Assessment of the effects of erythromycin, neostigmine, and metoclopramide on abomasal motility and emptying rate in calves

Abstract

Results indicated that administration of erythromycin at the labeled antimicrobial dose (8.8 mg/kg, IM) exerted an immediate, marked prokinetic effect in healthy suckling calves, whereas administration of metoclopramide or neostigmine did not alter abomasal motility or emptying rate.

Ultrasonographic assessment of the reticular motility in cows after administration of different doses of metoclopramide and neostigmine

“…Moreover, administration of metoclopramide (0.1 mg/kg, SC) altered abomasal and duodenal electromyographic activity in yearling cattle (Roussel et al 1994). On contrary, Wittek and Constable (2005) found no significant effect on the abomasal motility and emptying rate in calves at adose rate of 0.1 mg/kg. Also, the administration of metoclopramide (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8, or 1 mg/kg, IM or IV) to 3-6 month-old calves did not alter ruminal motility, fecal characteristics, or the frequency of defecation (Zdelar et al 1979).…”

“…Ultrasonography was also used to evaluate the effect different drugs that decrease the reticular motility (Braun et al 2002) as well as the abomasal motility and emptying rate (Wittek and Constable 2005). The effect of metoclopramide and neostigmine on the reticuloruminal motility has been evaluated previously only by the invasive methods.…”

Effect of Orally Administered Cisapride, Bethanechol, and Erythromycin on the Apparent Efficiency of Colostral IgG Absorption in Neonatal Holstein‐Friesian Calves

“…An unexpected finding of this study was the minimal effect that oral erythromycin lactobionate (20 mg/kg BW) had on indices of abomasal emptying rate and the total IgG and total protein‐time relationships. Previous studies have consistently demonstrated that IM administration of erythromycin (8.8–10 mg/kg BW) produced a marked prokinetic effect in milk‐fed calves and adult cattle 5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Erythromycin base is not absorbed in preruminant calves when administered orally at 10 mg/kg; this result has been attributed to acid destruction of erythromycin in the abomasum 37.…”

“…This result was most likely because of interference in cisapride metabolism by acetaminophen, as demonstrated in a study in humans,36 rather than indicating a prokinetic effect. Demonstration of a prokinetic effect in cisapride‐treated calves may therefore be best examined using ultrasonographic measurement of abomasal dimensions to calculate changes in abomasal volume over time 15. In comparison, erythromycin and bethanechol do not appear to interfere with acetaminophen metabolism.…”

“…We were, therefore, interested in determining the effect of potential nonantimicrobial prokinetic agents, such as cisapride and bethanechol, on abomasal emptying rate and AEA in neonatal calves, and in comparing their prokinetic effects to a positive control (erythromycin) and a negative control (0.9% NaCl solution). Erythromycin was selected as the positive control because it is known to be a strong prokinetic agent in milk‐fed calves and adult cattle 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Cisapride was investigated because it increases the rate of gastrointestinal motility in the cat, dog, and horse 20.…”