Vascular perfusion of reproductive organs in pony mares and heifers during sedation with detomidine or xylazine.
Abstract: To assess the vascular effects of detomidine and xylazine in pony mares and heifers, respectively, as determined in a major artery and by extent of vascular perfusion of reproductive organs. Methods: 10 pony mares and 10 Holstein heifers. Methods: Pony mares were assigned to receive physiologic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (n = 5) or detomidine (3.0 mg/mare, IV; 5). Heifers were assigned to receive saline solution (5) or xylazine (14 mg/heifer, IM; 5). Color Doppler ultrasonographic examinations were performed immediately before and 10 minutes after administration of saline solution or sedative. In spectral Doppler mode, a spectral graph of blood flow velocities during a cardiac cycle was obtained at the internal iliac artery and at the ovarian pedicle. In color-flow mode, color signals of blood flow in vessels of the corpus luteum and endometrium were assessed. Results: Systemic effects of sedation in the 2 species were evident as a decrease in heart rate; increase in duration of systole, diastole, or both; decrease in volume of blood flow; and decrease in velocity of blood flow within the internal iliac artery. However, an effect of sedatives on local vascular perfusion in the ovaries and endometrium was not detected. Conclusions: Sedation with detomidine in pony mares and xylazine in heifers did not affect vascular perfusion in reproductive organs. These sedatives can be used in experimental and clinical color Doppler evaluations of vascular perfusion of the corpus luteum and endometrium.
Publication Date: 2009-01-06 PubMed ID: 19119960DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.70.1.141Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research aimed to investigate the effects of two sedatives, detomidine and xylazine, on the blood flow in the primary artery and the reproductive organs of pony mares and heifers, respectively. The study found that while these sedatives did have some systemic effects, such as heart rate changes, they did not influence the flow of blood in the reproductive organs.
Research Methodology
The study involved two groups of animals:
- 10 pony mares were split into two smaller groups with one receiving a saline solution and the other receiving the sedative detomidine.
- Similarly, 10 Holstein heifers were divided into two smaller groups with one getting a saline solution and the other receiving the sedative xylazine.
The researchers conducted Color Doppler ultrasonographic examinations both before and 10 minutes after the administration of either the saline solution or the sedative. They used a variety of techniques to evaluate blood flow in the animals:
- In spectral Doppler mode, a graph of blood flow velocities during a cardiac cycle was acquired at the internal iliac artery and at the ovarian pedicle.
- In color-flow mode, the researchers assessed color signals of blood flow in vessels in the corpus luteum and endometrium.
Results
After administering the sedatives, the researchers noticed several systemic effects such as:
- A decrease in heart rate.
- An increase in the duration of systole, diastole, or both.
- A decrease in the volume of blood flow.
- A drop in the velocity of blood flow in the internal iliac artery.
Importantly, however, the study found no detectable effects of the sedatives on local vascular perfusion in the ovaries and endometrium.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the research determined that while detomidine and xylazine sedatives do have some systemic effects, they do not influence the vascular perfusion in the reproductive organs of pony mares and heifers, respectively. This indicates that these sedatives can be safely used in experimental and clinical color Doppler evaluations of vascular perfusion of the corpus luteum and endometrium without negatively impacting these areas.
Cite This Article
APA
Araujo RR, Ginther OJ.
(2009).
Vascular perfusion of reproductive organs in pony mares and heifers during sedation with detomidine or xylazine.
Am J Vet Res, 70(1), 141-148.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.70.1.141 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Eutheria Foundation, 4343 Garfoot Rd, Cross Plains, WI 53528, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / pharmacology
- Animals
- Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
- Blood Pressure / physiology
- Cattle / physiology
- Corpus Luteum / blood supply
- Corpus Luteum / diagnostic imaging
- Corpus Luteum / drug effects
- Endometrium / blood supply
- Endometrium / diagnostic imaging
- Endometrium / drug effects
- Female
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Iliac Artery / diagnostic imaging
- Imidazoles / pharmacology
- Random Allocation
- Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / veterinary
- Xylazine / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Yáñez U, Murillo AV, Becerra JJ, Herradón PG, Peña AI, Quintela LA. Comparison between transrectal palpation, B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography to assess luteal function in Holstein cattle. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1162589.
- Samir H, Mandour AS, Radwan F, Swelum AA, Nagaoka K, Sasaki K, Watanabe G. Effect of xylazine sedation on testicular blood flow, testicular echotexture, and circulating hormones in Shiba goats. Vet Res Commun 2023 Jun;47(2):849-859.
- Samir H, ElSayed MI, Radwan F, Hedia M, Hendawy H, Hendawy AO, Elbadawy M, Watanabe G. An updated insight on testicular hemodynamics: Environmental, physiological, and technical perspectives in farm and companion animals. Vet Res Commun 2023 Jun;47(2):323-345.
- Nicolás-Barceló P, Facchin M, Martínez-Taboada F, Barrera R, Cristóbal JI, González MA, Durán-Galea Á, Macías-García B, Duque FJ. Effects of Sedation with Medetomidine and Dexmedetomidine on Doppler Measurements of Ovarian Artery Blood Flow in Bitches. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 19;11(2).
- Araujo RR, Ginther OJ, Ferreira JC, Palhão MM, Beg MA, Wiltbank MC. Role of follicular estradiol-17beta in timing of luteolysis in heifers. Biol Reprod 2009 Aug;81(2):426-37.
- De Benedictis GM, Baggio A, Pesaro S, Magnone W, Miani G, Andolfatto A, Bono L, Zanusso F. Evaluation of a detomidine-ketamine-azaperone combination for the chemical immobilization of fallow deer (Dama dama). Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1718243.
- Lakhanpal D, Mohanty TK, Bhakat M, Arunkumar R, Nain D, Baithalu R. Testicular thermoregulation and blood perfusion score as markers of sperm quality in summer-stressed breeding bulls. Trop Anim Health Prod 2025 Sep 30;57(8):419.
- Fayez E, Salama A, Ismail MA, Youssef FS, Rawash ZM, Oshba MR, Samir H. Dietary supplementation of Astragalus polysaccharide or its nanoparticles enhances testicular hemodynamics, echotexture, scrotal circumference, concentration of testosterone, estradiol, nitric oxide, and total antioxidant capacity, and semen quality in mature Ossimi rams. BMC Vet Res 2025 Feb 6;21(1):55.
- Fayez E, Samir H, Youssef FS, Salama A, ElSayed MA. Administration of melatonin nanoparticles improves testicular blood flow, echotexture of testicular parenchyma, scrotal circumference, and levels of estradiol and nitric oxide in prepubertal ossimi rams under summer heat stress. Vet Res Commun 2024 Dec;48(6):3953-3965.
- Samir H, Swelum AA, Farag A, El-Sherbiny HR. Emotional temperaments in advanced pregnant goats and its relationship with the feto-maternal blood flow and placentome echotexture. Vet Res Commun 2024 Jun;48(3):1545-1561.
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