The Effects of Flunixin Meglumine and Meloxicam on the Mucosal Immunity of the Uterus in Postpartum Cattle

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

10.32598/ARI.81.3.3594

Abstract

Introduction: During the transition period, dairy cows experience significant inflammatory immune responses that can act adversely affect the uterus. Modulation of the immune response and reduction of the negative effects of systemic inflammation after parturition may be achieved through the postpartum administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of flunixin meglumine and meloxicam on local humoral immunity in the uterus of postpartum cows.
Materials & Methods: The study involved 60 cows that had undergone their second to fourth parturition. The animals were randomly divided into three groups. Treatment groups one and two received intravenous (IV) flunixin meglumine and meloxicam, respectively, on the 3rd and 8th days postpartum. The third group served as the control and received an IV injection of sterilized normal saline. Cervical mucus samples were collected from all animals on the 4th, 9th, and 15th days post-delivery. Uterine mucosal antibody titers against two primary pathogens, Trueperella pyogenes and Escherichia coli, were evaluated using an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, serum antibacterial activity against these bacteria was assessed using the microdilution method. 
Results: The antibacterial activity and mucosal antibody titers against E. coli revealed no statistically significant differences among the study groups. In contrast, the specific mucosal antibody titers against T. pyogenes increased during study period in both the control and flunixin-treated groups. Significant differences in mucosal antibody titers against T. pyogenes were observed between the meloxicam and flunixin groups on days 4 and 9 postpartum.
Conclusion: In conclusion, these findings suggest that neither treatment adversely effected uterine mucosal immunity. However, NSAID administration appeared to exert different effects on antibody titers against various pathogens. These differences may be related to variations in immune responses against target pathogens as well as differences in bacterial exposure levels within the environment. Therefore, veterinarians should consider farm management practices and environmental conditions when administering flunixin and meloxicam to postpartum dairy cows.

Keywords

Archives of Razi Institute
Volume 81, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 625-632

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics