Concentrations of neopterin, biopterin, and cortisol associated with surgical castration of piglets with lidocaine

Abstract

The effect of surgical castration with local anesthesia using lidocaine on neopterin, biopterin, and cortisol blood plasma concentrations in piglets was studied. Three groups of 12 piglets were investigated: one group castrated without lidocaine, one group castrated with lidocaine, and one group left as an uncastrated control group handled in the same way as castrated piglets. Blood samples were collected 4 min before castration, and 1 h and 24 h after castration. The time × treatment interaction (P < 0.01) was detected for neopterin concentrations, yielding the result that neopterin was higher (P < 0.01) in castrated piglets without lidocaine 1 h after surgical castration compared with all other groups. The time effect (P < 0.05) was detected for biopterin concentrations. The time × treatment interaction (P < 0.01) was detected for plasma cortisol concentrations, yielding the result that neopterin was higher (P < 0.01) in castrated piglets without lidocaine and in castrated piglets with lidocaine 1 h after surgical castration compared with pre-treatment and concentrations 24 h after surgical castration. The study showed that the use of lidocaine for the surgical castration of piglets may significantly influence the activation of the immune system. This is corroborated by a significant difference in blood plasma neopterin concentrations between piglets castrated with anesthesia and those castrated without it. The use of lidocaine had no effect on cortisol concentrations in comparison with the group castrated without lidocaine.