Endocrine and metabolic responses to halothane and pentobarbitone anaesthesia in sheep

Some metabolic and endocrine responses to anaesthesia in sheep were studied. Adult sheep were anaesthetised with thiopentone and halothane (n=9), acepromazine, thiopentone and halothane (n=8) and pentobarbitone (n=10) on separate occasions. Routine cardiovascular monitoring was carried out and blood samples were taken for assay of cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), arginine vasopressin (AVP), glucose and lactate. Halothane anaesthesia induced hypotension, hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis. Sheep anaesthetised with pentobarbitone were also hypercapnic and acidotic but did not develop hypotension. Plasma cortisol, ACTH and AVP (mean maximum values: cortisol: 83 ng/ml, ACTH 278 ng/ml, AVP 135 pg/ml), increased during halothane anaesthesia but did not change significantly from control values during pentobarbitone anaesthesia (mean maximum values: cortisol: 30 ng/ml, ACTH 71 ng/ml, AVP 7.8 pg/ml). Glucose tended to increase during both halothane and pentobarbitone anaesthesia but lactate decreased. It is not clear what facet of halothane anaesthesia evokes the stress response but it may be associated with cardiovascular depression.     

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Dexamethasone after Intravenous Administration in Camels: Effect of Dose

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dexamethasone were evaluated in healthy camels after single intravenous bolus doses of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg body weight. Dexamethasone showed dose-independent pharmacokinetics. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the two-compartment pharmacokinetic model for the lowest intravenous dose (mean+/-SD) were as follows: terminal elimination half-life 8.17 +/- 1.79 h; total body clearance 100.7 +/- 52.1 (ml/h)/kg; volume of distribution at steady state 0.95 +/- 0.23 L/kg; and volume of the central compartment 0.22 +/- 0.07 L/kg. The extent of plasma protein binding was linear over the concentration range 5-100 ng/ml and averaged 75% +/- 2%. Pharmacodynamic effects were evaluated by measuring endogenous plasma cortisol concentrations, numbers of circulating lymphocytes and neutrophils and plasma glucose concentrations and were analysed using indirect pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models. The cumulative systemic effect increased with dose for markers of pharmacodynamic activity. The estimated IC50 of dexamethasone for cortisol and lymphocytes for the lowest dose were 3.74 +/- 2.44 and 5.58 +/- 8.37 ng/ml, respectively and the EC50 values for neutrophils and glucose were 45.8 +/- 36.9 and 1.17 +/- 0.71 ng/ml, respectively.     

Relationships of gonadotropins, testosterone, and cortisol in response to GnRH and GnRH antagonist in boars selected for high and low follicle-stimulating hormone levels

Considerable variation exists in the serum levels of gonadotropins in boars; this results in differential testicular function. Boars (Chinese Meishan, European White composite, and crosses of the two breeds) selected for high and low circulating FSH concentrations were used to define possible differences in pituitary sensitivity to GnRH and GnRH antagonist and gonadal and adrenal responses. After a 2-h pretreatment sampling period, boars were injected with GnRH or GnRH antagonist and repetitively sampled via jugular cannula for changes in serum concentrations of FSH, LH, testosterone, and cortisol. In response to varying doses of GnRH or GnRH antagonist, FSH, LH, or testosterone changes were not different in high- or low-FSH boars. Declines in LH after GnRH stimulation were consistently faster in boars selected for high FSH. Chinese Meishan boars had considerably higher cortisol concentrations than White composite boars (132.2 +/- 28.5 vs 67.4 +/- 26.8 ng/mL, respectively; P < .01). When select high- and low-gonadotropin Meishan:White composite crossbreds were sampled, cortisol levels were elevated but comparable between the two groups (126.5 +/- 13.7 vs 131.4 +/- 13.4 ng/mL, respectively). After GnRH antagonist lowered LH concentrations, administration of hCG resulted in increased testosterone and cortisol concentrations. Although testosterone concentrations remained high for 30 h, cortisol concentrations returned to normal levels within 10 h after hCG injection. The mechanism by which boars selected for high gonadotropins achieve increased levels of LH and FSH may not be due to differences in pituitary sensitivity to GnRH but to differences in clearance from the circulation.     

A role for the adrenal cortex in the onset of cystic ovarian follicles in the sow.

