The minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis).
OBJECTIVE
To determine the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane for ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis).


METHODS
Prospective experimental trial.


METHODS
Six adult ring-tailed lemurs, aged 1.3-11.2 years (median age: 8.26) and weighing a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 2283 ± 254 g. Five adult aye-ayes, aged 4.4-19.3 years (median age: 8.0) and weighing 2712 ± 191 g.


METHODS
Minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane was determined using a tail-clamp stimulus. The end-tidal sevoflurane (Fe'Sevo) concentration was increased or decreased by approximately 10% after a positive or negative response to tail clamping, respectively. This procedure was repeated until a positive and negative result were seen on two consecutive trials (i.e. a negative result was achieved and a single 10% decrease in Fe'Sevo concentration resulted in a positive test). The MAC for that animal was determined to be the mean of the concentrations at the two consecutive trials.


RESULTS
The mean ± SD MAC of sevoflurane for ring-tailed lemurs was 3.48 ± 0.55% and 1.84 ± 0.17 for aye-ayes. This represents a 47.1% higher MAC in ring-tailed lemurs compared to aye-ayes.


CONCLUSIONS
The sevoflurane MAC was significantly higher in ring-tailed lemurs, compared to aye-ayes. The MAC of sevoflurane in aye-ayes is consistent with reported MAC values in other species. Extrapolation of sevoflurane anesthetic dose between different species of lemurs could lead to significant errors in anesthetic dosing.
Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, IL, USA.
Sathya K
SK
Chinnadurai
Duke Lemur Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
Cathy
C
Williams
D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000662:veterinary*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000818:Animals; D007900:Lemur / Q000502:physiology*; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077149:Sevoflurane
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane
anesthesia; aye-aye; lemur; minimum alveolar concentration; sevoflurane