The effect of oxytocin on contractility of the equine oesophagus: a potential treatment for oesophageal obstruction.

The research article explores the potential use of oxytocin as a treatment for esophageal obstruction in horses. Researchers found that administering intravenous oxytocin relaxed the esophageal muscles without causing significant cardiovascular changes.

Research Methodology

• Nine healthy horses were used for the study. Each horse was fitted with a nasogastric tube that was modified with inflatable latex cuffs. This equipment was connected to piezoelectric pressure recording devices to measure various parameters.
• The horses were administered with three different doses of oxytocin or saline controls intravenously. The administration was performed in a randomised block pattern to ensure unbiased results.
• After the administration, several parameters were measured for 60 minutes. These parameters were systolic blood pressure, ECG, heart rate, and nasogastric tube cuff pressures.

Results and Findings

• Administering oxytocin at dosages of 0.11 and 0.22 iu/kg bwt triggered a short-term but statistically significant relaxation in the musculature of the horse’s esophagus.
• When oxytocin was given at 0.11, 0.22, and 0.44 iu/kg bwt dosages, it did not incite any clinically significant cardiovascular changes. This suggests that oxytocin might be a safe treatment option.
• Only around 5% of oxytocin administrations led to mild, short-term abdominal discomfort in the horses.

Conclusion and Implications

• The study suggests that the use of oxytocin may aid in the passage of esophageal obstructions by reducing the tone of the esophageal muscles. This may lead to a reduced risk of esophageal injuries compared to traditional treatments.
• However, while the findings are promising, further studies would be needed to fully establish the safety and efficacy of using oxytocin for treating noncomplicated esophageal obstructions in horses.