The corticotrophin (ACTH)-adrenal cortical axis has previously been implicated in the onset of cystic ovaries in the sow. In view of the role of the ACTH-adrenal cortical axis in stress, two sows were subjected to an elevated environmental temperature of 32 degrees C for three hours daily during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle. Plasma concentrations of glucocorticosteroids and progesterone fluctuated markedly in one sow that developed cystic ovaries. Concentrations of these hormones did not vary greatly in the other sow that did not develop cystic follicles. Exposure to an environmental temperature of 32 degrees C for three hours or injection of 1 IU/kg bodyweight of ACTH for each of two ovariectomized sows resulted in an elevation in progesterone values to 5-7 ng/ml plasma from basal levels of 1-2 ng/ml and a rise in total glucocorticosteroids from basal levels of 1 or 2 microgram/100 ml plasma to 4-10 microgram/100 ml. Injection of 2 mg/kg bodyweight of progesterone and 4 mg/kg bodyweight of cortisol into the ovariectomized sows was found to approximate these elevations in plasma steroid values. When either progesterone or cortisol was injected daily during the follicular phase into two intact sows in two successive experiments at these dosage levels, similarly elevated plasma steroid concentrations were seen and cystic ovarian follicles resulted. The results suggest that glucocorticosteroids and progesterone of adrenal origin may be involved in the onset of cystic ovaries in the sow.     

The effect of different types of transportation on plasma cortisol and testosterone concentrations in male goats

Plasma cortisol and testosterone concentrations were measured in three male goats before and after transportation for 15 min in a quiet trolley, a noisy trolley or a motorized van. Cortisol concentrations remained within the basal range (1-5 ng/ml) during the control periods and during the trip in the quiet trolley. However, maximum values of cortisol (13-24 ng/ml) were achieved by 15 min after transport in the noisy trolley; concentrations of greater than 27 ng/ml were recorded immediately after motorized van transport. Plasma testosterone values ranged between 0.5 and 4.0 ng/ml and were unaffected by any mode of transport tested. It is concluded that adrenal cortex activity in male goats is stimulated more by noise than motion.     

Pentobarbitone inhibits the stress response to transport in male goats

Pentobarbitone (20 mg/kg i.v.) blocked plasma cortisol release when administered either before a 20 min journey or during a 2 h journey. This confirms that pentobarbitone can block stimulated, as well as resting, cortisol secretion. In general, blood glucose concentrations were not increased above 90 mg/100 ml until at least 30 min after the start of transport; however, this increase was also blocked by pentobarbitone administered 30 min into the 2 h journey. Significant increases in respiratory and heart rates occurred within 15 min of the start of transport; pentobarbitone caused an immediate decrease in these parameters. In conclusion, pentobarbitone was shown to reverse many metabolic changes induced by transport.     

Comparison of the effects of etomidate and its fluoro analogue, R 8110, on plasma Cortisol, 11β-deoxycortisol, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone concentrations in dogs

R 8110, an imidazole derivative, was shown to be clinically superior to etomidate for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in dogs. The present study compared the effects of intravenous (i.v.) R 8110, etomidate and Ringer solution on cortisol biosynthesis by the adrenal gland in seven male labradors. A tetracosactide challenge was carried out 30 min after the i.v. injection of 3 mg/kg of both drugs and after i.v. Ringer solution (1 ml/kg). Etomidate and R 8110 both suppressed the cortisol response to tetracosactide almost completely and increased the plasma 11 beta-deoxycortisol levels more than 20 fold. Maximal 11 beta-deoxycortisol values were reached 120 min after R 8110, and not less than 300 min after etomidate. Plasma 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone concentrations did not differ between placebo and R 8110 treatment, but they decreased after etomidate. These results indicate that the effects of R 8110 on steroid biosynthesis in dogs are less pronounced than those of etomidate and are largely limited to a temporary inhibition of the 11 beta-hydroxylase in the adrenal gland.     

Effect of various veterinary procedures on plasma concentrations of cortisol, luteinising hormone and prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite in the cow

Five commonly practised veterinary procedures were studied: Palpation per rectum of the reproductive tract, intramuscular injection, single venepuncture, repeated venepuncture and jugular vein catheterisation. Plasma cortisol concentrations increased from baseline values of approximately 2 ng/ml to maximum mean values between 6.5 +/- 2.5 ng/ml and 13.8 +/- 5.6 ng/ml approximately 13 to 27 minutes after each manipulation. Baseline values occurred approximately 80 minutes later. In the control bleeding periods unacclimatised cows initially had high values of plasma cortisol (5 to 10 ng/ml) which returned to baseline after two hours, ie, before beginning any procedure. There were no statistically significant changes in luteinising hormone concentrations. The concentration of 13,14 dihydro, 15-keto prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) increased from 61.0 +/- 4.6 pg/ml to 209.8 +/- 152.1 pg/ml in three out of five cows palpated on days 16 and 19 of the oestrous cycle. Increases did not occur in five other cows palpated during the follicular phase, nor in five cows palpated on day 12. However, after palpation on day 8, one animal did have concentrations of PGFM similar to those occurring during spontaneous release on days 18 to 20 of the oestrous cycle.     

