Does isoxsuprine hcl facilitate the passage of the cervix in sheep?: A case series

Abstract

The complexity of the sheep cervix limits non-surgical artificial insemination and embryo production technologies. For this reason, assisted reproduction techniques are generally performed with surgical methods in sheep. But it is said that surgical methods can hurt the health and welfare of animals and cause them to feel stressed in different ways. Because of these problems with surgical methods and some difficulties in the application phase, researchers are trying to come up with ways to help with reproduction that don't involve surgery. For the application of non-surgical assisted reproductive techniques in sheep, there is a need for successful relaxation of the cervix. Because of this, different tocolytic agents have been used before non-surgical methods of assisted reproduction. Isoxsuprine HCl is used to relax the uterus during procedures like simple dystocia, to prevent premature birth, embryotomies, and caesarean deliveries. It is also used to treat horse navicular disease and laminitis in modern veterinary medicine. Tocolysis usually sets in about 10-15 minutes after an intramuscular isoxsuprine HCl administration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of isoxsuprine HCl on cervical dilatation in ewes. In our study, it has been thought that isoxsuprine HCl, which is also a tocolytic agent, might be an alternative for non-surgical reproductive uses. The study was carried out on a total of 20 animals: Ten sheep were given cervical relaxation with isoxsuprine HCl and ten animals were given no tocolytic agent. The mean cervical transition time was 83.60 +/- 13.63 seconds in animals treated with isoxsuprine HCl and 168.22 +/- 20.83 seconds in the control group. A significant difference was found between the groups (P<0.05). The minimum transition time was found to be 19 seconds in the isoxsuprine HCl group and 30 seconds in the control group. Maximum transition times were found at 140 and 238 seconds, respectively. As a result, it was seen that isoxsuprine HCl can offer a good alternative in transcervical applications in sheep.