The effect of flunixin meglumine on the premature regression of corpus luteum, recovery rate, and embryo production in superovulated Dorper ewes

This study evaluated the use of flunixin meglumine to prevent the occurrence of premature corpus luteum (CL) regression in superovulated ewes, improving embryo recovery and viability. Ewes ( n =23) submitted to conventional superovulatory protocol and laparoscopic artificial insemination were treated with 2.2 mg/kg/day of flunixin meglumine (FLU, n =12) or 1.5 mL saline solution (CONT, n =11) on Days 2, 3, and 4 (Day 0 = 48 h after device removal). Serum progesterone (P 4 ) concentrations were measured (Day 1–6). Ultrasound (US, Days 3 and 6) and laparoscopic evaluation (Day 6) were performed to identify luteinized structures. In the US, laparoscopy, and P 4 assessments, the percentage of ewes with premature CL regression differed ( P <0.05) between CONT (54.5; 63.6; and 54.5 %) and FLU (0.0; 0.0; and 0.0 %), respectively. The US exams revealed the effect ( P <0.05) of treatment on the number of regressing CL between CONT (1.4 ± 0.6) and FLU (0.0 ± 0.0). Greater ( P <0.05) number of normal CLs (10.5 ± 1.8 vs. 4.4 ± 1.5), ova/embryos (9.1 ± 2.1 vs. 3.7 ± 1.3), viable embryos (5.1 ± 1.1 vs. 2.6 ± 1.2), and recovery rate (79.5 ± 9.6 vs. 41.3 ± 15.0 %) were observed in FLU compared to CONT, respectively. The embryo viability rate did not differ ( P >0.05) between FLU (60.7 ± 10.5 %) and CONT (45.5 ± 16.1 %). In conclusion, the flunixin meglumine protocol was able to prevent the occurrence of premature CL regression in superovulated ewes, increasing the recovery rate and embryo production.