Effects of age on the electroencephalographic response to castration in lambs anaesthetized with halothane in oxygen from birth to 6 weeks old.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize changes in the cerebro-cortical response of lambs to rubber-ring castration during the first 6 weeks of postnatal life.


METHODS
Coopworth-Texel cross ram lambs between 3 hours and 44 days of age.


METHODS
The electroencephalogram (EEG) and heart rate responses to rubber ring castration were compared. Anaesthesia was induced via a face mask and maintained with halothane in oxygen (e'(Hal) = 1.2%). Once a stable plane of anaesthesia had been achieved, data collection of EEG and electrocardiogram (ECG) commenced, and the lambs were castrated 15 minutes later, using rubber rings. Heart rate was derived from the ECG and the median frequency (F(50)), spectral edge frequency (F(95)) and total power (p(tot)) were derived from the EEG.


RESULTS
Castration-induced changes in F(50) increased from 2 +/- 1.8% in the youngest lambs to a maximum of 33 +/- 8.9% in the 36 +/- 0.5 day-old lambs. Changes in F(95) increased from -7 +/- 3% in the youngest lambs to a maximum of 16 +/- 11% in the 36 +/- 0.5 day-old lambs. Linear regression analysis in lambs up to 10 days of age demonstrated a change in the response with age that was significantly different from zero for F(50) (r(2) = 0.28, p = 0.007) and F(95) (r(2) = 0.38, p = 0.001), but not for p(tot) or heart rate.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified significant changes in the responsiveness of the lambs' cerebral cortex to the noxious stimulation of castration over the first 7-10 days of postnatal life. The results suggest that mechanisms that suppress responses of the fetus to noxious stimulation may still be active in the first few days after birth.


CONCLUSIONS
This study documents changes in central nociceptive processing which may reflect the ability of neonatal animals to perceive pain.
Johnson
Craig B
CB
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. c.b.johnson@massey.ac.nz
Sylvester
Shauna P
SP
Stafford
Kevin J
KJ
Mitchinson
Sheryl L
SL
Ward
R Neil
RN
Mellor
David J
DJ
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000662:veterinary; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D006221:Halothane / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000662:veterinary; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D006221:Halothane