Effect of naloxone on serum luteinizing hormone, cortisol and prolactin concentrations in anestrous beef cows

Two experiments were conducted with the opioid antagonist naloxone to determine the effect of opioid receptor blockade on hormone secretion in postpartum beef cows. In Exp. 1, nine anestrous postpartum beef cows were used to measure the effect of naloxone on serum luteinizing hormone (LH), cortisol and prolactin concentrations. Cows received either saline (n = 4) or 200 mg naloxone in saline (n = 5) iv. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 2 h before and after naloxone administration. Serum LH concentrations increased (P less than .01) in naloxone-treated cows from 1.8 +/- .04 ng/ml before treatment to 3.9 +/- .7 ng/ml and 4.2 +/- .5 ng/ml at 15 and 30 min, respectively, after naloxone administration. In contrast, LH remained unchanged in saline-treated cows (1.6 +/- .3 ng/ml). Serum cortisol and prolactin concentrations were not different between groups. In Exp. 2, 12 anestrous postpartum beef cows were used to examine the influence of days postpartum on the serum LH response to naloxone. Four cows each at 14 +/- 1.2, 28 +/- .3 and 42 +/- 1.5 d postpartum received 200 mg of naloxone in saline iv. Blood samples were taken as in the previous experiment. A second dose of naloxone was administered 2 h after the first, and blood samples were collected for a further 2 h. Serum LH concentrations increased (P less than .01) only in cows at 42 d postpartum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Endocrine response to lactate infusion during pentobarbitone anaesthesia

Lactic acid was infused iv in 6 Welsh ponies during pentobarbitone anaesthesia to investigate whether lactate triggers the pituitary-adrenal response to anaesthesia. Ponies were premedicated with acepromazine and anaesthesia was induced with pentobarbitone iv and maintained with pentobarbitone/oxygen for 2 h. Immediately after induction, 3% L(+) lactic acid infusion was started and adjusted to maintain plasma lactate concentration between 2 and 2.5 mmol/l. Cardiorespiratory function, temperature. PCV, plasma glucose, lactate, βendorphin, ACTH, cortisol and catecholamine concentrations were measured before, during and after anaesthesia. Hypothermia, reduced PCV, slight hypotension (minimum value 84 ± 6 mmHg 20 min after induction of anaesthesia), hyperoxia and marked bradypnoea developed during anaesthesia. No acidaemia occurred. Plasma glucose concentration increased at the end of anaesthesia. There were no changes in plasma ACTH, cortisol and catecholamine concentrations, but plasma & endorphin increased after induction until the end of anaesthesia. There was a correlation between plasma lactate and β-endorphin concentrations (P<0.001, r=0.63), which may suggest that lactate stimulates βendorphin release. Beta-endorphin was apparently secreted independently from ACTH and appears to be a sensitive marker of a stress response.     

Feline plasma cortisol (hydrocortisone) measured by radioimmunoassay.

Plasma cortisol (hydrocortisone) was measured by radioimmunoassay in 6 normal cats. Blood was collected from the cats by venipuncture at intervals of 3 hours for 3 days. Resting plasma cortisol concentrations averaged 17.0 +/- 2.8 (SD) ng/ml and ranged from nondetectable (less than 3 ng/ml) to 82.8 ng/ml. Of 144 plasma samples, 95% contained less than 40 ng of cortisol/ml. Circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion was not detected, suggesting that adrenal function tests may be started in feline patients at any time of day. Intramuscular injection of 2.2 U of ACTH gel/kg of body weight caused detectable increase in plasma cortisol concentrations at 1 and 2 hours after injection. Maximal response to ACTH in the 6 cats ranged from 41.6 to 178.4 ng/ml. Oral administration of 0.1 mg of dexamethasone/kg suppressed plasma cortisol to nondetectable concentrations for 32 hours in 5 of the 6 cats.     

Does cortisol inhibit vasopressin secretion in sheep?

