size

Mean

Actual size

Mean

30-04-15

DF(9.6 * 6.6
mm)

8.1

DF (9.2 * 9.0
mm)

9.1

01-05-15

DF(9.2 * 7.8
mm)

8.5

DF (9.5 * 9.3
mm)

9.4

02-05-15

DF(10.5 * 9.8
mm)

10.15

DF (9.8 * 9.5
mm)

9.65

03-05-15

DF (8.0 * 9.7
mm)

8.85

DF (11.6 * 12.8
mm)

12.2

04-05-15

DF (7.8 * 8.2
mm)

DF (11.4 * 10.4
mm)

10.9

05-05-15

DF (8.5 * 6.1
mm)

7.3

DF (12.6 * 11.0
mm)

11.8

DF= Dominant Follicle

Table 2: Effect of Meloxicam on the Growth of the Dominant Follicle

DOMINANT FOLLICLE SIZE (MM)

Animal No. 113

Animal No.134

14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1

3
4
TREATMENT DAYS

Graph 1: Effect of Meloxicam on the Growth of the Dominant Follicle

Ultrasonographic Images of Dominant Follicle during 1-5 days of Treatment

4. DISCUSSION:
The systemic treatment of mares with
FM during the periovulatory period blocked
ovulation in the majority of treated mares as
reported previously (Cuervo-Arango and
Domingo-Ortiz, 2011). In another study, it
was found that heifers went under
anovulatory condition when they were
treated with Flunixin meglumine and the
animals showed the size of dominant follicle
up to 36.2 2.9 mm (Pugliesi et al., 2012).
In this experiment, after systemic
administration of meloxicam in Nili Ravi
buffaloes, anovulation was found which was
in agreement with previous studies. But the
dominant follicles showed a static growth in
the size and in one buffalo, an irregular

growth pattern was observed. This difference

may be due to natural variations in the
environment, physiology of the animals,
pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of
the administered drug and specific response
of the animal to the drug. After conducting
this study, it can be concluded that growth of
the dominant follicle is affected by
Prostaglandin inhibitors which leads to an
ovulation.

5. AKNOWLEDGMENT:
We pay our high gratitude to Prof. Dr.
Nasim Ahmad and Dr. Abdul Saboor (M.Phil
Scholar) for providing guidance, ultrasound
machine and access to the animal shed for
execution of this experiment.

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