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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Vet Res / Effects of buprenorphine on nociception and spontaneous loco...
American journal of veterinary research2007; 68(3); 246-250; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.68.3.246

Effects of buprenorphine on nociception and spontaneous locomotor activity in horses.

Abstract: To investigate spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) and antinociceptive effects of buprenorphine in horses. Methods: 6 healthy adult horses. Methods: Horses received each of 3 treatments (10 mL of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution, 5 microg of buprenorphine/kg, or 10 microg of buprenorphine/kg). Treatments were administered IV. Order of treatments was randomized, and there was a 10-day interval between subsequent treatments. Spontaneous locomotor activity was investigated in a behavioral box by use of infrared photoelectric sensors connected to a computer, which detected movement of each horse. Antinociceptive effect was investigated by hoof-withdrawal reflex latency (HWRL) and skin-twitching reflex latency (STRL) after painful stimulation with a heat lamp. Results: Moderate excitement was observed in all horses from 5 to 10 minutes after the administration of both dosages of buprenorphine. The SLA increased significantly for 6 and 14 hours after IV administration of 5 and 10 microg of buprenorphine/kg, respectively. Values for HWRL increased significantly only at 30 minutes after injection of 5 microg of buprenorphine/kg, whereas STRL and HWRL each increased significantly from 1 to 6 hours (except at 2 and 4 hours) and 11 hours, respectively, after injection of 10 microg of buprenorphine/kg. Conclusions: IV injection of buprenorphine caused a dose-dependent increase in SLA, but only the dose of 10 microg/kg induced analgesia on the basis of results for the experimental method used.
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Publication Date: 2007-03-03 PubMed ID: 17331012DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.68.3.246Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The study investigates the impact of buprenorphine, a pain medication, on pain sensitivity and spontaneous motion in horses. The findings suggest that buprenorphine does increase spontaneous activity and it shows potential as an effective analgesic, particularly at a dose of 10 micrograms per kilogram.

Experiment Design

  • Six healthy adult horses participated in the experiment.
  • The horses were divided into three treatment groups: those that received 10 mL saline, 5 micrograms of buprenorphine per kilogram, or 10 micrograms of buprenorphine per kilogram.
  • The medication was administered through intravenous (IV) injection and there was a 10-day interval between subsequent treatments for ensuring full washout of drugs, avoiding potential cumulative effects.
  • Horses’ spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) was monitored with the help of infrared photoelectric sensors which recorded the movement of each horse in a behavioural box.
  • The antinociceptive effect, i.e., the reduction in sensitivity to painful stimuli, was measured by observing the horses’ hoof-withdrawal reflex latency (HWRL) and skin-twitching reflex latency (STRL) in response to painful stimulation via a heat lamp.

Results

  • All horses showed a moderate level of excitement from 5 to 10 minutes after receiving buprenorphine, indicating a stimulating effect of the drug.
  • Both 5 and 10 micrograms of buprenorphine per kilogram resulted in a heightened SLA: the intensity of this effect lasted for 6 hours in the first case, and 14 hours in the second.
  • The Hoof-withdrawal reflex latency (HWRL) showed significant increase 30 minutes after administering a 5 microgram dose of buprenorphine per kilogram. However, measurements for STRL and HWRL both showed significant increases from 1 to 6 hours (with the exception of 2 and 4 hours measurements) and 11 hours respectively, after administering a 10 microgram dose of buprenorphine per kilogram.

Study Conclusions

  • Buprenorphine, when administered IV, prompts a dose-dependent increase in horses’ spontaneous activity, revealing a potential stimulatory effect of the drug.
  • Only a higher dose of 10 micrograms per kilogram provided substantial analgesic effects based on the data obtained from the test methods used in this research.
  • The collected data indicates a potential for buprenorphine’s application as an analgesic in the equine veterinary field.

Cite This Article

APA
Carregaro AB, Luna SP, Mataqueiro MI, de Queiroz-Neto A. (2007). Effects of buprenorphine on nociception and spontaneous locomotor activity in horses. Am J Vet Res, 68(3), 246-250. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.68.3.246

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 68
Issue: 3
Pages: 246-250

Researcher Affiliations

Carregaro, Adriano B
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo State, Botucatu, Brazil 18618-000.
Luna, Stelio P L
    Mataqueiro, Maria Isabel
      de Queiroz-Neto, Antonio

        MeSH Terms

        • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
        • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
        • Animals
        • Buprenorphine / pharmacology
        • Buprenorphine / therapeutic use
        • Cross-Over Studies
        • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
        • Female
        • Horses / physiology
        • Male
        • Motor Activity / drug effects
        • Pain / drug therapy
        • Pain / physiopathology
        • Pain Measurement / veterinary
        • Time Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 17 times.
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