Glucocorticoids inhibit the plasma vasopressin responses to hemorrhage and hypoxia in dogs. Attempts to demonstrate glucocorticoid inhibition of vasopressin secretion in fetal sheep have been unsuccessful, suggesting the possibility that there is an influence of development on the expression of this interaction, or that the interaction cannot be demonstrated in all mammalian species. This study was designed to investigate these two possibilities. Adult ewes chronically prepared with carotid arterial loops, were subjected to 5 hr infusions of cortisol at a rate of 6 ug/kg min or vehicle (5% ethanol in saline). The infusion of cortisol increased plasma cortisol concentration from 26 +/- 3 to 46 +/- 8 ng/ml, while vehicle infusion was associated with a decrease in plasma cortisol concentration from 23 +/- 4 to 15 +/- 3 ng/ml. One hr after the end of the cortisol or vehicle infusions, vasopressin secretion was stimulated by arterial hypotension produced by 10 min infusions of sodium nitroprusside (20 ug/kg min). Nitroprusside decreased arterial blood pressure equally in both groups. Plasma vasopressin concentrations were increased to peak concentrations of 92 +/- 33 and 116 +/- 20 pg/ml in the vehicle- and cortisol-infused groups, responses which were not significantly different as tested by ANOVA. We conclude that increases in plasma cortisol concentration, equal to those observed during responses to stressors, do not inhibit vasopressin secretion in this species.     

Adrenocortical and metabolic responses to dobutamine infusion during halothane anaesthesia in ponies

The study investigated whether hypotension in halothane-anaesthetised ponies is the stimulus inducing an endocrine stress response by assessing the effect of maintenance of normotension with a dobutamine infusion. Groups of six ponies were studied. After premedication with acepromazine (0.04 mg/kg) anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone (10 mg/kg) and maintained for 120 min with halothane (group AN). Dobutamine was infused to effect (1.1–4.4 μg/kg/min) to maintain arterial pressure at pre anaesthetic levels. The conscious group (CON) were prepared as for AN and then received only dobutamine infusion 1.0 μg/kg/min for 120 min. Arterial blood pressure, pH, oxygen and carbon dioxide tension, pulse rate, haematocrit, and plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate concentrations were measured before, at 20 min intervals during anaesthesia, and 20 and 120 min after anaesthesia ceased. Blood pressure remained close to control in both groups. The AN group became hypercapnic and acidotic, pulse rate and haematocrit increased, cortisol increased more than twofold and plasma glucose and lactate did not change. All values remained at control in the CON group except for small increases in haematocrit and decreases in pulse rate. Maintenance of normotension during halothane anaesthesia did not blunt the adrenocortical response to anaesthesia nor did the same dose of dobutamine alone increase plasma cortisol. Hypotension appears not to be the sole stimulus to equine adrenocortical activity during halothane anaesthesia.     

Cardiovascular effects of intravenous diltiazem in dogs with iatrogenic atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) was induced in anesthetized Beagle hounds to determine the dose of diltiazem (D) that resulted in hemodynamic function similar to that observed during sinus rhythm (SR). Dogs were instrumented to record hemodynamic and electrophysiological parameters. Six dogs were given D, IV at cumulative doses of 0.063, 0.188, 0.438, 0.938, and 1.938 mg/kg, whereas 6 other dogs received vehicle in equivalent volumes. Plasma concentrations (PC) of D were measured. A cumulative dose of D between 0.438 and 0.938 mg/kg produced PC of 67.8 to 117.4 ng/mL and resulted in a heart rate (HR) closest to that observed during SR. At doses up to 0.938 mg/kg, no parameter of systolic function fell below that obtained during SR. At a dose of 0.938 mg/kg, the left ventricular end-diastolic and right atrial pressures exceeded those during SR. The rate-pressure product did not differ from that during SR at a dose of 0.938 mg/kg and fell below that during SR at the dose of 1.938 mg/kg. Left ventricular efficiency decreased from SR to AF, returned to values not different from those during SR at a dose of 0.938 mg/kg, and increased to values above those observed during SR at a dose of 1.938 mg/kg. In AF, slowing the HR with 0.438-0.938 mg/kg of D with resultant PC of 67.8-117.4 ng/mL results in cardiovascular function not different from that observed during SR.     

