Vascular perfusion of reproductive organs in pony mares and heifers during sedation with detomidine or xylazine.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Araujo
Reno R
RR
Eutheria Foundation, 4343 Garfoot Rd, Cross Plains, WI 53528, USA.
Ginther
O J
OJ
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000662:veterinary; D014991:Xylazine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D007093:Imidazoles; D014991:Xylazine; C041255:detomidine