Efficacy of domperidone and sulpiride as treatments for fescue toxicosis in horses.

The research concentrates on examining the efficacy of two dopamine antagonists – Domperidone and Sulpiride – as potential treatments for a condition in horses known as fescue toxicosis. The study finds that Domperidone, in particular, could indeed be an effective treatment for this condition.

Research Design and Methodology

• The study involves a sample size of sixteen gravid mares. These pregnant horses were divided into three different treatment groups based on their breed and expected foaling dates. One group was kept as a control with exposure to endophyte-infected fescue but no specific treatment administered.
• The other two groups were subject to treatment doses of 1.1 mg of Domperidone per kg of body weight per day and 3.3 mg of Sulpiride per kg per day respectively.
• These treatments were ingested by the horses via a carrier mix of corn and dry molasses, along with their daily intake of endophyte-infected fescue.
• The treatment regimen was initiated approximately 30 days prior to the expected foaling dates of the mares and continued until they gave birth.

Monitoring and Testing Procedures

• Close monitoring was done via regular blood samples taken, mammary gland scores, body weight, and body condition scores.
• These checks were conducted in a consistent manner – blood and mammary gland scrutiny every 5 days and body weight/condition monitoring every 28 days.
• The blood serum was analysed for the concentrations of specific hormones and compounds critical to the mares’ health and gestation – Prolactin, Progesterone, and estradiol-17 beta.

Research Conclusions and Findings

• Domperidone-treated mares exhibited a shorter gestation duration and delivered foals closer to their due dates when compared to the control group.
• Mares treated with domperidone also had higher mammary gland scores suggesting positive differences in their gland health and functionality.
• In terms of hormonal changes, both domperidone and sulpiride-treated horses showed increased serum concentrations of prolactin and progesterone, as well as decreased estradiol-17 beta levels, in comparison to the control group.
• Despite sulpiride presenting some promising results, domperidone demonstrated the most significant impact, indicating its potential to be an effective treatment for fescue toxicosis in horses.