Evaluation of intraarticular opioid analgesia for the relief of articular pain in the domestic fowl

An experimental paradigm, based on the microcrystalline sodium urate-induce d arthritis pain model, was used to investigate the potential peripheral an algesic properties of a variety of opioid agonists. The response criteria w ere changes in behavioral profiles and pain-related behaviors over 60 min c ommencing 1 h after intraarticular injection. The testing system was used t o determine the potential optimum dose of intraarticdar application of morp hine sulphate (1-3 mg), fentanyl citrate (0.5-3 mg), and buprenorphine hydr ochloride (0.05-1 mg). None of the opioid analgesics used had any effect on pain behavior, and it was concluded that opioids with a high affinity for the mu receptor when injected intraarticularly were unlikely to be of use i n the treatment or diagnosis of inflammatory arthritic pain in the strain o f domestic fowl chosen. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.