Review: Influences of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on dairy cattle reproductive performance

Purpose: Reproductive efficiency is an important contributor to a dairy farm's profitability; however, there are many factors that influence reproductive success, including, but not limited to, embryonic loss. This review summarizes research findings related to the use of prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha)) inhibitors to improve fertility in cattle. Sources: Peered-reviewed literature and conference proceedings were reviewed in this article. Synthesis: Approximately one-third of total embryonic loss occurs between d 8 and 27 after fertilization. Because of a large incidence of early embryonic loss in cattle, researchers have been searching for strategies to reduce the risk of embryonic loss. Provided that the embryonic loss, in part, is related to untimely secretion of PGF(2 alpha) and premature luteolysis, any management strategy to delay the synthesis and secretion of PGF(2 alpha) during the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy may reduce the occurrence of early embryonic loss. Consequently, researchers have investigated the potential use of PGF(2 alpha) inhibitors to address the risk of embryonic loss. Conclusions and Applications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are known inhibitors of PGF(2 alpha). In cattle, application of NSAID, as a reproductive tool, to improve fertility has been investigated extensively using a variety of NSAID, timing of administration, and breeding techniques. It seems that many NSAID do not consistently improve reproductive efficiency in cattle, and perhaps, treating all cows with an NSAID after calving is unlikely to be economically advantageous. Nevertheless, the research supports the fact that NSAID, in the form of flunixin meglumine or ibuprofen, consistently improved fertility in cattle, when administered at the time of embryo transfer.