Effect of erythromycin on abomasal emptying in suckling lambs with experimental endotoxemia

• Published in: Small ruminant research 2022-02, Vol.207, p.106593, Article 106593
• Main Authors: Shabbooie, Zahra, Ghane, Mohsen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abomasal emptying rate; Acetaminophen absorption; Endotoxemia; Erythromycin; Lambs
• ISSN: 0921-4488; 1879-0941
• DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106593

•Endotoxemia is an important fatal disease in neonatal lambs.•Endotoxemia treatment include antimicrobials, fluid and electrolyte therapy, anti-inflammatories and antitoxins.•Erythromycin had antimicrobial effects and use in endotoxemic ruminants.•Use of prokinetic agents, such as erythromycin, may improve abomasal emptying in endotoxemic lambs. Abomasal hypomotility and consequently a decrease in abomasal emptying rate is one of the most important factors in ruminant abomasal disorders. Endotoxemia is clinically recognized by abnormalities in cardiovascular function, renal failure, decreased gastrointestinal motility and shock. This can lead to bloating and sudden death in lambs that have not received enough colostrum. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of erythromycin treatment on abomasal emptying rate in endotoxemic lambs. Fifteen suckling lambs arranged in 3 groups (n = 5) were studied in this study. Endotoxemia was induced in two groups (Positive control and Erythromycin) at 0.1 μg/kg body weight LPS in 10 mL normal saline over 5 min IV and erythromycin was injected to erythromycin group at 8.8 mg/kg BW IM. Negative control received 2 mL normal saline IM. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by acetaminophen absorption test, which was fed with milk at 50 mg/kg BW, 30 min after each treatment. Samples were collected at 15 min intervals up to 240 min and abomasal emptying rate was assessed for each group. Results showed there were significant differences in Cmax, Tmax and AUC among groups (endotoxemia groups and control group) (P < 0.05), confirming a decrease in abomasal emptying rate in lambs with endotoxemia. The results also indicated that compared to affected lambs not treated with erythromycin, abomasal emptying rate was significantly higher in lambs treated with erythromycin that means erythromycin increased abomasal emptying rate (P < 0.05).