Authors : Han Jiang, Ce Wang and Hongsheng Ouyang
Abstract: Ketamine combined with Medetomidine (MK) or Dexmedetomidine (DK) is widely used to provide general anaesthesia in laboratory animals. This study aimed to assess the effects of MK or DK treatment on embryogenesis and inner ear development. The 25 pregnant mice were divided into 5 groups and administrated Intraperitoneal (IP) or Subcutaneous (SC) with MK or DK at embryonic day 8.5. After birth, the Pups were counted and weighed at postnatal days 0, 15 and 30. For ear function, Brainstem Response testing (ABR) was applied to check the cochlea and reaching reflex and swimming tests were applied to assess vestibular function. The results showed no apparent difference between MK or DK administered either IP or SC in pregnant mouse. No significant difference was found between treated and control groups in embryo development and ear function. The ABR thresholds of treated groups were also not statistically significantly different from control group (p>0.05). Treated Pups exhibited normal reaching reflex and swimming behavior and showed normal morphology in all six inner ear sensory regions. In conclusion, this study did not find ketamine combined with medetomidine or dexmedetomidine had any effect on general embryogenesis and ear function of mouse offsprings.
Han Jiang, Ce Wang and Hongsheng Ouyang, 2014. Effects of Ketamine Combined with Medetomidine or Dexmedetomidine on the Ear Function of Mouse Offsprings. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 13: 648-652.