ABSTRACT
Meloxicam, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 preferential inhibitor, was studied for its anti-implantation and parturition effects on pregnant rats. Regarding the effect of meloxicam on implantation, rats were dosed orally by 7.5 and 10 mg/kg/day from day 1 through 3 or from day 3 through 5 of gestation, respectively. While for the parturition effect, rats were dosed orally by the above doses from day 20 through 22 of gestation. The results of implantation experiments showed that the number of implantation sites was significantly decreased in all treated groups in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Whereas the number of resorption sites were significantly increased in all meloxicam treated groups. On the other hand, the results of parturition experiments indicated that meloxicam significantly prolonged the duration time of delivery in a dose-dependent manner. Further, significantly less viable fetuses and pups were delivered per female treated with meloxicam. In conclusion, the results indicate that meloxicam exhibited potential effect on implantation and parturition processes of pregnant rats