Handling the gastric groove closure in adult sheep using lysine-vasopressin

a b s t r a c t The gastric groove, oesophageal or reticular groove, is an anatomical structure of ruminants that allows liquids to pass directly to the abomasum, without entering the reticulum and rumen. The stimulation of the closure of the gastric groove in adult animals is of great interest in the oral administration of various drugs, the treatment of certain diseases, as well as a better utilization of some types of food. The aim of this research was to determine the dose of lysine-vasopressin (LVP) that could produce gastric groove closure stimulation in adult sheep with no adverse effects. For this purpose, different i.v. LVP concentrations were tested in sheep (0.1, 0.08 and 0.06 IU/kg BW). Both direct visualization and indirect confirmation (significant increase in glucose blood values after oral glucose solution administration) allowed us to establish that a dose of 0.08 IU/kg BW is able to cause the complete closure of the gastric groove without adverse reactions being demonstrated by the animals. By contrast a dose of LVP of 0.1 IU/kg BW although able to effectively stimulate the gastric groove causes some adverse effects in sheep that discourages its use. A LVP dose of 0.06 IU/kg was not enough to effectively cause the closure of the gastric groove. These side effects were vocalization, restlessness, shivering, slight tachypnea, flatulence and some urination postures.