EFFECTS OF ALPHA(2)-AGONISTS ON INTRAUTERINE PRESSURE AND SEDATION INHORSES - COMPARISON BETWEEN DETOMIDINE, ROMIFIDINE AND XYLAZINE

The effect of three alpha2-agonistic sedatives, Detomidine (0.04 mg/kg ), Romifidine (0.08 mg/kg) Xylazine (1.1 mg/kg) and placebo (NaCl), on intrauterine pressure was investigated with an intrauterine ballon mo del in four non-pregnant warmblood mares. Within 6.0 (+/- 2.2) min mea n pressure increases of 9.80 (+/- 3.74), 6.88 (+/- 3.95) and 13.95 (+/ - 5.19) mmHg were recorded for Detomidine, Romifidine and Xylazine, re spectively. Placebo had no significant effect. The mean duration of pr essure increase was 30.0 (+/- 5.10), 17.67 (+/- 9.87) and 19.50 (+/- 1 3.78) min for Detomidine, Romifidine and Xylazine, respectively. There was no significant difference in the degree and duration of sedation between the three treatment groups. It is concluded that alpha2-agonis ts exert a marked pressure increase in the uterus with no statisticall y significant differences in degree and duration between the three sub stances. With equipotent doses no difference in duration and degree of sedation could be calculated.