Contrasting effects of nitrofurans on plasma corticosterone in chickens following administration as a bolus or diet additive

Administration of furazolidone as a bolus dose (8-500 mg/kg), produced a decrease in plasma corticosterone in chickens. In contrast, addition of furazolidone or furaltadone to the diet (0.04% or above, 10 days), increased plasma corticosterone. Pre-treatment with a 200-mg/kg bolus of furazolidone or furaltadone did not affect pentobarbitone anaesthesia time in the birds. In chickens pre-treated with a nitrofuran in the diet, however, pentobarbitone anaesthesia time was significantly less than that in controls. Furaltadone in the diet, produced significant increases in the amount of cytochrome P-450 and the activity of aniline hydroxylase in the liver microsomes. It is suggested that nitrofurans given in the diet stimulated corticosterone biosynthesis in the adrenal glands and induced mixed-function oxidase activity in the liver. Nitrofurans given as a bolus did not produce these effects. Furazolidone (200 mg/kg) produced severe anorexia, which lasted 2 days in T-line birds. The anorexia seemed to be associated with tissue damage in the birds rather than the ensuing adrenal cortical insufficiency.     

The Stress Responses Involved in General Anaesthesia in Cattle

Anaesthesia was induced in four adult Friesian cows with intravenous thiopentone (10 mg/kg) after either intramuscular saline (2ml), acepromazine (0.05mg/kg) or xylazine pre- medication (0.05 mg/kg). At least 4 weeks was allowed to alapse between each anaesthetic in each cow. The stress involved in induction of and recovery from anaesthesia was assessed by measuring pulse and respiration rates, plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations, total plasma protein concentration and haematocrit at 10–15 minute intervals from 60 min prior to premedication to the time when the animals stood after anaesthesia. Recovery from anaesthesia was associated with an increase in cortisol concentration. This response was significantly attenuated by premedication with xylazine but not acepromazine. Xylazine produced a marked hyperglycaemia in comparison to the other premedicants. Anaesthesia was associated a marked increase in pulse rate and slight increase in haematocrit, but these changes were not markedly affected by the premedication given. Recovery from anaesthesia was deemed to be the most stressful period of short-term general anaesthesia.     

Plasma concentrations of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, benazepril, and its active metabolite, benazeprilat, after repeated administrations of benazepril in dogs with experimental kidney impairment

In order to examine the safety of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor in dogs with impaired renal excretion route, benazepril was administered orally, and plasma concentrations of benazeprilat, the active metabolite of benazepril, were determined in dogs with renal mass reduction (1/4th kidney) created by right-side nephrectomy and ligation of branches of the left renal arteries. Five dogs were administered benazepril orally at a given dose (0.5 mg/kg body weight) and 4 other dogs received 20 times that dose (10 mg/kg body weight) once daily for 15 consecutive days before (intact kidney period) and after (1/4th kidney period) creation of kidney impairment. Six control dogs received surgical treatment, but no drug. After creating a 1/4th kidney, plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations increased to approximately 30 mg/dl and 2.0 mg/dl, respectively, and renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate decreased to 37% and 30% of pre-treatment values, respectively. However, these parameters did not change significantly during the 1/4th kidney period both in the 0.5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg groups. In the 0.5 mg/kg group, plasma benazeprilat concentrations increased to approximately 20 ng/ml to 340 ng/ml 2 hr after each administration, and there were no significant differences between the plasma benazeprilat concentrations during the intact and 1/4th kidney periods. In the 10 mg/kg group, plasma benazeprilat concentrations varied in the individual dog, but did not increase with the days of administration, and were not significantly different on each administration day between the intact and 1/4th kidney periods in either dose group. The AUCs(0-24) of plasma benazeprilat concentrations determined on the 15th administration day were not different between the intact and 1/4th kidney periods in dogs of either dose group. Plasma ACE activities decreased after drug administration in dogs of both groups. Benazepril seemed to have a high safety, and the adjustment of dosage regimen might not be needed in dogs with mild to moderate renal function impairment because the drug was excreted both from the kidneys and liver.     

