Effect of a single dose of ibuprofen lysinate before embryo transfer on pregnancy rates in cows

Embryo implantation is a critical step in both cows and humans. The use of ibuprofen lysinate to enhance implantation has been investigated in cattle with the specific aim of improving pregnancy rates after embryo transfer. I n this study, heifers (n = 100) were assigned randomly to one of two groups : one group was treated i.m. with 5 mg ibuprofen lysinate kg(-1) body weigh t 1 h before embryo transfer and a control group received vehicle only. A s ingle embryo was transferred into each recipient cow. There was a significa nt difference in the number of pregnancies after embryo transfer between co ws in the treated (41 of 50; 82%) and control (28 of 50; 56%) groups (P < 0 .05). These data indicate that ibuprofen lysinate may be an effective adjun ctive treatment for assisted reproduction in cattle. Further studies are ne eded to clarify whether this effect is associated with the reduction of cyc looxygenase enzyme isoforms during embryo transfer or whether other mechani sms are involved.