Effects of different fentanyl anaesthetic mixtures on cortico-adrenal function in rabbits

• Published in: Veterinary record 2013-02, Vol.172 (8), p.213-213
• Main Authors: Gil, A. González, Silván, G., Martínez-Fernández, L., Illera, J. C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex - drug effects; Adrenal glands; Anesthesia; Anesthetics, Combined - pharmacology; Anesthetics, Intravenous - pharmacology; Animals; Catheters; Corticosterone - blood; Diazepam - pharmacology; Drug dosages; Fentanyl - pharmacology; Hydrocortisone - blood; Ketamine - pharmacology; Medetomidine - pharmacology; Rabbits - blood; Rabbits - physiology; Rodents; Studies; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0042-4900; 2042-7670
• DOI: 10.1136/vr.101350

Ten minutes after anaesthetic injection, heart rates were decreased (P < 0.05) when compared with those of the baseline rate (t = 0) or those of the control group at the same time point (from 280 (6.96) beats/min in the control group to 189 (6.19) in the K/F group, 143.60 (5.49) in the F/M group or 137.60 (5) in the F/M/D group at 10 minutes). [...]respiratory rates were also decreased at 10 minutes in all treatment groups (from 123.0 (4.86) breaths/minutes in the control group to 79.8 (5.17) in the K/F group, 39.6 (2.99) in the F/M group or 78.4 (4.02) in the F/M/D group at 10 minutes). Some authors have also indicated the ability of medetomidine to decrease stress-related hormone concentrations through α2-adrenoceptors or imidazoline receptors (Kanda and Hikasa 2008). [...]it has been suggested that the inhibitory effect of fentanyl and diazepam anaesthesia on adrenocorticotropic responses, is mediated through the hypothalamus (Hall and others 1990).