Diffusion of fluoroquinolones into equine fetal fluids did not induce fetal lesions after enrofloxacin treatment in early gestation.
Abstract: While recent work demonstrated that enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin reach the fetoplacental unit without causing obvious lesions in the 9-month-old equine fetus or resulting foal, many practitioners still hesitate to prescribe a fluoroquinolone during pregnancy. Since early gestation is a critical time for fetal skeletal development, if fluoroquinolones are chondrotoxic to the fetus at any point during gestation, this period would be important. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 2 weeks' exposure to enrofloxacin on the equine fetus between 46 and 60 days gestation. Twelve pregnancies from nine healthy mares were allocated into two groups: untreated (n=7), or treatment (7.5mg/kg enrofloxacin, PO×14days, n=6). Abortion was induced with prostaglandin 24h after the last enrofloxacin dose, or on the equivalent day of gestation for untreated mares. Four of nine mares were rebred for a second cycle and were assigned to the opposite treatment to serve as their own controls. Fetal fluids from treated mares were analysed for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin concentrations. Fetal organs (heart, lungs, spleen, kidney, and liver) and limbs were examined histopathologically. Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin diffused to the fetal fluids during early gestation and did not result in detectable abnormalities in the fetus after 14 days of treatment. While current research does not determine long-term foal outcomes, enrofloxacin may be useful for select bacterial infections in pregnant mares.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-09-07 PubMed ID: 31685134DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.105376Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Veterinary
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study investigated the effects of a 14-day course of fluoroquinolone (an antibiotic) in pregnant horses, specifically during early gestation. It found that the drug diffused into the fetus without causing detectable damage.
Study Overview
- The study sought to evaluate the potential harm or effects of the antibiotic Enrofloxacin on equine fetuses, especially during the critical stage of early gestation.
- The concerns originated from the existing hesitation among many practitioners to prescribe fluoroquinolones during pregnancy due to a speculated risk of damage (chondrotoxicity) to the developing fetus.
Study Design
- A total of 12 pregnant mares were divided into two categories: untreated (n=7) or treated with Enrofloxacin (n=6).
- The treated mares were given the antibiotic at a dose of 7.5mg/kg for 14 days, after which abortion was induced for study purposes. This was also done on the equivalent gestation day for untreated mares.
- Four mares were rebred a second time and switched groups, serving as their own ‘control’ group, for the study.
Method of Examination
- Fetal fluids from all mares were analysed for the presence or concentration of Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin.
- An in-depth histopathological examination was conducted on fetal organs including the heart, lungs, spleen, kidney, and liver, and limb structures.
- The aim was to detect possible abnormalities following use of the antibiotic.
Research Findings
- The study found that both Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin managed to diffuse into the fetus during early gestation.
- No detectable abnormalities or lesions were found in the fetuses exposed to the antibiotics for a period of 14 days.
- This led to the conclusion that the use of Enrofloxacin could be safe for treating certain bacterial infections in pregnant mares without causing harm to the fetus. However, the study noted that these findings do not determine long-term foal outcomes.
Cite This Article
APA
Ellerbrock RE, Canisso IF, Podico G, Roady PJ, Uhl E, Lima FS, Li Z.
(2019).
Diffusion of fluoroquinolones into equine fetal fluids did not induce fetal lesions after enrofloxacin treatment in early gestation.
Vet J, 253, 105376.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.105376 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA. Electronic address: canisso@illinois.edu.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Abortion, Veterinary
- Allantois / metabolism
- Amniotic Fluid / metabolism
- Animals
- Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacokinetics
- Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
- Anti-Infective Agents / toxicity
- Enrofloxacin / pharmacokinetics
- Enrofloxacin / pharmacology
- Enrofloxacin / toxicity
- Female
- Fetus / drug effects
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Pregnancy
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