Function of prostaglandins, thromboxane A2, and histamine in hypersensitivity reaction to experimental bluetongue disease in calves

Calves given 2 subcutaneous inoculations (4 ml, 4.5 weeks apart) of an inactivated bluetongue virus serotype 17 (BTV-17), aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, and cimetidine (600 mg) or levamisole (819 mg, 6 ml) combination were challenge exposed with virulent BTV-17 (2.5 x 10(5) embryo lethal dose) 9 weeks after the 1st inoculation and were monitored for 35 days. Plasma prostaglandins (PG) and thromboxane (Tx) B2 were measured by radioimmunoassay. Histamine was assayed spectrofluorometrically. During the inoculation period (9 weeks from the 1st inoculation to challenge exposure) PGE and histamine increased from base-line concentrations of 34 +/- 3 pg/ml and 1.2 +/- 0.1 ng/ml to 83 +/- 8 pg/ml and 2.0 +/- 0.1 ng/ml, respectively, whereas PGF2 alpha decreased from base-line values of 356 +/- 41 pg/ml to 226 +/- 16 pg/ml. Significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) changes from base-line TxB2 values (110 +/- 7 pg/ml) were not observed during the inoculation period. After challenge exposure, maximum increases were observed in TxB2 (157 +/- 10 pg/ml), PGF2 alpha (713 +/- 93 pg/ml), PGE (140 +/- 30 pg/ml), and histamine (3.6 +/- 0.2 ng/ml) concentrations at 4, 7, 7, and 14 days after challenge exposure, respectively. Concentrations of PGF2 alpha and TxB2 decreased from base-line values to 211 +/- 42 pg/ml and 75 +/- 11 pg/ml, respectively, 21 days after challenge exposure and then returned to base-line values. Significant changes were not observed in plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Results indicate that PG, TxA2, and histamine may be involved in the hypersensitivity reaction to BTV in cattle.     

Continuous intravenous anesthesia in dogs using a combination of xylazine, ketamine and guaifenesin]

The tested anaesthesia through a permanent infusion of a xylazine, ketamine and guaifenezine (XKG) mixture was used in ten experimental dogs without clinical signs of a disease and in fifty two patients during different surgical interventions. After joint i.m. atropine (0.05 mg/kg) and xylazine (2 mg/kg) premedication, anaesthesia in dogs was induced by an i.v. administration of 1% ketamine at a dose of 2 mg/kg, and the XKG was infused instantly after the previous treatment. The mixture contained 2.0 ml of 5% ketamine and 1.25 ml of 2% xylazine added to 100 ml of 5% guaifenezine. The infusion was applied at a rate of 3.3 ml/kg for the first five minutes and then it was maintained at constant values of 2.2 ml/kg during the whole surgical intervention (Tab. I). The induction and course of anaesthesia, and waking up and recovery from anaesthesia were evaluated in all dogs, and the trias values were also followed. These additional parameters were followed in the test group: breathing volumes, ECG values and acid-base balance parameters were determined from the collected blood samples. The observation of measurable parameters (Figs. 1 to 5) and ECG analysis did not demonstrate any large departures from the starting values, and the changes in the acid-base balance (Tab. II) suggest the partly compensated respiratory acidosis. On the basis of our results, we can recommend this tested method for general anaesthesia particularly of dogs of larger breeds and for longer-lasting operations. This method is suitable to be used first of all in the veterinary establishments where inhalation anaesthesia is not practicable.     

Plasma testosterone and LH responses to LHRH in double-muscled bulls treated with trenbolone acetate and zeranol

Twenty-four double-muscled Belgian White Blue bulls were assigned, according to body weight, to two groups with and without treatment with anabolic agents. Implants containing 140 mg trenbolone and 36 mg zeranol (Forplix) were inserted sc on the upper face of the ear flap. Plasma concentrations of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined at d 0, 30 and 60 of the experimental period. Mean testosterone levels at d 0 for treated and controls were, respectively, 2.1 and 1.7 ng/ml during the 10-h sampling period. At d 30 and 60, testosterone levels were strongly depressed in implanted bulls (.2 ng/ml) as compared with 2.5 and 1.7 ng/ml in control bulls (P less than .001 at d 30 and P less than .01 at d 60). Average plasma LH concentrations were identical in the two groups at d 0 and 60 (1.1 and 1.5 ng/ml, respectively), but showed a slight decrease at d 30 in the treated group (P less than .10). The pulsatile character of LH and testosterone profiles was abolished by the Forplix treatment. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) injection at d 0 was followed in both groups by an immediate and sharp increase in plasma LH concentrations. The LH response reached a maximal value between 20 to 40 min postinjection and then declined rapidly. On the contrary, Forplix treatment strongly reduced LH and testosterone responses to LHRH stimulation in treated animals. Average daily gain and feed to gain ratios were 1.087 +/- .127 and 7.52 +/- .32 kg, respectively, for the control bulls and 1.335 +/- .092 and 6.24 +/- .24 kg for the Forplix-treated bulls, thus clearly showing a beneficial effect of Forplix treatment.